Referred to Larger Bench XI: Statutory Appeals to Supreme Court

My Lord, Is it permissible and advisable to provide Statutory Appeals directly to Supreme Court, from Orders of Tribunals, on issues not affecting National or Public Interest? “In an Article by Shri T.R. Andhyarujina [Former Solicitor General of India], ‘Restoring, Character and Stature of Supreme Court of India’, Learned Author states… Supreme Court of India […]

Compensatory Jurisprudence of Constitutional Courts V: Peaceful Protests of Kashmir

“It hardly needs elaboration that a distinguishing feature of any democracy is the space offered for legitimate dissent. One cherished and valuable aspect of political life in India is a tradition to express grievances through direct action or peaceful protest. Organized, non-violent protest marches were a key weapon in the struggle for Independence, and the […]

Section 13B of The Hindu Marriage Act II

The ‘statutory period of waiting’ has been waived again in Wadhera v. Wadhera, [Transfer Petition (Civil) No. 569 of 2014]. SC held, “having regard to the background of the several litigations between the parties over a period of 5 years, background of the parties living separately for more than 5 years, submission of the Husband […]

The Nature of Judicial Power: Powers of Review of Supreme Court I

Enviro Legal Action v. Union of India, (2011) 8 SCC 161 elaborated scope of Article 137. Kamlesh Verma v. Mayawati, (2013) 8 SCC 320 further held as under: (A) Review Maintainability: Discovery of new and important matter or evidence which, after the exercise of due diligence, was not within knowledge or could not be produced; […]

Compensatory Jurisprudence of Constitutional Courts IV: Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati

Bl. Titus Brandsma courageously resisted Nazi ideology and died at Dachau in 1942. The Titus Brandsma Award recognizes a journalist who has made a major contribution to the struggle for human rights. Anto Akkara was conferred the Award in 2013 for having exposed the brutal persecution of Christians in India. In its Award Citation, The […]

The Plea of Limitation VIII: Article 54 of The Limitation Act, 1963

“The interpretation of the first part of Article 54 of Schedule 1 of The Limitation Act, 1963 is no longer res integra. In Ahmadsahab, (2009) 5 SCC 462 this Court considered the meaning of the word “date” and “fixed” appearing in Article 54… the Court held that the expression “date fixed for the performance” is […]

The ‘Far Outweigh’ Standard in Recovery from Employees II

Clearly ignoring The ‘Far Outweigh’ Standard in Recovery from Employees, SC has ruled recently in High Court of Punjab & Haryana v. Jagdev Singh, [Civil Appeal No. 3500 of 2006], even though recovery from retired employees, or employees who are due to retire within one year of the order of recovery, is impermissible, the “principle […]

Order 18, Rule 17 of The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908

“In K.K. Velusamy, (2011) 11 SCC 275 while dealing with the power of Court under Order 18, Rule 17 this Court held that :- “Order 18, Rule 17 of the Code enables Court, at any stage of a suit, to recall any witness who has been examined (subject to the law of evidence for the […]

Tender Law I

While authorities are given latitude in formulating tender conditions, Court has been consistent in requiring adherence to conditions once framed, and has entered into fairly detailed scrutiny of administrative decisions. “The law is settled that an essential condition of a tender has to be strictly complied with. In Poddar Steel Corporation, (1991) 3 SCC 273, […]

Article 136 and Criminal Appeals III

“The jurisdiction which this Court exercises under Article 136 has its own self-imposed restrictions. It is sufficient to refer to this Court’s decision reported in Ganga Kumar Srivastava v. State of Bihar, (2005) 6 SCC 211 where this Court after referring to various decisions has laid down certain principles for exercising the power of this […]

The Plea of Limitation VII: Section 14 of The Limitation Act, 1963

Respondent entered into a contract for construction of a commercial complex. Certain disputes arose. Sole Arbitrator passed an Award on 11.11.2010. Both parties appeared before Arbitrator. Arbitrator did not find any justification to allow any claim of Respondent-Contractor. Respondent believed he could take a somersault. It propelled him to file an application under Section 11 […]

Battle of the Articles II: 32/226

“The Court must necessarily abide the parameters which govern a nuanced exercise of judicial power. Hence, where an effort is made to bring issues of governance before the Court, the basic touchstone on which the invocation of jurisdiction must rest is whether the issue can be addressed within the framework of law or the Constitution. […]

Section 2(1)(d) of The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 I

My Lord, Clarificatory Amendments – Retrospective Effect? Yes. “An Explanation was added by The Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 1993 to the definition of the expression ‘consumer’ under Section 2(1)(d) of The Consumer Protection Act, 1986. In Laxmi Engineering Works, (1995) 3 SCC 583 the consumer complaint in question was filed before adding of the said […]

Section 31 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

My Lord, Consecutive – Term Sentence – Life Sentence? Yes. “The power of the Court to direct the order in which sentences will run is unquestionable in view of the language employed in Section 31 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The Court can, therefore, legitimately direct that the prisoner shall first undergo the […]

The Real Apprehension in Transferring Cases II

My Lord, Independent of the provisions contained in Codes of Civil and Criminal Procedure is there a source of power which the Supreme Court can invoke for directing transfer of a case from or to the State of Jammu and Kashmir? Yes. “The fact that there is no such enabling provision for transfer from or […]

The Drastic Power of Rejecting a Plaint II

“An application under Order 7, Rule 11 can be filed at any stage. The only restriction is that the consideration of the application for rejection should not be on the basis of the allegations made in the written statement or on the basis of the allegations in the application for rejection of the plaint. Court […]

Principles of Natural Justice II

“Principles of Natural Justice, it is well settled, are not codified rules of procedure. Courts have repeatedly declined to lay down in a strait jacket, their scope and extent. The extent, the manner and the application of these Principles depends so much on the nature of jurisdiction exercised by Court or Tribunal, the nature of […]

Referred to Larger Bench X: Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy

My Lord, Why is Supreme Court not a Constitutional Court? Relying upon Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, Mr. Venugopal established, Supreme Court had strayed from its original character as a Constitutional Court and gradually converted itself into a mere Court of Appeal to correct every error it found in decisions of 24 High Courts and […]

Section 11 of The Arbitration Act III

My Lord, When an Arbitration Agreement is denied, can the Chief Justice or his Designate, in exercise of power under Section 11 of The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 appoint an Arbitrator without deciding the question whether there was an Arbitration Agreement between the parties, leaving it open to be decided by the Arbitrator? No. […]

The Plea of Limitation VI: Non-Working Saturdays

No Court or Tribunal can extend the period of limitation for filing a suit. Even if any cause, beyond the control of the plaintiff is shown also, the only extension is what is permitted under Section 4 of The Limitation Act, 1963, the period coming under Court holiday. Section 4 no doubt applies to suits […]

The Last Word

A Diversion for Lawyers and Others