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Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) — Section 223(1) first proviso — Applicability of — Proceedings under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) filed before commencement of BNSS — Cognizance taken after commencement of BNSS — Accused not given opportunity of hearing at cognizance stage — Provision mandates hearing of accused before taking cognizance — Non-compliance is an illegality vitiating cognizance order — High Court judgment set aside. Constitution of India, 1950 — Article 142 — Extraordinary powers of Supreme Court — Directions issued by Supreme Court cannot supplant substantive law or disregard express statutory provisions unless necessary for complete justice, considering public policy and balancing equities. [Paras 50-54] – Stray Dog Management — Public Safety vs. Animal Welfare — Supreme Court must strike a balance between public safety under Article 21 and humane treatment of stray animals, prioritising human life and safety Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 — Offences under Sections 10(a)(i), 10(a)(iv), and 38(1) — Indian Penal Code, 1860 — Section 120B — Poisons Act, 1919 — Section 6 — Foreigners Act, 1946 — Section 14(c) — Passport Act, 1967 — Section 3 read with Section 12(1)(a) — Conviction for charges including conspiracy to revive banned organization LTTE — Appeal against conviction and sentence — Supreme Court’s finding that appellant was falsely implicated due to mistaken identity — Reliance on oral testimony of two key witnesses who introduced crucial alias name “Ranjan” years after the alleged incident and only after appellant’s arrest — Inconsistencies and material improvements in their testimonies — Failure of prosecution to establish identity with reliable oral or documentary evidence — Absence of any contemporaneous description, documentary linkage, or independent corroboration connecting appellant to the alleged absconding accused “Sri” — Appellant residing openly and lawfully as a refugee, pursuing visa to Switzerland inconsistent with being an absconding accused — Conviction and sentence set aside — Appeal allowed; appellant acquitted. Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 (MRTP Act) — Section 126(1)(b) — Transferable Development Rights (TDR) — Compensation for land acquisition reserved for public purpose — Landowner entitled to TDR against land surrendered and ‘further’ TDR for development of amenity on the surrendered land — Corporation’s argument that agreements (LOI, Undertaking, Maintenance Agreement) waived landowner’s right to claim additional amenity TDR rejected — Held, statutory rights cannot be derogated from by executive circulars or agreements. Contract Law — Tender Documents — Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) — Interpretation of Tender Clauses — Mandatory vs — Optional Conditions — Clause 2.13(a)(xiii) and Clause 2.13(b) of the tender document specifying the form of EMD for out-of-state bidders used the word “may submit”, indicating an optional, not mandatory, requirement.

Faridkot Royal Family Property Dispute – Raja of Faridkot’s Estate Act, 1948 was not a valid enactment and would not be applicable for succession to the estate of the Ruler – No case was made out for the applicability of Rule of Primogeniture and succession based on said Rule – Order of High Court granting the majority share to Amrit Kaur and Deepinder Kaur is upheld.

CE DECEASED) THROUGH LRS. AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. RAJKUMARI AMRIT KAUR AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Uday Umesh Lalit CJI., S. Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia, JJ.…

Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 – Section 7 – Arbitration agreement – Section 7 of the Act does not mandate any particular form for the arbitration clause – – Deficiency of words in agreement which otherwise fortifies the intention of the parties to arbitrate their disputes, cannot legitimise the annulment of arbitration clause

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISON BENCH BABANRAO RAJARAM PUND — Appellant Vs. M/S. SAMARTH BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : Surya Kant and Abhay S. Oka,…

Claimant was working as a Mason – Serious injuries – Multiplier 15 – Judgment and order passed by the High Court modified awarding Rs. 24,000/ towards loss of earing; Rs. 9,00,000/ towards future economic loss (instead of Rs. 5,40,000/ as awarded by the High Court) and Rs. 4,00,000/ towards pain, shock, and suffering – Thus, the claimant shall be entitled to a total sum of Rs. 15,42,800/ with 7.5% interest per annum from the date of the claim petition, till satisfaction – Appeal allowed.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISON BENCH VELAYUDHAN — Appellant Vs. NATIONAL INSURANCE CO. LTD. AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : M.R. Shah and Krishna Murari, JJ. ) Civil Appeal…

(CrPC) – Section 482 – Quashing of criminal proceedings on the basis of settlement – Court cannot deal with cases involving abuse of official position and adoption of corrupt practices, like suits for specific performance, where the refund of the money paid may also satisfy the agreement holder – High Court completely erred – Appeal allowed.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISON BENCH P. DHARAMARAJ — Appellant Vs. SHANMUGAM AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : S. Abdul Nazeer and V. Ramasubramanian, JJ. ) Criminal Appeal No.…

Service Matters

Mistake of State who issued impugned circular – State was not justified in ordering recovery of the excess amount paid with interest, more particularly, when it is reported that some of the doctors/dentists – members of the association have retired on attaining the age of superannuation and the recovery shall be from their pension/pensionary benefits.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISON BENCH M.P. MEDICAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION — Appellant Vs. THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna,…

Arbitration Law – Unilateral determination of fees by Arbitrators – A unilateral determination of fees violates the principles of party autonomy and the doctrine of the prohibition of in rem suam decisions, i.e., the arbitrators cannot be a judge of their own private claim against the parties regarding their remuneration

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH OIL AND NATURAL GAS CORPORATION LTD. — Appellant Vs. AFCONS GUNANUSA JV — Respondent ( Before : Dr. Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, Surya Kant and…

Companies Act, 1956 – Section 430 – Civil Court’s jurisdiction – Nothing in the Companies Act 2013 or any other law for the time being in force vests either the National Company Law Tribunal or the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal with the jurisdiction to adjudicate upon a challenge to the RBI Circular – Hence, the bar in Section 430 is not attracted.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA — Appellant Vs. RAJKUMAR NAGPAL AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Dr. Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, Surya Kant…

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