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Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) — Section 313 — Examination of Accused — Object and Scope — Non-compliance with mandatory requirement — Fair Trial — The object of Section 313 CrPC is to ensure a fair trial by providing the accused with an opportunity to explain all incriminating circumstances appearing in the prosecution evidence against them personally — It is a mandatory, non-negotiable obligation upon the Court and is not a mere formality; it is based on the cardinal principle of natural justice (audi alterum partem) — The statement cannot be the sole basis for conviction and is neither substantive nor a substitute piece of evidence. (Paras 6, 7.1, 7.2) Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971 — Section 14(1) — Mandamus to acquire land — Power of State Government to acquire land for Slum Rehabilitation Scheme — Preferential Right of Owner — The power of the State Government to acquire land under Section 14 read with Section 3D(c)(i) of the Slum Act is subject to the preferential right of the owner to redevelop the area — Acquisition is not warranted when the owner is willing to undertake development in exercise of their preferential right, and the process must be kept in abeyance until such right is extinguished — No mandamus can be issued to the State Government to acquire the subject property under Section 14 of the Slum Act where the subsequent purchaser from the original owner (Respondent No. 4) has a subsisting preferential right to develop the property. (Paras 63, 64, 71, 72, 77(1)) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 — Section 227 — Discharge of Accused — Principles for deciding discharge application — Standard of proof for framing charge — The Court, at the stage of framing charge, must sift the evidence to determine if there is a “sufficient ground for proceeding”; a prima facie case must be established — If two views are possible and one gives rise to “suspicion only, as distinguished from grave suspicion,” the trial Judge is empowered to discharge the accused — The Judge is not a “mere post office” but must exercise judicial mind to determine if a case for trial is made out — The strong suspicion required to frame a charge must be founded on material that can be translated into evidence at trial — Where the profile of allegations renders the existence of strong suspicion patently absurd or inherently improbable, the accused should be discharged. (Paras 14, 15, 16, 17) Central Excise Act, 1944 — Section 2(f) (prior to amendment by Act 18 of 2017) — Manufacture — Exemption Notification No.5/98-CE, Entry No.106 — Eligibility for exemption — Manufacture includes series of processes; entire chain of activities must be considered — Where multiple units undertake distinct processes which are ‘integrally connected’ and form a ‘continuous chain’ to convert raw material (grey fabrics) into final excisable product (cotton fabrics), the entire activity constitutes ‘manufacture’ — Distinct ownership or separate bills between the units is irrelevant if the processes are interconnected and essential for producing the final product — Use of power in any intermediate, integrally connected process denies the exemption under Entry 106 (cotton fabrics processed without the aid of power or steam). (Paras 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 — Section 3(1)(d) — Right to property given at marriage — Divorced Muslim Woman — The Act allows a divorced woman to claim all properties given to her before, at the time of, or after marriage by her relatives, friends, the husband, or his relatives/friends — The objective of the Act is to secure the financial protection and dignity of a Muslim woman post-divorce. (Paras 3, 7, 9)

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) — Section 313 — Examination of Accused — Object and Scope — Non-compliance with mandatory requirement — Fair Trial — The object of Section 313 CrPC is to ensure a fair trial by providing the accused with an opportunity to explain all incriminating circumstances appearing in the prosecution evidence against them personally — It is a mandatory, non-negotiable obligation upon the Court and is not a mere formality; it is based on the cardinal principle of natural justice (audi alterum partem) — The statement cannot be the sole basis for conviction and is neither substantive nor a substitute piece of evidence. (Paras 6, 7.1, 7.2)

Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971 — Section 14(1) — Mandamus to acquire land — Power of State Government to acquire land for Slum Rehabilitation Scheme — Preferential Right of Owner — The power of the State Government to acquire land under Section 14 read with Section 3D(c)(i) of the Slum Act is subject to the preferential right of the owner to redevelop the area — Acquisition is not warranted when the owner is willing to undertake development in exercise of their preferential right, and the process must be kept in abeyance until such right is extinguished — No mandamus can be issued to the State Government to acquire the subject property under Section 14 of the Slum Act where the subsequent purchaser from the original owner (Respondent No. 4) has a subsisting preferential right to develop the property. (Paras 63, 64, 71, 72, 77(1))

Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) – Sections 302/34 and 201/34 – Murder – Common intention – Conviction – Conviction based solely on evidence of Approver – No material to show that appellant had any common intention to eliminate deceased who was a physically disabled – Only adverse thing against appellant is that he used to associate with accused for smoking Ganja – In absence of common intention convicting appellant with aid of Section 34 IPC cannot be sustained – Appeal allowed.

  (2012) 4 JCC 2745 : (2012) 9 JT 116 : (2012) 9 SCALE 245 : (2012) 9 SCC 249 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA SURESH SAKHARAM NANGARE — Appellant Vs.…

Constitution of India, 1950 – Article – 226 – Land Acquisition Act, 1894 – Section – 4(1), 5-A – Notification – A notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act was published – There was no justification to dispense with the enquiry under Section 5-A and public purpose would have been served by allowing the claimants to submit their objections

  (1996) 81 CLT 161 : (1995) 6 JT 624 : (1995) 5 SCALE 188 : (1995) 5 SCC 583 : (1995) 3 SCR 139 Supp : (1995) 2 UJ…

Service Matters

Legal assistance – Disciplinary proceedings – Assistance of legal practitioner – Assistance of legal practitioner barred under the Regulations – Only Govt. employee allowed to assist the delinquent – High Court directing the authority to allow assistance of retired employee – Though he is not a legal practitioner who is prohibited to appear to assist the delinquent, it amounts to permitting the retired employee to have regular practice

  AIR 1997 SC 2982 : (1997) 6 JT 447 : (1997) 2 LLJ 825 : (1997) 5 SCALE 14 : (1997) 6 SCC 380 : (1997) SCC(L&S) 1473 :…

Service Matters

Seniority – Absorption – Counting of services rendered by deputationist in the parent department – Held: Any Rule, Regulation or Executive Instructions which has the effect of taking away the service rendered by deputationist in an equivalent cadre in the department while counting his seniority in the deputed post would be violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.

  AIR 2000 SC 594 : (2000) 85 FLR 305 : (1999) 9 JT 597 : (1999) 7 SCALE 466 : (2000) 1 SCC 644 : (2000) SCC(L&S) 213 :…

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