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Environmental Law — Environmental Clearance (EC) — Ex-post facto EC — The Supreme Court has held that the concept of ex-post facto Environmental Clearance is alien to Indian environmental jurisprudence and struck down notifications allowing it — However, in cases where industries were established based on Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) granted by Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) which were themselves unaware of the prior EC requirement, and the industries have subsequently applied for EC, the Court may allow them to operate while the EC process is pending, to avoid economic and livelihood impacts if no actual pollution is caused or norms are otherwise met. Land Revenue Records — Evidentiary Value for Title — Revenue records like Faisal Patti, Vasool Baqi, and Pahanies are primarily for fiscal purposes and do not confer title or ownership — Mutation entries do not create or extinguish title and have no presumptive value regarding ownership — Such records cannot be the sole basis for declaring title, especially when the primary document of title (patta) is not produced. Recruitment Process — Advertisement and Selection — While filling vacancies, State instrumentalities must adhere to comparative merit and avoid discrimination — A candidate in a select list does not gain an indefeasible right to appointment without specific rules to that effect. Specific Relief Act, 1963 — Section 28 — Rescission of contract for failure to pay purchase money within time limit prescribed by decree — Court’s discretion to extend time or rescind — Dismissal of appeal for non-prosecution does not result in merger of trial court decree — Permitting deposit of balance amount does not extinguish judgment-debtor’s right to seek rescission — Court can consider extending time to balance equities and compensate judgment-debtor for delay, but not automatically — Judgment-debtor’s conduct showing willful negligence is a factor for rescission. Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 — Section 45 — Bar of jurisdiction of civil courts — This section bars civil courts from entertaining suits or proceedings related to matters within the jurisdiction of authorities, Adjudicating Authorities, or the Appellate Tribunal under the Act — However, the question of whether a suit falls under this bar is itself a matter that can be considered in the context of Order 7 Rule 11 or Order XIV Rule 2.

It is deemed appropriate to direct the respondent Nos.3 and 4/Corporation to return the land acquired by it to the appellants within four weeks. Once the possession is restored, the appellants shall be permitted to use it for residential purposes. Further, the respondents are directed to compensate the appellants @ Rs.1 crore per year for the loss caused

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISON BENCH RAJHAN NARENDRA ROUT AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA, THROUGH SECRETARY, URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before :…

Income Tax Act, 1961 – Sections 36(1)(vii) and 37 – Where the claim of bad and doubtful debt was disallowed -Section 37 applies only to items which do not fall in Section 30 to 36 – If a provision for doubtful debt is expressly excluded from Section 36 (1) (vii) then such a provision cannot claim deduction under Section 37 of the IT Act even on the basis of “real income theory”.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH PR. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX 6 — Appellant Vs. KHYATI REALTORS PVT. LTD. — Respondent ( Before : Uday Umesh Lalit, S. Ravindra Bhat…

Prosecution for offences against the State and for criminal conspiracy – Words “No Court shall take cognizance” employed in Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the consequential bar created under the said provision would undoubtedly show that the bar is against ‘taking of cognizance by the Court’ and not against registration of a crime or investigation

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH PARVEZ PARWAZ AND ANOTHER — Appellant Vs. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : N.V. Ramana, CJI., Hima Kohli and…

Service Matters

HELD to exempt M. Phil. / Ph.D. holders from qualifying in the NET was perhaps premised on the understanding that such a doctorate in one’s chosen subject, involving years of study, would render a greater understanding of the subject compared to most other candidates taking the NET who have only obtained a Master’s degree. Such qualification (M. Phil. or Ph. D.) is undoubtedly awarded for a proven proficiency of the candidate in the concerned subject or discipline

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH UNIVERSITY OF KERALA AND OTHERS ETC. — Appellant Vs. MERLIN J.N. AND ANOTHER ETC. ETC. — Respondent ( Before : Uday Umesh Lalit, S.…

(CPC) – Order 7 Rule 11 – Commercial Courts Act, 2015 – Section 12A – Rejection of Plaint – Pre-Institution Mediation and Settlement – Section 12A of the Act is mandatory – Any suit instituted violating the mandate of Section 12A must be visited with rejection of the plaint under Order VII Rule 11 – This power can be exercised even suo moto by the court – Section 12A cannot be described as a mere procedural law.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISON BENCH M/S. PATIL AUTOMATION PRIVATE LIMITED AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. RAKHEJA ENGINEERS PRIVATE LIMITED — Respondent ( Before : K.M. Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy,…

(CrPC) – Section 311 – Power to summon – Section 311 provides that the Court may summon any person as a witness or to examine any person in attendance, though not summoned as a witness and Recall and re-examine any person who has already been examined – This power can be exercised at any stage of any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under the CrPC

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISON BENCH VARSHA GARG — Appellant Vs. THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Dr. Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud and AS Bopanna,…

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