Latest Post

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).

Service Matters

An employee engaged for the same work, cannot be paid less than another, who performs the same duties and responsibilities-Certainly not, in a welfare state. Such an action besides being demeaning, strikes at the very foundation of human dignity-Any one, who is compelled to work at a lesser wage, does not do so voluntarily-He does so, to provide food and shelter to his family, at the cost of his self respect and dignity, at the cost of his self worth, and at the cost of his integrity

  2016(5) Law Herald (P&H) 3870 (SC): 2016 LawHerald.Org 1911 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CIVIL APPEAL NO. 213 OF 2013 State of Punjab & Ors.…

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) – Order 1 Rule 10 – Execution of sale deed – Respondent 2 has filed a suit in the Court of Senior Sub-Judge, Jullundur for a declaration that the sale deed allegedly executed by Defendant 1 in favour of Defendant 2 acting as power of attorney of the plaintiff is null and void and consequently the lease deed dated 10-2-1993 is null and void and not binding on the plaintiff

(1998) 8 SCC 466 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA BALDEV SINGH — Appellant Vs. PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : A. M. Ahmadii, C.J; Sujata V. Manohar,…

Land Acquisition Act, 1894 – Section 23 – Acquisition of land – Market value, determination of – Small plots – Acquisition of large area – Rates at which small plots sold cannot be a safe criteria. Where large area is the subject matter of acquisition, rate at which small plots are sold cannot be said to be a safe criteria.

  SUPREME COURT OF INDIA LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER — Appellant Vs. NOOKALA RAJAMALLU AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Doraiswamy Raju, J; Arijit Pasayat, J ) Civil Appeal No’s.…

The High Court was in error while coming to the conclusion that the Appellant had no right in the plot in question and the impugned judgment as well as the order passed in Company Application are quashed and set aside and it is held that the plot in question does not belong to the Company in liquidation and the official liquidator has no right to deal with the plot or dispose of the plot and it would be open to the Appellant-Corporation to deal with or allot the plot as per its policy

  2014) 2 AD 285 : AIR 2014 SC 618 : (2013) 15 JT 327 : (2013) 14 SCALE 231 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA THE A.P.I.I. CORPORATION LTD. — Appellant…

Compassionate Appointment–If there is no Scheme providing compassionate appointment , any appointment on such ground would be illegal. Compassionate Appointment–Such appointment cannot be granted to a person other than those for whose benefit the exception has been carved out.

  2007(4) LAW HERALD (SC) 3141 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice S.B. Sinha The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Markandey Katju Civil Appeal No. 429 of…

You missed