Tag: Legal Procedure

Supreme Court’s Big Ruling: Criminal History Matters in Bail for Heinous Crimes
Supreme Court

Supreme Court’s Big Ruling: Criminal History Matters in Bail for Heinous Crimes

The Supreme Court overturned a bail order, ruling that the High Court failed to apply correct legal principles under Section 389 CrPC for suspending a sentence. It emphasized that post-conviction bail in heinous offences requires a palpable prima facie case for acquittal, not a re-appreciation of evidence or conjectural reasoning. Facts Of The Case: In a case originating from Rajasthan, the prosecutrix, a 14-year-old girl, testified that on June 13, 2023, Respondent No. 2 accosted her at gunpoint while she was defecating in a field. He covered her mouth, forcibly took her to a nearby abandoned house, and raped her. She immediately reported the incident to her family, and her father filed an FIR. The Trial Court convicted Respondent No. 2 under the POCSO Act and sentenced him to 20 years ...
Courts Can’t Settle Political Scores: Supreme Court’s Big Ruling on Govt. Advertisements
Supreme Court

Courts Can’t Settle Political Scores: Supreme Court’s Big Ruling on Govt. Advertisements

The Supreme Court ruled that naming government welfare schemes after political leaders is not prohibited by law. It clarified that the Common Cause judgments primarily regulate the use of photographs in government advertisements, not the naming of schemes themselves, thereby setting aside the interim order of the High Court. Facts Of The Case: The State of Tamil Nadu government launched a welfare initiative named the "Ungaludan Stalin" (Your's Stalin) scheme. Its stated objective was to bridge the gap between citizens and existing government programs by organizing camps and dispatching volunteers to help people understand and access their entitled benefits. An opposition Member of Parliament filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging the scheme's name and ass...
Supreme Court: Jail Overcrowding Can’t Be a Ground for Granting Bail in Heinous Crimes
Supreme Court

Supreme Court: Jail Overcrowding Can’t Be a Ground for Granting Bail in Heinous Crimes

The Supreme Court held that the High Court erred in granting bail without properly considering the absence of "new circumstances" as mandated by the Court's earlier judgment cancelling bail. The impugned order lacked cogent reasoning, relied on irrelevant factors like jail overcrowding, and failed to accord due deference to the Supreme Court's previous decision, warranting its quashing. Facts Of The Case: The case involves an appeal by the informant, Ajwar, against an order of the Allahabad High Court granting bail to the accused, Waseem. Waseem was charged under various sections of the IPC, including Section 302 (murder). His bail was initially granted by the High Court in 2022 but was cancelled by the Supreme Court. A subsequent grant of bail by the High Court was again cancelled by th...
Parallel Proceedings Valid: Supreme Court Clarifies Law in Central Excise Act Dispute
Supreme Court

Parallel Proceedings Valid: Supreme Court Clarifies Law in Central Excise Act Dispute

The Supreme Court upheld the continuation of criminal proceedings under Sections 9 and 9AA of the Central Excise Act, 1944, despite the quashing of adjudication orders on procedural grounds. Relying on Radheshyam Kejriwal, it ruled that parallel departmental and criminal proceedings are permissible, and discharge cannot be sought merely due to pending adjudication. The Court emphasized that prima facie evidence in the complaint justified the trial, rejecting technical objections under CrPC Section 245(2). It clarified that remand for de novo adjudication does not equate to exoneration on merits, ensuring criminal liability remains independent of administrative outcomes. Facts Of The Case: The case involved M/s Rimjhim Ispat Limited, M/s Juhi Alloys Limited, and Yogesh Aggarwal (Appellant...
Supreme Court Rules Against Bypassing Agricultural Tenancy Act in Goa Land Dispute
Supreme Court

Supreme Court Rules Against Bypassing Agricultural Tenancy Act in Goa Land Dispute

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision, affirming that the Administrative Tribunal rightly denied permission for a compromise between the Communidade of Tivim and private respondents. The proposed consent terms violated the Goa Agricultural Tenancy Act, 1964, and the Goa Land Use Act, 1991, by attempting to confer ownership rights and permit non-agricultural use without following statutory procedures. The Court emphasized that such compromises cannot bypass legal frameworks or undermine tenancy rights. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the tenancy dispute to be adjudicated on merits by the Appellate Court. Facts Of The Case: The case involves the Communidade of Tivim, an agricultural association in Goa, which challenged the dismissal of its writ petition by the High Court of ...
No Relaxation in OBC Certificate Requirements: Supreme Court Rules Against Candidates for Wrong OBC Certificate Format
Supreme Court

No Relaxation in OBC Certificate Requirements: Supreme Court Rules Against Candidates for Wrong OBC Certificate Format

The Supreme Court upheld the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment Board's decision to reject OBC certificates not submitted in the prescribed state format, ruling that compliance with recruitment notification terms is mandatory. The Court emphasized that candidates must adhere to specified requirements and cannot claim relaxation if they fail to meet procedural conditions. Non-compliance disqualifies them from reservation benefits, as the state's format ensures verification of creamy layer exclusion. The judgment reinforced that recruitment rules must be strictly followed, and courts should not interfere unless constitutional violations are established. Facts Of The Case: The case involved two civil appeals arising from separate writ petitions challenging the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment...
“Can Courts Reject a Plaint for Skipping Mediation? :Supreme Court’s Strict Rule for Commercial Cases”
Supreme Court

“Can Courts Reject a Plaint for Skipping Mediation? :Supreme Court’s Strict Rule for Commercial Cases”

The Supreme Court upheld the mandatory nature of Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015, requiring pre-institution mediation for commercial suits unless urgent interim relief is sought. However, it clarified that non-compliance before August 20, 2022 (the date of its earlier ruling in Patil Automation) does not warrant plaint rejection—instead, courts may refer parties to mediation while keeping suits in abeyance. The judgment harmonizes procedural rigor with practical enforcement, ensuring mediation’s role in reducing litigation backlog without unduly penalizing past filings. Facts Of The Case: The case arose from a money suit filed by the Union of India against M/s Dhanbad Fuels Pvt. Ltd. in the Commercial Court, Alipore, seeking recovery of ₹8.73 crores as differential freight...