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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)

Vicarious Liability— Indian Penal Code does not contain any provision for attaching vicarious liability on the part of the Managing Director or the Directors of the Company when the accused is the Company. Quashment—Suit for recovery of huge amount pending —The acts of omission and commission on the part of the bank, if any, by withholding export bills of the bank may give rise to a statutory violation on its part but the respondents were not personally liable therefor.

  2007(4) LAW HERALD (SC) 3149 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice S.B. Sinha The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Harjit Singh Bedi Criminal Appeal No. 1248…

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…

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