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Constitution of India, 1950 — List II, Entry 34 — “Betting and gambling” — Whether confined to games of chance — The expression “betting and gambling” in Entry 34 cannot be split to mean that the staking angle alone constitutes “betting” and the chance element alone constitutes “gambling” — Both betting and gambling involve the aspect of staking money on an uncertain outcome — Merely because the risk element is commonly perceived as “taking a chance”, it cannot mean the expression covers only games of chance — The expression is a set composite expression and cannot be rewritten by Courts to read as “betting on gambling” — Such a judicial rewriting would constitute a clear constitutional aberration — State of Bombay v. R.M.D. Chamarbaugwala, AIR 1957 SC 699 (RMDC-I) and R.M.D. Chamarbaugwala v. Union of India, AIR 1957 SC 628 (RMDC-II), explained and distinguished. Constitution of India — Articles 246A, 366(12), 366(12A), 265 — Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (CGST Act) — Sections 2(1), 2(31), 2(52), 7, 9, 15 — Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 — Rules 31A, 31B, 31C — Schedule III, Entry 6 — Actionable claims arising from betting and gambling — Constitutional validity of levy of GST — Legislative competence of Parliament — Whether online gaming, fantasy sports and casino transactions involve betting and gambling — Whether actionable claims arise therefrom — Valuation of taxable supply. Betting and Gambling — Essential ingredients — The essential element of “betting and gambling” lies in staking money or money’s worth upon uncertain outcomes — The character of betting and gambling does not depend exclusively upon whether the underlying activity is a game of skill or a game of chance, but upon the existence of stakes placed upon uncertain future contingencies — Consequently, even where the underlying activity involves substantial elements of skill, once participation is conditioned upon staking money or money’s worth upon uncertain outcomes, the resulting transaction acquires the character of betting and gambling within the framework of the GST legislation — Accordingly, online gaming activities, including fantasy sports and other games played on digital platforms involving staking upon uncertain outcomes, constitute betting and gambling for purposes of the GST framework. Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) — Section 438 — Grant of Anticipatory Bail — Abuse of Authority by Law Enforcers — Supreme Court set aside the High Court’s order granting anticipatory bail to police officers accused of misusing their authority, extorting money, and causing stress to a citizen and his minor daughter — The Court emphasized that in cases where there is a clear abuse of authority by law enforcement officials, the normal presumptions applicable to ordinary accused persons may not apply, and greater caution is warranted — Observations made by the Supreme Court were held to be prima facie and not to govern the trial SIR ::: Constitution of India, 1950 — Article 324 — Representation of the People Act, 1950 — Sections 21(3) — Electoral Rolls — Special Intensive Revision (SIR) — Election Commission of India (ECI) has power to conduct SIR — Commission’s authority under Article 324 operates in conformity with valid law made by Parliament, but parliamentary legislation cannot extinguish Commission’s constitutional function — ECI’s powers supplement law where necessary but cannot override express statutory prohibition — SIR exercise was not in direct conflict with RP Act and 1960 Rules — Exercise subserves constitutional goal of free and fair elections.

Constitution of India, 1950 — List II, Entry 34 — “Betting and gambling” — Whether confined to games of chance — The expression “betting and gambling” in Entry 34 cannot be split to mean that the staking angle alone constitutes “betting” and the chance element alone constitutes “gambling” — Both betting and gambling involve the aspect of staking money on an uncertain outcome — Merely because the risk element is commonly perceived as “taking a chance”, it cannot mean the expression covers only games of chance — The expression is a set composite expression and cannot be rewritten by Courts to read as “betting on gambling” — Such a judicial rewriting would constitute a clear constitutional aberration — State of Bombay v. R.M.D. Chamarbaugwala, AIR 1957 SC 699 (RMDC-I) and R.M.D. Chamarbaugwala v. Union of India, AIR 1957 SC 628 (RMDC-II), explained and distinguished.

Constitution of India — Articles 246A, 366(12), 366(12A), 265 — Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (CGST Act) — Sections 2(1), 2(31), 2(52), 7, 9, 15 — Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 — Rules 31A, 31B, 31C — Schedule III, Entry 6 — Actionable claims arising from betting and gambling — Constitutional validity of levy of GST — Legislative competence of Parliament — Whether online gaming, fantasy sports and casino transactions involve betting and gambling — Whether actionable claims arise therefrom — Valuation of taxable supply.

Delhi Electricity Reforms Act, 2000 and the Electricity Act, 2003. National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 – we are of the opinion that the direction issued by the Tribunal on 11.09.2019 shall be implemented and sewerage charges shall be introduced by the Government of NCT of Delhi as directed by the Tribunal.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH TATA POWER DELHI DISTRIBUTION LTD. NDPL HOUSE — Appellant Vs. MANOJ MISRA AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : L. Nageswara Rao and Hemant…

U.P. Protection of Trees in Rural and Hills Areas Act, 1976.- Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 -The provisions of the Forest Conservation Act are not applicable to Khasra No.605. We are in agreement with the findings recorded by the Tribunal that the land falling in Khasra No.605 is banjar or barren land and the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act is not applicable.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH CHANDRA PRAKASH BUDAKOTI — Appellant Vs. UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : L. Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta, JJ. )…

Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 – Held we have no hesitation in setting aside the order of the High Court in part and also set aside the finding recorded by the High Court that no deeming permission accrued under Regulation 6(4) of Development Control Regulations, 1991. In our opinion, deemed permission accrued, and concerning the determination of refuge area as per order dated 31.8.2016 passed by the Municipal Commissioner, no interference is called for

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH SHREE RAM URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE LTD AND ANOTHER — Appellant Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND OTHER — Respondent ( Before : Arun Mishra and Vineet…

Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) – Sections 34, 201, 302, 120B and 364 – Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) – Sections 161 and 313 – Evidence Act, 1872 – Sections 10, 65-B(4) and 106 – Murder – Common intention – Merely observing that it has been proven that A-1 and A-5 were complicit in a conspiracy to murder the deceased is insufficient to conclude the existence of such a conspiracy.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH RAJENDER @ RAJESH @ RAJU — Appellant Vs. STATE (NCT OF DELHI) — Respondent ( Before : Mohan M. Shantanagoudar and Ajay Rastogi, JJ.…

Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 – Section 24(2) – Land Acquisition Act, 1894 – Sections 4, 5A and 6, 17(1) – De­notification- the land acquisition could not be said to be illegal in any manner. There is no room for making indulgence to quash the land acquisition proceedings.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH JAGJIWAN COOP. GROUP HOUSING SOCIETY LTD. AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. LT. GOVERNOR, NCT OF DELHI AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Arun…

Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888 – Sections 337, 342, 347, 351, 351(2), 351(1A) and 351(ii) – Re-construction of building – When municipal corporation demolishes a structure in exercise of powers vested in it but in violation of the procedure prescribed, the High Court CANNOT  direct the ‘owner/occupier’ of the building to reconstruct the demolished structure

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF GREATER MUMBAI AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. M/S SUNBEAM HIGH TECH DEVELOPERS PRIVATE LTD. — Respondent ( Before : Deepak Gupta…

Hindu Succession Act, 1956 – Section 15 – Suit for specific performance of an agreement of sale – When a person concerned knew the right position relating to the title in property in his possession, he could not plead that he was induced to hold an erroneous belief because of the conduct of real owner of that property

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH SIRDAR K.B. RAMACHANDRA RAJ URS. (DEAD) THROUGH LRS. — Appellant Vs. SARAH C. URS AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Arun Mishra and…

Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) – Sections 376, 499 and 506(2) – Evidence Act, 1872 -intercourse by the accused is proved and the question is whether it was without the consent of the woman alleged to have been raped, and such woman states in her evidence before the Court that she did not consent, the court shall presume that she did not consent Section 114-A – Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) – Section 482 – Rape –

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH MISS XYZ — Appellant Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : Uday Umesh Lalit, Indu Malhotra and R. Subhash Reddy,…

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