Supreme Court of India Judgements

April 26, 2025 10:10 pm

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Defamation — Imputation in Good Faith for Protection of Interests — Exception 9 to S. 499 IPC engrafts the principle of qualified privilege, stating it is not defamation to make an imputation on the character of another, provided it is made in good faith for the protection of the interest of the person making it, or of any other person, or for the public good ESI – The definition of ‘principal employer’ under Section 2(17) is wide and includes not only the owner or occupier of a factory (or head of department in government establishments) but also the managing agent or any person responsible for the supervision and control of the establishment — Designation is immaterial if the person functions as a managing agent or supervises/controls the establishment Habitual Offender/Criminal Antecedents — Consideration of Nature of Current Offence — While the criminal antecedents and alleged status of an accused as a habitual offender are extremely relevant factors that ordinarily weigh against the grant of anticipatory bail, the High Court’s discretion in granting such bail may not warrant interference Murder (Filicide) vs. Suicide — In cases based on circumstantial evidence where the question is whether the death was homicidal (filicide) or suicidal, the prosecution must establish a complete chain of circumstances that points exclusively to the guilt of the accused and is inconsistent with any hypothesis of innocence To attract S. 307 IPC, the crucial element is the intention or knowledge to cause death with which the act is done, irrespective of the nature or severity of the injury actually caused. S. 307 uses the word ‘hurt’, not ‘grievous hurt’ or ‘life-threatening hurt’ — Therefore, an accused cannot be acquitted merely because the injury inflicted was not grievous or dangerous to life, if the evidence establishes that the act was done with the requisite intention or knowledge to cause death

I P C

Defamation — Imputation in Good Faith for Protection of Interests — Exception 9 to S. 499 IPC engrafts the principle of qualified privilege, stating it is not defamation to make an imputation on the character of another, provided it is made in good faith for the protection of the interest of the person making it, or of any other person, or for the public good

Apr 20, 2025 sclaw

Corporate

ESI – The definition of ‘principal employer’ under Section 2(17) is wide and includes not only the owner or occupier of a factory (or head of department in government establishments) but also the managing agent or any person responsible for the supervision and control of the establishment — Designation is immaterial if the person functions as a managing agent or supervises/controls the establishment

Apr 20, 2025 sclaw

I P C

Defamation — Imputation in Good Faith for Protection of Interests — Exception 9 to S. 499 IPC engrafts the principle of qualified privilege, stating it is not defamation to make an imputation on the character of another, provided it is made in good faith for the protection of the interest of the person making it, or of any other person, or for the public good

Apr 20, 2025 sclaw

Corporate

ESI – The definition of ‘principal employer’ under Section 2(17) is wide and includes not only the owner or occupier of a factory (or head of department in government establishments) but also the managing agent or any person responsible for the supervision and control of the establishment — Designation is immaterial if the person functions as a managing agent or supervises/controls the establishment

Apr 20, 2025 sclaw

Anticipatory Bail

Habitual Offender/Criminal Antecedents — Consideration of Nature of Current Offence — While the criminal antecedents and alleged status of an accused as a habitual offender are extremely relevant factors that ordinarily weigh against the grant of anticipatory bail, the High Court’s discretion in granting such bail may not warrant interference

Apr 20, 2025 sclaw

Circumstantial Evidence I P C

Murder (Filicide) vs. Suicide — In cases based on circumstantial evidence where the question is whether the death was homicidal (filicide) or suicidal, the prosecution must establish a complete chain of circumstances that points exclusively to the guilt of the accused and is inconsistent with any hypothesis of innocence

Apr 20, 2025 sclaw

I P C

To attract S. 307 IPC, the crucial element is the intention or knowledge to cause death with which the act is done, irrespective of the nature or severity of the injury actually caused. S. 307 uses the word ‘hurt’, not ‘grievous hurt’ or ‘life-threatening hurt’ — Therefore, an accused cannot be acquitted merely because the injury inflicted was not grievous or dangerous to life, if the evidence establishes that the act was done with the requisite intention or knowledge to cause death

Apr 20, 2025 sclaw

I P C

Defamation — Imputation in Good Faith for Protection of Interests — Exception 9 to S. 499 IPC engrafts the principle of qualified privilege, stating it is not defamation to make an imputation on the character of another, provided it is made in good faith for the protection of the interest of the person making it, or of any other person, or for the public good

Corporate

ESI – The definition of ‘principal employer’ under Section 2(17) is wide and includes not only the owner or occupier of a factory (or head of department in government establishments) but also the managing agent or any person responsible for the supervision and control of the establishment — Designation is immaterial if the person functions as a managing agent or supervises/controls the establishment

Anticipatory Bail

Habitual Offender/Criminal Antecedents — Consideration of Nature of Current Offence — While the criminal antecedents and alleged status of an accused as a habitual offender are extremely relevant factors that ordinarily weigh against the grant of anticipatory bail, the High Court’s discretion in granting such bail may not warrant interference

Circumstantial Evidence I P C

Murder (Filicide) vs. Suicide — In cases based on circumstantial evidence where the question is whether the death was homicidal (filicide) or suicidal, the prosecution must establish a complete chain of circumstances that points exclusively to the guilt of the accused and is inconsistent with any hypothesis of innocence

Service

Army Rules, 1954 – Rule 13(3)(III)(v) – Discharge from service – Offences for which the red ink entries are awarded, cannot be said to be such gross misconduct which would make the appellant indiscipline and liable to be discharged from service and that too, after a period of long service rendered by him – Order of discharge is wholly unjustified and not sustainable at law – Appeal allowed.

Consumer

Consumer Protection Act, 1986 – Section 2(d)(ii) – Deficiency in service – Any loss arising out of inaction and negligence on the part of the Bank, such deficiency is compensable under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986

Acquittal

(IPC) – Section 409 – Criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent -‘criminal breach of trust’ is defined under Section 405 IPC which provides, inter alia, that whoever being in any manner entrusted with property or with any dominion over a property, dishonestly misappropriates or converts to his own use that property, or dishonestly uses or disposes of that property contrary to law, or in violation of any law prescribing the mode in which such trust is to be discharged, or contravenes any legal contract, express or implied, etc. shall be held to have committed criminal breach of trust

Service

Termination–Reservation–In advertisement, authorities failed to mention in regard to reservation for handicapped person at the outset–Appellants who were handicapped person were appointed–On Contempt petition State cancelled the selection and terminated the service–Service restored with backwages.

I P C

Defamation — Imputation in Good Faith for Protection of Interests — Exception 9 to S. 499 IPC engrafts the principle of qualified privilege, stating it is not defamation to make an imputation on the character of another, provided it is made in good faith for the protection of the interest of the person making it, or of any other person, or for the public good

Corporate

ESI – The definition of ‘principal employer’ under Section 2(17) is wide and includes not only the owner or occupier of a factory (or head of department in government establishments) but also the managing agent or any person responsible for the supervision and control of the establishment — Designation is immaterial if the person functions as a managing agent or supervises/controls the establishment

Anticipatory Bail

Habitual Offender/Criminal Antecedents — Consideration of Nature of Current Offence — While the criminal antecedents and alleged status of an accused as a habitual offender are extremely relevant factors that ordinarily weigh against the grant of anticipatory bail, the High Court’s discretion in granting such bail may not warrant interference

Circumstantial Evidence I P C

Murder (Filicide) vs. Suicide — In cases based on circumstantial evidence where the question is whether the death was homicidal (filicide) or suicidal, the prosecution must establish a complete chain of circumstances that points exclusively to the guilt of the accused and is inconsistent with any hypothesis of innocence

Accident

As a result of accident, appellant suffered 26% disability of right lower limb, 25% disability due to urethral injury and 38% disability to whole body – Even though disability suffered by appellant is not 100%, his working capacity has been reduced to zero – Competent Court is entitled to award higher compensation to victim of accident – Amount of compensation enhanced to Rs. 8,37,640/-.

Jun 26, 2017 sclaw

(2012) ACJ 191 : (2011) 13 JT 205 : (2012) 1 RCR(Civil) 509 : (2011) 12 SCALE 658 : (2012) 1 TAC 376 : (2012) 1 UJ 89 SUPREME…

Customs & Excise

Modvat credit – Learned counsel for the appellant pointed out a circular by which Modvat credit has been given on inputs like chemicals and resins, etc. used in the manufacture of sand moulds for subsequent production of iron castings. Learned counsel also pointed out that in respect of the same goods, in the Jamshedpur factory of the same assessee, this benefit has been given to the appellant – Appeal allowed.

Jun 26, 2017 sclaw

(1998) 79 ECR 513 : (1997) 92 ELT 4 : (1998) 7 JT 474 : (1998) 9 SCC 176 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA TELCO LIMITED, PUNE — Appellant Vs.…

Cr P C

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) – Section 321 – Withdrawal from prosecution – Dismissal of application by Trial Court and High Court – Prosecution of MLA for submitting false and fabricated medical bills – Ethics Committee having accepted apology recommended for withdrawal of criminal case pending against appellant but Courts below refused to oblige – Application for withdrawal filed by Public Prosecutor was not based on his own independent application of mind

Jun 26, 2017 sclaw

(2009) 12 JT 198 : (2009) 15 SCC 604 : (2009) 13 SCR 494 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA SRI YERNENI RAJA RAMCHANDER @ RAJABABU — Appellant Vs. STATE OF…

C P C

Suit for perpetual injunction – The appellant had filed a civil suit for perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from converting the green belt into a petrol pump to be run by the first respondent – Court are not inclined to interfere with the order of the High Court

Jun 26, 2017 sclaw

(1996) 4 AD 416 : (1996) 4 JT 94 : (1996) 3 SCALE 337 : (1996) 8 SCC 109 : (1996) 3 SCR 695 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA WELFARE…

Service

Karnataka Civil Services (Time Bound Advancement) Rules, 1983 – Rule 16 – Grant of the benefit – The appellant had applied for grant of the benefit in 1989. By proceedings dated October 15, 1989, the same was rejected

Jun 26, 2017 sclaw

(1996) 3 AD 42 : (1996) 73 FLR 1035 : (1996) 2 JT 652 : (1996) 2 SCALE 383 : (1996) 8 SCC 11 : (1996) 1 SCR 1033…

Customs & Excise

Non interference – High Court was right in holding that plates and black shields are not parts of photocopying machines – Appeal dismissed.

Jun 26, 2017 sclaw

(1997) 93 ELT 663 : (1998) 9 SCC 179 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA UNION OF INDIA (UOI) — Appellant Vs. KORON BUSINESS SYSTEMS LTD. — Respondent ( Before :…

Direct Taxation

Wealth Tax Act, 1957 – Section – 17, 2(m) – Deduction – Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case the debts amounting to Rs. 30 lacs and odd, more or less for each of the assessment years under appeal, were rightly not allowed as a deduction in calculating the net wealth of the assessee ?

Jun 26, 2017 sclaw

(1996) 4 AD 30 : (1996) 133 CTR 182 : (1996) 222 ITR 189 : (1996) 4 JT 62 : (1996) 3 SCALE 313 : (1996) 8 SCC 122…

Customs & Excise

Ocean-going vessel – Whether the vessels which have been converted into Tran shippers to be used in Indian territorial waters for topping up bulk carriers, can be said to be vessels for home consumption merely on that account,

Jun 26, 2017 sclaw

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA SHANTILAL KHUSHALDASS AND BROS. PVT. LTD. AND ANOTHER — Appellant Vs. ASSISTANT COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS, GOA — Respondent ( Before : S. P. Bharucha, J;…

Acquittal

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) – Sections 195 and 340 – Perjury – Making of false statement in court of Rent Controller – Though Rent Controller discharges quasi-judicial functions, he is not a Court, as understood in conventional sense and he cannot make complaint under Section 340 Cr.P.C

Jun 26, 2017 sclaw

AIR 2012 SC 466 : (2012) 1 RCR(Criminal) 195 : (2011) 2 RCR(Rent) 616 : (2011) 13 SCALE 137 : (2012) 2 SCC 60 : (2012) AIRSCW 730 :…

Direct Taxation

Income Tax Act, 1963 – Section – 245C, 245H, 245D – Application for settlement – The assessee approached the Settlement Commission (Commission) with an application under Section 245-C of the Act – Section 245-H empowers the Commission to grant immunity from prosecution to an applicant if it is satisfied that he has made full disclosure of his income and has fully cooperated with the Commission

Jun 26, 2017 sclaw

(1996) 2 AD 629 : (1996) 132 CTR 290 : (1996) 219 ITR 618 : (1996) 3 JT 144 : (1996) 2 SCALE 655 : (1996) 8 SCC 154…

You missed

I P C

Defamation — Imputation in Good Faith for Protection of Interests — Exception 9 to S. 499 IPC engrafts the principle of qualified privilege, stating it is not defamation to make an imputation on the character of another, provided it is made in good faith for the protection of the interest of the person making it, or of any other person, or for the public good

Apr 20, 2025 sclaw

Corporate

ESI – The definition of ‘principal employer’ under Section 2(17) is wide and includes not only the owner or occupier of a factory (or head of department in government establishments) but also the managing agent or any person responsible for the supervision and control of the establishment — Designation is immaterial if the person functions as a managing agent or supervises/controls the establishment

Apr 20, 2025 sclaw

Anticipatory Bail

Habitual Offender/Criminal Antecedents — Consideration of Nature of Current Offence — While the criminal antecedents and alleged status of an accused as a habitual offender are extremely relevant factors that ordinarily weigh against the grant of anticipatory bail, the High Court’s discretion in granting such bail may not warrant interference

Apr 20, 2025 sclaw

Circumstantial Evidence I P C

Murder (Filicide) vs. Suicide — In cases based on circumstantial evidence where the question is whether the death was homicidal (filicide) or suicidal, the prosecution must establish a complete chain of circumstances that points exclusively to the guilt of the accused and is inconsistent with any hypothesis of innocence

Apr 20, 2025 sclaw