Per Incuriam III

Five Judges in Dr. Shah Faesal v. Union of India, [Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1099 of 2019] have decided the following. “The rule of per incuriam means a Judgment passed in ignorance of a relevant statute or any other binding authority [See, Young v. Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd., 1944 KB 718 (CA)]. The view that […]

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Monstrosity of Winnability I

“When criminality enters into the grass-root level as well as at the higher levels there is a feeling that ‘monstrosity’ is likely to wither away the multitude and eventually usher in a dreadful fear that would rule supreme creating an incurable chasm in the spine of the whole citizenry” [Hon’ble Justice Dipak Misra, 05.02.2015]. In […]

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Archaeological Site ≠ Hotel, Restaurant

“With the object of ensuring preservation in the erstwhile State of Mysore, The Mysore Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1961 was enacted. The State Government was accorded the power to declare certain ancient monuments as ‘protected monuments’ and certain archaeological sites and remains as ‘protected areas’. 10 villages, including Virupapura […]

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Reservation in Appointment/Promotion

“It is settled law, State Government cannot be directed to provide reservations for appointment in public posts [C.A. Rajendran, (1968) 1 SCR 721]. Similarly, State is not bound to make reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in matters of promotions. However, if they wish to exercise their discretion and make such provision, State has […]

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Determination of Fair Rent / The Revival of Ray XXXIX

Appellants placed strong reliance on Minority Judgment [Paragraphs 25-30] in M/s. Raval, (1974) 1 SCC 424 delivered by Hon’ble Justice P.N. Bhagwati. Respondents contended, reliance on Minority Judgment is misplaced. “The moot question to be answered is whether during currency of contractual tenancy i.e. during the currency of agreed rent between the landlord and the […]

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Anticipatory Bail II

“Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia, (1980) 2 SCC 565 holds the field for number of years and the same has been followed by all Courts in the country. Therefore, Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre, (2011) 1 SCC 694 is not correct law in light of the observations made in Paragraphs 42 and 43 in Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia. Salauddin Abdulsamad […]

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123 Netaji 123

Supreme Court of India understands, Mahatma Gandhi > Bharat Ratna. Once upon a time, specifically on 23.01.1992, a press communique was issued from Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. “President is pleased to confer Award of Bharat Ratna posthumously on Shri Subhash Chandra Bose.” It was contended before SC, when a personality is higher and greater than […]

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Quia Timet I

“In Fletcher v. Bealey (1884) 28 Ch. D. 688 a quia timet action was asked for to interdict the tort of nuisance in order to prevent noxious liquid from flowing into a river. Pearson, J after referring to earlier Judgments on quia timet action then held: “I do not think, therefore, that I shall be […]

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Legal Malice I

“In a Judgment reported as HMT Ltd. v. Mudappa, (2007) 9 SCC 768 quoting from earlier Judgment of this Court reported as State of A.P. v. Goverdhanlal Pitti, (2003) 4 SCC 739 it was held that ‘legal malice’ or ‘malice in law’ means ‘something done without lawful excuse’. It is an act done wrongfully and […]

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The Revival of Ray XXXVIII

My Lord, Judges in Md. Serajuddin, (1975) 2 SCC 47? Five. Hon’ble Judges H.R. Khanna, K.K. Mathew, M. Hameedullah Beg, Y.V. Chandrachud. Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Justice A.N. Ray. “A Constitution Bench of this Court in Md. Serajuddin, (1975) 2 SCC 47 has held that expression ‘in the course’ implies not only a period […]

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The Revival of Ray XXXVII

It is not our forte to answer whether it is better to be free than secure or be secure rather than free. However, we are here only to ensure, citizens are provided all the rights and liberty to the highest extent in a given situation while ensuring security at the same time. There is no […]

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Section 2(33), The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

Section 2(33), The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: “heinous offences” includes the offences for which the minimum punishment under The Indian Penal Code, 1860 or any other law for the time being in force is imprisonment for 7 years or more; xxx xxx xxx Learned Senior Counsel, Sidharth Luthra submitted, ‘petty […]

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The Myth of Peaceful Protest

538 is the number of former students of National Law School of India University, Bangalore [NLSIU] who ‘demanded’ repeal of The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 [CAA]. They extended unconditional support to all those who choose to exercise their fundamental right to speech and assembly to ‘express dissent peacefully’. 402 is the number of former students […]

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Section 499, Indian Penal Code V

“What is the meaning to be attached to the words ‘making of an imputation’ and ‘publishing of an imputation’? This question has been set out with clarity in Mohd. Abdulla Khan v. Prakash K., (2018) 1 SCC 615. “The difference between ‘making’ of an imputation and ‘publishing’ the same is: If ‘X’ tells ‘Y’ that […]

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The Revival of Ray XXXV

“Erusian Equipment and Chemicals Ltd. v. State of West Bengal, (1975) 1 SCC 70 and Raghunath Thakur v. State of Bihar, (1989) 1 SCC 229 as well as Southern Painters v. Fertilizers & Chemicals Travancore Ltd., 1994 Supp (2) SCC 699; Grosons Pharmaceuticals (P) Ltd. v. State of U.P., (2001) 8 SCC 604 and B.S.N. […]

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