Non-Signatories to Arbitration II

Arbitration Agreements need not be a formal contract. Section 7(4)(b) states, an Arbitration Agreement can be derived from exchange of letters, telex, telegram or other means of communication, including through electronic means. What is required to be ascertained is, intention of parties to refer their disputes or differences to Arbitration. A common-sense approach must be […]

The Sword of Adverse Possession

My Lord, A plaintiff claiming title by adverse possession can maintain a suit under Article 65 of The Limitation Act, 1963 for declaration of title? Yes. Historically, adverse possession is a pretty old concept of law. It is a useful but an often-criticized concept. It is a hostile possession, clearly asserting hostile title in denial […]

The Revival of Ray XXIV

“Justice Krishna Iyer delivered a concurring opinion in Sushil Kumar Sen v. State of Bihar, (1975) 1 SCC 774, expressing a thought process which would be of significant relevance to the issue in hand. “The humanist rule that procedure should be the handmaid, not the mistress, of legal justice compels consideration of vesting a residuary […]

Writ Jurisdiction of High Courts I

“While the powers the High Court may exercise under its Writ Jurisdiction are not subject to strict legal principles, two clear principles emerge with respect to when a High Court’s Writ Jurisdiction may be engaged. First, the decision of the High Court to entertain or not entertain a particular action under its Writ Jurisdiction is […]

Section 143A, The NI Act

“With effect from 01.09.2018, Section 143A was inserted in The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 by Amendment Act No. 20/2018. We are concerned only with applicability of said Section 143A to offences under Section 138, committed before insertion of said Section 143A. Section 143A not only creates a new disability or an obligation but also exposes […]

The Case of Mr. Prithvi Shaw

Board of Control for Cricket in India [BCCI] has adopted Anti-Doping Rules [BCCI ADR] that implement mandatory requirements of World Anti-Doping Agency [WADA] Code in Indian Cricket. BCCI ADR, 2019 applies to present case. Mr. Shaw consumed a cough syrup for a couple of days before he played Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Mumbai v. Sikkim, […]

Section 306, Indian Penal Code II

“When the accusation in the present case has its genesis in certain acts and utterances attributed to the accused, the meaning and expanse of the expression ‘abetment’, particularly on its operation in relation to the offence of ‘abetment of suicide’, is required to be dilated upon. Abetment involves a mental process of instigating a person […]

Compromising the Non-Compoundable

“It is the experience of the Judge that comes to his aid and the said experience should be used with care, caution, circumspection and courageous prudence.” – Hon’ble Justice Dipak Misra, Vikram Anantrai Doshi, (2014) 15 SCC 29. _____ I) Shankar, (2019) 5 SCC 166. II) Manjit Singh v. State of Punjab, [Criminal Appeal No. […]

The Doctrine of Merger II

“In Kunhayammed, (2000) 6 SCC 359 this Court held, “logic underlying Doctrine of Merger is, there cannot be more than one Decree or operative Orders governing same subject-matter at a given point of time. Doctrine of Merger is not of universal or unlimited application.” This position of law has been recently affirmed and reiterated by […]

Disciplinary Proceedings I

“Sitaram was functioning as Head Constable. A carbine was issued to him. It is alleged, on 18 February, 1998 at about 0945 hours, while he was cleaning the barrel of his loaded 9 MM carbine in the barracks, he did not remove the magazine and proceeded to clean the carbine carelessly. As a result, eight […]

The Golden Lasso of Truth

Uncontrolled and indiscriminate entry of persons, Hindu or Muslim, from Pakistan into India or from India to Pakistan, is fraught with the possibility of espionage and sabotage. When employed for espionage, care is taken to see, he does not know who his real employers are but knows only the name of his contact man, whose […]

The Doctrine of Merger I

“Doctrine of Merger would come into play as exposited in Kunhayammed, (2013) 10 SCC 655 wherein a Three-Judge Bench of this Court opined that once a Special Leave Petition has been granted, the doors of the Appellate Jurisdiction of this Court have been let open and any Order passed thereafter would be an Appellate Order […]

The Revival of Ray XXIII

We may usefully advert to Paragraph Nos. 53-59, Har Shankar v. The Dy. Excise and Taxation Commissioner, (1975) 1 SCC 737. “The State, under its regulatory powers, has the right to prohibit absolutely every form of activity in relation to intoxicants — its manufacture, storage, export, import, sale and possession. In all their manifestations, these […]

The Nature of Judicial Power: Constitutional Ethos I

“Judicial Review, as is well known, lies against the decision-making process and not the merits of the decision itself. If the decision-making process is flawed inter alia by violation of the basic principles of natural justice, is ultra-vires the powers of the decision maker, takes into consideration irrelevant materials or excludes relevant materials, admits materials […]

#THE377DEBATE III : My Lord, Africa

Indians have been taught the lesson, and rightly so, consensual intercourse, even if not procreative, is inherent for the enjoyment of life and liberty of every individual and is protected under constitutional morality. Mr. XYZ has come up with a film script. Cut short, the script is about an 18-year old Indian, who gets disinherited […]

Quasi-Judicial I

“The expression ‘Quasi-Judicial Order’ means a verdict in writing which determines and decides contesting issues and question by a Forum other than a Court. The determination has civil consequences. Explaining the meaning of ‘Quasi-Judicial Body’ in Indian National Congress (I) v. Institute of Social Welfare, (2002) 5 SCC 685  it was held, when any body […]

The Revival of Ray XXII

Hon’ble Justice Arun Misra, while explaining Section 108 of The Companies Act [Ram Parshottam Mittal v. Hotel Queen Road Pvt. Ltd., Civil Appeal No. 3934 of 2017], quoted Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Justice A.N. Ray [Mannalal Khetan v. Kedar Nath Khetan, (1977) 2 SCC 424]; My Lord, Mannalal Khetan v. Kedar Nath Khetan, […]

Class Action, Consumer Disputes I

Appellant Nos. 1-44 – Builder-Buyer Agreement – Respondent/Builder. Respondent/Builder, Failed! Appellant Nos. 1-44, NCDRC, Consumer Complaint. “National Commission concluded, the case could not be accepted as a class action and dismissed same. The dismissal of the case as class action is questioned. In T.N. Ganapathy, (1990) 1 SCC 608 it was held, persons who may […]

Gambling in Cricket I

Games played just for fun can also be played for money. Lawyers and Non-Lawyers paid ample respect and just respect to a Game developed on Indian Premier League [IPL]. An esteemed Eashan Ghosh calculated accuracy of probabilistic predictions. Mr. Ghosh, phenomenal in his Intellectual Property Law expertise, is a fair man. ‘Ramiz Baba Challenge’ Rules ‘Ramiz […]

The Revival of Ray XXI

“In T.P. Kunhaliumma, (1976) 4 SCC 634 this Court held that applications under Article 137 of The Limitation Act, 1963 is not confined to applications contemplated by or under Code of Civil Procedure. “The conclusion we reach is that Article 137 of The Limitation Act, 1963 will apply to any petition or application filed under […]

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