R.M. Malkani v. State of Maharashtra, (1973) 2 SCR 417 is locus classicus on determining admissibility of a tape-recorded conversation. When this Court decided Yusufalli Esmail Nagree v. State of Maharashtra, AIR 1968 SC 147 and R.M. Malkani, devices like tape-recorders and microphones were carefully placed in a space wherein conversations could be secretly recorded […]
Read more "Spill the Beans"For purposes of clarity, a narco-analysis test is an interrogation method whereby a suspect of a crime is injected with a psychoactive drug under controlled conditions to suppress their reasoning power or ability to determine what is good/bad for themselves. Selvi v. State of Karnataka, (2010) 7 SCC 263 held involuntary administration of this test […]
Read more "Narco-Analysis"We reiterate, suspicion, however strong, cannot take place of evidence. – Hon’ble Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, P. Nallammal v. State, [Criminal Appeal No. 2489 of 2025]. Our disagreement is on culpability of P. Nallammal, Wife of since deceased A.M Paramasivam. There is no doubt, mere registration of ‘disproportionate assets’ in name of a Public Servant’s Relative […]
Read more "Referred to Larger Bench XL: Minister’s Spouse"Were this an ordinary civil suit, we could have possibly applied ‘preponderance of probabilities’ which may have resulted in some leeway and latitude in favour of D. Kumar (Election Petitioner) and against A. Raja. However, as per J. Chandrasekhara Rao v. V. Jagapathi Rao, 1993 Supp (2) SCC 229 and M. Chandra v. M. Thangamuthu, […]
Read more "Judges & Politicians & Social Media"R.P. Kapur v. State of Punjab, 1960 SCC OnLine SC 21 enumerated category of cases where inherent powers may be invoked to quash a criminal proceeding. But, “High Court would not embark upon an enquiry as to whether evidence in question is reliable or not. Ordinarily it would not be open to any party to […]
Read more "Mini Trial"In a battle between a mighty lion and a weak lamb, should Courts put those weak to sword for not having demonstrated ‘prejudice’ when a brazen violation of law declared by a Constitution Bench is brought to its notice? Why should those mighty not be made answerable as to why an enquiry report has not […]
Read more "Disciplinary Proceedings XI"We observe a tendency on part of Members of Bar to rely upon a large number of decisions, whether relevant or irrelevant. Multiple decisions are cited on same proposition of law. This makes hearing time-consuming. Courts permit written submissions. Very long written submissions come on record. A high monetary stake should not result in unnecessarily […]
Read more "Ordinary Man"Manoj Parihar v. State of Jammu and Kashmir, (2022) 14 SCC 72 opined, Doctrine of Prospective Overruling must be exercised in explicit terms and therefore, law declared by this Court would have a retrospective effect unless stated otherwise. It would not be an absolute rule, prospective overruling or prospective operation of a decision must be […]
Read more "The Doctrine of Prospective Overruling III"Section 15(2) of the Copyright Act, 1957 clarifies, copyright protection in any ‘design’, which is capable of being registered under The Designs Act, 2000 but is not registered, would terminate once such ‘design’ is applied to any article and reproduced in excess of 50 times by an industrial process either by owner or a licensee. […]
Read more "The Drastic Power of Rejecting a Plaint VIII"“When you learn a language, you don’t just learn to speak and write a new language. You also learn to be open-minded, liberal, tolerant, kind and considerate towards all mankind.” Before language became a tool for learning, its earliest and primary purpose was, and will always remain to be, communication. Coming back to our case, […]
Read more "Language of Courts II"A treasure trove of questions, hidden in seemingly innocuous and plain language used in Article 200, has opened up. The question of whether Governor is bound to act on aid and advice of Council of Ministers in all circumstances, fell for consideration of this Court in Samsher Singh v. State of Punjab, (1974) 2 SCC 831. It is […]
Read more "As Soon As Possible / The Revival of Ray XCVII"Court has, on multiple occasions, noted, a contractual clause which bars payment of interest is interpreted differently under 1940 Act and 1996 Act. In fact, while deciding cases under 1996 Act, Court has been slow to rely on principles laid down under 1940 Act, considering legislative incorporation of Arbitrator’s power to grant interest through Section […]
Read more "Section 31(7) of The Arbitration Act XI"Courts have authority to determine appropriate interest rate, considering totality of facts and circumstances in accordance with law. That apart, Courts have discretion to decide whether interest is payable from date of institution of suit, a period prior to that, or from date of decree, depending on specific facts of each case. Court must ensure, […]
Read more "Costs Jurisprudence III: Interest Rates"“Those who are blood thirsty, listen to us. If a fight for our rights is met with injustice, we will meet that injustice with love. If drops flowing from a candle are like a flame, we will use it to light up all paths if bodies of our loved ones are a threat to your […]
Read more "Hon’ble Justice Abhay S. Oka’s Beautiful Mind"Driver of Kashmir University-Ghulam Nabi Dar alleged, on 06.04.1990 at about 04.20 PM, Vice Chancellor-Dr. Mushir-ul-Haq and Personal Secretary-Abdul Gani Zargar were kidnapped by armed terrorists outside Sadarbal Gate. Subsequently, dead bodies of Dr. Mushir-ul- Haq and Abdul Gani Zargar were recovered on 10.04.1990. Investigation revealed, Hilal Beg, Chief Commander of Jammu & Kashmir Students […]
Read more "Custodial Interrogation Evidence"Indian Council of Social Science Research is under total financial and administrative control of Ministry of Education, Government of India. Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development is under grant-in-aid of ICSSR. But, this itself cannot be called a ‘deep and pervasive control’. A ‘deep and pervasive control’ would require much more than just […]
Read more "Deep and Pervasive Control"“We may reiterate, therefore, the certificate required under Section 65B(4) is a condition precedent to admissibility of evidence by way of electronic record, as correctly held in Anvar P.V. v. P.K. Basheer, (2014) 10 SCC 473.” Arjun Panditrao Khotkar v. Kailash Kushanrao Gorantyal, (2020) 3 SCC 216 referred and Three-Judge Bench in Arjun Panditrao Khotkar […]
Read more "Review of Death Penalty XLIII"It is said, death is a great leveller. A solemn truth. There is no material produced to show, Chhindwada Gram Panchayat has in any manner prescribed, the burial ground at Karkapal to be the burial ground for Christians from Chhindwada. Furthermore, no material has been produced to support, the graveyard in Chhindwada has been designated […]
Read more "Gravediggers at Chhindwada"It is a disconcerting reality. Secretary, State of Karnataka v. Uma Devi, (2006) 4 SCC 1 is often misinterpreted or misapplied to deny legitimate claims of long-serving employees. Government often cites and distorts Uma Devi’s spirit and purpose, effectively weaponizing it against employees who have rendered indispensable services over decades. Where appointments were not ‘illegal’ […]
Read more "Misinterpretation of Uma Devi"The evidence collected during course of investigation in a legal and proper manner and sought to be used in course of trial with regard to a seized contraband substance could not be simply brushed aside on ground of a procedural irregularity committed. Union of India v. Mohanlal, (2016) 3 SCC 379 nowhere held, non-compliance or […]
Read more "Section 52A of The NDPS Act"
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