Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988), Section 7, 13 – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 374 -- Corruption case -- Stay of conviction -- Petitioner, being a public servant was convicted for 3 years on the charges u/s 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of the PC Act and 2 years on charges under Section 7 read with Section 12 of the PC Act -- High Court declined to stay the conviction – Held, Courts should refrain from staying conviction of public servants who have been convicted on charges of corruption -- Ex facie, no justifiable reason to take a different view – SLP dismissed.

(Para 3, 6-8)

A. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 439(2) – Cancellation of bail -- Private respondents were extended the concession of regular bail subject to implied conditions that they would not misuse the liberty granted, tamper with evidence, or intimidate witnesses -- However, soon after securing bail, the private respondents not only trespassed into the residence of the relatives of the complainant, but also issued threats and assaulted the complainant, thereby grossly undermining the authority of the Court and the sanctity of the bail order -- Held, private respondents have forfeited the privilege of bail by their overt acts of intimidation and assault, which are clearly in violation of the conditions imposed at the time of granting bail – Bail cancelled.

(Para 11, 13, 14)

B. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 439(2) – Cancellation of bail -- Liberty granted to an accused by way of bail can be curtailed if the same is misused -- If an accused, after grant of bail, engages in acts that amount to interference with the due course of justice such as intimidation of witnesses, tampering with evidence, or commission of further offenses, such conduct forms a cogent and compelling ground for cancellation of bail.

(Para 12)

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 348 – Recalling of witness -- Application moved after a lapse of six and half years from the date of examination of PW-7 -- Only reason for recall of PW-7 as given is that some questions regarding the cases pending between the parties, were left to be asked -- Reason cannot be stated to be plausible at all because if certain other cases are pending between the parties, material qua that can be produced by the petitioner during her defence evidence --  Application dismissed by Trial court – No ground for interference, revision dismissed.

(Para 1, 5, 6)

A. Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881), Section 138 – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 378 (4) -- Acquittal in cheque bounce complaint – Leave to appeal -- Complainant had not shown the license under Money Lenders Act which is necessary for lending money for the advancement of loan to the farmer – It was proved on record that the Bank was in receipt of the application regarding misplacing of the cheques in dispute and they have dishonoured the cheque due to insufficiency of the funds but the fact regarding misplacing of the cheques and giving the application could not be denied and it was the fault of the bank – Trial court acquitted the accused -- Leave to appeal denied.

(Para 1, 3, 5)

B. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 372, 378 (4) -- Appeal against acquittal -- Power of the Appellate Court – Power to unsettle the order of acquittal on the basis of re-appreciation of the evidence is subject to the settled law that where two views are possible and out of the two, one points towards the innocence of the accused, the view which favours the accused should prevail over the other pointing towards his guilt -- Presumption of innocence further gets entrenched on the acquittal of accused by the trial Court.

(Para 4)

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023), Section 109, 115(2), 190, 191(3), 332 (C), 333, 117 (1) -- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 483 – Attempt to murder -- Regular bail – Allegation that petitioner along with co-accused had given injuries to the complainant and the petitioner with a gandasa had given a blow which hit the forehead of the complainant -- Keeping in view, that as per the MLR, injuries are blunt injuries and there is no opinion that injuries are dangerous to life; since the trial is yet to commence and the same is likely to take time, the fact that the petitioner is in custody for the last 06 months and continuous detention of the petitioner would not serve the ends of justice – Bail allowed.

(Para 2, 7)

A. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 21 Rule 97, 98, 101, 102 – Execution of decree -- Rule 98 of Order XXI CPC is to be read in the context of Rule 97 and 101 of the CPC -- Under the said Rule, after determination of the questions as referred in 101, in accordance with law, on the application which had been moved by the decree-holder under Rule 97, the Court may allow the application by directing the decree-holder/ applicant to be put in possession of the property; or dismiss his application or pass such order as in the circumstances of the case, it may deem fit -- Under Rule 98 CPC, the Court is required to determine the questions, which are raised by the decree-holder.

(Para 24, 27)

B. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 21 Rule 97, 99, 100, 101, 102 – Execution of decree -- Third party objection – Rule 100 of Order XXI CPC is to be read in the context of Rules 99 and 101 CPC -- Under the said rule, upon determination of the questions, as referred to in Rule 101 CPC in accordance with law, on the application which had been moved by any person other than the judgment-debtor [third party objector] under Rule 99, the Court may allow the application by directing the said third party to be put in possession of the property; or dismiss the application or pass such order in the circumstances, as it may deem fit -- Rule 100 CPC, the Court is required to determine the questions, which are raised by any third party.

(Para 26, 27)

C. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 21 Rule 97, 99, 100, 101, 102 – Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (4 of 1882), Section 52 -- Execution of decree -- Principle of lis pendence -- Objection by transferee pendentelite – Maintainability of -- A purchaser of suit property during the pendency of litigation has no right to resist or obstruct execution of decree passed by a competent Court -- The doctrine of 'lis pendens' prohibits a party from dealing with the property, which is the subject matter of suit -- 'Lis pendens' itself is treated as constructive notice to a purchaser that he is bound by a decree to be entered in the pending suit -- A transferee from a judgment debtor is presumed to be aware of the proceedings before a Court of law -- He should be careful before he purchases the property, which is the subject matter of litigation -- Order XXI Rule 102 CPC recognizes the doctrine of lis pendens recognized by Section 52 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882.

(Para 31)

D. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 21 Rule 97, 99, 100, 101, 102 – Execution of decree -- Third party objector, who is a transferee pendente lite -- Maintainability of objections -- Court is not required to determine any questions as raised by such third party objector, who is a transferee pendente lite -- Once it is found that petitioner is a transferee pendente lite, Rule 102 CPC debars the Executing Court to determine any question raised by her as untenable under Order XXI Rule 98 and 101 CPC, as these Rules will not be applicable in such a case and as such, there was no question of adjudication on merits of the objections to the execution.

(Para 32)

Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 23 Rule 1(3) – Withdrawn of suit with liberty to file fresh – Stage of -- Rebuttal evidence closed by Court order -- Plaintiff then filed an application for leading additional evidence which was dismissed – Plaintiff wanted to add the plea of fraud and misrepresentation -- No party can be permitted to derive undue advantage of its own wrongs -- At the stage, to permit withdrawal of the suit with liberty to file a fresh suit on the same cause of action meant permitting the plaintiff to fill up the lacunae in the case -- No formal defect was pointed out in the suit nor was any satisfaction recorded by the trial Court while granting the permission – Held, plaintiff unable to make out a case within the four corners of Order XXIII Rule 1(3) CPC and, therefore, there was no occasion for the learned trial Court to allow the said application – Revision allowed, order passed by the trial Court set aside -- Application for withdrawal of the suit with liberty to file a fresh suit on the same cause of action stands dismissed.

(Para 8-15)

Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), Section 499, 500 – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 482 -- Defamation – Intention/ knowledge -- Quashing of complaint/ summoning order -- Publication in newspapers -- To constitute ‘defamation’ u/s 499 IPC, the allegation must have been made with intention to harm or knowing or having reason to believe that it will harm the person’s reputation -- It is not the complainant’s case that in reporting and publishing the imputation/ allegations, the petitioners had the intention to harm his reputation in any manner, or that they had the knowledge or reasons to believe that it would harm his reputation -- In the absence of any material indicating the petitioners’ complicity in the case, there was no occasion to summon them to face trial; the order is, accordingly, groundless and unsustainable -- Criminal complaint and all consequential proceedings, including the summoning order quashed qua the petitioners.

(Para 9-13)

Constitution of India, Article 21, 226 -- Live in Relationship – Protection of life and liberty -- Protection of life and liberty is a basic feature of the Constitution of India -- Every person, more so, a major, has the right to live his / her life with a person of his / her choice -- At any rate, whenever this Court, prima-facie, is satisfied that on account of some relatives/ persons being unhappy with the relationship between the petitioners could cause harm to the life and liberty of the petitioners, then in such circumstances, the Courts are required to pass necessary directions for their protection -- Direction given to respondent No.2 to consider the representation and to assess the threat perception to the petitioners and after considering the same and shall take appropriate action in accordance with law.

(Para 10-14)

A. Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988), Section 166 -- Compensation in  motor vehicle accident case – Non-renewal of Driving License -- Liability of Insurance Company – Recovery rights in the absence of service of summons to driver/ owner -- Driver possessed valid driving license since 1968 -- Renewed w.e.f. 12.11.1992 to 11.11.1995 – Not renewed from 12.11.1995 to 25.03.1997 – Renewed on 26.03.1997-- Accident took place on intervening night of 1/2.12.1996 --  Driver of the offending vehicle cannot be presumed to be having possessed with legal and valid driving license as on the date of accident -- Insurance company to deposit the amount at the first instance followed by its recovery from the insured. Beli Ram V. Rajinder Kumar reported as 2021 (3) ACC 436 relied.

-- recovery rights need to be conferred upon the appellant/ insurance company, however, appellant/ insurance company has not made any bonafide efforts to serve Respondents No. 4 & 5, during the pendency of their present appeal for the past 25 years and the same thus has been dismissed qua Respondents No. 4 & 5, as such, no such directions can be passed in favour of the appellant/ insurance company in the absence of Respondents No. 4 & 5 on account of their own act and conduct.

(Para 9, 15)

B. Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988), Section 166 -- Compensation in  motor vehicle accident case – Accident on intervening night of 1/2.12.1996 – Minimum wages of Rs.3,000/- per month taken as per the notification of the State Government while considering deceased as a skilled labour -- Deceased to be around 29 years on the date of accident, multiplier of 17 needs to be applied -- Claimants held entitled to Rs.18,000/- as compensation under the head of funeral expenses and Rs.18,000/- towards loss of estate by applying 10% increase under the conventional heads -- Loss of consortium to the tune of Rs.48,000/- x 3 (Rs.1,44,000/-) as respondents no.1 to 3 being wife and children – Deduction 1/3 applied – Total compensation comes to Rs.7,51,200/- with interest @ 12% per annum being just and proper in the prevailing economic scenario/ facts and circumstances.

(para 9-14)

Registration Act, 1908 (16 of 1908), Section 17 – Registered documents – Presumption -- Registration of a document gives notice to the world that such a document has been executed is not to confer an unimpeachable validity on all such registered documents.

 (Para 16)

A. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 1 Rule 10, Order 22 Rule 4 -- Deletion of party/ Legal heirs – When a particular party has been impleaded as a legal heir under Order XXII Rule 4 after due inquiry by the court and without any objections, the party can approach the court anytime later and seek his deletion from the array of parties by filing an application under Order 1 Rule 10.

(Para 51)

B. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 1 Rule 10, Order 22 Rule 4, Section 11 -- Deletion of party/ Legal heirs – Res-judicata -- High Court, in its impugned order, held the application of the appellant under Order 1 Rule 10 to be barred by res judicata and thus not maintainable on that ground – Held, no infirmity in the said observation made by the High Court -- Issue as regards the impleadment of the appellant as a legal heir of the original defendant had attained finality between the parties and thus the subsequent application under Order 1 Rule 10 seeking to get his name deleted from the array of parties could be said to be barred by res judicata.

(Para 53, 54)

C. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 1 Rule 10, Order 22 Rule 4, Section 11 -- Deletion of party – “at any stage of the proceedings” -- Order 1 Rule 10 allows the court to exercise its power at any stage, however the same cannot be construed to mean that the defendant can keep reagitating the same objection at different stages of the same proceeding, when the issue has been determined conclusively at a previous stage.

(Para 54)

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023), Section 109, 115(2), 118(1), 127(1), 351(2), 191(3), 190 – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 483 – Attempt to murder -- Regular bail -- Petitioner’s name does not appear in the initial version of the FIR -- Primary injury u/s 109 BNS is attributed to co-accused – Case warrants consideration for the grant of bail -- Petitioner deserves a fair opportunity to rehabilitate and reintegrate into society -- Petitioner’s personal liberty ought not to be curtailed indefinitely – Bail allowed.

(Para 4, 5)

Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (51 of 1993), Section 31B, 34 -- Andhra Pradesh Value Added Tax Act, 2005 (5 of 2005), Section 26 -- Priority to secured creditors – Bank’s right over State to collect tax -- Right of the petitioner Bank to recover its dues by sale of the secured asset would have priority over the arrears which were sought to be recovered by the respondent State under the provisions of the A.P. Value Added Tax Act, 2005.

(Para 14)

Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules, 2008, Rule 11, 13 –  Special Marriage Act, 1954 (43 of 1954), Section 4, 12 -- Marriage between Muslim and Hindu – Registration of marriage – Cancellation of – Petitioners seeking cancellation of registration certificate – Contention that since they belong to different religions and have not solemnised their marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, their marriage is invalid – Held, Registrar is not empowered to conduct a comprehensive enquiry regarding the validity of the marriage or the competence of the parties to get married -- Having produced documents and voluntarily testifying that the marriage was solemnised, the petitioners are estopped from reprobating that there is no valid marriage -- Registrar does not have the jurisdiction to adjudicate the above disputed question of fact under Rule 13 -- Questions regarding the validity of the marriage and the marital status of the parties are to be decided by a competent civil court.

(Para 5, 8-13)

Indian Contract Act, 1872 (9 of 1872), Section 73 -- Forged cheque encashment – Liability of Bank -- Bank had encashed cheques containing forged signatures of the authorised signatories of the plaintiffs – Held, Bank was negligent in having encashed the plaintiffs’ cheques with the forged signatures of its authorised signatories – Bank’s contention that the forgery was committed by one of the employees of the plaintiffs, and the Bank could not be made liable for the same stand in the teeth of the law -- Bank is liable for having effected payment of the forged cheques with interest from the date of suit @ 6% p.a.

(Para 16-18, 22)

A. Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), Section 302, 341, 201, 148, 149, 506 -- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 197, 201, 228 – Police encounter – Murder -- Cognizance by Magistrate – Framing of charge-- Quashing of -- Petitioners/ police officials stand accused of surrounding a civilian vehicle in plain clothes and jointly firing upon its occupant -- Such conduct, by its very nature, bears no reasonable nexus to the duties of maintaining public order or effecting lawful arrest -- Mistaken identity attracts no culpability is a matter of defence; whether the petitioners acted in good faith, or whether they fired at all, are questions of fact that can only be resolved on evidence at trial -- At the stage of summoning or of framing of charges the Court is not expected to weigh the probative value of the materials in microscopic detail but merely to see whether the facts, taken at their face, disclose the commission of an offence -- Order of the Magistrate summoning the petitioners, and the subsequent order of the Sessions Court framing charges, proceed on an appreciation that there exists prima-facie evidence of concerted firearm assault -- No error of law or perversity of approach is shown – SLP dismissed.

(Para 7-10)

B. Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), Section 201 – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 197, 201 – Suppression of evidence -- Sanction form Government – Cognizance by Magistrate -- Where the very accusation is suppression of evidence, the nexus is absent on the face of the record -- In such a situation the  bar of Section 197 CrPC is not attracted, and sanction is not a condition precedent to cognizance.  

(Para 16)

Uttar Pradesh Gangsters & Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 (7 of 1986), Section 2(b)(c), 3(1) -- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 482 -- Mere involvement of the accused appellants in a demonstration pursuant to a communal flare-up, however serious, does not ipso facto transform the participants into a ‘gang’ without evidence of organised and continuous criminal activity -- Impugned FIR fails to distinguish adequately between the roles of the nominated accused persons.

-- a group of persons may be said to constitute a gang only when they, either singly or collectively, indulge in any of the anti-social activities enumerated in Clauses (i) to (xv) of Section 2(b), by means specified therein, or otherwise, and most importantly, with the object of disturbing public order, or securing any undue temporal, pecuniary, material or other advantage for himself or any other person.

-- mere listing of multiple accused persons without demonstrating their organizational roles, command structure, or evidence of prior or continued coordinated criminal activities fails to meet the stringent requirements for establishing gang membership.

Impugned FIR does not stand to scrutiny -- FIR and all proceedings consequential thereto quashed.

(Para 14, 17, 19, 29, 30)

Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887 (XVII of 1887), Section 13 -- functus officio – Direction to Appointment of Receiver – Appellate Authority/ Collector after disposing of appeal, directed to officer in-charge to make appointment of Receiver of the Dera -- Petitioner preferred appeal against impugned appellate order before Commissioner -- State shows inability to controvert the fact that impugned direction has been issued after adjudication of the appeal -- Authorities directed not to implement impugned direction till the adjudication of appeal by Appellate Authority/ Commissioner.

(Para 3-5)

Haryana Land Revenue Rules, Rule 16, 20 – Dismissal of Lambardar – Conviction u/s 323/325 read with Sections 149 and 506 IPC – Appellant was removed from the post of Lambardar since he was convicted – Furthermore in the inquiry held by the department on a complaint by some residents of village to the effect that appellant was a dishonest and quarrelsome person, the complaint was duly inquired into by the Collector after issuing show cause notice to appellant, charges were found to be proved against him -- Rule 20 lays down the duties of Headman, which requires direct association of Lambardar with residents of the area for carrying out his work -- Merely because the appellant was directed to be released on probation of good conduct instead of undergoing the sentence of three years is not a ground to cause interference – Appeal dismissed.

(Para 6-13)

Haryana Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1972 (26 of 1972), Section 8, 12 -- Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act, 1953 (10 of 1953), Section 2(5a) – Surplus land – Tenant’s permissible area – Allotment of land -- 98K-9M land of predecessor-in-interest of the petitioners was declared as "Surplus" under the Punjab Act and the said declaration attained finality vide order dated 22.07.1974 – Predecessor remained alive up to 04.08.1982 and the aforesaid declaration of surplus area made on 22.07.1974 was never questioned by him – Surplus area deemed to have vested in the State Government in terms of Section 12(3) of the 1972 Act -- There is no question of any inheritance being opened while the proceedings of determination of ‘surplus area’ were pending under the Punjab Act -- Resultantly, the petitioners have no right to claim relief in terms of Section 8 of the 1972 Act -- It became available for allotment under the Utilisation Scheme -- Allotment Authority, therefore, was well within its jurisdiction, in proceeding to allot the land in favour of respondent No.3 vide impugned order dated 09.03.1984 and the same is accordingly, maintained.

(Para 8-12)

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985), Sections 15 – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 439 – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 483 -- Constitution of India, Article 21 -- NDPS – Recovery of Doda/ Poppy seeds from Car -- Regular bail -- Petitioner suffered incarceration of 4 months and 29 days -- Antecedents of the petitioner are clean -- Petitioner is neither registered owner of the car nor was involved in the peddling of the drugs/contraband -- Execution of agreement to sell, which is neither a registered document nor attested by any authority would not transfer title of the car to petitioner -- Challan stands presented, charges are yet to be framed, 18 prosecution witnesses cited -- Conclusion of trial is likely to take considerable time -- Right to speedy trial is a part of reasonable, fair and just procedure enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India – Bail allowed.

(Para 4, 5)

A. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 7 Rule 11 – Rejection of plaint – It is permissible only when the plaint, on its face and without considering the defence, fails to disclose a cause of action, is barred by any law, is undervalued, or is insufficiently stamped -- At the  preliminary stage, the court is required to confine its examination strictly to the averments made in the plaint and not venture into the merits or veracity of the claims -- If any triable issues arise from the pleadings, the suit cannot be summarily rejected.

(Para 8)

B. Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (4 of 1882), Section 54 -- Agreement to sell -- Unregistered agreement to sell cannot under any circumstance, create or convey any right, title or interest.

(Para 9.4)

C. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 7 Rule 11 – Rejection of plaint – Multiple cause of action -- Selective severance of reliefs is impermissible where different causes of action are independently pleaded and supported by distinct facts.

(Para 9.6)

D. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 7 Rule 11 – Rajasthan Tenancy Act, 1955 (Rajasthan Act No. 3 of 1955), Section 207 -- Rejection of plaint – Jurisdiction of civil Court/ revenue court -- Issues relating to title of immovable property fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of civil courts and not revenue authorities -- Revenue entries are administrative in nature and intended only for fiscal purposes -- Issues raised in the plaint pertain to ownership, validity of sale deeds, and declaration of title, which are civil in nature and, therefore, triable exclusively by a civil court -- Applicability of Section 207 of the Rajasthan Tenancy Act, 1955, which bars the jurisdiction of civil courts in matters relating to khatedari rights and recovery of possession based on tenancy does not arise -- By rejecting the plaint High Court at the preliminary stage, committing a jurisdictional error -- Impugned order of the High Court set aside.

(Para 10)

Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 6 Rule 17 -- Amendment in written statement – Ground of non-joinder of necessary party -- Eviction petition – Previous owner not made party – Held, plaintiff is the master of the lis and it is for him to see as to whom he wants to sue or proceed against and the defendant cannot decide it on behalf of the plaintiff -- Issue of non-joinder raised in the amendment does not hold any weight unless the party is indispensable under Order 1 Rule 10 CPC – Defendant is at liberty to bring the previous owner as his supporting witness, it is not mandatory on the part of the plaintiff to make him a party – Moreover entire trial is almost at the culmination stage and therefore, it is nothing but a delay tactic – Amendment declined.

(Para 6-10)

Constitution of India, Article 21, 226 – Run-away married couple – Protection for life and liberty – Petitioners married on 05.06.2025 against the wishes of respondents No.4 & 5/ family members -- Both claimed themselves to be major relying upon Aadhar cards – Keeping in view that the petitioners are wagers, petition allowed -- Respondent No.2 directed to look into the representation submitted by the petitioners and, if possible, may call a meeting of the petitioners as well as respondents No.4 & 5 in his presence, so that the parties get rid off their ill feelings and live amicably.

(Para 6-9)

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985), Section 21, 22, 29 – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 482 -- NDPS – Anticipatory bail -- Recovery of 30 intoxicating tablets and 5.36 grams of heroin – Recovery not effected from the conscious possession of the petitioner -- Except the disclosure statement of co-accused no other incriminating material put forth by the State to connect the petitioner with the alleged contraband -- No valid or cogent reason to deny the bail – Bail allowed.

(Para 4, 5)

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023), Section 316(4), 319(2), 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2) – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 482 – Forgery and cheating by impersonation -- Anticipatory bail -- Hospital tried to claim a false bill by logging into card of the complainant -- Petitioner was named on the basis of the disclosure statement of the co-accused -- Main accused/ doctor has already been granted concession of anticipatory bail – Held, it would be unjust and unfair to send him behind the bars – Bail allowed.

(Para 2, 4, 4)

Haryana Urban Development Authority Act, 1977 (13 of 1977), Section 17 – Haryana Urban Development (Disposal of Land and Buildings) Regulations, 1978, Regulation 17 – Non-construction charges after two years – Permissibility of -- Resumption of plot on 25.05.1993 – Resumption order set aside on 21.01.2015 -- Relevant period of time when the subject plot remained under the possession of the HUDA is required to be deducted from the ordained period of two years – Extension fee towards non-construction of the plot quashed and set aside.

(Para 8, 20, 31-35)

Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1 of 1894), Section 4, 6, 11 – Haryana Land Revenue Act, 1887 (XVII of 1887), Section 111, 121 -- Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887 (XVII of 1887), Section 111, 121 -- Co-sharer – Acquisition of part of land – Deemed partition – Petitioners claim that they became the co-sharers with the beneficiary of the acquisition i.e. Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran – Held, the moment the land is acquired, there is a deemed partition and the acquired portion of land is considered severed from the joint khewat – As a result, the concept of co-sharership does not come into the play -- Acquisition of land has become final and the petitioners have no right to restrain HSVP from utilizing the acquired land.

(Para 2-5)

A. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 7 Rule 11 – Rejection of plaint -- ad valorem court fee -- Rejection of a plaint under Order 7 Rule 11 CPC, is a dire power conferred upon the Court to terminate a civil action, at the threshold -- Conditions precedent to exercise of power, therefore, are stringent and have to be very meticulously seen, to be existing – Averments made in the plaint, are required to be taken into consideration -- Averments made in the plaint, will have to be accepted, as correct, for the purpose of consideration of the application under Order 7 Rule 11 CPC, filed at the behest of the defendant and the Courts, ought not to go beyond the same and appreciate/ touch the merits of the case.

(Para 15)

B. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Order 7 Rule 11 – Rejection of plaint -- ad valorem court fee -- Courts cannot pre-judge the truth, by examining the merits of the matter – Court has to consider complete assertions and one or two lines, in between, as such, cannot be picked up – Plaintiff  categorically stated in plaint about himself together with his family members, being head of the family, to have decided to make such an arrangement of his property, that both his family and property could be protected to its best -- From the contents of the plaint, it is evident that petitioner-plaintiff himself is not seeking possession of the land, which forms part of the family settlement -- He is seeking the modification/ rectification of the shares -- Payment of Court fee or not, shall be appropriately considered by framing an issue upon the same -- Payment of ad valorem Court fee under these circumstances, is mixed question of fact and law, which could not be decided, at the threshold.

(Para 16-26)

Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (70 of 1971), Section 12 – Decree stayed by Appellate Court -- FIR got registered against the petitioner, thereafter -- Case of the petitioner, therefore is that the registration of FIR amounts to contempt of Court – Held, Civil and Criminal proceedings can go on side by side and merely on account of a stay order having been passed, initiation of criminal proceedings can never be said to be a bar -- Relief and the allegations in the FIR do not connect – Contempt petition dismissed.

(Para 2-6)

A. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Section 9, Order 12 Rule 6 -- Consent decree – Challenged to – Fraud alleged -- Suit was filed on 20.07.1984, the written statement was filed on 20.07.1984, the statements were recorded on 20.07.1984 and the decree was also passed on 20.07.1984 – Merely because all the events took place on the same day would not prove a fraud – Decree upheld.

(Para 7-10)

B. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), Section 9, 100, Order 12 Rule 6 -- Consent decree – Challenged to – Fraud alleged -- On 20.07.1984 the plaintiff-appellant came to the Court complex, engaged an Advocate and filed his admitted written statement got his statement recorded admitting the claim of the defendant-respondent -- Plaintiff-appellant identified by his Advocate -- In plaint the plaintiff-appellant did not mention that his statement had been recorded on 20.07.1984 -- Mere bald allegations of fraud without sufficient proof and intent to deceive would not render a decree obtained by a party as fraudulent -- Fraud has to be proved and not merely alleged and inferred -- Plaintiff-appellant did not produce any cogent and reliable evidence -- Concurrent findings of fact returned by both the Courts against plaintiff -- No ground to interfere in regular second appeal -- Appeal dismissed.

(Para 9, 10)

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 193(8) (9) – Preliminary charge-sheet -- Further investigation – Wrong mentioning of provision – Effect of -- Merely because a wrong sub section has been mentioned in the charge sheet i.e. Subsection 193(8) instead of Section 193(9), it will not render the investigation illegal or non-est – Magistrate took the cognizance on preliminary charge-sheet and committed the case to Session Court – Court decline to quash or stay the proceedings on the ground that final charge sheet has not been filed.

(Para 7-11)

Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion and Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2018 (28 of 2018), Section 3, 5 – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023), Section 318 (4), 319 – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 483 -- Regular bail -- Cheating by impersonation -- Inter-faith marriage – Held, respondent/ State cannot have any objection to the appellant and his wife residing together inasmuch as they have been married as per the wishes to their respective parents and families – Bail allowed.

(Para 9, 10)

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 374, 397, 401 -- Accused’s appeal – Enhancement of sentence – Conviction on any other charge – Permissibility of -- suo moto revision by  High Court – Power of -- In an appeal filed by the accused/ convict and in the absence of any appeal filed by the victim, complainant or the State, the High Court cannot exercise suo motu revision either to enhance the sentence or to convict the appellant on any other charge.

(Para 16)

Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), Section 379-B -- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 482 – Snatching case – Anticipatory bail -- One co-accused approached the trial Court and was granted regular bail, while the other co-accused was granted anticipatory bail – Though there are no explanations of the petitioner for approaching this Court with a delay of about two years, but considering the fact that co-accused have been granted bail by the courts below, and also specially when the petitioner has no criminal antecedents, anticipatory bail allowed – Condition imposed on petitioner that he shall plant 10 saplings of indigenous plants at a public place.

(Para 1-4)

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023), Section 108, 3(5) -- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 482 – Anticipatory bail – Allegation to harass and insult the deceased in the bus in front of the passengers, deceased committed suicide – Held, mere allegation of harassment is not sufficient to complete the offence of abetment to suicide, there are no criminal antecedents against the petitioner – Anticipatory bail allowed – Condition imposed upon the petitioner that he shall plant 10 saplings of indigenous plants at a public place.

(Para 1-4)

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023), Section 115(2), 118(1), 118(2) -- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 483 – Regular bail – Grievous hurt with weapon -- Petitioner is alleged to have caused grievous injury on the left elbow of the first informant's son with datar -- Police is yet to complete the investigation -- Petitioner has suffered incarceration for a period of nearly 02 months – Bail allowed.

(Para 1-4)

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985), Sections 22C, 29, 61, 85 – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 483 -- NDPS – Regular bail -- Recovery of 16 boxes of Avil Injection and 28 boxes of HICALM PLUS containing total 2800 tablets measuring 467.88 Grams of narcotic drugs -- Petitioner was named in the disclosure statement --  Custody for a period of 03 months and 28 days -- Taking into consideration absence of recovery, the status of the investigation, the stage of trial which is pending at a committal stage and also the period of custody undergone and no criminal antecedents,  petitioner ordered to be admitted to regular bail.

(Para 2-7)

A. Oaths Act, 1969 (44 of 1969), Section 4(1), 5 -- Deposition of witness -- Oath – Affirmation -- Section 4(1) requires that all the witnesses shall take oath or affirmation before deposing in the Court -- DW-3 refused to take oath in the name of God, however, he was also not called upon to make solemn affirmation -- Learned counsel representing the defendant also did not offer him the second option i.e. affirmation – Held, both the Courts have correctly held that the deposition cannot be read in evidence.

(Para 3)

B. Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), Section 68, 70 – Will – Proof of -- Admission -- First Appellate Court held that the second Will is proved because “GP”  himself produced Will for sanction of the mutation and thereafter, mortgaged his share for taking loan from Banks – Held, finding is not correct because Section 68 of the 1872 Act requires examination of one attesting witness in the Court -- Section 70 of the 1872 Act will not be applicable because “GS” is not a party to the attested document i.e. Will.

(Para 4)

C. Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (4 of 1882), Section 41, 52 -- Lis pendens – Bonafide purchaser -- Suit was instituted on 24.02.1989, whereas, the sale deed was executed on 01.06.1990 -- Hence, defendants No.2 to 6 cannot claim benefit of bonafide purchasers because they have failed to prove that they are not governed by rule of lis pendens.

(Para 6)

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023), Section 331(3), 309 (4), 62 – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), 483 -- Regular bail -- House-trespass/ Housebreaking – Robbery -- Investigation is complete and the final report (challan) has also been presented before the trial Court; the trial will take some time to conclude -- No fruitful purpose would be served by detaining the petitioners in custody for indefinite time – Bail allowed.

(Para 6, 7)

A. Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), Section 8 -- Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), Section 302 -- Murder -- Circumstantial evidence -- Motive – Role of -- A complete absence of motive, although not conclusive, is a relevant factor which weighs in favour of the accused -- Final effect of such absence on the outcome of the case shall depend upon the quality and weight of surrounding evidence -- Appellant and deceased were friends, the fact that the appellant brought him home could not be termed as per-se incriminating -- Therefore, motive explains the circumstances on record and enables the Court to draw better inference in a case based on circumstantial evidence.

(Para 25)

B. Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), Section 201, 302 -- Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), Section 8 -- Arms Act, 1959 (54 of 1959), Section 5, 25 -- Murder -- Circumstantial evidence – Motive -- Subsequent conduct – Theory of accidental death -- Act of removal of the dead body and concealment of articles was a result of fear of his father is quite natural -- A young boy studying in first year of college, with no criminal background and with no motive in sight, would certainly have become scared on seeing that his friend has accidentally shot himself in the living room of his house with the pistol belonging to his father and is lying in a pool of blood -- Subsequent conduct does not become so unnatural that it could be made the basis to convict him for the commission of murder without additional evidence to that effect -- Mere suspicion, no matter how grave, cannot take the place of proof in a criminal trial -- Theory put across by the appellant is fairly probable and is supported by medical evidence including the examination of the bullet injury and trajectory -- Benefit of a counter possibility goes to the accused in such cases – Held, circumstantial evidence on record is not consistent and leaves a reasonable possibility of an alternate outcome i.e. of innocence of the appellant on the charges of murder and illegal usage of fire arm – Conviction u/s 302 IPC and Section 5 read with 25(1)(a) of Arms Act, set  aside -- Conviction u/s 201 IPC sustained.

(Para 26-29)

A. Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), Section 45 – Narco-analysis test – Nature of -- Narco-analysis test is an interrogation method whereby a suspect of a crime is injected with a psychoactive drug under controlled conditions to suppress their reasoning power or the ability to determine what is good/bad for themselves.

(Para 7)

B. Constitution of India, Article 20, 21 -- Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), Section 45 – Criminal jurisprudence -- Narco-analysis test without consent – Self-incrimination -- Articles 20 and 21 of the Constitution are non-derogable and sacrosanct rights to which the judiciary cannot carve out exceptions – Involuntary administration of narco-analysis and similar tests is in contravention of the protection given by Article 20(3) of the Constitution, i.e. the right against self-incrimination -- Results of such involuntary tests cannot be considered as ‘material evidence’ in the eyes of the law -- Under no circumstances, is an involuntary or forced narco-analysis test permissible under law -- A report of such involuntary test or information that is discovered subsequently is also not per se admissible as evidence in criminal or other proceedings -- While the need for modern investigative techniques may be true, such investigative techniques cannot be conducted at the cost of constitutional guarantees under Articles 20(3) and 21.

(Para 8-12)

C. Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), Section 27, 45 – Narco-analysis test -- For voluntary tests, it must be ensured that appropriate safeguards are in place -- Results of the same cannot be admitted directly as evidence -- Pertinently, any fact or information that is discovered subsequent thereto, with the help of the information supplied in the result, can be admitted into evidence with the aid of Section 27 of the Indian Evidence Act 1872 – It cannot form the sole basis of conviction of an accused person.

(Para 8.6, 16)

D. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 439 – Regular bail – Rowing enquiry – Permissibility of -- It is settled law that while entertaining an application for grant of bail, the Court has to take into consideration the allegations against the accused; period of custody undergone; nature of evidence and the crime in question; likelihood of influencing witnesses and other such relevant grounds -- It does not involve entering into a roving enquiry or accepting the use of involuntary investigative techniques.

(Para 11)

E. Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), Section 45 – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 315 -- Narco-analysis test – Right of accused -- The accused has a right to voluntarily undergo a narco-analysis test at an appropriate stage -- Appropriate stage for such a test to be conducted is when the accused is exercising his right to lead evidence in a trial -- However, there is no indefeasible right with the accused to undergo a narco-analysis test, for upon receipt of such an application the concerned Court, must consider the totality of circumstances surrounding the matter, such as free consent, appropriate safeguards etc., authorizing a person to undergo a voluntary narco-analysis test.

(Para 21)

Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (68 of 1986), Section 17 -- Allotment of apartment -- Delayed possession – Refund of money – Compensation – Interest of loan – Permissibility of -- Whether the buyers of the flat do so by utilizing their savings, taking a loan for such purpose or securing the required finances by any other permissible means, is not a consideration that the developer of the project is required to keep in mind -- Such a consideration is irrelevant -- If there is a deficiency or delay in service, the consumer is entitled to be compensated for the same -- Repayment of the entire principal amount along with 8% interest thereon, as stipulated in the contract, alongside the clarification that there shall be no other liability on the authority, sufficiently meets this requirement -- Amount of interest awarded is the compensation to the investment maker -- Apart from this no amount of interest on the loan taken by the respondents could have been awarded.

(Para 15-17)

A. Limitation Act, 1963 (36 of 1963), Section 1, 5 – Objection of the Limitation Act -- Condonation of delay -- Limitation Act, 1963 is a law based on public policy that aims to bring finality to legal disputes -- Its purpose is to prevent uncertainty in matters of property and rights -- The Act emphasizes that the law supports those who act promptly to assert their rights and not those who are negligent or inactive -- At the same time, Section 5 provides an exception by allowing courts to admit delayed appeals or applications, if “sufficient cause” is shown -- This gives courts discretion, requiring them to assess two key elements: (1) whether a valid reason exists, and (2) whether it justifies missing the original deadline, though the Act doesn’t define “sufficient cause,” leaving it to courts to interpret based on the facts of each case.

(Para 15)

B. Limitation Act, 1963 (36 of 1963), Section 5 – Condonation of delay -- Misrepresentation by representative of company -- Appellate Court rejected the application for condoning a 38-day delay in filing the appeal --- Held, misrepresentation was not by any of the Director/Managing Director of the company itself as a litigant -- Legal position regarding the interpretation of Section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1963 mandates a justice-oriented and pragmatic approach, rather than a rigid and overly technical one – Plaintiff company has significant interests at stake, involving approximately 31 acres of valuable land worth crores of rupees -- Delay in filing the appeal was limited to 38 days -- Period not so excessive as to be considered inordinate or irredeemable – Outright dismissal of the appeal without adjudicating it on merits, especially in light of the substantial stakes involved, runs contrary to the spirit of Section 5 --  Impugned order rejecting the application for condonation of a 38-day delay and consequently dismissing the appeal set aside.

(Para 18-22)

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 190, 200, 154, 468 -- Limitation – Criminal proceedings – Cognizance of offence – For computation of the limitation period u/s 468 CrPC, the relevant date is the date of filing of the complaint or the date of institution of prosecution and not the date on which the Magistrate takes cognizance -- Magistrate is well within his powers to take cognizance of a complaint filed within three years from the date of the commission of offence.

(Para 15)

A. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 482 – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 438 – Anticipatory bail – Discretion of court -- Under Section 482 of Sanhita 2023, the Hon'ble Courts have been conferred wider powers and discretion for granting anticipatory bail.

(Para 19)

B. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 531 -- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 438 – Constitution of India, Article 254, List-III of the 7th Schedule – Repeal of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 – Effect on State amendments -- Cr.P.C. 1973 has been repealed and there is no existence of the Cr.P.C. 1973 and the State amendments made in the erstwhile Cr.P.C. 1973 does not find place in the saving clause of newly enacted Sanhita 2023 – Held, subsequent law made by the Parliament though, does not expressly repeal the State law, nevertheless, the State Law will be impliedly repealed and that shall give way to any subsequent parliament law in respect with “same matter” which adds to, amends, varies or repeals the law made by the legislature of the State, by virtue of operation of proviso of Article 254 of the Constitution of India -- Code of Criminal Procedure (Uttar Pradesh Amendment) Act 2018 (U.P. Act No. 4 of 2019) passed by the State legislature would stand impliedly repealed.

(Para 20, 21, 47-49)

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (43 of 2005), Section 12 – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 438(2) -- Execution of maintenance order – Summoning – Interlocutory order -- Challenge to – Maintainability of revision -- An order issuing notice on an application does not decide the rights of the parties, therefore, such an order is interlocutory in nature --  An interlocutory order is used to address procedural matters and it does not decide the rights of the parties conclusively -- Therefore, such an order is not amenable to revisional jurisdiction of the superior court -- Section 438(2) of BNSS creates a statutory bar for exercising revisional powers in relation to any interlocutory order -- Thus the revisional court has rightly refused to entertain the revision petition filed by the petitioners.

(Para 7)

Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), Section 90, 376(2)(n), 506 – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 482 -- Rape – Promise to marry – Criminal intimidation – Quashing of criminal proceedings – Complainant/ respondent no2 and appellant interacted frequently and fell in love – She engaged in a physical relationship alleging that the Appellant had done so without her consent, however she not only sustained her relationship for over 12 months, but continued to visit him in lodges on two separate occasions – The narrative of the Complainant/ Respondent no. 2 does not corroborate with her conduct -- Consent of the Complainant/Respondent no. 2 as defined under section 90 IPC also cannot be said to have been obtained under a misconception of fact -- No material to substantiate “inducement or misrepresentation” on the part of the Appellant to secure consent for sexual relations without having any intention of fulfilling said promise.

-- Complainant had engaged in a physical relationship with the Appellant, on the assurance of marriage, while she was already married to someone else. Even otherwise, such promise to begin with was illegal and unenforceable qua the Appellant.

-- No evidence of coercion or threat of injury to the Complainant/ Respondent no. 2, to attract an offence under section 506 IPC.

A consensual relationship turning sour or partners becoming distant cannot be a ground for invoking criminal machinery of the State -- It a folly to treat each breach of promise to marry as a false promise and prosecute a person for an offence under section 376 IPC -- Ingredients of the offence under Sections 376 (2)(n) or 506 IPC are not established -- Appellant is just 25 years of age, and has a lifetime ahead of him, it would be in the interest of justice that he does not suffer an impending trial and, therefore, the proceedings quashed at this stage itself.

(Para 8-11)

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), Section 439(2) – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023), Section 483(3) -- Bail by Supreme court – Violation of condition of bail – Cancellation of bail – Power of Trial court -- Supreme Court directed the Respondent to be enlarged on regular bail on such conditions as the Learned Trial Court deemed appropriate, albeit illustratively listing down certain condition -- Learned Trial Court i.e., being a Court of Sessions was entitled to entertain an application under Section 439(2) of the CrPC (now 483(3) of the BNSS) seeking cancellation of bail on the grounds of violation of bail conditions imposed by it; notwithstanding the fact that bail was granted by a Constitutional Court.

(Para 17)