Locus Standi in Access to Justice

If persons who participated in a selection process but who could not make it to the final list of selected candidates on account of alleged corrupt practices adopted by those in power are not ‘victims’, we do not know who else could be a ‘victim’. Section 2(wa) of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Hon’ble […]

Read more "Locus Standi in Access to Justice"

Section 7 of The Arbitration Act

Three recitals strongly point towards an unambiguous intention of parties to refer their dispute(s) to Arbitration. Even though Clause 18 lacks certain essential characteristics, in a Development Agreement which otherwise fortifies intention of parties to Arbitrate, deficiency of words cannot legitimize annulment of an Arbitration Clause. Three-Judge Bench in Enercon (India) Ltd., (2014) 5 SCC […]

Read more "Section 7 of The Arbitration Act"

Lalita Kumari IV

A ‘public servant’ is said to commit ‘criminal misconduct’ if he is in ‘possession’ of pecuniary resources disproportionate to his ‘known sources of income’ for which the ‘public servant’ cannot ‘satisfactorily account’.   Explanation to Section 13(1)(e) of The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 defines ‘known sources of income’ to mean, income received from any […]

Read more "Lalita Kumari IV"

Prayer of Amendment

Court must be extremely liberal in granting prayer for amendment if Court is of view if such amendment is not allowed, party, who has prayed for such an amendment, shall suffer irreparable loss and injury. The principles governing an amendment which may be permitted even after expiry of statutory period of limitation were laid down […]

Read more "Prayer of Amendment"

Fourth Schedule Fee

Amendments made by Arbitration Amendment Act, 2019 have been somewhat a non-starter. _____ Fourth Schedule came into effect on 23.10.2015. Fourth Schedule is not applicable to International Commercial Arbitrations and where Arbitrators’ Fees are to be determined in accordance with Rules of Arbitral Institutions. _____ Arbitrator’s Fees must be fixed at inception to avoid unnecessary […]

Read more "Fourth Schedule Fee"

Bolt, Pre-Litigation Mediation

Estonia-based-Plaintiff submits, Defendants are using an identical mark ‘BOLT’ with an identical color scheme. Plaintiff: SC has held, when an urgent interim relief is being sought, suit can be filed without resorting to pre-litigation mediation. Defendants: SC has held, with effect from 20.08.2022, pre-litigation mediation under Section 12A of The Commercial Courts Act, 2015 is […]

Read more "Bolt, Pre-Litigation Mediation"

[Rank] Investigation III

Section 18 of The Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act, 1999 uses the expression, “not below the rank of the Superintendent of Police.” Nine-Judge Bench in Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association v. Union of India, (1993) 4 SCC 441 observed, “not only is the word ‘primacy’ inextricably linked up with the words ’rank’ and ‘precedence’ but […]

Read more "[Rank] Investigation III"

Writ Against Termination of Service by Private Bodies

St. Mary’s Education Society, registered under The Madhya Pradesh Society Registrikaran Adhiniyam, 1973, runs St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School in Mhow, Indore, Madhya Pradesh. St. Mary’s Education Society and St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School are absolutely private institutions, without any aid or control of Government or any instrumentality of Government, and therefore, not a ‘State’ […]

Read more "Writ Against Termination of Service by Private Bodies"

Pension is Not a Bounty III

Justice S. Talapatra along with Chief Justice T. Vaiphei, as Judges of High Court of Tripura on 31.10.2017, struck down Rule 3(3) of The Tripura State Civil Services (Revised Pension) Rules, 2009. At present, Justice S. Talapatra is Judge No. 3 at High Court of Orissa.   _____ When specific statistics were provided before High […]

Read more "Pension is Not a Bounty III"

Referred to Larger Bench XXX: Section 12(5) of The Arbitration Act V

Three Judges, on 11.01.2021, in Union of India v. M/s. Tantia Constructions Limited, Special Leave Petition (Civil) 12670 of 2020 prima facie disagreed with Three Judges in Central Organisation for Railway Electrification v. M/s. ECI-SPIC-SMO-MCML (JV), Civil Appeal No. 9486-9487 of 2019. Three Judges, on 16.08.2022, in JSW Steel v. South Western Railway, Special Leave […]

Read more "Referred to Larger Bench XXX: Section 12(5) of The Arbitration Act V"

No Bottle, Just Bottle I

Plaintiffs claim, lock, stock and barrel copying by Defendant. Defendant labels both Plaintiffs and itself as pirates, sailing in high seas of prior art(s). Hipster Bottles were launched by Plaintiff No. 1 in India in May, 2019. Plaintiff No. 1 is Proprietor of Registered Design No. 306577 in terms of Section 2(1)(j) of The Designs […]

Read more "No Bottle, Just Bottle I"

Remains of Gunpowder

Learned Counsel for Appellant has submitted, Complainant has a close nexus with Police Department as his Father is a Retired Inspector and his Brother and Sister are also Police Officers. Appellant has also brought to notice, Complainant had registered another criminal case in which Appellant already stands acquitted. Appellant claims to be falsely implicated, owing […]

Read more "Remains of Gunpowder"

Provocation

Dauvram, for murder of Brother-Dashrath, was convicted under Section 302, IPC. In our opinion, this case will fall under Exception 1 to Section 300, IPC. K.M. Nanavati v. State of Maharashtra, 1962 Supp (1) SCR 567 interpreted Exception 1 to Section 300. For determining whether or not the provocation had temporarily deprived power of self-control, […]

Read more "Provocation"

Comparative Advertising I

Marico’s grievance pertains to Dabur. It is alleged, impugned advertisements convey a clear message: Marico’s product is ineffective and useless. On behalf of Dabur it is contended, impugned advertisements are protected under Article 19(1)(a) and are legitimate, honest, truthful, well substantiated and statistically proven.   A balance has to be struck. An advertiser cannot, while […]

Read more "Comparative Advertising I"