The Writ of Habeas Corpus

Writ of Habeas Corpus has always been given due signification as an effective method to ensure release of those detained in prison. It’s a swift and imperative remedy in all cases of illegal restraint or confinement [Secretary of State for Home Affairs v. O’Brien, (1923) AC 603]. It has through ages been ‘jealously maintained’ by […]

Read more "The Writ of Habeas Corpus"

5 Lakhs for Supreme Court II

Himanshu Kumar claims to be running an NGO: Vanvasi Chetna Ashram. Himanshu’s Writ Petition relates to an alleged massacre on 17th September, 2009 and 1st October, 2009 in Gachhanpalli, Gompad and Belpocha situated in District of Dantewada, State of Chhattisgarh. An aggrieved person can only claim, offence he alleges be investigated properly. But, he has […]

Read more "5 Lakhs for Supreme Court II"

Default Bail II

Government of India may consider introduction of a separate enactment [Bail Act] to streamline grant of bails. _____ Section 167(2) of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was introduced in 1978. This provision has got a laudable object behind it, which is to ensure an expeditious investigation and a fair trial. This is also another […]

Read more "Default Bail II"

Res Ipsa Loquitur I

The maxim ‘res ipsa loquitur’ is resorted to when an accident is shown to have occurred and cause of accident is primarily within knowledge of Defendant. The cause of accident being unknown does not prevent Plaintiff from recovering damages, if proper inference to be drawn from circumstances which are known is: it was caused by […]

Read more "Res Ipsa Loquitur I"

Promissory Estoppel VIII

State of Jharkhand v. Brahmputra Metallics Ltd., Ranchi, 2020 SCC OnLine SC 968 observed, Doctrine of Legitimate Expectation, a public law concept, is premised on principles of fairness and non-arbitrariness in State action. Doctrine of Legitimate Expectation emerges as a facet of Article 14. Promissory Estoppel, being a private law concept, can be invoked if […]

Read more "Promissory Estoppel VIII"

The Writ of Quo Warranto II

When a Writ of Quo Warranto will lie has been dealt with by this Court in Rajesh Awasthi v. Nand Lal Jaiswal, (2013) 1 SCC 501. Retd. Armed Forces Medical Association v. Union of India, (2006) 11 SCC 731 observed, strict rules of locus standi are relaxed to some extent in Quo Warranto proceedings. A […]

Read more "The Writ of Quo Warranto II"

Involuntary Resignation

My Lord, Was Resignation of Ms. X, on 15/07/2014, Voluntary? We are only examining, i) correctness of Order of Transfer, ii) rejection of ‘representations’ and iii) question as to whether ‘resignation’ could be construed to be voluntary or not. Ms. X tendered a ‘resignation’ on 15/07/2014, which was accepted by Government of Madhya Pradesh, Law […]

Read more "Involuntary Resignation"

Action Against Gross Disorder

Raja Ram Pal v. Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, (2007) 3 SCC 184 delineated principles. These principles have been restated in Amarinder Singh v. Special Committee, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, (2010) 6 SCC 113. It is open to demonstrate, ‘action’ of Legislature is manifestly arbitrary. As expounded in Amarinder Singh, important consideration for scrutinizing exercise of legislative […]

Read more "Action Against Gross Disorder"

The Rules of The Game Principle V / The Revival of Ray LXXIX

Judgments cited on changing ‘rules of game midway’ referred to changes in selection criteria or procedure for selection. Those cases are distinguishable from case before us. _____ An examination can only reflect current competence of an individual but not gamut of their potential, capabilities or excellence, which are also shaped by lived experiences, subsequent training […]

Read more "The Rules of The Game Principle V / The Revival of Ray LXXIX"

Act of God

As many as 35,642 cases of Indian Made Foreign Liquor of different brands got destroyed in fire on 10/04/2003. We need not delve, for present purpose, on classification or various other jurisprudential features of ‘liability’. We are primarily concerned with question of ‘liability’ arising out of ‘negligence’. Without multiplying case law, sufficient it would be […]

Read more "Act of God"

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 […]

Read more "The Nature of Judicial Power: Pegasus"

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"

Heard & Finally Decided

The meaning of the phrase “heard and finally decided” was considered in Krishan Lal v. State of J&K, (1994) 4 SCC 422 where it was held, matter must have been heard on merits to have been “heard and finally decided”. Erach Boman Khavar v. Tukaram Shridhar Bhat, (2013) 15 SCC 655 has held, res judicata […]

Read more "Heard & Finally Decided"

Relation to State

Constitution Bench of this Court in Marri Chandra Shekhar Rao, (1990) 3 SCC 130 had an occasion to examine, whether Scheduled Castes in relation to a particular State would be entitled to benefits or concessions allowed to Scheduled Castes in matters of education/employment in another State. Court observed, if such a contention is to be […]

Read more "Relation to State"