Section 511, Indian Penal Code

There is a visible distinction between ‘preparation’ and ‘attempt’ to commit an offence and it all depends on statutory edict coupled with nature of evidence produced in a case; stage of ‘preparation’ consists of deliberation, devising or arranging means or measures, which would be necessary; an ‘attempt’ starts immediately after completion of ‘preparation’; ‘preparation’ or […]

Read more "Section 511, Indian Penal Code"

Blood of Human Origin III

Two-Judges in Kansa Behra v. State of Orissa, (1987) 3 SCC 480 observed, “few small blood-stains on clothes of a person may even be of his own blood.” Do remember one Raghav, who had earlier been convicted of murdering his First Wife and Son, based on circumstantial evidence. Dead bodies were/are still missing. Relevant Serologist […]

Read more "Blood of Human Origin III"

The Rules of The Game Principle III

As was subtly recognized, State of Haryana v. Subash Chander Marwaha, (1974) 3 SCC 220, unnoticed in P.K. Ramachandra Iyer, Durgacharan Misra, Umesh Chandra Shukla, Rajendra Bhimrao Mandve and K. Manjusree, carries instructions on the Tej Prakash Pathak issue. Subash Chander Marwaha is crucial to understand the time when the ‘process of ascertaining eligibility’, before […]

Read more "The Rules of The Game Principle III"

Investigation II

Gauri Lankesh was shot dead by unknown assailants, near her house at Rajarajeshwari Nagar [Bengaluru], on 05.09.2017. _____  This is limited to consideration of whether prior approval by Commissioner of Police [Bengaluru City], in connection with offence registered as Crime No. 221/2017, is valid or otherwise. We hold, same does not suffer from any infirmity. […]

Read more "Investigation II"

Investigation I

H N Rishbud v. State of Delhi, (1955) 1 SCR 1150; Ramsinh Bavaji Jadeja v. State of Gujarat, (1994) 2 SCC 685; Union of India v. Prakash P. Hinduja, (2003) 6 SCC 195. What emerges is, an investigation commences upon receipt of information by Police which discloses commission of a cognizable offence. However, mere receipt […]

Read more "Investigation I"

Furlough I

Mota Bhagwan Asaram was also convicted under Section 377, IPC. The Prisons (Bombay Furlough and Parole) Rules, 1959 were made pursuant to Section 59 of The Prisons Act, 1894 and are applicable in State of Gujarat. State of Maharashtra v. Suresh Pandurang Darvakar, (2006) 4 SCC 776 distinguished parole from furlough. The difference was also […]

Read more "Furlough I"

Settlement Deed Cheque

This is a case of cheques, issued pursuant to a deed of compromise, being dishonoured. The dishonour of cheques, issued subsequent to a settlement agreement, would give rise to a fresh cause of action attracting liability under Section 138 and other remedies under civil law and criminal law. A contrary interpretation would lead to contradictory […]

Read more "Settlement Deed Cheque"

Retrial

It emerges from decisions, Appellate Court may direct a retrial only in ‘exceptional’ circumstances to avert a miscarriage of justice; mere lapses in investigation are not sufficient to warrant a direction for retrial; only if lapses are so grave so as to prejudice, can a retrial be directed; determination of whether a ‘shoddy’ investigation/trial has […]

Read more "Retrial"

Lalita Kumari III

Lalita Kumari v. Govt. of U.P., (2014) 2 SCC 1 was analyzed by a Three-Judge Bench in Yashwant Sinha v. CBI, (2020) 2 SCC 338. Two-Judge Bench in State of Telangana v. Managipet, (2019) 19 SCC 87 noted, while Lalita Kumari held a preliminary enquiry was desirable in cases of alleged corruption, that does not […]

Read more "Lalita Kumari III"

The Doctrine of Fairness

The word ‘laches’ is derived from French, meaning “remissness and slackness”. A defence of laches can only be allowed when there is no statutory bar. The question as to whether there exists a clear case of laches is one of fact and so also of prejudice. The said principle may not have any application when […]

Read more "The Doctrine of Fairness"

Fraud in Child Custody

Perry holds dual citizenship of Kenya as well as United Kingdom. Perry flagrantly violated solemn undertakings and challenged jurisdiction of Indian Courts, despite having submitted. It is fundamental, a party approaching Court must come with clean hands, more so in child custody matters [S.P. Chengalvaraya Naidu v. Jagannath, (1994) 1 SCC 1; Indian Bank v. […]

Read more "Fraud in Child Custody"

Matters of Education II

Soutrik was successful in JEE 2020 (Mains) and was qualified and eligible to appear in JEE (Advanced), 2020. He scored Rank 4015. He secured admission in Chemical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. Soutrik had also been offered B.S. (Mathematics) in IIT Bombay through a separate admission process based on his performance in Mathematics Olympiad. IIT alleges, […]

Read more "Matters of Education II"

Contempt Jurisdiction IX

We are of the view, contemnor is clearly guilty of contempt. His actions to scandalize the Court cannot be countenanced. He continues with his contumacious behavior. The apologies submitted by him are only endeavors to get out of consequences, again followed by another set of allegations. Thus, a charade. The last apology can hardly be […]

Read more "Contempt Jurisdiction IX"

Compoundable II

True it is, offences which are ‘non-­compoundable’ cannot be compounded by a Criminal Court in purported exercise of its powers under Section 320, CrPC. Any such attempt by Court would amount to alteration, addition and modification of Section 320, CrPC. There is no patent or latent ambiguity in language of Section 320 CrPC, which may […]

Read more "Compoundable II"

Compassionate Appointment III

In service jurisprudence, retrospective seniority cannot be claimed from a date when an employee is not even borne in service. It is also necessary to bear in mind, retrospective seniority, unless directed by Court or expressly provided by applicable Rules, should not be allowed. As in so doing, others who had earlier entered service will […]

Read more "Compassionate Appointment III"

Modified Voluntary Retirement Scheme

The present case is not one of resignation per se but of exercising an option available under Modified Voluntary Retirement Scheme. Clause 5.1 required, the post to be abolished simultaneously with request of voluntary retirement being accepted. This had to be done before disbursing retirement benefits. There was a specific stipulation, no person would be […]

Read more "Modified Voluntary Retirement Scheme"

The Revival of Ray LXXII

Two-Judge Bench of Mathew Varghese v. M. Amritha Kumar, (2014) 5 SCC 610 has heavily relied on Three-­Judge Bench of Narandas Karsondas v. S.A. Kamtam, (1977) 3 SCC 247. Court held, there was no reason as to why general principle laid down in Narandas Karsondas, with reference to Section 60 of The Transfer of Property […]

Read more "The Revival of Ray LXXII"

Section 37 of The NDPS Act II

Union of India v. Shiv Shanker Kesari, (2007) 7 SCC 798 observed, bail may be cancelled if it has been granted without adhering to parameters under Section 37. Given seriousness of offences punishable and in order to curb menace of drug-trafficking, stringent parameters for grant of bail have been prescribed. Union of India v. Prateek […]

Read more "Section 37 of The NDPS Act II"