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Civil Procedure Code, 1908 — Order 7 Rule 11 — Rejection of plaint — Abuse of process — Family arrangement (KBPP) and Conciliation Award — Allegations of undue influence, coercion, misrepresentation, and fabrication — Grounds for challenge were distinct for KBPP and Award — Lower courts erred in rejecting plaint by treating documents as one Conciliation Award and dismissing allegations of fraud due to admitted execution of KBPP — Allegations of coercion need not be limited to life threat and can arise from subservience — Rejection of plaint was erroneous as prima facie cause of action disclosed, suit not vexatious or abuse of process. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — Section 108, 80, 103, 85 — Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 — Sections 3, 4 — Offences — Abetment to suicide, Dowry death, Murder — Allegations of extra-marital relationship, demand of money/dowry — Deceased died of poisoning/injection — Autopsy findings — Prosecution case not strong at bail stage. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 — Section 33(1) — Requirement for employer to seek permission before altering service conditions or stopping work of workmen during pendency of dispute — Failure to do so constitutes a breach of the Act. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 — Sections 10(1), 12 — Reference of industrial dispute — Apprehended dispute — Appropriate Government’s power to refer — The appropriate Government has the power to refer an industrial dispute for adjudication if it is of the opinion that such dispute exists or is apprehended. The initiation of conciliation proceedings under Section 12 does not statutorily require a prior demand notice to the employer as a pre-condition to approaching the Conciliation Officer. The management’s argument that a prior demand notice is essential, based on certain previous judgments, fails as it ignores the provision for referring an apprehended dispute, which can be invoked to prevent industrial unrest Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) — Section 175(4) — Complaints against public servants alleged to have committed offenses in discharge of official duties — Interpretation — This provision is not a standalone provision, nor is it a proviso to Section 175(3) — It must be read in harmony with Section 175(3), with Section 175(4) forming an extension of Section 175(3) — The power to order investigation under Section 175(3) is conferred upon a judicial magistrate, while Section 175(4) also confers such power but prescribes a special procedure for complaints against public servants — The expression “complaint” in Section 175(4) does not encompass oral complaints and must be understood in the context of a written complaint supported by an affidavit, as required by Section 175(3) — This interpretation ensures that the procedural safeguard of an affidavit, mandated by Priyanka Srivastava v. State of U.P., is not undermined even when dealing with public servants — The intention is to provide a two-tier protection: first, at the threshold stage under Section 175(4) with additional safeguards, and second, at the post-investigation stage under Section 218(1) regarding previous sanction. (Paras 26, 31, 37.1, 37.2, 37.4, 37.5, 37.6, 37.8, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44)

Rape— Women of easy virtue—A woman of easy virtue also could not be raped by a person for that reason. Perjury—Police Officers—To initiate prosecution under Section 195 Cr.P.C too readily that too against the police officials who were conducting the investigation may not be a correct approach.

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2883 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1755 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mrs. Justice R. Banumathi Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Indira Banerjee Criminal Appeal No. 2299…

Indian Penal Code, 1860, S.302~Murder~Charges—Omission to frame charge—Accused failed to prove prejudice caused to him due to non- framing of charge—Non objection has been raised earlier on this ground-­ Accused throughout has been defending himself against charge u/s 302 r/ w S.34 IPC-In such facts and circumstances, it cannot be said that the failure of justice has occasioned to him and the absence of a charge under Section 302 read with Section 34IPC cannot be said to have caused any prejudice to him—Conviction upheld.     

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2869 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1753 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mrs. Justice R. Banumathi Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Indira Banerjee Criminal Appeal No. 1568…

Indian Penal Code, 1860, S.302~Murder~Injuries on deceased-Acquittal- -Weapon of offence—Deceased had suffered multiple chop injuries- Weapon of offence recovered from place of occurrence is an ordinary knife used for cutting betel nut, one feet long with a bent sharp point—Chop injuries were not possible with the same—The alleged knife was not even shown to doctor for eliciting opinion if the injuries could have been caused by the same—Accused acquitted.   

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2862 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1752 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice R.F. Nariman Hon’ble Mr. Justice Navin Sinha Criminal Appeal No. 1330…

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, S.231(2)–Deferment of cross-examination of witness—Balance must be struck between the rights of the accused, and the prerogative of the prosecution to lead evidence—The following factors must be kept in consideration: (i) possibility of undue influence on witness(es); (ii) possibility of threats to witness(es); (iii) possibility that non-deferral would enable subsequent witnesses giving evidence on similar facts to tailor their testimony to circumvent the defence strategy; (iv) possibility of loss of memory of the witness(es) whose examination-in-chief has been completed; (v) occurrence of delay in the trial, and the non-availability of witnesses, if deferral is allowed, in view of Section 309(1) of the Cr.P.C.

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2852 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1751 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Indu Malhotra Criminal Appeal No.…

Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, S.166–Accident-Insurance–Pay & Recover- Insurance company held not liable to pay keeping in view breach of terms of policy—Insurance company contended since owner of offending vehicle has been proceeded exparte therefore it will be difficult to trace the owner so they are not liable to first pay and then recover—Contention rejected- Insurance company directed to pay & recover.

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2841 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1746 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Chief Justice Dipak Misra Hon’ble Mr. Justice A.M. Khanwilkar Hon’ble Mr. Justice…

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