Tag: Legal Updates

Supreme Court Late Payment Surcharge Valid:  Coal India’s Levy Ruled as ‘Change in Law’
Supreme Court

Supreme Court Late Payment Surcharge Valid: Coal India’s Levy Ruled as ‘Change in Law’

The Supreme Court upheld the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity's (APTEL) ruling that a Coal India Limited (CIL) notification imposing Evacuation Facility Charges (EFC) constitutes a "change in law" event under the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The judgment affirmed that the power generator is entitled to compensation from the notification date with carrying cost at Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) rates on a compounding basis, based on restitutionary principles. The Court clarified that only a substantial question of law is appealable, and the supplementary bill is required only after due adjudication. Facts Of The Case: A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was signed on January 28, 2010, between Rajasthan Discoms and Adani Power Rajasthan Ltd. for 1200 MW. On December 19, 2017, Coal India ...
SARFAESI Act’s Section 11: Supreme Court Affirms Mandatory Arbitration for Financial Institutions
Supreme Court

SARFAESI Act’s Section 11: Supreme Court Affirms Mandatory Arbitration for Financial Institutions

The Supreme Court, in Bank of India vs. M/s Sri Nangli Rice Mills Pvt. Ltd., ruled that Section 11 of the SARFAESI Act is mandatory, requiring inter-se disputes between banks and financial institutions concerning secured assets to be resolved through arbitration. No explicit arbitration agreement is needed; the provision legally mandates it, thereby divesting DRT of jurisdiction in such matters. Facts Of The Case: In the case of Bank of India vs. M/s Sri Nangli Rice Mills Pvt. Ltd. & Ors., the core dispute involved the priority of charge over secured assets (stocks of paddy and rice) belonging to a common borrower, M/s Sri Nangli Rice Mills Pvt. Ltd., between two public sector banks: Bank of India (appellant) and Punjab National Bank (respondent). Both banks had extended credit facil...
CDs as Evidence: Supreme Court Clarifies Rules for Production in CBI Case
Supreme Court

CDs as Evidence: Supreme Court Clarifies Rules for Production in CBI Case

The Supreme Court upheld that additional documents can be produced by the prosecution even after the charge sheet is filed, especially if inadvertently omitted. The Court reiterated that Section 173(5) of the CrPC is directory, not mandatory, and permits the production of documents gathered before or after investigation with court permission. The judgment clarifies that the authenticity of such documents remains an open issue to be proved during trial. Facts Of The Case: An FIR was registered on May 3, 2013, for offences under the IPC and the PC Act. The dispute involves two Compact Discs (CDs). Between January 8, 2013, and May 1, 2013, the Ministry of Home Affairs permitted the interception of telephone calls of several accused and one Manoj Garg. On May 4 and May 10, 2013, two CDs cont...
UP Gangster Act Misuse? Supreme Court Sets Guidelines for Fair Enforcement
Supreme Court

UP Gangster Act Misuse? Supreme Court Sets Guidelines for Fair Enforcement

The Supreme Court quashed criminal proceedings under the UP Gangsters Act, emphasizing that a gang chart's approval requires independent application of mind by authorities and cannot be based solely on prior FIRs, especially without overt acts, violence, or economic gain. The judgment clarified the stringent conditions necessary for invoking the Act and upheld the importance of due process in such cases. Facts Of The Case: The case involved a criminal appeal against a High Court judgment that refused to quash proceedings initiated under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters & Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, against the appellant, Vinod Bihari Lal. The appellant was implicated in a "gang chart" based on previous FIRs. He sought to quash the proceedings and non-bailable warrants i...