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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)
Service Matters

Employer has sacrosanct duty to act in terms of sacred objectives of social and economic justice – Respondents have not been absorbed by JHALCO despite JHALCO having absorbed more than 300 employees of BHALCO – Both States directed to make payments within stipulated time – Both States shall compute salary component after granting benefit of pay revision which has been extended to other employees

  (2014) 3 AD 279 : (2013) 15 JT 218 : (2013) 14 SCALE 133 : (2014) 2 SCC 114 : (2014) 1 SCC(L&S) 321 : (2014) 1 SCJ 420…

Constitution of India, 1950 – Article – 226 – Refund the amount of excise duty – Petitions is filed by the respondents and has directed the appellants to refund the amount of excise duty paid by the respondents without requiring the respondents to pursue the remedy available under the statutory provisions

  (2000) 120 ELT 291 : (2001) 10 SCC 617 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA UNION OF INDIA (UOI) AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. INGERSOLL RAND (INDIA) LTD. — Respondent (…

Penal Code, 1860, Section 376—Rape—Acquittal—Sole testimony of the prosecutrix and the medical evidence that prosecutrix had an abrasion on the left elbow, an abrasion on her arm and a contusion on her leg—But these marks of injuries, by themselves, are not sufficient to establish rape

2007(4) LAW HERALD (SC) 2754 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice  R.V. Raveendaran The Hon’ble Mr. Justice B.Sudershan Reddy Criminal Appeal No. 624 of 2005…

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