Viewed cumulatively, record does not support, ‘innocent incarceration’ without any contribution to delay. The appropriate constitutional response, at this stage, lies in ensuring vigilant oversight of trial and its expeditious progression, rather than in eclipsing statutory mandate governing bail. Court cannot ignore, where evidentiary strength varies materially, need for continued detention likewise varies. We are […]
Read more "Architectural, Not Episodic"Learned Arbitrator reserved his Arbitral Award on 28.07.2012 but pronounced it only on 16.03.2016. Significantly, no explanation worth the name was offered by him for the delay. Passage of time invariably debilitates frail human memory. Even if detailed notes were made, they would be a poor substitute to what is fresh immediately after conclusion of […]
Read more "Dilatory Arbitrators"A limitation provision in stamp law (to seek refund of stamp duty) should not be enforced so as to oust remedy when an applicant is otherwise not blameworthy [Bano Saiyed Parwaz v. Chief Controlling Revenue Authority & Inspector General of Registration & Controller of Stamps, 2024 SCC OnLine SC 979]. We find, Rs. 27,34,500/- had […]
Read more "The Plea of Limitation XIX: Delays of Adjacent Slums"Hon’ble Justice J.B. Pardiwala described, ‘tenure’ is derived from Latin: ‘tenere’, which means ‘to hold’.”[1] In a ‘tenure’ what does one even ‘hold’ considering Hon’ble Justice Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud himself declares, “We may not be masters of our destiny. Nor can we control what life has in store. What we can determine is how we […]
Read more "Justice Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud’s Tenure"There can be no doubt, it is not necessary to furnish copies of each and every document to which a casual or passing reference may be made in narration of facts and which are not relied upon by Detaining Authority. However, failure to furnish copies of such documents as are relied on by Detaining Authority […]
Read more "Preventive Detention Statute VI"For over 50 yrs., High Court has been disposing of Writ Petitions raising claims or challenges to exercise of powers or dereliction of duties under The Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971. The propensity and proclivity of 1971 Act to generate litigation are worrisome. The exasperation of High Court is understandable. Court […]
Read more "Assessment of Statute"Arbitral Award made by Arbitral Tribunal on 30th June, 2022 was served on same day. In view of Section 12(1) of The Limitation Act, 1963, 30th June, 2022 will have to be excluded while computing limitation period. Thus, in effect, period of limitation started running on 1st July, 2022, period of limitation being of 3 […]
Read more "Section 34(3) of The Arbitration Act III"This litigation between parties started sometime in 1981. We are in 2024. Almost 43 years have elapsed. It would be a mockery of justice if we condone a delay of 12 years and 158 days. We are of view, a question of limitation is not merely a technical consideration. We should not keep the ‘Sword […]
Read more "Condonation of Delay XII: 12 Y 158 D"Court has stepped in to ensure, substantive rights of private parties and State are not defeated simply due to technical considerations of delay. However, exercise of discretion must necessarily depend upon sufficiency of cause shown and degree of acceptability of ‘explanation’, length of delay being immaterial. Sometimes, due to want of sufficient cause being shown […]
Read more "Condonation of Delay XI: 479"02-11-2018 – 15-05-2023 The rule flowing from the maxim ‘generalia specialibus non derogant’ has been i) considered in Hari Shankar Jain, (1978) 4 SCC 16 and ii) explained in Mary Seward v. Owner of “Vera Cruz”, (1884) 10 AC 59, 68. Pharmacy Council of India v. Dr. S.K. Toshniwal Educational Trusts, [Transfer Petition (Civil) Nos. 87-101 of 2014]. […]
Read more "Random Collectibles of Justice M.R. Shah at Supreme Court"Hasanbhai Valibhai Qureshi v. State of Gujarat, (2004) 5 SCC 347 observed, mere fact of further delay in concluding trial should not stand in way of ‘further investigation’ if it would help Court do real and substantial and effective justice. Rama Chaudhary v. State of Bihar, (2009) 6 SCC 346 held, ‘further investigation’ is continuation […]
Read more "Further Investigation"Division Bench of High Court of Madhya Pradesh affirmed Death Sentence awarded by Trial Court. We do not find any reason to doubt correctness of birth certificate. Appellant is held to be less than 16 years and, therefore, maximum punishment could be upto 3 years. His incarceration beyond 3 years would be illegal and, therefore, […]
Read more "Review of Death Penalty XXXIII"Shri P. Chidambaram submits, result of demonetization was disastrous. But, if Notification No. 3407(E) [08.11.2016] had a nexus with objectives to be achieved, Notification No. 3407(E) [08.11.2016] would not be bad in law merely because some citizens suffered through hardships. It will not be proper for Court to enter into an area which should be […]
Read more "Unchartered Ocean of Policy Decision V / The Demonetization Recommendation"Shatrughan Chauhan v. Union of India, (2014) 3 SCC 1 quoted in Ajay Kumar Pal v. Union of India, (2015) 2 SCC 478 had laid down, undue long delay in execution of Death Sentence would entitle prayer of commutation of Death Sentence to Life Imprisonment. First and foremost, time taken cannot be called or termed […]
Read more "Review of Death Penalty XXXII"Ashok Kumar v. Delhi Administration, (1982) 2 SCC 403: Preventive Detention is devised to afford protection to society. Sk. Nizamuddin v. State of West Bengal, (1975) 3 SCC 395: if there is any delay in arresting, pursuant to ‘order of detention’, which is prima facie unreasonable, State must give reasons explaining. Bhawarlal Ganeshmalji v. State […]
Read more "Preventive Detention Statute IV"There exists a clear conflict. It is necessary to have clarity. _____ Same-Day Sentencing in a Capital Offence violates Principles of Natural Justice and is opposed to Section 235(2) of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Dattaraya v. State of Maharashtra, (2020) 14 SCC 290; Bhagwani v. State of Madhya Pradesh, Criminal Appeal Nos. […]
Read more "Referred to Larger Bench XXXI: Two Sets of Three-Judge Benches"The distinction between a disturbance to ‘law and order’ and a disturbance to ‘public order’ has been clearly settled by a Constitution Bench in Ram Manohar Lohia v. State of Bihar, AIR 1966 SC 740. Court has held, every ‘disorder’ does not meet threshold of a disturbance to ‘public order’, unless it affects community at […]
Read more "Preventive Detention Statute III"While right to property is no longer a fundamental right [The Constitution (Forty Fourth Amendment) Act, 1978], right against deprivation of property, unless in accordance with procedure established by law, continues to be a constitutional right under Article 300-A. Nobody can be deprived of liberty or property without due process or authorization of law. The […]
Read more "Right to Property I"A party should not be penalized for failing to adopt legal proceedings when facts or documents have been wilfully concealed from him. A party who had acted fraudulently should not be given benefit of limitation, running in its favor, by virtue of such frauds [Pallav Sheth v. Custodian, (2001) 7 SCC 549]. Section 17 of […]
Read more "Referred to Larger Bench XXVII: The Drastic Power of Rejecting a Plaint IV"The question had been floating for a while. It was January 1, 2019 when I wondered who amongst then Chief Justices of HCs, if elevated, could be our 51st CJI. January 18, 2019 – we finally received an answer. CJI No. 51 would be Hon’ble Justice Sanjiv Khanna who wasn’t ever a Chief Justice of […]
Read more "The Nature of Judicial Power: Article No. 1101"
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