Tag: suppression of facts

No Hiding Criminal Past: Supreme Court Says Undisclosed Conviction Makes Election Null & Void
Supreme Court

No Hiding Criminal Past: Supreme Court Says Undisclosed Conviction Makes Election Null & Void

The Supreme Court held that a candidate's non-disclosure of a subsisting criminal conviction in the mandatory election affidavit, as required under Rule 24-A of the relevant rules, constitutes a fundamental breach. This failure vitiates the nomination process itself, rendering the election void under Section 22(1)(d) of the M.P. Municipalities Act, as it violates the voters' constitutional right to informed choice under Article 19(1)(a). Facts Of The Case: The petitioner, Poonam, was elected as a Councillor from Ward No. 5 of Nagar Parishad, Bhikangaon in October 2022. However, her election was challenged by the first respondent, Dulesingh, on the ground that she had failed to disclose a previous conviction in her nomination affidavit. Specifically, on August 7, 2018, Poonam ...
Supreme Court Cancels Bail in Cheating Case, Slams Accused for “Misleading Courts”
Supreme Court

Supreme Court Cancels Bail in Cheating Case, Slams Accused for “Misleading Courts”

The Supreme Court set aside the bail orders, emphasizing that the grant of bail must consider the totality of circumstances, including the accused's conduct and antecedents. The Court held that lower courts erred by ignoring relevant factors and precedents, and by granting bail mechanically without proper application of mind to the material on record. Facts Of The Case: The appellant, M/s Netsity Systems Pvt. Ltd., filed a criminal complaint alleging that the accused respondents, a husband and wife, had cheated them of ₹1.9 crores by promising to transfer a piece of land that was already mortgaged and sold to a third party. An FIR was subsequently registered. The accused sought anticipatory bail, and the High Court granted them interim protection for nearly four years, during which media...
Supreme Court Slams Fraudulent Litigation, Nullifies Compensation Order in Land Dispute
Supreme Court

Supreme Court Slams Fraudulent Litigation, Nullifies Compensation Order in Land Dispute

The Supreme Court held that judicial orders obtained through fraud are null and void, as "fraud unravels everything." It emphasized that suppression of material facts vitiates proceedings, regardless of the court's hierarchy. The doctrine of merger does not apply to fraudulent judgments. The Court recalled its earlier order and remanded the case to the High Court for fresh adjudication, affirming that fraud is an exception to finality in litigation. Procedural technicalities cannot shield fraudulent litigants from judicial scrutiny. Facts Of The Case: The case involves a dispute over land ownership and compensation between Vishnu Vardhan, Reddy Veeranna, and T. Sudhakar. The trio jointly purchased land in Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, in 1997, which was later acquired by NOIDA in 200...
Parallel Proceedings Lead to Heavy Costs: Supreme Court Slams Appellant for Hiding Facts, Upholds Environmental Compliance
Supreme Court

Parallel Proceedings Lead to Heavy Costs: Supreme Court Slams Appellant for Hiding Facts, Upholds Environmental Compliance

The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals, upholding the NGT's decision that the petrol pump complied with environmental norms under CPCB guidelines. It imposed costs of ₹50,000 for suppressing parallel proceedings before the High Court, emphasizing judicial integrity. The Court clarified that challenges under state municipal laws remain open for independent adjudication. Facts Of The Case: The case involved a dispute over the construction of a petrol pump by Reliance BP Mobility Ltd. on Khasra No. 109/1/2 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The appellants, including Arun Kumar Sharma and others, challenged the project before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), alleging violations of environmental guidelines, including improper distance from residential areas, schools, and hospitals as per CPCB norm...