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Constitution of India, 1950 — Articles 14, 21 — Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act) — Substantive Equality and Inclusion — Scope and Spirit — The measure of a just society demands the removal of barriers for all citizens to realize their potential, transforming formal equality into substantive inclusion — Constitutional vision requires every person, regardless of physical or sensory limitation, to participate with dignity — Rights guaranteed to persons with disabilities are expressions of the constitutional promise of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination, not acts of benevolence. (Paras 1, 12, 13) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) — Section 321 — Withdrawal from prosecution — Requirement of High Court permission for withdrawal of cases against sitting or former MPs/MLAs — Following Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay v. Union of India — High Court must exercise judicial mind and give a reasoned order when considering an application for permission to withdraw prosecution against sitting/former legislators — Application must disclose reasons for withdrawal and records of the case must be before the High Court — Absence of requisite permission from the High Court means that the withdrawal application cannot be granted and the criminal proceedings cannot be quashed on this ground — High Court’s rejection of quashing petition confirmed. (Paras 2, 7, 9, 10) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) — Section 313 — Examination of Accused — Object and Scope — Non-compliance with mandatory requirement — Fair Trial — The object of Section 313 CrPC is to ensure a fair trial by providing the accused with an opportunity to explain all incriminating circumstances appearing in the prosecution evidence against them personally — It is a mandatory, non-negotiable obligation upon the Court and is not a mere formality; it is based on the cardinal principle of natural justice (audi alterum partem) — The statement cannot be the sole basis for conviction and is neither substantive nor a substitute piece of evidence. (Paras 6, 7.1, 7.2) Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971 — Section 14(1) — Mandamus to acquire land — Power of State Government to acquire land for Slum Rehabilitation Scheme — Preferential Right of Owner — The power of the State Government to acquire land under Section 14 read with Section 3D(c)(i) of the Slum Act is subject to the preferential right of the owner to redevelop the area — Acquisition is not warranted when the owner is willing to undertake development in exercise of their preferential right, and the process must be kept in abeyance until such right is extinguished — No mandamus can be issued to the State Government to acquire the subject property under Section 14 of the Slum Act where the subsequent purchaser from the original owner (Respondent No. 4) has a subsisting preferential right to develop the property. (Paras 63, 64, 71, 72, 77(1)) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 — Section 227 — Discharge of Accused — Principles for deciding discharge application — Standard of proof for framing charge — The Court, at the stage of framing charge, must sift the evidence to determine if there is a “sufficient ground for proceeding”; a prima facie case must be established — If two views are possible and one gives rise to “suspicion only, as distinguished from grave suspicion,” the trial Judge is empowered to discharge the accused — The Judge is not a “mere post office” but must exercise judicial mind to determine if a case for trial is made out — The strong suspicion required to frame a charge must be founded on material that can be translated into evidence at trial — Where the profile of allegations renders the existence of strong suspicion patently absurd or inherently improbable, the accused should be discharged. (Paras 14, 15, 16, 17)

Indian Penal Code, 1860, S.302 and S.120-B-Murder–Circumstantial Evidence—Acquittal—Missing Link evidence–circumstances which emerged and taken note of gives a suspicion in completing the claim of commission of crime beyond doubt—Petitioner held entitled to benefit of doubt-Petitioner acquitted.                 

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 821 : 2019 LawHerald.Org 610 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before HonTjel Mr. Justice Ajay Rastogi Hon’bel Mr. Justice K.M. Jospeh Criminal Appeal NO(s). 148…

Territorial .Jurisdiction—Place of Suing—Interpretation of word “portion of the property” in S.17 CPC cannot only be understood in a limited and restrictive sense of being portion of one property situated in jurisdiction of two courts but would include more than one property or properties located at different locations.

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 804 : 2019 LawHerald.Org 714 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Honlrie Mr. Justice Ashok Bhushan Hon’ble Mr. Justice K.M. Joseph Civil Appeal No. 1052…

Civil Procedure Code, 1908, S.144–Restitution–Restoration of Possession—There was no decree or order of the Trial court by virtue of which the appellant was given possession of the property, nor did any decree or order mandate that the respondent hand over possession to the appellants—In these circumstances, the provisions of Section 144, CPC were not attracted

  2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 801 : 2019 LawHerald.Org 713 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Dr. Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud Hon’ble Mr. Justice Hemant Gupta Civil…

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, S.439–Bail–Cancellation of–Cheating–FIR against builders for not fulfilling their obligations under agreement to sell entered by them with various prospective buyers–Trial Court cancelling bail order of Respondent No.2 who was a proclaimed offender-High Court set aside the order and restored interim bail granted by Trial Court without assigning any reasons and even without issuing notice to complainants—Impugned order of High Court set aside—Respondent No.2 directed to surrender before Session Judge.

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 790 : 2019 LawHerald.Org 620 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar Crl A. No.…

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