Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — S. 32(2)(c) and S. 25(c) — Power of Arbitral Tribunal under S. 32(c) to terminate arbitration proceeding: Power of Arbitral Tribunal under S. 32(c) to terminate arbitration proceeding, when may be exercised, explained. Failure of a party to appear for hearing after filing claim does not render the proceedings “unnecessary” or “impossible”, Abandonment as a ground for termination of arbitration proceeding, when may be inferred, clarified, [Dani Wooltex Corpn. v. Sheil Properties (P) Ltd., (2024) 7 SCC 1]
Constitution of India — Arts. 233 to 235 — Prescription of different criteria for recruitment to same judicial post — Validity: There are three sources of recruitment viz. 65% by promotion based on merit-cum-seniority; 10% strictly on basis of merit by limited competitive examination; and 25% by direct recruitment from amongst eligible candidates based on written and viva voce test to posts of Additional District and Sessions Judge, under the Haryana Superior Judicial Service Rules, 2007. Prescription of 50% marks in written test and 50% marks in viva voce in the promotional quota, valid, [Kavita Kamboj v. High Court of Punjab & Haryana, (2024) 7 SCC 103]
Consumer Protection — Consumer/Consumer Dispute/Locus Standi — Consumer complaint by a company/corporate person — Maintainability of: Definition of “person” in S. 2(1)(m) of the 1986 Act is inclusive and not exhaustive, [Kozyflex Mattresses (P) Ltd. v. SBI General Insurance Co. Ltd., (2024) 7 SCC 140]
Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 — S. 167(2) proviso — Period of remand for 90/60 days — How to be computed: It must be calculated from date on which remand order is made by Magistrate, [Enforcement Directorate v. Kapil Wadhawan, (2024) 7 SCC 147]
Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 — S. 378(5) — Belated appeal against acquittal: S. 5 of the Limitation Act of 1963, held, applicable in case of appeal against acquittal. Legal position explained and contrasted with that obtaining under the old Limitation Act and old CrPC, [Mohd. Abaad Ali v. Revenue Intelligence Directorate, (2024) 7 SCC 91]
Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 — Ss. 102(1) and 102(3) [as inserted by way of amendment in 1978] r/w Ss. 157, 168, 457 and 459: Delayed reporting of the seizure to the Magistrate, held, does not vitiate the seizure order. Law clarified on effect of such delay, [Shento Varghese v. Julfikar Husen, (2024) 7 SCC 23]
Duty of care owed by parent companies: This article discusses an innovative development in tort law in England — the recognition of a duty of care owed by parent companies in relation to the activities of their subsidiaries, Duty of care owed by parent companies: Can tort law aid the observance and enforcement of ESG norms? [(2024) 7 SCC (J-17)]
Income Tax — Electronic Governance/E-Gazettes/Notifications/E-Filing — E-filing mode: In the light of Supreme Court’s direction to ensure that entire filing of revenue appeals before High Courts and Tribunals is carried out in e-filing mode, status of e-filing taken on record and further directions issued, [CCE & Service Tax v. Bilfinder Neo Structo Contruction Ltd., (2024) 7 SCC 53]
Income Tax — Electronic Governance/E-Gazettes/Notifications/E-Filing — E-filing mode: Union of India directed to ensure that entire filing of revenue appeals before High Courts and Tribunals is carried out in e-filing mode. An updated position of compliance of this order directed to be placed on record, [CCE & Service Tax v. Bilfinder Neo Structo Contruction Ltd., (2024) 7 SCC 59]
Navigating forensic evidence: This article addresses critical issues in forensic science by offering pragmatic solutions and suggesting workable protocols for credible forensic opinion. It attempts to thoroughly analyse the legal framework governing forensics, comparing the old and new criminal laws in India, Navigating forensic evidence under India’s new legal landscape [(2024) 7 SCC (J-1)]
Penal Code, 1860 — S. 300 Exceptions 1 & 2 and Ss. 97, 105, 302 & 307 — Incident of firing: For plea of self-defence and of grave and sudden provocation, requirements of establishing each of the Exceptions and burden of proof in respect thereof, necessary, [Surender Singh v. State (NCT of Delhi), (2024) 7 SCC 40]
Penal Code, 1860 — Ss. 302 and 307 r/w S. 149 and Ss. 147 & 148 — Murder by unlawful assembly: Testimony of related eyewitnesses and police constable, who reached the spot during continuance of occurrence, held, sufficient to confirm conviction, [Suresh Dattu Bhojane v. State of Maharashtra, (2024) 7 SCC 15]
