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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) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Compensation — Enhancement — Principles — Supreme Court’s power to award ‘just compensation’ exceeding the amount claimed — While enhancing compensation for a 21-year-old Appellant suffering 100% functional disability (due to hemiparesis, disfigurement, and brain injuries) — Supreme Court relied on ‘Nagappa v. Gurudayal Singh’ to award compensation in excess of the amount claimed by using evidence on record to arrive at just and fair compensation. (Paras 11, 12, 14) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Section 166 — Fatal accident claim — Deceased aged 33 years, survived by seven dependents (wife, four minor children, and parents) — Calculation of income — Consideration of income from both documented employment (stone crusher unit) and agricultural activity — Although documentary evidence for income beyond salary was lacking, it is reasonable to presume some income from agricultural activity given the farming background — Claimants’ assertion of Rs. 6,000/- monthly salary from stone crusher unit (supported by employer certificate) accepted, as it is a reasonable earning expectation for such employment — Additional Rs. 2,000/- per month presumed for agricultural income, totaling Rs. 8,000/- monthly income for compensation calculation. (Paras 3.2, 5, 5.2, 5.3, 5.6)

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).

Environmental Clearances – Circular – Grant of ex post facto environmental clearances – HELD This Court must take a balanced approach which holds the industries to account for having operated without environmental clearances in the past without ordering a closure of operations – The directions of the NGT for the revocation of the ECs and for closure of the units do not accord with the principle of proportionality – Penalties must be imposed for the disobedience with a binding legal regime – The breach by the industries cannot be left unattended by legal consequences –

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH ALEMBIC PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED — Appellant Vs. ROHIT PRAJAPATI AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Dr Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and Ajay Rastogi, JJ. )…

Limitation Act, 1963, Section 12(2) — Limitation — Computation of — Exclusion of time for required obtaining certified copy — Courts are obliged to compute limitation on basis of endorsement as contained in certified copy — If there is any suspicion of unfair and/ or improper practice, remedy lies in initiating domestic inquiry or may be criminal investigation against concerned staff of Court responsible  for supply  of certified copies.    

2020(1) Indian Civil Cases 635 (S.C.) SUPREME  COURT  OF INDIA Before :– INDIRA BANERJEE & M.R. SHAH, JJ. Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (C) No.24862 of 2019 Decided on…

Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, Section 138 — Dishonour of cheque — Appeal was pending and matter settled in Lok Adalat in acknowledgment of liability of accused to complainant — Cheque issued pursuant to order of Lok  Adalat, also dishonoured — Fresh  cause of action under arises S. 138 of N.I. Act — Complaint filed u/S. 138 of N.I. Act — Order quashing complaint set aside.

2020(1) Indian Civil Cases 628 (S.C.) SUPREME  COURT  OF INDIA Before :– INDIRA BANERJEE & M.R. SHAH, JJ. Criminal Appeal No.1580 of 2019 (Arising out of Special Leave Petition (Cr)…

“Therefore, in that circumstance even if the other aspects are not adverted to, the very fact that the Analyst’s report being served not being proved and the sample being taken in an appropriate manner not being established, it would be sufficient to hold that the prosecution has not proved the guilt of the appellant beyond reasonable doubt and the conviction is not justified”

REPORTABLE IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.1167 OF 2019 (Arising out of S.L.P. (Criminal) No.4314 of 2015) Vijendra .…Appellant(s) Versus State of Uttar Pradesh…

Service Matters

Constitution of India, 1950 – Article 142 – Rajasthan Civil Services (Absorption of Ex-servicemen) Rules, 1988 – Rule 6B – A candidate who is not eligible on the last date of submission of application cannot be treated to be eligible in the category of Ex-servicemen when the writ petitioners were in active service on the last date of submission of application forms

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH RAJASTHAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, AJMER AND ANOTHER — Appellant Vs. SHIKUN RAM FIRUDA AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : L. Nageswara Rao and…

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