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Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Sections 165, 166 — Death allegedly caused by murder inside a motor vehicle — Claim for compensation — Requirement of causal link between death and “use” of motor vehicle — Held, mere presence of a motor vehicle in the chain of circumstances leading to death does not attract liability under MVA — Some nexus between the vehicle and the death must be established. Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Act, 1976 — Section 2(25) — “Occupier” — Scope of definition — The MHAD Act defines only “occupier,” which includes any person liable to pay rent, an owner in occupation, a rent-free tenant, a licensee, or one liable to pay damages for use and occupation — Occupancy is not a statutory tenancy dependent on the owner’s will, and even a person in possession without formal rent liability may claim occupancy status for reallotment purposes. Stamp Act, 1899 — Section 26, proviso — Mining lease — Stamp duty on instrument with indeterminate value — Determinant of stamp duty — Where value of subject-matter is indeterminate at execution, proviso to S.26 specifically governs mining leases, directing that estimated royalty or value of share, as estimated by the Collector where State is lessor, suffices for stamp duty purposes — Proviso held not inconsistent with main provision — actual value of mining lease is ascertainable only once mining operations commence Service Law — Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) — Grade Pay convergence — Effect on promotions within cadre — Convergence of Grade Pay pursuant to Sixth Central Pay Commission does not obliterate separate identity of promotional posts within a cadre — Promotions carry promotional increments, enhanced running-duty allowances and post-specific benefits, remaining financially meaningful notwithstanding constancy of Grade Pay. Multiple FIRs across States cannot be quashed or clubbed under Article 32 where they relate to distinct transactions, victims, and offences despite similar modus operandi. A. Cyber Fraud — Multiple FIRs across States — Clubbing declined — Clubbing/consolidation of FIRs registered in different States was declined where each FIR was lodged by a different complainant induced to part with money on separate occasions, with distinct victims, amounts and transactions, notwithstanding a common bank account and similar modus operandi; clubbing at a nascent investigation stage involving complex cyber-forensic tracing would impede fair investigation and cause hardship to complainants.

Appointment of arbitrator – Appellant’s own default in sleeping over his right for 14 years will not constitute a case of ‘undue hardship’ justifying extension of time under Section 43(3) of the 1996 Act or show ‘sufficient cause’ for condonation of delay under Section 5 of the Limitation Act . Held High Court’s observation that the entire dispute seems concocted so as to pursue a monetary claim against the respondents approved.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH M/S GEO MILLER & CO. PVT. LTD. — Appellant Vs. CHAIRMAN, RAJASTHAN VIDYUT UTPADAN NIGAM LTD. — Respondent ( Before : N.V. Ramana, Mohan…

In the instant case, none of the circumstances relied upon by the prosecution have been proved beyond reasonable doubt, and there is no question of a complete chain of circumstances being formed that would point towards the guilt of the accused. In Court’s considered opinion, the benefit of doubt should therefore be granted in their favour – The Courts below erred in convicting Accused Nos. 1 and 2 for the offences of the abduction and murder of the deceased – Appeal allowed.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH UMESH TUKARAM PADWAL AND ANOTHER — Appellant Vs. THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA — Respondent ( Before : N.V. Ramana, Mohan M. Shantanagoudar and Ajay…

Unlawful assembly and rioting with deadly weapons – Common object – The important ingredients of an unlawful assembly are the number of persons forming it i.e., five; and their common object. Common object of the persons composing that assembly could be formed on the spur of the moment and does not require prior deliberations – Course of conduct adopted by the members of such assembly; their behaviour before, during, and after the incident; and the arms carried by them are a few basic and relevant factors to determine the common object.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH MANJIT SINGH — Appellant Vs. THE STATE OF PUNJAB — Respondent ( Before : A.M. Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari, JJ. ) Criminal Appeal No.…

High Court has erred in quashing and setting aside the acquisition proceedings on the ground that the same have lapsed as the award was not declared within a period of two years from the date of declaration under Section 6 of the Act – High Court has committed a grave error in not excluding the period of interim stay granted by it in writ petition – Even grant of interim stay of possession would also save lapsing of the acquisition – Appeal allowed.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. M/S MOTI RATAN ESTATE AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : Arun Mishra, M.R. Shah…

Weights and Measures Act, 1976 – Sections 12 and 30 – Short delivery of petrol and diesel – Section 153 of the Indian Penal Code has been made inapplicable under the Act as power of search and seizure is vested with the designated authorities under the Act. Therefore, the entire Code is inapplicable in respect of the prosecution under the Act that the police cannot enter any place for the purpose.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH — Appellant Vs. AMAN MITTAL AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : L. Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta, JJ.…

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