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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)

First Information Report—Only information in regard to commission of an offence may not for all intent and purport satisfy the requirement of the First Information Report. First Information Report—A First Information Report cannot be lodged in a murder case after the inquest has been held. Motive—Proof of motive by itself may not be a ground to hold the accused guilty.

  2007(4) LAW HERALD (SC) 3189 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Jusitce S.B. Sinha The Hon’ble Mr. Jusitce Harjit Singh Bedi Criminal Appeal Nos. 844-846…

Fine—Imprisonment in default of payment of fine—Provisions of IPC and Cr.P.C. relating to award of imprisonment in default of payment of fine would apply to all cases wherein fines have been imposed on an offender unless “the Act, Regulation, Rule or Bye-law contains an express provision to the contrary”. Fine—Imprisonment in default of payment of fine—The nature of offence, circumstances under which it was committed, the position of the offender are relevant considerations

  2007(4) LAW HERALD (SC) 3172 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Jusitce C.K. Thakker The Hon’ble Mr. Jusitce Altamas Kabir Criminal Appeal No. 1375 of…

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, S.427–Concurrent running of sentences-­ Dishonour of Cheque—The settled legal position favours the exercise of the discretion to the benefit of the prisoners in cases where the prosecution is based on a single transaction, no matter even if different complaints in relation thereto might have been filed

2016(5) Law Herald (P&H) 3881 (SC) : 2016 LawHera|d.Org 1912 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Dipak Misra The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Amitava Roy Criminal…

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