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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).

Constitution of India, 1950 – Articles 14, 16 and 226 – Education – Admission – Eligibility – Prospectus – Whether a State Government employee lent on deputation [at the request of the State Government employee on health ground] to a department of Central Government can be considered as a serving Central Government employee within the meaning of eligibility clause

  (1998) 9 AD 187 : AIR 1999 SC 227 : (1998) 8 JT 274 : (1998) 6 SCALE 375 : (1999) 1 SCC 126 : (1998) 3 SCR 271…

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) – Section 311 – Summoning of witness – Closure of prosecution evidence – Order passed merely on ground that public prosecutor has not prayed for adjournment or for examination of other witnesses – No notice issued to Police Station Officer-in-charge – Order cannot be said to be proper – Witnesses can be summoned under Section 311 in spite of said order.

  AIR 2002 SC 270 : (2002) CriLJ 568 : (2002) 1 Crimes 197 : (2001) 10 JT 111 : (2001) 8 SCALE 320 : (2002) 1 SCC 655 :…

Land Acquisition Act, 1894 – Section – 4(1), 23(1) – Stamp Act – Section – 48 – Enhancement of the compensation – The High Court by the impugned judgment dated 22nd August, 1989 made in R.F.A. No52/89 and batch uniformly enhanced the market value to Rs. 12,000/- per bigha – Court has considered the entire gamut of the operation of the relevant provisions of Stamps Act and held that the fixation by the Government of the amount under Stamp Act for fiscal purpose bears no relevance to determine the market value

(1995) 4 SCALE 726 : (1995) 5 SCC 310 : (1995) 2 SCR 572 Supp SUPREME COURT OF INDIA PAINDER SINGH AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. UNION OF INDIA (UOI)…

Service Matters

Appellant, a professor in Physics was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University – Immediately another order passed rescinding earlier order as he had been facing a criminal case – This order had been passed immediately and much before the date on which appointment could become effective – There was no necessity to give him an opportunity

  AIR 1999 SC 849 : (1998) 8 JT 344 : (1998) 6 SCALE 378 : (1999) 1 SCC 422 : (1999) SCC(L&S) 229 : (1998) 3 SCR 165 Supp…

A lawyer, no doubt has a duty towards his client to do his best in his interest but within the parameters of law – He at the same time is equally responsible to assist the court fairly on the exact and latest position of law to his knowledge – His right to debate in the court is no licence to sidetrack the issue and mislead or pressurise the court to act in a particular manner – If he does so, it amounts of his misconduct attracting the wrath of disciplinary provisions of the Advocates Act.

  AIR 2001 SC 457 : (2000) 3 JT 505 Supp : (2000) 8 SCALE 76 : (2001) 2 SCC 221 : (2000) 5 SCR 345 Supp : (2001) 1…

Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) – Section 364-A – Abduction – Conveyance of demand of ransom – Abduction of victim, a college student – Accused persons told him that they will ask his father to pay a huge amount for his release – Victim managed to escape and informed villagers – Accused arrested on the spot – Demand of ransom has already been made by conveying it to victim

  (2004) CriLJ 4645 : (2004) 8 JT 72 : (2004) 7 SCALE 671 : (2004) 8 SCC 95 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA MALLESHI — Appellant Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA…

There are no cogent materials upon which the subjective satisfaction of the detaining Authority that the detenu was likely to be released on bail was arrived at; and there was a delay of 6 days in forwarding representation to the Central government – All the procedural requirements of Article 22 are mandatory in character and even if one of the procedural requirements is not complied with, the order of detention would be rendered illegal

  (2010) 10 JT 456(1) : (2010) 10 SCALE 248 : (2010) 9 SCC 618 : (2010) 10 UJ 5119 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA SMT. PEBAM NINGOL MIKOI DEVI —…

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