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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) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Compensation — Enhancement — Principles — Supreme Court’s power to award ‘just compensation’ exceeding the amount claimed — While enhancing compensation for a 21-year-old Appellant suffering 100% functional disability (due to hemiparesis, disfigurement, and brain injuries) — Supreme Court relied on ‘Nagappa v. Gurudayal Singh’ to award compensation in excess of the amount claimed by using evidence on record to arrive at just and fair compensation. (Paras 11, 12, 14) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Section 166 — Fatal accident claim — Deceased aged 33 years, survived by seven dependents (wife, four minor children, and parents) — Calculation of income — Consideration of income from both documented employment (stone crusher unit) and agricultural activity — Although documentary evidence for income beyond salary was lacking, it is reasonable to presume some income from agricultural activity given the farming background — Claimants’ assertion of Rs. 6,000/- monthly salary from stone crusher unit (supported by employer certificate) accepted, as it is a reasonable earning expectation for such employment — Additional Rs. 2,000/- per month presumed for agricultural income, totaling Rs. 8,000/- monthly income for compensation calculation. (Paras 3.2, 5, 5.2, 5.3, 5.6)

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).

Consumer Protection Act, 1986, S.12–Education–Misleading advertisement-Institute did not file any documentary evidence that it was recognized by the Government in any manner and was affiliated with any state or central university-Contention that Diploma Course in Veterinary pharmacy is not governed by any statute; not accepted-Order directing refund of fee with interest upheld.

2017(1) Law Herald (SC) 371 (NCDRC) : 2016 LawHeiald.Org 2450 IN THE NATIONAL CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION Before  The Hon’ble Mrs. Presiding Member M. Shreesha Revision Petition No. 1662 of…

Rape—Minor Victim—Delay in lodging FIR—Sexual assault on a girl aged nine years by her uncle—Incident came into light after 3 years—Accused convicted. Rape—Safe Testimony—Seeking corroboration to a statement before relying upon the same as a rule, in such cases, would literally amount to adding insult to injury.

2017(1) Law Herald (SC) 360 : 2016 LawHerald.Org 2503 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr, Justice A.K. Sikri The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre Criminal…

Security Interest (Enforcement) Rules, 2002, R.8–Auction Sale-Symbolic Possession-No advertisement was published in the newspaper in terms of Rule 8(2) of the Rules and no possession notice under Rule 8(1) was affixed on the said property-Auction Sale though confirmed but set aside-Sale certificate quashed.

2017(1) Law Herald (SC) 356 : 2016 LawHerald.Org 2534 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Anil R. Dave  The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Uday Umesh Lalit…

Service Law—Sporting a beard—Muslim Airman—Religion of personnel does not prohibit the cutting off the hair or shaving off the face of its members-Permission held to be rightly declined, Service Law-Sporting of beard-Armed Forces-Appellant, an Airman belonging to Muslim Religion sought permission to sport a broad on religious grounds-Permission declined-Order upheld-Held;

2017(1) Law Herald (SC) 351 : 2016 LawHerald.Org 2533 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Chief Justice T.S. Thakur The Hon’ble Mr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud The…

Dying Declaration—A valid dying declaration maybe made without obtaining a certificate fitness of the declaration by medical officer. Abetment of Suicide—Eve teasing—Active acts of the accused have led the deceased to put an end to her life as accused has played active role in tarnishing the self-esteem and self respect of the victim—Accused convicted.

2017(2) Law Herald (SC) 1303 : 2017 LawHerald.Org 891 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Dipak Misra The Hon’ble Mr. Justice A.M. Khanwilkar The Hon’ble…

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