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Maternity leave as a facet of reproductive rights and dignity is a constitutional guarantee, requiring service rules to be interpreted liberally, not restricting benefit based on children from a previous marriage not in the employee’s custody. A flawed investigation, suppression of material evidence in the form of contradictory witness affidavits, and failure to address glaring inconsistencies render prosecution evidence unreliable, necessitating acquittal to ensure a fair trial. Five golden principles for cases based on circumstantial evidence reiterated: (1) circumstances establishing conclusion of guilt must be fully established; (2) facts established consistent only with hypothesis of guilt; (3) circumstances conclusive in nature; (4) exclude every possible hypothesis except guilt; (5) complete chain of evidence leaving no reasonable ground for innocence Appellant Trust’s contentions regarding non-demarcation, encroachment, and non-delivery of possession are baseless; demarcation was done and acknowledged, alleged encroachment is not proven by evidence, and delivery of possession was contingent on execution of lease deed, a condition appellant failed to meet — Respondent Corporation’s actions were in accordance with prescribed procedures and allotment terms Environmental Law — Public Trust Doctrine — MCGM’s mandate to develop recreational spaces providing legal foundation for project — Prior condition of water body suggested degradation, not functional lake — Completed park providing substantial public benefit, including green space and recreational amenities utilized by community — Post facto sanction restricting land use to recreational purposes providing legal safeguard — Delay in filing petition undermining challenge — Direction to maintain park in perpetuity for public use, explore alternative water body, and restore other deteriorated water bodies by MCGM.

Criminal Breach of trust by Public Servant—Reduction in Sentence—Embezzlement of 85 litres of diesel from depot of State Transport by its bus driver—Appellant is now in his late sixties and no longer in service—He is also ailing and is not involved in any other criminal activity—Sentence reduced to period already undergone with increment in fine

2019(1) Law Herald (SC)   204 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 2056 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Indu Malhotra Criminal Appeal No.…

Previous Bad Character—Use of previous bad character evidence is prohibited except when the convict himself chooses to lead evidence of his good character. Murder—Death Sentence—Life Imprisonment—The criminal, however ruthless he might be, is nevertheless a human being and is entitled to a life of dignity notwithstanding his crime. Murder—Death Sentence—Where the social re-integration of the convict may not be possible, the option of a long duration of imprisonment is permissible. DNA Test—Failure to produce available DNA evidence leads to an adverse presumption against the prosecution and in favour of appellant for the purpose of sentence only.

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 172 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 2051 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Madan B. Lokur Hon’ble Mr. Justice S. Abdul Nazeer Hon’ble Mr.…

High Court dismissed the revision by observing that even though Session Court and High Court have concurrent revisionary jurisdiction but there was no special circumstance to bypass the forum of Session Judge—Appeal against this order—Held; keeping in view the matter is already pending for 16 years impugned order of High Court set aside-High Court to hear the revision on merits-Question of law left open

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 637 : 2019 LawHerald.Org 614 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana Criminal Appeal No.…

Insurance—Where due to deficiency in service, the complainant has suffered loss of benefits of an escalation in his investment value than mere direction for refund of payment along with interest will not provide sufficient redressal of his grievance—Heavy Compensation amount over and above such amount should be awarded

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 633 : 2019 LawHerald.Org 6O9 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Dr. Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud Hon’ble Mr. Justice Hetnant Gupta Civil Appeal…

Agreement to Sell—Concurrent findings of fact—The issue of readiness and willingness is the most important issue for considering the grant of specific performance of the contract and the same having been held (in favour or against the plaintiff) by the Courts below on appreciation of evidence; is binding even on Supreme Court

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 630 : 2019 LawHerald.Org 608 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre Hon’ble Ms. Justice Indu Malhotra Civil Appeal No.…