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Civil Procedure Code, 1908 — Order 7 Rule 11 — Rejection of plaint — Abuse of process — Family arrangement (KBPP) and Conciliation Award — Allegations of undue influence, coercion, misrepresentation, and fabrication — Grounds for challenge were distinct for KBPP and Award — Lower courts erred in rejecting plaint by treating documents as one Conciliation Award and dismissing allegations of fraud due to admitted execution of KBPP — Allegations of coercion need not be limited to life threat and can arise from subservience — Rejection of plaint was erroneous as prima facie cause of action disclosed, suit not vexatious or abuse of process. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — Section 108, 80, 103, 85 — Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 — Sections 3, 4 — Offences — Abetment to suicide, Dowry death, Murder — Allegations of extra-marital relationship, demand of money/dowry — Deceased died of poisoning/injection — Autopsy findings — Prosecution case not strong at bail stage. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 — Section 33(1) — Requirement for employer to seek permission before altering service conditions or stopping work of workmen during pendency of dispute — Failure to do so constitutes a breach of the Act. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 — Sections 10(1), 12 — Reference of industrial dispute — Apprehended dispute — Appropriate Government’s power to refer — The appropriate Government has the power to refer an industrial dispute for adjudication if it is of the opinion that such dispute exists or is apprehended. The initiation of conciliation proceedings under Section 12 does not statutorily require a prior demand notice to the employer as a pre-condition to approaching the Conciliation Officer. The management’s argument that a prior demand notice is essential, based on certain previous judgments, fails as it ignores the provision for referring an apprehended dispute, which can be invoked to prevent industrial unrest Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) — Section 175(4) — Complaints against public servants alleged to have committed offenses in discharge of official duties — Interpretation — This provision is not a standalone provision, nor is it a proviso to Section 175(3) — It must be read in harmony with Section 175(3), with Section 175(4) forming an extension of Section 175(3) — The power to order investigation under Section 175(3) is conferred upon a judicial magistrate, while Section 175(4) also confers such power but prescribes a special procedure for complaints against public servants — The expression “complaint” in Section 175(4) does not encompass oral complaints and must be understood in the context of a written complaint supported by an affidavit, as required by Section 175(3) — This interpretation ensures that the procedural safeguard of an affidavit, mandated by Priyanka Srivastava v. State of U.P., is not undermined even when dealing with public servants — The intention is to provide a two-tier protection: first, at the threshold stage under Section 175(4) with additional safeguards, and second, at the post-investigation stage under Section 218(1) regarding previous sanction. (Paras 26, 31, 37.1, 37.2, 37.4, 37.5, 37.6, 37.8, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44)

Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 – Sections 11A and 33(2)(b) – Misconduct – Order of dismissal – Domestic enquiry -The Labour Court or Tribunal, therefore, while holding enquiry under Section 33(2)(b) cannot invoke the adjudicatory powers vested in them under Section 10(i)(c) and (d) of the Act nor can they in the process of formation of their prima facie view under Section 33(2)(b), dwell upon the proportionality of punishment, as erroneously done in the instant case, for such a power can be exercised by the Labour Court or Tribunal only under Section 11A of the Act – Appeal allowed.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH JOHN D’SOUZA — Appellant Vs. KARNATAKA STATE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION — Respondent ( Before : Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Surya Kant, JJ. ) Civil…

Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board (Sale and transfer of Plots) (First Amendment) Rules, 2008 – Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board (Sale and Transfer of Plots) Rules, 1999 – Rule 3(iii) and (iv) – Where the old dealers are to be allotted shops if they can satisfy the concerned authority, be it the market committee or the board that a particular condition could not be met for a short period due to reasons beyond the control of the dealer, then even though he may not be in strict compliance of the rules, the power of relaxation must be read into the Rules.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH WALAITI RAM CHARAN DASS AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose,…

Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 – Sections 3, 5 and 20-A, 20­A(1) – Arms Act, 1959 – Section 25(1B)(a) and 27 – Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) – Sections 154 and 154(1) – Recovery of arms – The bar under Section 20­A(1) of TADA Act applies to information recorded under Section 154 of CrPC. This bar will not apply to a rukka or a communication sent by the police official to the District Superintendent of Police seeking his sanction. Otherwise, there could be no communication seeking sanction, which could not have been the purpose of TADA Act.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH EBHA ARJUN JADEJA AND OTHERS Vs. THE STATE OF GUJARAT — Respondent ( Before : Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose, JJ. ) Criminal Appeal…

Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 – Sections 118(a) and 138 – Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) – Section 313 – Dishonour of cheque – Appeal against acquittal – it is presumed that the cheques in question were drawn for consideration and the holder of the cheques i.e., the appellant received the same in discharge of an existing debt. The onus, thereafter, shifts on the accused-appellant to establish a probable defence so as to rebut such a presumption, which onus has not been discharged by the respondent.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH UTTAM RAM — Appellant Vs. DEVINDER SINGH HUDAN AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : L. Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta, JJ. ) Criminal…

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) – Sections 161, 164, 319 – Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) – Section 376(2) – Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 – Sections 5 and 6 – Sexual harassment – Order of summoning – The statement of the child so as to involve a person wearing spectacles as an accused does not inspire confidence disclosing more than prima facie to make him to stand trial of the offences. Therefore, This Court hold that the order of summoning the appellant under Section 319 of the Code is not legal

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH MANI PUSHPAKJOSHI — Appellant Vs. STATE OF UTTARAKHAND AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : L. Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta, JJ. ) Criminal…

Service Matters

Service Law – it cannot be said that the appointment of the employees in the present set of appeals were irregular appointments. Such appointments are illegal appointment in terms of the ratio of Supreme Court judgment in Uma Devi. As such appointments were made without any sanctioned post, without any advertisement giving opportunity to all eligible candidates to apply and seek public employment and without any method of recruitment.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH THE STATE OF BIHAR AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. DEVENDRA SHARMA — Respondent ( Before : L. Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta, JJ. )…

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) – Section 482 – Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 – Section 35 read with Section 3 – Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976 – Section 23, 23(1) read with Section 4 and 4(1) – Cognizance of offence – The very fact that the High Court, in this case, went into the most minute details, on the allegtions made by the appellant-C.B.I., and the defence put-forth by the respondent, led us to a conclusion that the High Court has exceeded its power, while exercising its inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION — Appellant Vs. ARVIND KHANNA — Respondent ( Before : R. Banumathi and R. Subhash Reddy, JJ. ) Criminal Appeal…

Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) – Sections 34, 417, 418, 420, 422, 120(B), 403, 406, 420 and 506(B) – Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) – Section 482 – Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (NI) – Section 138 – Though the contract is of civil nature, if there is an element of cheating and fraud it is always open for a party in a contract, to prosecute the other side for the offences alleged. Equally, mere filing of a suit or complaint filed under Section 138 of the N.I. Act, 1881 by itself is no ground to quash the proceedings. Appeal allowed

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH DR. LAKSHMAN — Appellant Vs. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : R. Banumathi and R. Subhash Reddy, JJ. )…

Land Acquisition Act, 1894 – Section 31 A – Review of award – It is settled legal proposition that unless the statute/rules so permit, the review application is not maintainable in case of judicial/quasi­judicial orders -the law on the point can be summarised to the effect that in the absence of any statutory provision providing for review, entertaining an application for review or under the garb of clarification /modification/ correction is not permissible

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH NARESH KUMAR AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI — Respondent ( Before : Arun Mishra, Vineet Saran and S. Ravindra…

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