500 Supreme Court Judgments of 2022 Part-5 (Citations 401 - 500)

• 500 Supreme Court Judgments of 2022 (Citations 1 to 100)
• 500 Supreme Court Judgments of 2022 (Citations 101 - 200)
• 500 Supreme Court Judgments of 2022 (Citations 201 - 300)
• 500 Supreme Court Judgments of 2022 (Citations 301 - 400)

1. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; Section 432 (2) - Remission - It cannot be said that the opinion of the presiding judge is only a relevant factor, which does not have any determinative effect on the application for remission. The purpose of the procedural safeguard under Section 432 (2) of the CrPC would stand defeated if the opinion of the presiding judge becomes just another factor that may be taken into consideration by the government while deciding the application for remission - This is not to say that the appropriate government should mechanically follow the opinion of the presiding judge. (Para 21-22) Ram Chander v. State of Chhattisgarh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 401
2. Criminal Trial - The testimony of a witness in a criminal trial cannot be discarded merely because of minor contradictions or omissions - Only contradictions in material particulars and not minor contradictions can be a ground to discredit the testimony of the witnesses. (Para 17) Anuj Singh @ Ramanuj Singh @ Seth Singh v. State of Bihar, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 402
3. Evidence Act 1872; Section 27 - Section 27 of the Evidence Act is an exception to Sections 24 to 26. Admissibility under Section 27 is relatable to the information pertaining to a fact discovered. This provision merely facilitates proof of a fact discovered in consequence of information received from a person in custody, accused of an offense. Thus, it incorporates the theory of "confirmation by subsequent facts" facilitating a link to the chain of events. It is for the prosecution to prove that the information received from the accused is relatable to the fact discovered. The object is to utilize it for the purpose of recovery as it ultimately touches upon the issue pertaining to the discovery of a new fact through the information furnished by the accused. Therefore, Section 27 is an exception to Sections 24 to 26 meant for a specific purpose and thus be construed as a proviso. (Para 31) Jafarudheen v. State of Kerala, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 403
4. Service Law - Disciplinary Proceedings - Merely because subsequently the employee had deposited the defrauded amount and therefore there was no loss caused to the department cannot be a ground to take a lenient view and/or to show undue sympathy in favour of such an employee. Union of India v. M. Duraisamy, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 404
5. Labour Law - An employee or workman whose services are terminated and who is desirous of getting back wages is required to either plead or at least make a statement before the adjudicating authority or the Court of first instance that he/she was not gainfully employed or was employed on lesser wages- In the first instance, there is an obligation on the part of the employee to plead that he is not gainfully employed. It is only then that the burden would shift upon the employer to make an assertion and establish the same. [Para 31-33] Allahabad Bank v. Avtar Bhushan Bhartiya, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 405
6. Service Law - An ad hoc employee cannot be replaced by another ad hoc employee and he can be replaced only by another candidate who is regularly appointed by following a regular procedure prescribed. (Para 12) Manish Gupta v. Jan Bhagidari Samiti, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 406
7. Service Law - Voluntary Retirement Scheme - VRS benefit is an entitlement and assumes the character of property to the employee concerned once his application for VRS is accepted. It is the right of a person under Article 300A of the Constitution of India to have the VRS benefit to be given on accurate assessment thereof, the employer here being a public sector unit. If at the time of quantifying the VRS benefit after accepting an employee's application for voluntary retirement, the employer take any step that would reduce such benefit in monetary terms, such step shall have to be taken under the authority of law. (Para 21) Shankar Lal v. Hindustan Copper Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 407
8. Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 - The 1972 Act will apply to Anganwadi centres and in turn to Anganwadi workers (AWW) and Anganwadi helpers. (Para 31) Maniben Maganbhai Bhariya v. District Development Officer Dahod, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 408
9. Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; Section 31(7) - Arbitral tribunal can grant post-award interest on the sum of the award which also includes the interest component - The word sum used under Section 31(7) includes the interest awarded on the substantive claims, therefore, the post award interest would be on both the amount awarded in respect of the substantive claims and the interest awarded on such claims. Indian Oil Corporation v. U.B. Engineering, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 409
10. Voluntary Surrender - If the Panchayat / Municipality is taking a stand that a land was voluntarily surrendered, the burden would be on the Panchayat / Municipality to establish such voluntary surrender. (Para 12-13) Kalyani v. Sulthan Bathery Municipality, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 410
11. Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 (Uttar Pradesh); Section 2(b) - Even a single crime committed by a 'Gang' is sufficient to implant Gangsters Act on such members of the 'Gang' - There can be prosecution against a person even in case of a single offence/FIR/charge sheet for any of the anti-social activities mentioned in Section 2(b) of the Act provided such an anti-social activity is by violence, or threat or show of violence, or intimidation, or coercion or otherwise with the object of disturbing public order or of gaining any undue temporal, pecuniary, material or other advantage for himself or any other person. (Para 9-10) Shraddha Gupta v. State of Uttar Pradesh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 411
12. Customary Law - Mizo Customary Law - Inheritance - Inheritance depends upon the responsibility carried out by a legal heir to look after the elders in the family - It depends upon the question as to whether a person supports the deceased in his old age or not - Even if a natural heir does not support his parents, he would not be entitled to inheritance - Even if there is a natural heir, a person who supports the person until his death could inherit the properties of that person. Kaithuami v. Ralliani, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 412
13. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; Section 482 - Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881; Section 138,139 - The Court should be slow to grant the relief of quashing a complaint at a pre-trial stage, when the factual controversy is in the realm of possibility particularly because of the legal presumption - In a situation where the accused moves Court for quashing even before trial has commenced, the Court's approach should be careful enough to not to prematurely extinguish the case by disregarding the legal presumption which supports the complaint - Quashing proceedings must not become an expedition into the merits of factual dispute, so as to conclusively vindicate either the complainant or the defence. (Para 16, 11, 13) Rathish Babu Unnikrishnan v. State, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 413
14. Bar Council of India Rules - Provisional enrolment - Persons engaged in other employments can be permitted to provisionally enrol with the concerned Bar Council and to appear in the All India Bar Examination (AIBE), and that upon clearing the AIBE, they can be given a period of 6 months to decide whether to join legal profession or continue with the other job. Bar Council of India v. Twinkle Rahul Mangonkar, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 414
15. Stamp Act, 1958 (Bombay) - Stamp duty not separately payable on Power of Attorney executed along with deed assigning debt under the SARFAESI Act. Asset Reconstruction Co. v. Chief Controlling Revenue Authority, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 415
16. Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; Section 2(h), 7, 8, 16 - Group of companies doctrine - An arbitration agreement entered into by a company within a group of companies, can bind its non-signatory affiliates or sister concerns if the circumstances demonstrate a mutual intention of the parties to bind both the signatory and affiliated, non-signatory parties - A non-signatory may be bound by the arbitration agreement where: (i) There exists a group of companies; and (ii) Parties have engaged in conduct or made statements indicating an intention to bind a non-signatory - In deciding whether a company within a group of companies which is not a signatory to arbitration agreement would nonetheless be bound by it, the law considers the following factors: (i) The mutual intent of the parties; (ii) The relationship of a non-signatory to a party which is a signatory to the agreement; (iii) The commonality of the subject matter; (iv) The composite nature of the transaction; and (v) The performance of the contract. (Para 18, 23, 26) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation v. Discovery Enterprises, 2022 LiveLaw SC 416
17. Service Law - LIC as a statutory corporation is bound by the mandate of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. As a public employer, the recruitment process of the corporation must meet the constitutional standard of a fair and open process. Allowing for back-door entries into service is an anathema to public service. (Para 72) Ranbir Singh v. S.K. Roy, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 417
18. Income Tax Act, 1961; Section 37 - Loss suffered owing to exchange fluctuation while repaying loan can be regarded as revenue expenditure - The exchange fluctuation loss is an expenditure incidental to carrying on of business and comes within the purview of section 37 of the Act as the same is incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of business. (Para 3, 7-9) Wipro Finance Ltd. v. Commissioner of Income Tax, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 418
19. Reservation - The reserved category candidates securing higher marks than the last of the general category candidates are entitled to get seat/post in unreserved categories - Even while applying horizontal reservation, merit must be given precedence and if the candidates, who belong to SCs, STs and OBCs have secured higher marks or are more meritorious, they must be considered against the seats meant for unreserved candidates - Candidates belonging to reserved categories can as well stake claim to seats in unreserved categories if their merit and position in the merit list entitles them to do so. (Para 8-9) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. v. Sandeep Choudhary, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 419
20. Administrative Law - CBDT Departmental Examination - Grace mark policy - The benefit of the grace marks was not to allow the reserved category candidate to switch over to general category - Only in a case where any candidate belonging to any category is marginally failing to pass the examination, he is/was to be allowed the grace marks so as to allow him to obtain the minimum passing marks required and that too by allowing upto five grace marks - It was never meant for a person, who has passed in his own category. Union of India v. Mukesh Kumar Meena, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 420
21. Transfer of Property Act, 1882; Section 62 - Usufructuary Mortgage - Once a usufructuary mortgage is created, the mortgagor has a right to redeem the mortgage at any point of time on the principle that once a mortgage always a mortgage. Harminder Singh v. Surjit Kaur, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 421
22. Employee State Insurance Act, 1948; Section 2(22) - "Conveyance allowance" is equivalent to the traveling allowance and therefore any conveyance allowance/traveling allowance is excluded from the definition of "wages". Talema Electronic v. ESI Corporation, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 422
23. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 - The provisions of the Code are essentially intended to bring the corporate debtor to its feet and are not of money recovery proceedings as such. Invest Asset Securitisation and Reconstruction v. Girnar Fibres, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 423
24. Companies Act, 2013; Section 188 - Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015; Regulation 23 - Related parties abstained from voting in special resolution which approved a related party transaction - They voted in Extraordinary GM convened for rescinding the said resolution - SAT held the bar of voting as per Section 188 of the Companies Act, 2013 on related parties operated only at the time of entering into a contract or arrangement, i.e., when the resolution dated 15.07.2014 was passed; and therein the said related parties indeed abstained from voting. It found no fault in the said parties voting in the recalling/rescinding of the said resolution - The view, as taken by the Appellate Tribunal, in the given set of facts and circumstances of the present case, appears to be a plausible view of the matter. Securities and Exchange Board of India v. R.T. Agro Pvt. Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 424
25. Waqf Act, 1995; Section 3(r) - Definition of waqf - there ought to be proof of dedication or user or grant to qualify as waqf - in the absence of any proof of dedication or user, a dilapidated wall or a platform cannot be conferred a status of a religious place for the purpose of offering prayers / Namaaz. [Para 17, 18] Waqf Board. Rajasthan v. Jindal Saw Ltd; 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 425
26. Medical Course - Screening Test Regulations, 2002 - Granting provisional registration to complete internship to a student who has not undergone clinical training would be compromising with the health of the citizens of any country and the health infrastructure at large - The decision of the National Medical Commission not to grant provisional registration cannot be said to be arbitrary - Qualifying in the Screening Regulations is no proof of the clinical experience, if any, gained by the students. (Para 16-21) National Medical Commission v. Pooja Thandu Naresh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 426
27. Prison Act, 2000 (Delhi); Section 2(h) - Delhi Prison Rules, 2018; Rule 1222-1223 - Getting remission is not a pre-requisite for obtaining furlough - Even if a prisoner is not to get any remission in his sentence and has to serve the sentence of imprisonment throughout his natural life, neither the requirements of his maintaining good conduct are whittled down nor the reformative approach and incentive for good conduct cease to exist in his relation. Thus, if he maintains good conduct, furlough cannot be denied as a matter of course - Depriving of even the concession of furlough and thereby taking away an incentive/motivation for good conduct would not only be counter-productive but would be an antithesis to the reformative approach otherwise running through the scheme of Rules of 2018. (Para 14-15) Atbir v. State of NCT of Delhi, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 427
28. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016; Section 14 - Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881; Section 138 and 141 - Moratorium - Liability of natural persons like a Director of the Company - The moratorium provisions contained in Section 14 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 would apply only to the corporate debtor and that the natural persons mentioned in Section 141 of the Act would continue to be statutorily liable under the provisions of the Act. Narinder Garg v. Kotak Mahindra Bank, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 428
29. Films and Television Institute of India - Majority view of the Committee appointed by SC accepted - Individuals with color blindness should be permitted to enroll for ALL courses offered by FTII. There should be no bar to admissions to the FTII for colorblind individuals - FTII should make reasonable accommodation in their curriculum for candidates with color blindness, in all courses where there is a bar to the admission of colorblind individuals. (Para 26-35) Ashutosh Kumar v. Film and Television Institute of India, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 429
30. Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; Section 37 - Limitation Act, 1963; Section 3, 5 - The right of appeal is a statutory right, subject to the laws of limitation. The law of limitation is valid substantive law, which extinguishes the right to sue, and/or the right to appeal. Once an appeal is found to be barred by limitation, there can be no question of any obligation of the Court to consider the merits of the case of the Appellant. State of Uttar Pradesh v. Satish Chand Shivhare, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 430
31. Income Tax Act, 1961; Section 12AA - Registration of a trust or institution - Even if in a case where the registration application under Section 12AA is not decided within six months, there shall not be any deemed registration. Harshit Foundation v Commissioner, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 431
32. Interpretation of Statutes - Rule of Contra proferentem - The rule of contra proferentem thus protects the insured from the vagaries of an unfavourable interpretation of an ambiguous term to which it did not agree - The rule assumes special significance in standard form insurance policies, called contract d' adhesion or boilerplate contracts, in which the insured has little to no countervailing bargaining power. Haris Marine Products v. Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC), 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 432
33. Practice and Procedure - Draft Rules of Criminal Practice 2021 - Bail - Para 17 (i) of the Draft Rules should be read as mandating the furnishing of the bail order to the prison concerned - The bail order should be furnished by the prison authorities to the accused. In Re To Issue Certain Guidelines Regarding Inadequacies and Deficiencies in Criminal Trial, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 433
34. State Reorginzation - Parliament must provide clarity on reservation benefits in successor state - In my opinion, given that determination of whether a community or caste has to be notified as Scheduled Caste, or Tribe, is in relation to a state or union territory (i.e., it is primarily people-centric having regard to the existing geo-political unit), and when a determination is so made that a particular community belongs to such state, in the event of re-organization, then, Parliament has a duty to provide clarity, by way of express provision- Given that states reorganizations occur as a consequence of political demands, or as an articulation of regional aspirations, there is no agency of the individual (i.e., members of Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe com- munities) in such eventuality. There is, consequently, an obligation on the part of Parliament, to provide clarity about the kind of protection, regarding the status of such individuals forced to choose one among the newly reorganized states, and ensure that they are not worse off as a result of reorganization (Justice Ravindra Bhat, Para 10) Akhilesh Prasad v. Jharkhand Public Service Commission, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 434
35. Stamp Act, 1958 (Maharashtra) - Court or a Tribunal cannot impound an insufficiently stamped document unless and until the same is produced on record before it. Widescreen Holdings v. Religare Finvest, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 435
36. All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 - Writ petition seeking to impose restrictions to prevent Civil Servants from contesting elections immediately after retirement or resignation from service, by imposing a "Cooling off Period" - Dismissed - It is not for this Court to decide whether or not there should be any rules/guidelines for a bureaucrat to contest elections - Whether there should be any "Cooling off Period" for civil servants for them to contest elections or not is best left to the concerned Legislature - The allegations of bureaucrats deviating from strict norms of political neutrality with a view to obtaining party tickets to contest elections, is vague, devoid of particulars and unsupported by any materials which could justify intervention of this Court. Vivek Krishna v. Union of India, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 436
37. Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 - It is not open to the Court in contempt jurisdiction to enlarge the scope of relief claimed in the main proceedings. Kangaro Industries v. Jaininder Jain, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 437
38. Service Law - If the excess amount was not paid on account of any misrepresentation or fraud of the employee or if such excess payment was made by the employer by applying a wrong principle for calculating the pay/allowance or on the basis of a particular interpretation of rule/order which is subsequently found to be erroneous, such excess payment of emoluments or allowances are not recoverable. This relief against the recovery is granted not 6 because of any right of the employees but in equity, exercising judicial discretion to provide relief to the employees from the hardship that will be caused if the recovery is ordered - if in a given case, it is proved that an employee had knowledge that the payment received was in excess of what was due or wrongly paid, or in cases where error is detected or corrected within a short time of wrong payment, the matter being in the realm of judicial discretion, the courts may on the facts and circumstances of any particular case order for recovery of amount paid in excess. Thomas Daniel v. State of Kerala, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 438
39. Constitution of India, 1950; Article 21 - Bodily integrity is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and no individual can be forced to be vaccinated - Persons who are keen to not be vaccinated on account of personal beliefs or preferences, can avoid vaccination, without anyone physically compelling them to be vaccinated. However, if there is a likelihood of such individuals spreading the infection to other people or contributing to mutation of the virus or burdening of the public health infrastructure, thereby affecting communitarian health at large, protection of which is undoubtedly a legitimate State aim of paramount significance in this collective battle against the pandemic, the Government can regulate such public health concerns by imposing certain limitations on individual rights that are reasonable and proportionate to the object sought to be fulfilled. (Para 49, 89(iii) Jacob Puliyel v. Union of India, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 439
40. Constitution of India, 1950; Article 226 - Whether the dictum of automatic vacation of stay in Asian Resurfacing of Road Agency Private Limited and Another v. Central Bureau of Investigation (2018) 16 SCC 299 applicable to an interim order of stay passed by High Court in writ proceedings (writ appeal) - The order of stay granted by the Division Bench in the High Court cannot be treated as having no force - This Court cannot be understood as having intended to apply the principle to the fact situation which is presented in this case. Asian Resurfacing of Road Agency v. Central Bureau of Investigation, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 440
41. Service Law - Mere suppression of material/false information in a given case does not mean that the employer can arbitrarily discharge/terminate the employee from service - Mere suppression of material / false information regardless of the fact whether there is a conviction or acquittal has been recorded, the employee / recruit is not to be discharged/terminated axiomatically from service just by a stroke of pen - The effect of suppression of material / false information involving in a criminal case, if any, is left for the employer to consider all the relevant facts and circumstances available as to antecedents and keeping in view the objective criteria and the relevant service rules into consideration, while taking appropriate decision regarding continuance / suitability of the employee into service - The person who has suppressed the material information or has made false declaration indeed has no unfettered right of seeking appointment or continuity in service, but at least has a right not to be dealt with arbitrarily and power has to be judiciously exercised by the competent authority in a reasonable manner with objectivity having due regard to the facts of the case on hand. Pawan Kumar v. Union of India, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 441
42. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order 23 Rule 3 and Order 43 Rule 1A - An aggrieved person against the compromise decree has a right to file an application before the Court which granted the decree - He has the right to avail either the remedy of appeal in terms of Order 43 Rule 1A CPC or by way of an application before the court granting decree. Vipan Aggarwal v. Raman Gandotra, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 442
43. Insurance Law - When the policy itself defines the acts of terrorism in the Exclusion Clause, the terms of the policy being a concluded contract will govern the rights and liabilities of the parties. Therefore, the parties cannot rely upon the definitions of 'terrorism' in various penal statutes since the Exclusion Clause contains an exhaustive definition of acts of terrorism. (Para 13) Narsingh Ispat Ltd. v. Oriental Insurance Company Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 443
44. Income Tax Act, 1961; Section 148, 148A - Finance Act, 2021 - (i) The respective impugned section 148 notices issued to the respective assessees shall be deemed to have been issued under section 148A of the IT Act as substituted by the Finance Act, 2021 and treated to be show cause notices in terms of section 148A(b). The respective assessing officers shall within thirty days from today provide to the assessees the information and material relied upon by the Revenue so that the assessees can reply to the notices within two weeks thereafter; (ii) The requirement of conducting any enquiry with the prior approval of the specified authority under section 148A(a) be dispensed with as a one time measure vis­à­vis those notices which have been issued under Section 148 of the unamended Act from 01.04.2021 till date, including those which have been quashed by the High Courts; (iii) The assessing officers shall thereafter pass an order in terms of section 148A(d) after following the due procedure as required under section 148A(b) in respect of each of the concerned assessees; (iv) All the defences which may be available to the assessee under section 149 and/or which may be available under the Finance Act, 2021 and in law and whatever rights are available to the Assessing Officer under the Finance Act, 2021 are kept open and/or shall continue to be available and; (v) The present order shall substitute/modify respective judgments and orders passed by the respective High Courts quashing the similar notices issued under unamended section 148 of the IT Act irrespective of whether they have been assailed before this Court or not - The present order shall govern, not only the impugned judgments and orders passed by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, but shall also be made applicable in respect of the similar judgments and orders passed by various High Courts across the country and therefore the present order shall be applicable to pan India. (Para 8) Union of India v. Ashish Agarwal, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 444
45. Registration Act, 1908 - There is and there can be no dispute about the fact that while the Registering Officer under the Registration Act, 1908, may not be competent to examine whether the executant of a document has any right, title or interest over the property which is the subject matter of the document presented for registration, he is obliged to strictly comply with the mandate of law contained in the various provisions of the Act. (Para 11) Asset Reconstruction Company v. SP Velayutham, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 445
46. Service Law - Madhya Pradesh - Teachers in govt aided private educational institutions entitled to supernnuation age of 65 years. Dr. Jacob Thudipara v. State of Madhya Pradesh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 446
47. Arbitration - Kerala Revocation of Arbitration Clauses and Reopening of Awards Act, 1998 - The Act is liable to be held unconstitutional on the ground of encroachment upon the judicial powers of the State - The Act has the effect of annulling the awards which have become "Rules of Court", is a transgression on the judicial functions of the State and therefore, violative of doctrine of "separation of powers". (Para 122, 127(iii)) Secretary of Govt. of Kerala Irrigation Department v. James Varghese, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 447
48. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; Section 439 - Bail - High Court or Sessions Court have a wide discretion in deciding an application for bail under Section 439 Cr.P.C. However, the said discretion must be exercised after due application of the judicial mind and not in a routine manner - Considerations for bail discussed. (Para 13- 19) Ms. P v. State of Madhya Pradesh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 448
49. Doctrine of Legitimate Expectation - Abuse of power is one of the criteria for testing whether a public body could resile from a prima facie legitimate expectation - If the government authority induced an expectation which was substantive, the upsetting of that expectation, through departure from the expected course of action in the absence of compelling public interest, would be so unfair, that it would amount to abuse of power. [Para 33] State of Bihar v. Shyama Nandan Mishra, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 449
50. Judicial Misconduct - Showing undue favour to a party under the guise of passing judicial orders is the worst kind of judicial dishonesty and misconduct. The extraneous consideration for showing favour need not always be a monetary consideration. It is often said that "the public servants are like fish in the water, none can say when and how a fish drank the water". A judge must decide the case on the basis of the facts on record and the law applicable to the case. If he decides a case for extraneous reasons, then he is not performing his duties in accordance with law. As often quoted, a judge, like Caesar's wife, must be above suspicion. (Para 15) Muzaffar Hussain v. State of Uttar Pradesh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 450
51. Advocate - Senior Advocate Designation - Instead of ten marks to be allocated to a counsel who has put in between ten to twenty years of practice, the marks be allocated commensurate with the standing of the person at the Bar, that is to say, one mark each shall be allocated for every year of practice between ten to twenty years. Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 451
52. Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; Section 31(7)(a) - If there is an agreement between the parties to the contrary, the Arbitral Tribunal would lose its discretion to award interest and will have to be guided by the agreement between the parties - In the absence of such an agreement, the Arbitral Tribunal would have a discretion to exercise its powers under clause (a) of sub­section (7) of Section 31- The discretion is wide enough. (Para 14-18) Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt. Ltd. v. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 452
53. Employees State Insurance Act, 1948; Section 45-AA - Once the statute has fixed the condition of pre-deposit before filing an appeal, such condition is required to be satisfied - Giving appellate authority a discretion to waive of the amount determined, is clearly not sustainable. (Para 8) Employees State Insurance Health Care v. Maruti Suzuki, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 453
54. Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; Section 11(6) - An application under section 11(6) shall be maintainable only in a case where there is a contract between the parties containing the arbitration agreement and the appointment procedure is prescribed and is agreed upon in writing. (Para 6.2) Swadesh Kumar Agarwal v. Dinesh Kumar Agarwal, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 454
55. Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; Sections 8 and 11 - Group of Companies doctrine - There is a clear need for having a re­look at the doctrinal ingredients concerning the group of companies doctrine - Whether the phrase 'claiming through or under' in Sections 8 and 11 could be interpreted to include 'Group of Companies' doctrine? Whether the 'Group of companies' doctrine as expounded by Chloro Controls India Private Limited v. Severn Trent Water Purification Inc. (2013) 1 SCC 641 and subsequent judgments are valid in law? - Issues referred to a larger bench. Cox and Kings Ltd. v. SAP India, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 455
56. Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002; Sections 3, 4 - Even in cases of PMLA, the Court cannot proceed on the basis of preponderance of probabilities - The allegation must be proved beyond 20 reasonable doubt in the Court -It is incumbent upon the Court to look into the allegation and the material collected in support thereto and to find out whether the prima facie offence is made out. Unless the allegations are substantiated by the authorities and proved against a person in the court of law, the person is innocent. (Para 18) J. Sekar @ Sekar Reddy v. Directorate of Enforcement, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 456
57. Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881; Section 141 - Vicarious liability in the criminal law in terms of Section 141 of the NI Act cannot be fastened because of the civil liability - Vicarious liability arises only when the company or firm commits the offence as the primary offender - Unless the company or firm has committed the offence as a principal accused, the persons mentioned in sub-section (1) or (2) would not be liable and convicted as vicariously liable. (Para 11-14) Dilip Hariramani v. Bank of Baroda, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 457
58. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XIV Rule 2 - The plea of res judicata in appropriate cases may be determined as preliminary issue when it is neither a disputed question of fact nor a mixed question of law and fact - Preliminary issues can be those where no evidence is required and on the basis of reading of the plaint or the applicable law, if the jurisdiction of the Court or the bar to the suit is made out, the Court may decide such issues with the sole objective for the expeditious decision. (Para 20, 30) Sathyanath v. Sarojamani, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 458
59. Constitution of India, 1950; Article 145(3), 239AA(3)(a) and Entry 41 of List II of Seventh Schedule - interpretation of the phrases: "in so far as any such matter is applicable to Union Territories" and "Subject to the provisions of this Constitution" as contained in Article 239AA(3)(a) of the Constitution - Referred for an authoritative pronouncement by a Constitution Bench in terms of Article 145(3) of the Constitution. (Para 8-10) Govt of NCT Delhi v. Union of India, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 459
60. Easements Act, 1882; Section 52 - Licence - The inmates in the old age home are licensees and are expected to maintain a minimum level of discipline and good behaviour and not to cause disturbance to the fellow inmates who are also senior citizen - They have a legal right to stay in the room of the old age home only so long as they comply with the terms and conditions of such license - As a licensee, the plaintiffs have no right to stay in the accommodation allotted which is purely an approach to a human problem faced by the people in old age. (Para 23-26) Samarpan Varishtha Jan Parisar v. Rajendra Prasad Agarwal, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 460
61. Evidence Act, 1872; Section 65B(4) - Certificate under Section 65B(4) is a mandatory requirement for production of electronic evidence - Oral evidence in the place of such certificate cannot possibly suffice. (Para 20-21) Ravinder Singh @ Kaku v. State of Punjab, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 461
62. Registration Act, 1908; Section 35 - The "execution" of a document does not stand admitted merely because a person admits to having signed the document - In a situation where an individual admits their signature on a document but denies its execution, the Sub-Registrar is bound to refuse registration in accordance with Sections 35(3)(a). (Para 57, 64) Veena Singh v. District Registrar / Additional Collector, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 462
63. Constitution of India,1950; Article 243E, 243U - Constitutional Mandate to hold local body elections in time inviolable- Neither the State Election Commission nor the State Government or for that matter the State Legislature, including this Court in exercise of powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India can countenance dispensation to the contrary. (Para 5) Suresh Mahajan v. State of Madhya Pradesh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 463
64. Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934; Chapter III B - Kerala Money Lenders Act, 1958- Gujarat Money Lenders Act, 2011 - The Kerala Act and the Gujarat Act will have no application to NBFCs registered under the RBI Act and regulated by RBI - Though the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Pawn Brokers Act and the Tamil Nadu Money Lenders Act not examined, the principles of law laid down herein, would apply equally to these State enactments also. (Para 11.2)) Nedumpilli Finance Company Ltd. v. State of Kerala, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 464
65. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order VIII Rule 1 - The time limit for filing of the written statement is not mandatory - Delay in filing of the written statement could very well be compensated with costs. (Para 3-4) Bharat Kalra v. Raj Kishan Chabra, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 465
66. Minimum Wages Act, 1948; Section 10 - Only the clerical or arithmetical mistakes in any order fixing or revising minimum rates of wages can be corrected - An arithmetical mistake is a mistake of calculation; a clerical mistake is a mistake in writing or typing. An error arising out of or occurring from an accidental slip or omission is an error due to a careless or inadvertent mistake or omission unintentionally made. (Para 7.1-7.2) Gomantak Mazdoor Sangh v. State of Goa, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 466
67. Environmental Law - Adherence to the principle of sustainable development is a constitutional requirement- Precautionary Principle essential feature of the principle of 'Sustainable Development' - In case of a doubt, protection of environment would have precedence over the economic interest - Precautionary principle requires anticipatory action to be taken to prevent harm and that harm can be prevented even on a reasonable suspicion. (Para 15-18) T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 467
68. Penal Code, 1860; Section 420 - To make out a case against a person for the offence under Section 420 of IPC, there must be a dishonest inducement to deceive a person to deliver any property to any other person. (Para 8) Rekha Jain v. State of Karnataka, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 468
69. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016; Section 14, 60(6) - Section 60(6) does contemplate exclusion of the entire period during which the moratorium was in force in respect of corporate debtor in regard to a proceeding as contemplated therein at the hands of the corporate debtor - Present an order of Moratorium under Section 14, the entire period of the Moratorium is liable to be excluded in computing the period of limitation even in a suit or an application by a corporate debtor. (Para 25-28) New Delhi Municipal Council v. Minosha India Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 469
70. Penal Code, 1860; Section 124A - Sedition - All pending trials, appeals and proceedings with respect to the charge framed under Section 124A of IPC be kept in abeyance. Adjudication with respect to other Sections, if any, could proceed if the Courts are of the opinion that no prejudice would be caused to the accused - If any fresh case is registered under Section 124A of IPC, the affected parties are at liberty to approach the concerned Courts for appropriate relief. The Courts are requested to examine the reliefs sought, taking into account the present order passed as well as the clear stand taken by the Union of India - We hope and expect that the State and Central Governments will restrain from registering any FIR, continuing any investigation or taking any coercive measures by invoking Section 124A of IPC while the aforesaid provision of law is under consideration. (Para 8) S.G. Vombatkere v. Union of India, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 470
71. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order XXVI Rule 9,11 - The commissioners' reports are 'non-adjudicatory in nature', and the courts adjudicate upon the rights of the parties - It is only an opinion or noting, as the case may be with the details and/or statement to the court the actual state of affairs. Such a report does not automatically form part of the court's opinion, as the court has the power to confirm, vary or set aside the report or in a given case issue a new commission. (Para 33) M.P. Rajya Tilhan Utpadak Sahakari Sangh Maryadit v. Modi Transport Service, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 471
72. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016; Section 61 - An appeal against the order of NCLT shall be preferred within a period of 30 days from the date on which the order was passed by the NCLT. The Appellate Tribunal has the power to extend the period of limitation by another 15 days. Safire Technologies Pvt. Ltd. V. Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 472
73. National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations 2021; Regulations 4(a)(i), 4(a)(ii), 4(b) & 4(c) - National Medical Commission (Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship) Regulations, 2021; Schedule ­II 2(a) and 2(c)(i) - Constitutional validity upheld - NMC has the power to frame the Regulations - Regulations not arbitrary - Not necessary for the NMC and the Central Government to recognise foreign medical degrees of a lesser duration - The prescription of an internship for a minimum duration of 12 months in the same foreign medical institution cannot also be said to be a duplication of internships. Aravinth R.A. v. Secretary to Government of India, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 473
74. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; Section 17,19 - It is not mandatory for the aggrieved person to have actually lived or resided with those persons against whom the allegations have been levelled at the time of seeking relief. If a woman has the right to reside in a shared household, she can accordingly enforce her right under Section 17(1) of the D.V. Act. If a woman becomes an aggrieved person or victim of domestic violence, she can seek relief under the provisions of the D.V. Act including her right to live or reside in the shared household under Section 17 read with Section 19 of the D.V. Act. (Para 52, 22-41) Prabha Tyagi v. Kamlesh Devi, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 474
75. Contract Act, 1872; Sections 176 & 177 - Pledge, Pawnee & Pawnor -Contract Act does not conceive of sale of the pawn to self and consequently, the pawnor's right to redemption in terms of Section 177 of the Contract Act survives till 'actual sale' (Para 8.2) PTC India Financial Services Ltd v. Venkateswarlu Kari, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 475
76. Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013; Section 24 - Two conditions to be established for acquisition proceedings to lapse - possession not taken and/or compensation not paid - Purchaser has no right to claim lapsing of acquisition proceedings - Since the original land owner never filed any objections under Section 5-A of the Act, the purchaser cannot seek the relief which was not available even to the original land owner. [Para 29, 43, 37] Delhi Development Authority v. Godfrey Phillips (I) Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 476
77. Protection of Child from Sexual Offences Act, 2012; Section 5, 6 - Conviction of accused set aside after noticing that he married the victim and has two children - Court cannot shut its eyes to the ground reality and disturb the happy family life of the appellant and the prosecutrix. We have been informed about the custom in Tamilnadu of the marriage of a girl with the maternal uncle. Dhandapani v. State, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 477
78. Electricity Act, 2003; Section 2(8), 2(49), 9, 42 - Even an association of corporate bodies can establish a captive power plant. The only requirement would be that the said plant must be established primarily for their own use. (Para 16) Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Ltd. v. Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 478
79. Duomatic Principle - Duomatic Principle applicable even in the Indian context - Strict adherence to a statutory requirement may be dispensed with if it is demonstrated otherwise on facts, if the same is consented by all members - Principle is only applicable in those cases wherein bona fide transactions are involved - Fraud is a clear exception. (Para 26-29) Mahima Datla v. Renuka Datla, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 479
80. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; Section 53A - The lapse or omission (purposeful or otherwise) to carry out DNA profiling, by itself, cannot be permitted to decide the fate of a trial for the offence of rape especially, when it is combined with the commission of the offence of murder - Even if such a flaw had occurred in the investigation in a given case, the Court has still a duty to consider whether the materials and evidence available on record before it, is enough and cogent to prove the case of the prosecution. (Para 28) Veerendra v. State of Madhya Pradesh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 480
81. Constitution of India, 1950; Article 227 - Consumer Protection Act, 2019; Section 58 (1)(a)(iii & iv) - Writ petition under Article 227 maintainable against the order passed by the National Commission in an appeal under Section 58 (1)(a)(iii) or Section 58(1)(a) (iv) of the 2019 Act - While granting any interim stay/relief in a writ petition under Article 227 of the Constitution against an order passed by the National Commission, the same shall always be subject to the rigour of the powers to be exercised under Article 227 of the Constitution of India. (Para 11-14.1) Ibrat Faizan v. Omaxe Buildhome Pvt. Ltd; 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 481
82. Evidence Act, 1872; Section 32(1) - Penal Code, 1860; Sections 498A, 304B, 302, 306 - Dying Declaration - In some circumstances, the evidence of a deceased wife with respect to cruelty could be admissible in a trial for a charge under Section 498A of the IPC under Section 32(1) of the Evidence Act , subject to meeting certain necessary pre­conditions (1) That her cause of death must come into question in the matter - For instance, matters where along with the charge under Section 498A of the IPC, the prosecution has also charged the accused under Sections 302, 306 or 304B of the IPC - As long as the cause of her death has come into question, whether the charge relating to death is proved or not is immaterial with respect to admissibility. (2) Prosecution will have to show that the evidence that is sought to be admitted with respect to Section 498A of the IPC must also relate to the circumstances of the transaction of the death. How far back the evidence can be, and how connected the evidence is to the cause of death of the deceased would necessarily depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. No specific straitjacket formula or rule can be given with respect to this. Surendran v. State of Kerala, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 482
83. Service Law - Suppression of material fact by candidate in respect of his criminal antecedents and making a false statement in the application Form - Principles discussed. (Para 6-7) State of Rajasthan v. Chetan Jeff, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 483
84. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; Section 432 - Remission or pre­mature release has to considered in terms of the policy which is applicable in the State where the crime was committed and not the State where the trial stands transferred and concluded for exceptional reasons under the orders of this Court - The appropriate Government can be either the Central or the State Government but there cannot be a concurrent jurisdiction of two State Governments under Section 432(7) CrPC. (Para 13, 14) Radheshyam Bhagwandas Shah @ Lala Vakil v. State of Gujarat, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 484
85. CRZ violations - Maradu Flats Demolition - The owners of the flats in the four buildings in Maradu, Kochi, which were demolished in 2020 for CRZ violations, are not entitled to interest on the refund payable to them by the builders. Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority v. Maradu Municipality, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 485
86. NEET-PG - Plea to postpone NEET-PG 2022 scheduled for May 21 rejected - Postponement will create chaos and uncertainty and will impact patient care and will cause prejudice to over 2 lakh students who have prepared. Dr. R. Dinesh Kumar Reddy v. Medical Counselling Committee, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 486
87. Marine Policy - Marine Insurance Act, 1963; Section 4 - A contract of marine insurance may, by its express terms, or by usage of trade, be extended so as to protect the assured against losses on inland waters or on any land risk which may be incidental to any sea voyage - warehouse risks, combined with voyage and other marine risks, are considered as part of marine insurance policies in India. (Para 19) United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Levis Strauss (India) Pvt. Ltd., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 487
88. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; Section 482 - The ground that "no useful purpose will be served by prolonging the proceedings of the case" cannot be a good ground and/or a ground at all to quash the criminal proceedings when a clear case was made out for the offences alleged. (Para 6.3) Satish Kumar Jatav v. State of U.P., 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 488
89. Penal Code, 1860; Section 304A - Doctrine of res ipsa loquitur stricto sensu would not apply to a criminal case - For bringing home the guilt of the accused, prosecution has to firstly prove negligence and then establish direct nexus between negligence of the accused and the death of the victim. Nanjundappa v. State of Karnataka, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 489
90. Supreme Court Rules, 2013; Order IV Rule 7(b)(ii) - If the client has not signed the Vakalatnama in his presence, the AOR must ensure that it bears his endorsement as required by clause (b)(ii) of Rule 7- It is not an empty formality and therefore, it is the duty of AORs to ensure that due compliance is made with the said requirement. (Para 14) Suresh Chandra v. State of Uttar Pradesh, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 490
91. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 - NOIDA is an operational creditor under the provisions of the IBC Code. New Okhla Industrial Development Authority v. Anand Sonbhadra, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 491
92. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Order IX Rule 13 - When an ex­parte decree is set aside and the suit is restored to file, the defendants cannot be relegated to the position prior to the date of hearing of the suit when he was placed ex­parte. He would be debarred from filing any written statement in the suit, but then he can participate in the hearing of the suit inasmuch cross-examine the witness of the plaintiff and address arguments. (Para 6) Sudhir Ranjan Patra v Himansu Sekhar Srichandan, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 492
93. Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; Section 20 - The appointment of a new arbitrator who holds the arbitration proceedings at a different location would not change the jurisdictional 'seat' already fixed by the earlier or first arbitrator. The place of arbitration in such an event should be treated as a venue where arbitration proceedings are held - Once the jurisdictional 'seat' of arbitration is fixed in terms of sub-section (2) of Section 20 of the Act, then, without the express mutual consent of the parties to the arbitration, 'the seat' cannot be changed. (Para 29) BBR (India) Pvt. Ltd. v. S.P. Singla Constructions, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 493
94. Constitution of India, 1950; Article 161 - The advice of the State Cabinet is binding on the Governor in matters relating to commutation / remission of sentences under Article 161. (Para 19) A.G. Perarivalan v. State, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 494
95. National Green Tribunal Act, 2010; Section 3 - Establishment of NGT - Constitutional validity upheld - Section 3 of the NGT Act is not a case of excessive delegation of power to the Central Government. (Para 38(C), 32-37) Madhya Pradesh High Court Advocates Bar Association v. Union of India, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 495
96. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016; Section 14, 238 - Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 - After the CIRP is initiated, all actions including any action under the SARFAESI Act to foreclose, recover or enforce any security interest are prohibited. (Para 24, 35) Indian Overseas Bank v. RCM Infrastructure Ltd; 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 496
97. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 - Limitation Act, 1963; Section 18 - The provisions of Section 18 of the Limitation Act are not alien to and are applicable to proceedings under the IBC; and (ii) An acknowledgement in a balance sheet without a qualification can furnish a legitimate basis for determining as to whether the period of limitation would stand extended, so long as the acknowledgement was within a period of three years from the original date of default. (Para 13) State Bank of India v. Krishidhan Seeds, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 497
98. Criminal Trial - Sentencing - 1988 Road Rage Case - Sentence awarded to Navjot Singh Sidhu enhanced to one year imprisonment - When a 25 year old man, who was an international cricketer, assaults a man more than twice his age and inflicts, even with his bare hands, a severe blow on his (victim's) head, the unintended consequence of harm would still be properly attributable to him as it was reasonably foreseeable - The indulgence was not required to be shown at the stage of sentence by only imposing a sentence of fine and letting him go without any imposition of sentence. Jaswinder Singh v. Navjot Singh Sidhu, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 498
99. Legal Services Act, 1987; Section 22C, 22D - Permanent Lok Adalat has adjudicatory functions and is empowered to decide the dispute between the parties on merits - Conciliation proceedings under Section 22-C of the LSA Act are mandatory in nature - Even if the opposite party does not appear, the Permanent Lok Adalat is still bound to follow the step-by-step procedure - Main goal is conciliation and settlement of disputes in relation to public utilities, with a decision on merits always being the last resort. (Para 26-28) Canara Bank v. G.S. Jayarama, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 499
100. Goods and Services Tax (GST) - The recommendations of the GST council are not binding on the Union and the State Governments. The Parliament intended that the recommendations of the GST Council will have persuasive value. Both the Parliament and the State Legislatures can equally legislate on matters of Goods and Service Tax. Union of India v. Mohit Minerals, 2022 LiveLaw (SC) 500