Where a High Court construes a local statute, ordinarily deference must be given to High Court Judgments in interpreting such a statute, particularly when they have stood the test of time [State of Gujarat v. Zinabhai Ranchhodji Darji, (1972) 1 SCC 233 at Paragraph 10; Bishamber Dass Kohli v. Satya Bhalla, (1993) 1 SCC 566 […]
Read more "Interpretation of Local Statutes by High Courts / The Revival of Ray LXII"“In every case where a statute inflicts a penalty for doing an act, though the act be not prohibited, yet the thing is unlawful, because it is not intended that a statute would inflict a penalty for a lawful act. It is a question of construction in each case whether the Legislature intended to prohibit […]
Read more "The Revival of Ray LXI"One of the meanings of the expression ‘inconsistent’, as approved by this Court, is: mutually repugnant or contradictory. Constitution itself has used the words ‘inconsistency’ and ‘repugnancy’ interchangeably. Things are inconsistent when they cannot stand together at the same time and one law is inconsistent with another law when the command or power or provision […]
Read more "The Question of Apparent Conflict"The provisions of Section 89 of The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 must be understood in the backdrop of longstanding proliferation of litigation in Civil Courts, which has placed undue burden on the judicial system, forcing speedy justice to become a casualty. The purpose, being sacrosanct and imperative for effecting timely justice in Indian Courts, […]
Read more "Section 89 of The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908"See, Bennion on Statutory Interpretation, 5th Edition. The concept of ‘absurdity’ in the context of interpretation of statutes is construed to include any result which is unworkable, impracticable, illogical, futile or pointless, artificial, or productive of a disproportionate counter mischief. Logic referred to herein is not formal or syllogistic logic, but acceptance that enacted law […]
Read more "Cadaveric Consequences in Interpretation"It is settled law, only the ratio decidendi is binding as a precedent. Thus, in B. Shama Rao v. Union Territory, Pondicherry, (1967) 2 SCR 650 Majority Judgment of Shelat J, speaking for himself and other Two Learned Judges held: “It is trite to say, a decision is binding not because of its conclusion but […]
Read more "Ratio Decidendi II"It is well settled, an Arbitration Agreement is distinct and separate; independent from the substantive commercial contract in which it is embedded. Autonomy of Arbitration Agreement is based on twin concepts of separability and kompetenz – kompetenz; which, though inter-related, are distinct. Doctrine of Separability of Arbitration Agreement connotes, invalidity, ineffectiveness or termination of the […]
Read more "Referred to Larger Bench XXV: Doctrine of Separability of Arbitration Agreement"Arbitral Process is strictly conditioned upon time limitation. This Court in P. Radha Bai v. P. Ashok Kumar, (2019) 13 SCC 445 observed: “Section 34(3) reflects the principle of unbreakability. According to this ‘unbreakability’ of time-limit and true to the ‘certainty and expediency’ of the Arbitral Awards, any grounds for setting aside the Award that […]
Read more "Section 34(3) of The Arbitration Act II"The core issue: not to say, consultation should be open ended/indefinite or Govt. must release all information; disclosure of certain information may violate right to privacy of individuals/cause breach of national security/impinge on confidentiality; information may be abridged or even denied for larger public interest; there should be good grounds and justification to withhold information; […]
Read more "Principles of Natural Justice VII / The Revival of Ray LVIII"The disqualification under Section 8 of The Representation of the People Act, 1951 is relatable to Article 191(1)(e). Therefore, any interpretation to Section 8 should be in sync with the constitutional scheme. Once the period of disqualification starts running, the seat, hitherto held by the person disqualified, becomes vacant by virtue of Article 190(3). His […]
Read more "Timing of Votes"Mr. Peter Leaver [Queen’s Counsel], Justice V.K. Gupta [Retd.] and Mr. Anthony Houghton [Senior Counsel] delivered their International Arbitral Award in New Delhi, on 12.05.2014. Majority Award [Mr. Peter Leaver and Mr. Anthony Houghton] was in favor of Anglo American Metallurgical Coal Pty Ltd. and Dissenting Award [Justice V.K. Gupta] dismissed the claim of Anglo […]
Read more "Section 34 of The Arbitration Act IV / Arbitral Award Dissent"The definition of the expression ‘shared household’ in Section 2(s) of The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 uses the familiar legislative formula of a “means and includes” definition; where the definition of an expression in an enactment adopts a “means and includes” stipulation, it is intended to be exhaustive; the ‘means’ part […]
Read more "A “Means and Includes” Definition VI"Samir Agarwal sought, by an information filed, CCI to initiate an inquiry, under Section 26(2) of The Competition Act, 2002, into the alleged anti-competitive conduct of Ola and Uber. Shri Rajshekhar Rao, appearing on behalf of Ola, submitted, Samir cannot be said to be a ‘person aggrieved’ for the purpose of sections 53B and 53T. […]
Read more "Section 53 of The Competition Act / Aggrieved Person II / The Revival of Ray LVII"It is not always affordable to approach a Court of Law. Even if approached, it may be years before a final decision. Imtiyaz Ahmad v. State of Uttar Pradesh, (2012) 2 SCC 688 had a simple answer: “Pendency is merely a localized problem… it affects some High Courts far more than others.” Imtiyaz Ahmed v. […]
Read more "The Persistent Illusion of Judge-Strength"Constitution Benches are constituted to resolve a constitutional issue, harmonize conflicting views and settle law. Constitution Bench decisions might only be reconsidered by a Constitution Bench of a Larger Strength and that too in exceptional and compelling circumstances. Bench of Lesser Strength cannot revisit a proposition laid down by at least Three Constitution Benches. Raj […]
Read more "Judicial – Bench Strength – Decorum II"Court should be over cautious to place reliance on a piece of evidence with which the concerned witness has not been confronted despite an opportunity to do so. As held by this Court in Sita Ram Bhau Patil v. Ramchandra Nago Patil, (1977) 2 SCC 49 an admission must not only be proved but also […]
Read more "The Revival of Ray LIV"There is a body of case law which clarifies, sans a statutory duty, a positive direction to do something, in a specific manner, cannot be given. It must be shown, there is a statute which imposes a legal duty and the aggrieved party has a legal right under the statute to enforce its performance. – […]
Read more "The Nature of Judicial Power: Hon’ble Justice S. Ravindra Bhat"The definition of ‘shared household’ in Section 2(s) of The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 is an exhaustive definition. The first part begins with ‘means’, which is undoubtedly an exhaustive definition, and the second part begins with ‘includes’, which is explanatory of what was meant by the definition. The use of both […]
Read more "A “Means and Includes” Definition V"The 90 day period indicated by the first proviso to Section 167(2) of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 can be extended up to a maximum period of 180 days under the first proviso in Section 43D(2)(b) of The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. As long as an application, which need not even be in […]
Read more "Default Bail I"A ‘consent’ given under fear of injury is not a ‘consent’ in the eyes of law. We are not persuaded to accept the solitary statement, at the time of the first alleged offence, ‘consent’ was obtained under fear of injury. A ‘consent’ given under a misconception of fact is no ‘consent’ in the eyes of […]
Read more "Section 90, Indian Penal Code"
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