Latest Post

Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Section 166 — Claim Petition — Standard of Proof — In motor vehicle accident claims, the standard of proof is based on preponderance of probabilities, not proof beyond reasonable doubt — However, claimants must establish three elements: (i) occurrence of accident; (ii) involvement of the specific offending vehicle; and (iii) rash and negligent act of the driver — Mere occurrence of the accident alone is insufficient if the involvement of the vehicle and negligence are not established. (Paras 5, 7, 8, 16) Service Law — Compassionate Appointment — Nature of right — Appointment on compassionate bases is a concession, not a matter of right, and serves as an exception to the general rule of public employment under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India — Core objective is to enable the dependent family to tide over sudden financial crisis following the death of the employee, providing relief against destitution — It is not intended to provide a post much less a post held by the deceased or a higher post based on educational qualification. (Paras 3, 7, 7.1, 7.3, 11) Goods and Services Tax (GST) — Exemption Notification — Notification No. 9/2017- Integrated Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017 — Entry 13 — Exemption on services by way of renting of residential dwelling for use as residence — Renting residential property as hostel to students/working professionals — Conditions for exemption: renting service, residential dwelling, and use as residence — The term “residential dwelling” is not defined under GST laws but refers to any residential accommodation for long-term stay, excluding commercial places, hotels, guesthouses for temporary stay — Property comprising 42 rooms rented out and sub-leased for use as hostel accommodation is considered a “residential dwelling” as its nature and use remain residential, not commercial accommodation like a hotel. (Paras 36, 46, 47, 50) Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — Section 31(7)(a) and (b) — Power of Arbitral Tribunal to grant interest — Party Autonomy — Pre-award (pendente lite) interest — Section 31(7)(a) mandates that the Arbitral Tribunal’s discretion to award interest on the sum awarded (from date cause of action arose till date of award) is subject to the agreement between the parties (“unless otherwise agreed by the parties”) — When parties specify a contractual rate of interest in the agreement, subject to no legal bar, this stipulation takes precedence over the Arbitrator’s discretion to deem a rate “reasonable” — Arbitral Tribunal is bound by the contractual terms regarding interest once agreed upon, and the borrower cannot later challenge the rate as unconscionable or against public policy, especially in commercial transactions between parties of equal bargaining power — Post-award interest is governed by Section 31(7)(b) (Paras 51, 53, 56, 64, 65, 70). Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) — Section 319 — Summoning of Additional Accused — Nature and Scope of Power — The power under Section 319 CrPC is extraordinary and discretionary, intended to be exercised sparingly, but it is an enabling provision aimed at ensuring that no guilty person escapes the process of law — The prerequisite for its exercise is that it must appear from the evidence adduced during inquiry or trial that a person not already arraigned as an accused has committed an offence — The object is to ensure a fair and complete trial and give effect to the maxim ‘judex damnatur cum nocens absolvitur’ (Judge is condemned when guilty is acquitted). (Paras 6, 7)

Depositories Act, 1996 – As per the 1996 Regulations, the pledgor/pawnor is not entitled to sell the pledged/pawned securities – the pawnor under the Contract Act and the common law has the right to redeem the pledged goods till ‘actual sale’ – Sale by the pawnee to self does not defeat the right of redemption of the pawnor – It may amount to conversion in law

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISON BENCH PTC INDIA FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED — Appellant Vs. VENKATESWARLU KARI AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : M.R. Shah and Sanjiv Khanna, JJ. )…

Service Matters

HELD according to the said University, though the employment was contractual but the employee was entitled to get all the benefits of a regular employee – Appellant’s services could not have been terminated without following the principles of natural justice – Appellant is directed to be reinstated with continuity in service

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISON BENCH K. RAGUPATHI — Appellant Vs. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : L. Nageswara Rao and B.R. Gavai, JJ.…

Order XXVI Rule 9 of the Code (CPC) gives wide powers to the court to appoint a commissioner to make local investigations which may be requisite or proper for elucidating any matter in dispute, ascertaining the market value of any property, account of mesne profit or damages or annual net profits.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISON BENCH M.P. RAJYA TILHAN UTPADAK SAHAKARI SANGH MARYADIT, PACHAMA, DISTRICT SEHORE AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. M/S. MODI TRANSPORT SERVICE — Respondent ( Before :…

Service Matters

When the Pension Regulations and the GPF Scheme are read together, the necessary conclusion is that an employee must give his option for either continuing to be a member of the CPF Scheme or to switch over to the Pension and GPF Scheme. HELD that an employee had no inherent right to demand extension for exercising the switchover option.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISON BENCH UNIVERSITY OF DELHI — Appellant Vs. SMT. SHASHI KIRAN AND OTHERS ETC. — Respondent ( Before : Uday Umesh Lalit and Vineet Saran, JJ.…

Service Matters

Uttar Pradesh State Universities Act, 1973 – Section 31 – Termination – Selection of the appellant was done after following the selection procedure as prescribed by the 1973 Act – Appellant had served for a period of 12 years before the order directing his termination was passed by Chancellor – Termination of appellant is not sustainable in law.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISON BENCH RAM CHANDRA — Appellant Vs. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : L. Nageswara Rao and B.R. Gavai, JJ. )…

You missed