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Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — Section 37 read with Section 34 — Scope of Interference — Concurrent Findings — Statutory prohibition against re-appreciation of evidence — Challenges to arbitral award upholding 24% interest rate based on loan agreement terms dismissed by Single Judge and Division Bench; Supreme Court upholds affirmation — Re-appreciation of evidence on genuineness of loan agreements or terms, including interest rate, is prohibited under Section 34(2A) proviso, particularly when Arbitrator’s findings are concurrently upheld. Environmental Law — Environmental Clearance (EC) — Ex Post Facto Clearance — Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Section 3 — While EC should ordinarily be prior, the EP Act does not entirely prohibit ex post facto EC — Grant of ex post facto clearance is permissible in exceptional circumstances, in strict compliance with rules, upon imposition of heavy penalties, where denial of approval would result in adverse consequences outweighing regularisation, and where project complies with or can be made to comply with environmental norms — Adopting a ‘balanced approach’ is necessary to protect economy and livelihood. National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 — Section 16(h) — Limitation period for appeal against Environmental Clearance (EC) — Communication of EC to “any person aggrieved” — The date of commencement of the 30-day limitation period (extendable by 60 days) starts from the earliest date on which the order granting EC is “communicated” to the aggrieved person by any of the duty bearers (MoEF&CC, project proponent, or Pollution Control Boards). Constitution of India, 1950 — Articles 233, 235, 309, 32, 141, 142 — Higher Judicial Services (HJS) — Determination of Seniority — Source of Recruitment — Recruitment to HJS is through Regular Promotees (RP), Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations (LDCE), and Direct Recruits (DR) — Supreme Court has jurisdiction under Article 142 and other provisions to lay down uniform guidelines for judicial services across the country, independent of High Courts’ control under Article 235, to ensure a unified and robust judiciary — Overarching guidelines framed do not foreclose powers of High Courts but establish a homogenous framework for superintendence over judicial services. Registration Act, 1908 — Section 17(1)(e) — Compulsory registration of non-testamentary instruments — Assignment of a decree for specific performance of an agreement of sale of immovable property — Whether such assignment deed requires compulsory registration — HELD NO – A decree for specific performance of a contract for sale of immovable property does not, of itself, create any right, title, or interest in or charge on the immovable property (Section 54, Transfer of Property Act, 1882)

Land Acquisition Act, 1894, S. 4 and S.3(c)–Issuance of Notification-­Delegation of authority—State is empowered to appoint any officer other than a Collector or Deputy Commissioner to act as Collector—Such officer is empowered to extent of purpose mentioned in notification designating him as Collector—But relying upon same notification the designated officer cannot act as Collector in respect of other acquisition proceedings-Impugned notification u/s 4 issued by designated officer without being empowered for that is set aside.

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2767 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1610 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before           Hon’ble Mr. Justice Madan B. Lokur Hon’ble Mr. Justice Deepak Gupta Civil Appeal…

In present case, investigation was not conducted by rank of police officer as directed by High Court-On this ground charge  sheet was returned—Since, on 90th day there was no charge sheet before Magistrate to assess the situation and subsequent filing of charge sheet even after two days would be of no consequence-­Accused held entitled to default bail—Bail granted.

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2758 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1609 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre                            Hon’ble Mr. Justice Uday Umesh Lalit Criminal Appeal…

Dishonour of cheque–Vicarious liability–Offences by companies–Liability arises from being in-charge of and responsible for the conduct of the business of the company at the relevant time when the offence was committed and not on the basis of merely holding a designation or office in a company– Responsibility is on the complainant to make specific averments as are required under the law in the complaint so as to make the accused vicariously liable . Dishonour of cheque–Vicarious liability on the part of a person must be pleaded and proved and not inferred.

2010(2) LAW HERALD (SC) 737 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice P. Sathasivam The Hon’ble Mr. Justice H.L. Dattu Criminal Appeal Nos. 320-336 of 2010…

Evidence Act, 1872, S. 35–Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2000, S. 68–Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Rules 2001, R. 22–Age of Juvenile–Determination of age–An entry in a school register may not be a public document and, thus, must be proved in accordance with law–Medical opinion rendered in this case corroborates the entry made in the Admission register of the school ,having been proved in accordance with law, no reason as to why the same should not be taken into consideration–No infirmity in the order passed by the High Court.                                                    

2010(1) LAW HERALD (SC) 732 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice S.B. Sinha The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Cyriac Joseph Criminal Appeal No. 909 of 2009…

Service Matters

Appeal for enhancement of compensation–No submission made against the order of the High Court denying liberalised pension, hence not interfered with–Earnings of the deceased were a source of sustenance for the family–Besides, loss of a son at such a young age creates a void in the family, which cannot be filed up by making payment of any compensation–SC enhanced  the amount to Rs. 2 lakhs.  

2010(1) LAW HERALD (SC) 729 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice V.S. Sirpurkar The Hon’ble Dr. Justice Mukundakam Sharma Civil Appeal No. 140 of 2010…

Kidnapping for ransom and murder–All three accused-appellant committed offence of murder in a pre-planned manner by using scientific methods–Soon after kidnapping, deceased was reduced to a corpus with the help of chemicals and he was done to death in inhuman, diabolical and dastardly manner–Sentence  converted from death sentence to life imprisonment

2010(1) LAW HERALD (SC) 713 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Harjit Singh Bedi The Hon’ble Mr. Justice J.M. Panchal Criminal Appeal Nos. 1396-1397 of…

Service Matters

Suspension–If the revision takes effect from a date prior to the date of suspension of a Government servant then he would be entitled to benefit of increment  pay and in the subsistence allowance for the period of suspension, if the revision scale of pay takes effect from a date falling within the period of suspension then the benefit of revision of pay and the subsistence allowances will accrue to him, only after reinstatement.

2010(1) LAW HERALD (SC) 706 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice R.V. Raveendran The Hon’ble Mr. Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan Civil Appeal No. 1096 of 2010…

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