Latest Post

Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Section 166 — Claim Petition — Standard of Proof — In motor vehicle accident claims, the standard of proof is based on preponderance of probabilities, not proof beyond reasonable doubt — However, claimants must establish three elements: (i) occurrence of accident; (ii) involvement of the specific offending vehicle; and (iii) rash and negligent act of the driver — Mere occurrence of the accident alone is insufficient if the involvement of the vehicle and negligence are not established. (Paras 5, 7, 8, 16) Service Law — Compassionate Appointment — Nature of right — Appointment on compassionate bases is a concession, not a matter of right, and serves as an exception to the general rule of public employment under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India — Core objective is to enable the dependent family to tide over sudden financial crisis following the death of the employee, providing relief against destitution — It is not intended to provide a post much less a post held by the deceased or a higher post based on educational qualification. (Paras 3, 7, 7.1, 7.3, 11) 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)

Consumer Protection Act, 1986, S.27–Imposition of Penalty-Appellant was shown as Secretary of the Society during the relevant period—For the default committed by a Credit Society (non return of amount invested alongwith interest as assured) and in absence of any personal liability imposed on the appellant, no order for imprisonment can be ordered for imprisonment of appellant

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 572 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 2135 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice R. Subhash Reddy Hon’ble Mr. Justice Uday Umesh Lalit Civil Appeal…

Consumer Protection Act, 1986, S. 12–Medical Negligence-Vegetative State–Child aged two and half years underwent minor survey but thereafter developed respiratory distress and has been reduced to a vegetative state–Forums below had awarded Rs. 10 lakhs as compensation payable jointly by surgeon and the anesthetist-Compensation enhanced further by Rs.7 lakhs

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 552 : 2019 LawHerald.Org 602 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Dr. Dhananjay Y. Chandrachud Hon’ble Mr. Justice Hemant Gupta Civil Appeal…

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, S.456–Forcible Dispossession-Restoration of Possession—Limitation-Limitation of 30 days filing an application would apply only if the Trial Court had not passed any order in respect of the case property while convicting the accused—No limitation has been provided for the higher courts to make an order for restoration of possession while disposing the proceedings before it. 

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 535 : 2019 LawHerald.Org 60O IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Deepak Gupta Criminal Appeal No. 1104 of 2011 Mahesh Dube v.…

Dishonour of Cheque—Blank Cheque—Subsequent filing in of an unfilled signed cheque is not an alteration. Dishonour of Cheque—Presumption of debt—The existence of a fiduciary relationship between the payee of a cheque and its drawer, would not disentitle the payee to the benefit of the presumption under Section 139.

2019(1) Law Herald (P&H) 353 (SC) : 2019 LawHerald.Org 525 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mrs. Justice R. Banumathi Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Indira Banerjee Criminal Appeal Nos.…

You missed