Advocates Act, 1961 — 24(1)(f) — Enrolment fees and miscellaneous charges levied by State Bar Councils (SBCs) for the admission of advocates — The petitioner challenges the SBCs’ practice of charging fees in excess of the statutory limit prescribed in Section 24(1)(f) of the Act, 1961 —Whether SBCs can charge enrolment fees beyond the express legal stipulation under Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act? — Whether the SBCs’ practice of charging additional fees violates the Constitution? — The enrolment fees charged by SBCs exceed the statutory limit prescribed in Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act —The additional fees charged by SBCs violate Articles 14 and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution — The Court held that Section 24(1)(f) prescribes the enrolment fee, and SBCs cannot charge additional fees beyond this limit —The court reasoned that charging excessive fees creates entry barriers for marginalized and economically weaker sections, violating the principle of substantive equality — The court clarified that all fees charged at the time of enrolment must be construed as part of the enrolment fee and cannot exceed the statutory limit.
024 INSC 558 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH GAURAV KUMAR — Appellant Vs. UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Dr Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, CJI. and…
Constitution of India, 1950 — Article 239AA(4) —Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 — Section 3(3)(b)(i) — The Supreme Court dismissed a writ petition challenging the Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s power to nominate persons with special knowledge in municipal administration to the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) — The court held that the power of nomination under Section 3(3)(b)(i) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, as amended in 1993, is a statutory duty vested in the Lieutenant Governor and not the executive power of the Government of NCT Delhi — The court also clarified that the Lieutenant Governor is not bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers in exercising this power — The court added two principles to the relations between the Union and NCT Delhi, stating that the power of nomination was incorporated to reflect the constitutional changes in the NCT Delhi’s structure and that the Lieutenant Governor is intended to act as per the mandate of the statute, not guided by the Council of Ministers’ advice.
2024 INSC 578 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI — Appellant Vs. OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF DELHI — Respondent ( Before : Dr Dhananjaya…
Motor Accident Claims — Accurate Disability assessment — Supreme Court addressed the issue of compensation for a motor accident victim who sustained injuries to both hands requiring surgery and resulting in permanent disability — The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (Tribunal) initially awarded Rs.5,38,872/- as compensation, considering a 25% disability — The insurance company appealed, and the High Court reduced the compensation to Rs.4,74,072/-, adjusting the disability percentage to 20% — The Supreme Court upon reviewing the medical records and testimony of doctor, who certified a 50% disability, set aside the High Court’s judgment — It restored the Tribunal’s decision, which had assessed a 25% disability — The Court directed the insurance company to deposit the full compensation amount, as determined by the Tribunal — The appeal was thus allowed, emphasizing the importance of accurate disability assessment in determining fair compensation for accident victims.
2024 INSC 598 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH RAHUL — Appellant Vs. NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD. AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : Sudhanshu Dhulia and R. Mahadevan, JJ.…
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 — Sections 7, 7A, 8 and 12 — Penal Code, 1860 — Sections 420, 201 and 120B — Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 — Section 3 — Manish Sisodia’s bail applications were rejected by the High Court of Delhi — He is involved in cases registered by the CBI and ED related to alleged irregularities in Delhi’s Excise Policy for 2021-22 —Whether the appellant is entitled to bail considering the prolonged incarceration and the right to a speedy trial — Petitioner argues that the trial is delayed, and the appellant has been in custody for a long time — The prosecution has not completed the investigation, and the trial is proceeding at a snail’s pace — ED Contends that the appellant is influential and may tamper with evidence or influence witnesses — The trial delay is due to the appellant’s actions — The Supreme Court granted bail to Manish Sisodia, emphasizing the right to a speedy trial and noting the prolonged incarceration — The trial has not commenced despite assurances, and the appellant’s prolonged detention violates the right to liberty — The right to a speedy trial is fundamental, and bail should not be withheld as punishment — The court also considered the large volume of documents and witnesses involved — The appellant is granted bail with conditions to ensure his presence at trial and prevent tampering with evidence.
2024 INSC 595 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH MANISH SISODIA — Appellant Vs. DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT — Respondent ( Before : B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, JJ. ) Criminal…
Distinction Between Assault and Jostling/Struggling — The court distinguished between an assault, which involves an intentional application of force or a threat to apply force, and jostling or struggling that may occur during an attempt to resist arrest or escape — The mere act of jostling or struggling, without evidence of intent to assault or use criminal force, does not constitute an offence under Section 353 IPC. Necessity of Compliance with Section 195(1)(a)(i) Cr.P.C. for Prosecuting under Section 186 IPC —The court held that for prosecuting an offence under Section 186 IPC (obstructing a public servant in the discharge of public functions), it is mandatory to follow the procedure laid down in Section 195(1)(a)(i) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C.), which requires a complaint or report by the public servant concerned or by some other person authorized by him in writing.
2024 INSC 600 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH MAHENDRA KUMAR SONKER — Appellant Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH ( Before : B.R. Gavai, K. V. Viswanathan and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar…
Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 — Sections 3 and 4 — The Indian Medical Association (IMA) filed a writ petition against Patanjali Ayurved Limited, Acharya Balkrishna, and Baba Ramdev for spreading misinformation about modern medicine — Whether Patanjali violated court orders by continuing to make misleading claims about their products’ medicinal efficacy —IMA argued that Patanjali continued to make false claims about their products despite court orders prohibiting such actions — Patanjali and its representatives claimed that any misleading statements were inadvertent and offered apologies — The court found Patanjali in contempt for violating its orders and issued further restrictions on their advertising practices — The court emphasized the importance of upholding the dignity of the judiciary and preventing misleading advertisements —The court referred to the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, and relevant case law to justify its decision —Patanjali was found in contempt, and further measures were imposed to ensure compliance with court orders.
2024 INSC 605 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH IN RE : PATANJALI AYURVED LIMITED THROUGH ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, ACHARYA BALKRISHNA AND BABA RAMDEV IN THE MATTER OF : INDIAN…
Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) — Sections 193, 376 and 504 — Establishing relations on the false pretext of marriage — Accused was granted bail, which the complainant sought to cancel — Whether the appellant’s denial in his affidavit constitutes an offence under Section 193 IPC (false evidence) — Petitioner argue that mere denial of averments does not constitute perjury — The court is not bound to make a complaint under Section 195(1)(b) unless it is expedient in the interest of justice — Respondent states that the appellant misrepresented facts and continued relations with the complainant despite being engaged to someone else —The Supreme Court set aside the High Court’s direction to file a complaint against the appellant for perjury —Denial simpliciter does not meet the threshold for perjury — No malafide intention or deliberate attempt was evident from the appellant’s statements —Prosecution for perjury should be initiated only in exceptional circumstances where there is deliberate falsehood on a matter of substance —The appeal was allowed, and the proceedings arising from the High Court’s direction were quashed — The decision does not affect the ongoing criminal case against the appellant.
2024 INSC 601 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH JAMES KUNJWAL @APPELANT Vs. STATE OF UTTARAKHAND AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : B.R. Gavai, Sanjay Karol and K.V. Viswanathan,…
Burden of Proof in Section 138 N.I. Act Cases — The court reaffirmed that once the issuance of a cheque and its dishonor for insufficiency of funds are established, a presumption arises under Sections 138, 139, and 118(a) of the N.I. Act that the amount mentioned in the cheque was legally due and payable by the drawer to the payee — The burden then shifts to the accused to rebut this presumption by producing satisfactory evidence.
2024 INSC 602 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH SRI SUJIES BENEFIT FUNDS LIMITED — Appellant Vs. M. JAGANATHUAN — Respondent ( Before : Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, JJ.…
Bail is the rule, jail is the exception — The court reiterated the well-established principle that bail should be the norm and imprisonment should be the exception — This principle applies even in cases involving stringent conditions for the grant of bail, as in the UAPA.
2024 INSC 604 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH JALALUDDIN KHAN — Appellant Vs. UNION OF INDIA — Respondent ( Before : Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih, JJ.…
Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) — Sections 304 Part I and 304 Part II — Murder during a quarrel in family dispute — Modification of sentence — The main issue is whether the conviction should be under Section 304 Part I or Part II of the IPC — The petitioner argued that the incident was a result of self-defence and that the conviction should be set aside — The respondent supported the High Court’s decision and argued for the dismissal of the appeal — The Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s decision to alter the conviction from Section 304 Part I to Part II IPC but modified the sentence to the period already undergone by the appellant — The Court noted the emotional state of the young appellant and the non-premeditated nature of the incident — The Court emphasized the heat of the moment and the lack of control over anger leading to the incident — The appeal was partly allowed, modifying the sentence to the period already undergone while maintaining the conviction.
2024 INSC 609 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH HUSSAINBHAI ASGARALI LOKHANDWALA AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Abhay S. Oka…