Section 1(5) of The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948

Government of Maharashtra, on 18/09/1978, exercising power conferred under Section 1(5) of The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, extended provisions of ESI to certain classes of establishment – hotels, restaurants, shops, cinemas et cetera. Employees’ Insurance Court at Bombay, on 09/09/2021, declared, Board of Control for Cricket of India [BCCI/Board] is covered within meaning of […]

The Case of Three Faces

My Lord, ‘Mersal’ Infringed ‘Moondru Mugam’ Copyright? R.G. Anand v. M/s. Delux Films, (1978) 4 SCC 118 held, in order to determine whether there is substantial copying, spectator or viewer, after reading or viewing both works in question, should leave with the unmistakable impression: subsequent work is a copy of original. One of the challenges […]

[Intellectual] Forum Shopping III

Since 2019, Courts where IPR cases are being listed in Delhi: District Judges/ADJs (Non-Commercial) for suits valued below Rs. 3 Lakhs; District Judges/ADJs (Commercial) for suits valued Between Rs. 3 Lakhs till Rs. 2 Crores; Commercial Division of High Court (Original Jurisdiction) for suits above Rs. 2 Crores. Can District Judges (Commercial) entertain IPR suits […]

How Gourango Lost His O

CAUTION: NOT ALL IS REVEALED, NOT ALL IS EXPLAINED “Bhai, I want you to come with me…” he paused, unsure. “Where to?” Gourango blurted out impatiently. “To the Nizamuddin Dargah. Today is Thursday. They have qawwali singers who shall sing for the Saint. I am going. I would be so honoured if you would come […]

Navjot Singh Sidhu

Original controversy emanates from an FIR, dated 27.12.1988, registered by Sub-Inspector of P.S. Kotwali of Patiala District, Punjab on basis of information about an occurrence around 12:30 PM at Battian Wala Chowk. In our view, some material aspects have been missed out at stage of sentencing. International Cricketer, Navjot Singh Sidhu was tall and well-built. […]

Conjugal Expectation of Lord Hale’s Ghost

What looms before us is Lord Hale’s Ghost. Exception 2 to Section 375, IPC is referred to as Marital Rape Exception. MRE is bad in law as it violates Article 14. A ‘conjugal expectation’ to have sexual communion is not to be equated with an unfettered right to have sex without consent. J. Sai Deepak’s […]

Resides in Madras Presidency

Ultimately, question of ‘residence’ in every case depends on facts. But, ‘resides’ usually means something more than a flying visit or a casual stay [Jagir Kaur v. Jaswant Singh, (1964) 2 SCR 73]. V. Prakash could least be said to be a person visiting India casually or as a transit tourist. Term in question about […]

Purity of Character III

“Public Servants are like fish in water… none can say when and how a fish drank water.” It may be noted, maintenance of high standard of conduct and character of Judicial Officers has always been a matter of great concern for this Court [C. Ravichandran Iyer v. Justice A.M. Bhattacharjee, (1995) 5 SCC 457; Sadhna […]

Promissory Estoppel IX

It is abundantly clear, Principle of Promissory Estoppel cannot be invoked for enforcing promises in teeth of provisions of law [Motilal Padampat Sugar Mills, (1979) 2 SCC 409; Amrit Banaspati Co. Ltd., (1992) 2 SCC 411; Bangalore Development Authority v. R. Hanumaiah, (2005) 12 SCC 508; State of Gujarat v. Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India […]

Taxing Lottery II

It is evident, lotteries and gambling activities, to be termed as such, must inherently have an element of ‘chance’; ‘to take a chance’ is itself synonymous to a ‘gamble’; therefore, it may be concluded, lottery is one such activity which requires a participant ‘to take a chance’ or to ‘gamble’. B.R. Enterprises v. State of […]

Forum Shopping II

Predominantly, Indian Judiciary has time and again reiterated, ‘forum shopping’ take several hues and shades but concept of ‘forum shopping’ has not been rendered an exclusive definition in any Indian statute. Indian Judiciary’s observation and obiter dicta has aided in streamlining concept of ‘forum shopping’ in Indian legal system. Court has condemned practice of ‘forum […]

The Revival of Ray LXXXII

7-Judge Bench of this Court in Samsher Singh v. State of Punjab, (1974) 2 SCC 831 has held: “The authority may, in some cases, be of view, conduct of probationer may result in dismissal or removal on an inquiry. But in those cases, authority may not hold an inquiry and may simply discharge probationer with […]

5 LAKHS FOR SUPREME COURT

Though both parties have addressed this Court at length on merits and have also taken us through voluminous documents, we do not find it necessary to go into those issues. Justice S. Murtaza Fazal Ali as well as Justice A.N. Sen in Shah Babulal Khimji v. Jayaben D. Kania, (1981) 4 SCC 8 have a […]

Forum Shopping I

Court has noticed a rising trend of cases where parties have attempted to take ‘another bite at the cherry’ by initiating proceedings over various forums, particularly to circumvent jurisdiction of this Court. A purportedly ancillary remedy is urged in another forum as a dilatory tactic or as an attempt at ‘forum shopping’. One of us […]

Mafia Queens of Mumbai

There are no materials. A photocopy of a Ration Card, unsupported by any other material, does not even prima facie establish Shri Babuji Rawji Shah was adopted by Gangubai. A film carrying a message and depicting social circumstances of a group of underprivileged women is not impermissible. Nowhere has Shri Babuji Rawji Shah adverted to […]

Subordinate Officer

My Lord, District Magistrate or Chief Metropolitan Magistrate can appoint and authorize an Advocate under Section 14(1A) of The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002? Yes. It is well established, an Advocate is a guardian of constitutional morality and justice equally with a Judge. He bears responsibility towards […]

Morality of Orchestra Bars

Orchestra Bars are required to secure premises and performance licenses. Court is no stranger to controversies relating to prohibition and restriction in participation of women from performances in establishments in Maharashtra: State of Maharashtra v. Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association, (2013) 8 SCC 519 – Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association v. State of Maharashtra, (2015) […]

The Nature of Judicial Power: Article No. 1101

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 […]

91 Predictions

Greenstone Lobo has dedicated 91 Predictions, (Westland, 2021) to a ‘genius scientist’ who will restore Pluto’s dignity, honor and its rightful place as a Planet. The wish is to exhibit, astrology is a science and a subject worthy of attention, exploration, serious study and application. An excerpt. Everything comes in cycles. Indian an Western systems […]

The Nature of Judicial Power: Pegasus

“If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.” - George Orwell, 1984. Orwellian concern. September, 2018 – Citizen Lab released software capabilities of a ‘spyware suite’ called Pegasus, produced by NSO Group. Historically, privacy rights have been ‘property centric’ rather than ‘people centric’. In 1604, in Semayne’s case, 77 […]

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