Supreme Court of India Judgements

March 30, 2026 7:02 pm

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National Highways Act, 1956 — Amendments and compensation provisions — Section 3-J introduced in 1997 removed applicability of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1894 Act) provisions for solatium and interest — Overturned by various High Courts, including reading down Sections 3-G and 3-J to grant solatium and interest — Subsequently, Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (2013 Act) and its amended provisions extended to NH Act — Court clarified that landowners acquired lands under NH Act between 1997 and 2015 are entitled to solatium and interest — Review Petition filed by NHAI arguing financial burden was underestimated rejected, but clarification on delayed claims issued. Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) — Order 21 Rule 102 — Applicability — Provision contemplates a situation where a judgment debtor transfers property after institution of suit to a person who then obstructs execution — Not applicable where respondents derived title from independent registered sale deeds, not from the judgment debtor. Land Acquisition Act, 1894 — Section 28-A — Re-determination of compensation — Second application for re-determination based on High Court award maintainable even after accepting compensation based on Reference Court award — Principle of merger means appellate court’s award supersedes earlier award, entitling landowners to benefit from higher compensation — Object of Section 28-A is to ensure equality in compensation among similarly placed landowners. Electricity Act, 2003 — Section 61, 86 — Tariff determination and Generation Based Incentive (GBI) — State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) has exclusive power to determine tariff — Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) introduced GBI to incentivise renewable energy generation — GBI is intended to be over and above the tariff fixed by SERC — SERC must consider GBI while determining tariff, but not necessarily deduct it — SERC’s power to determine tariff includes considering incentives — Parliament’s allocation of funds for GBI does not prevent SERC from considering it in tariff — SERC must exercise its power harmoniously with other stakeholders to achieve policy objectives. Contract Law — Award of Tender — Judicial Review — High Court should exercise restraint when reviewing tender evaluation processes, especially in technical matters, unless there is clear evidence of mala fide, arbitrariness, or irrationality — A marginal difference in scores, as seen in this case, does not automatically warrant interference, especially when the owner has the right to accept or reject bids and the contract is already underway.

Land Acquisition National Highways Authority Act

National Highways Act, 1956 — Amendments and compensation provisions — Section 3-J introduced in 1997 removed applicability of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1894 Act) provisions for solatium and interest — Overturned by various High Courts, including reading down Sections 3-G and 3-J to grant solatium and interest — Subsequently, Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (2013 Act) and its amended provisions extended to NH Act — Court clarified that landowners acquired lands under NH Act between 1997 and 2015 are entitled to solatium and interest — Review Petition filed by NHAI arguing financial burden was underestimated rejected, but clarification on delayed claims issued.

Mar 29, 2026 sclaw

C P C

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) — Order 21 Rule 102 — Applicability — Provision contemplates a situation where a judgment debtor transfers property after institution of suit to a person who then obstructs execution — Not applicable where respondents derived title from independent registered sale deeds, not from the judgment debtor.

Mar 29, 2026 sclaw

Land Acquisition National Highways Authority Act

National Highways Act, 1956 — Amendments and compensation provisions — Section 3-J introduced in 1997 removed applicability of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1894 Act) provisions for solatium and interest — Overturned by various High Courts, including reading down Sections 3-G and 3-J to grant solatium and interest — Subsequently, Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (2013 Act) and its amended provisions extended to NH Act — Court clarified that landowners acquired lands under NH Act between 1997 and 2015 are entitled to solatium and interest — Review Petition filed by NHAI arguing financial burden was underestimated rejected, but clarification on delayed claims issued.

Mar 29, 2026 sclaw

C P C

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) — Order 21 Rule 102 — Applicability — Provision contemplates a situation where a judgment debtor transfers property after institution of suit to a person who then obstructs execution — Not applicable where respondents derived title from independent registered sale deeds, not from the judgment debtor.

Mar 29, 2026 sclaw

Land Acquisition

Land Acquisition Act, 1894 — Section 28-A — Re-determination of compensation — Second application for re-determination based on High Court award maintainable even after accepting compensation based on Reference Court award — Principle of merger means appellate court’s award supersedes earlier award, entitling landowners to benefit from higher compensation — Object of Section 28-A is to ensure equality in compensation among similarly placed landowners.

Mar 29, 2026 sclaw

Electricity Act

Electricity Act, 2003 — Section 61, 86 — Tariff determination and Generation Based Incentive (GBI) — State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) has exclusive power to determine tariff — Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) introduced GBI to incentivise renewable energy generation — GBI is intended to be over and above the tariff fixed by SERC — SERC must consider GBI while determining tariff, but not necessarily deduct it — SERC’s power to determine tariff includes considering incentives — Parliament’s allocation of funds for GBI does not prevent SERC from considering it in tariff — SERC must exercise its power harmoniously with other stakeholders to achieve policy objectives.

Mar 29, 2026 sclaw

Tenders & Contracts

Contract Law — Award of Tender — Judicial Review — High Court should exercise restraint when reviewing tender evaluation processes, especially in technical matters, unless there is clear evidence of mala fide, arbitrariness, or irrationality — A marginal difference in scores, as seen in this case, does not automatically warrant interference, especially when the owner has the right to accept or reject bids and the contract is already underway.

Mar 29, 2026 sclaw

Land Acquisition National Highways Authority Act

National Highways Act, 1956 — Amendments and compensation provisions — Section 3-J introduced in 1997 removed applicability of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1894 Act) provisions for solatium and interest — Overturned by various High Courts, including reading down Sections 3-G and 3-J to grant solatium and interest — Subsequently, Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (2013 Act) and its amended provisions extended to NH Act — Court clarified that landowners acquired lands under NH Act between 1997 and 2015 are entitled to solatium and interest — Review Petition filed by NHAI arguing financial burden was underestimated rejected, but clarification on delayed claims issued.

C P C

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) — Order 21 Rule 102 — Applicability — Provision contemplates a situation where a judgment debtor transfers property after institution of suit to a person who then obstructs execution — Not applicable where respondents derived title from independent registered sale deeds, not from the judgment debtor.

Land Acquisition

Land Acquisition Act, 1894 — Section 28-A — Re-determination of compensation — Second application for re-determination based on High Court award maintainable even after accepting compensation based on Reference Court award — Principle of merger means appellate court’s award supersedes earlier award, entitling landowners to benefit from higher compensation — Object of Section 28-A is to ensure equality in compensation among similarly placed landowners.

Electricity Act

Electricity Act, 2003 — Section 61, 86 — Tariff determination and Generation Based Incentive (GBI) — State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) has exclusive power to determine tariff — Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) introduced GBI to incentivise renewable energy generation — GBI is intended to be over and above the tariff fixed by SERC — SERC must consider GBI while determining tariff, but not necessarily deduct it — SERC’s power to determine tariff includes considering incentives — Parliament’s allocation of funds for GBI does not prevent SERC from considering it in tariff — SERC must exercise its power harmoniously with other stakeholders to achieve policy objectives.

Service

Army Rules, 1954 – Rule 13(3)(III)(v) – Discharge from service – Offences for which the red ink entries are awarded, cannot be said to be such gross misconduct which would make the appellant indiscipline and liable to be discharged from service and that too, after a period of long service rendered by him – Order of discharge is wholly unjustified and not sustainable at law – Appeal allowed.

Acquittal

(IPC) – Section 409 – Criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent -‘criminal breach of trust’ is defined under Section 405 IPC which provides, inter alia, that whoever being in any manner entrusted with property or with any dominion over a property, dishonestly misappropriates or converts to his own use that property, or dishonestly uses or disposes of that property contrary to law, or in violation of any law prescribing the mode in which such trust is to be discharged, or contravenes any legal contract, express or implied, etc. shall be held to have committed criminal breach of trust

Consumer

Consumer Protection Act, 1986 – Section 2(d)(ii) – Deficiency in service – Any loss arising out of inaction and negligence on the part of the Bank, such deficiency is compensable under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986

Service

Termination–Reservation–In advertisement, authorities failed to mention in regard to reservation for handicapped person at the outset–Appellants who were handicapped person were appointed–On Contempt petition State cancelled the selection and terminated the service–Service restored with backwages.

Land Acquisition National Highways Authority Act

National Highways Act, 1956 — Amendments and compensation provisions — Section 3-J introduced in 1997 removed applicability of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1894 Act) provisions for solatium and interest — Overturned by various High Courts, including reading down Sections 3-G and 3-J to grant solatium and interest — Subsequently, Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (2013 Act) and its amended provisions extended to NH Act — Court clarified that landowners acquired lands under NH Act between 1997 and 2015 are entitled to solatium and interest — Review Petition filed by NHAI arguing financial burden was underestimated rejected, but clarification on delayed claims issued.

C P C

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) — Order 21 Rule 102 — Applicability — Provision contemplates a situation where a judgment debtor transfers property after institution of suit to a person who then obstructs execution — Not applicable where respondents derived title from independent registered sale deeds, not from the judgment debtor.

Land Acquisition

Land Acquisition Act, 1894 — Section 28-A — Re-determination of compensation — Second application for re-determination based on High Court award maintainable even after accepting compensation based on Reference Court award — Principle of merger means appellate court’s award supersedes earlier award, entitling landowners to benefit from higher compensation — Object of Section 28-A is to ensure equality in compensation among similarly placed landowners.

Electricity Act

Electricity Act, 2003 — Section 61, 86 — Tariff determination and Generation Based Incentive (GBI) — State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) has exclusive power to determine tariff — Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) introduced GBI to incentivise renewable energy generation — GBI is intended to be over and above the tariff fixed by SERC — SERC must consider GBI while determining tariff, but not necessarily deduct it — SERC’s power to determine tariff includes considering incentives — Parliament’s allocation of funds for GBI does not prevent SERC from considering it in tariff — SERC must exercise its power harmoniously with other stakeholders to achieve policy objectives.

Murder

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) — Section 43, 313, 354(3) — Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) — Section 302, 307, 436 —Conviction and sentence — Whether the death sentence awarded to the Appellant is excessive, disproportionate on the facts and circumstances of the case, i.e. whether the present case can be termed to be a ‘rarest of the rare case’ —

Jun 24, 2017 sclaw

AIR 2014 SC 2486 : (2014) AIRSCW 3905 : (2014) 7 JT 552 : (2014) 8 SCALE 113 : (2014) 7 AD 615 : AIR 2014 SC 2486 :…

Cr P C

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) – Section 245(3) (as applicable to West Bengal) – Discharge – Ground of delay in trial – Entitlement – Accused not entitled to discharge as ground of delay in trial which is caused due to his own wrong.

Jun 24, 2017 sclaw

(1996) 4 AD 80 : AIR 1996 SC 2158 : (1996) CriLJ 2885 : (1996) 2 Crimes 133 : (1996) 2 CTC 507 : (1996) 5 JT 537 :…

C P C

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) – Order 1, Rule 10 – Impleading Necessary Parties – Where the question related to interest chargeable on the loan advanced by the Bank and rate of interest was being decided on the basis of circulars issued by Reserve Bank of India – In such circumstances RBI allowed to be impleaded as a party.

Jun 24, 2017 sclaw

(1998) 6 AD 371 : AIR 1998 SC 3000 : (1998) 94 CompCas 569 : (1998) 2 CTC 381 : (1998) 5 JT 655 : (1998) 4 SCALE 651…

Service

Constitution of India, 1950 – Articles 12, 14 and 16 – Assam Industrial Development Corporation (A1DC) Voluntary Retirement Scheme, 1992, Clauses 3 to 8 – AIDC Limited (Employees) Service Rules, 1992 – Rule 18 – Voluntary retirement – Golden hand-shake voluntary retirement scheme – An open option made available to all employees subject to fulfilment of conditions prescribed under the scheme – Option once made not to be allowed to be withdrawn

Jun 24, 2017 sclaw

AIR 2000 SC 2769 : (2000) 87 FLR 190 : (2000) 10 JT 9 : (2000) 2 LLJ 1125 : (2000) 6 SCALE 198 : (2000) 7 SCC 390…

C P C

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) – Order 47, Rule 4 – Review – Limitations – High Court without considering the question whether judgment/order sought to be reviewed suffered from any error, reappreciating the evidence, not correct.

Jun 24, 2017 sclaw

(2002) ACJ 1822 : AIR 2003 SC 2095 : (2002) 1 JT 549 Supp SUPREME COURT OF INDIA RAJENDER KUMAR AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. RAMBHAI AND OTHERS —…

Education

Education – Admission – Medical Course – Cut-off date fixed for admission cannot be used as technical instrument to deny admission to appellant when she was arbitrarily denied admission – Court should not pass interim order when admission is disputed.

Jun 24, 2017 sclaw

AIR 2012 SC 3396 : (2012) 6 JT 283 : (2012) 6 SCALE 287 : (2012) 7 SCC 389 : (2012) AIRSCW 4073 : (2012) 4 Supreme 511 SUPREME…

C P C

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) – Section 100 – Appeal – Second appeal – Non-consideration of material evidence by First Appellate Court – Wrong assessment of facts – Second Appellate Court can decide true nature of a transaction on the basis of admitted facts – Interference in second appeal affirmed.

Jun 24, 2017 sclaw

AIR 1971 SC 1049 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA RADHA NATH SEAL (DEAD) BY HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES — Appellant Vs. HARIPADA JANA AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : J.…

Constitution

Kannan Devan Hills (Resumption of Lands) Act, 1971 – Sections 4 and 5 – Land in question – State has legislative competence to legislate on Entry 18, List II and Entry 42 List III. This power cannot be denied on the ground that it has some effect on an industry controlled under Entry 52, List I. Effect is not the same thing as subject-matter

Jun 24, 2017 sclaw

AIR 1972 SC 2301 : (1972) 2 SCC 218 : (1973) 1 SCR 356 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA THE KANNAN DEVAN HILLS PRODUCE — Appellant Vs. THE STATE OF…

C P C

Partnership Act, 1932 – Section – 69 – Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) – Order 30 Rule 4 – Promissory note – The respondents filed a suit to recover a sum of Rs. 58,880 on the foot of a promissory note dated April 1, 1960 to recover the principal sum of Rs. 46,380 and interest which accrued thereon – The respondent- firm is a registered partnership firm and under Section 69 of the Partnership Act, the suit is maintainable

Jun 23, 2017 sclaw

(1996) 8 AD 562 : (1997) 1 BC 503 : (1996) 10 JT 38 : (1996) 8 SCALE 17 : (1996) 11 SCC 480 : (1996) 7 SCR 152…

Civil Cases

Partition – What manner the property are required to be enjoyed in equal shares? – On perusal of the partition deed, it is clear that the view of the High Court is not correct. It is seen that the ground floor was allotted to both the appellant and the respondent for common enjoyment and first floor was allotted to one party and second floor was allotted to another party

Jun 23, 2017 sclaw

(1996) 8 AD 553 : (1996) 8 SCALE 243 : (1996) 11 SCC 496 : (1996) 7 SCR 812 Supp SUPREME COURT OF INDIA K.M. SRINIVASAN — Appellant Vs.…

You missed

Land Acquisition National Highways Authority Act

National Highways Act, 1956 — Amendments and compensation provisions — Section 3-J introduced in 1997 removed applicability of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1894 Act) provisions for solatium and interest — Overturned by various High Courts, including reading down Sections 3-G and 3-J to grant solatium and interest — Subsequently, Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (2013 Act) and its amended provisions extended to NH Act — Court clarified that landowners acquired lands under NH Act between 1997 and 2015 are entitled to solatium and interest — Review Petition filed by NHAI arguing financial burden was underestimated rejected, but clarification on delayed claims issued.

Mar 29, 2026 sclaw

C P C

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) — Order 21 Rule 102 — Applicability — Provision contemplates a situation where a judgment debtor transfers property after institution of suit to a person who then obstructs execution — Not applicable where respondents derived title from independent registered sale deeds, not from the judgment debtor.

Mar 29, 2026 sclaw

Land Acquisition

Land Acquisition Act, 1894 — Section 28-A — Re-determination of compensation — Second application for re-determination based on High Court award maintainable even after accepting compensation based on Reference Court award — Principle of merger means appellate court’s award supersedes earlier award, entitling landowners to benefit from higher compensation — Object of Section 28-A is to ensure equality in compensation among similarly placed landowners.

Mar 29, 2026 sclaw

Electricity Act

Electricity Act, 2003 — Section 61, 86 — Tariff determination and Generation Based Incentive (GBI) — State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) has exclusive power to determine tariff — Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) introduced GBI to incentivise renewable energy generation — GBI is intended to be over and above the tariff fixed by SERC — SERC must consider GBI while determining tariff, but not necessarily deduct it — SERC’s power to determine tariff includes considering incentives — Parliament’s allocation of funds for GBI does not prevent SERC from considering it in tariff — SERC must exercise its power harmoniously with other stakeholders to achieve policy objectives.

Mar 29, 2026 sclaw