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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)

Railway Theft of Luggage- the theft of the articles of the complainant happened solely on account of the deficiency on the part of the Indian Railways in rendering services to him by not deputing a TTE to remain present in the coach throughout the journey—Award of compensation by for a below upheld.

(2017) 1 ConLT 63 : (2017) 1 LawHerald(SC) 172 NATIONAL CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION GENERAL MANAGER (GENERAL) NORTHERN RAILWAY — Appellant Vs. LAKHANJI PURWAR — Respondent ( Before : Mr. Justice V.K. Jain,…

Insurance company contended that deceased was suffering from hypertension and same was known to him before talking policy but place no evidence in this regard opinion given by panel doctor and government doctor that the fall was on account of hypertension, seems to be quite a remote possibility—Award of compensation upheld.

(2017) 1 ConLT 83 : (2017) 2 CPJ 149 : (2017) 1 CPR 217 : (2017) 1 LawHerald(SC) 185 : (2017) NCJ 621 NATIONAL CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION UNITED INDIA INSURANCE CO. LTD. —…

Transfer of Property Act, 1882, S. 58(e)—Mortgage by conditional sale—Sale deed executed does not contain stipulation that it was condition sale—However, agreement executed on same day contained the stipulation that if loan amount is paid then seller can get its land back—Since agreement and sale deed were executed on same date so they have to be read together

(2017) 169 AIC 41 : (2017) 120 ALR 213 : (2017) 1 ApexCourtJudgments(SC) 252 : (2017) 1 ARC 15 : (2017) 1 BBCJ 214 : (2017) 1 CalLJ 101 :…

Preventive detention-It is clear that each ‘basic fact’ would constitute a ground and particulars in support thereof or the details would be subsidiary facts or further particulars of the basic facts which will be integral part of the ‘grounds’ – There is an infringement of Article 22(5) of the Constitution

(2017) 99 ACrC 325 : (2017) 171 AIC 143 : (2017) AIR(SCW) 230 : (2017) 1 AIRBomR(Cri) 519 : (2017) AIR(SC) 230 : (2017) 1 AllCrlRulings 833 : (2017) AllSCR(Crl)…

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