K RAMASWAMY

The plaintiffs filed a suit for specific performance of an agreement for reconveyance and later applied under Order 16 Rule 17 of the CPC to amend the plaint to claim that the sale deed and reconveyance were a single transaction (mortgage by conditional sale) and to seek alternative relief of redemption of the mortgage…

The Supreme Court examined the acquisition of 300 acres of land in Belgaum for industrial purposes under the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Act, 1966. Owners of 240 acres had agreed to a compensation of Rs 4,000 per acre through an award by the Collector, while owners of the remaining 60 acres disputed the award…

The case concerned the promotion of Drug Inspectors to Assistant Drugs Controller posts. The Government, lacking statutory rules, adopted the principle of "merit‑cum‑suitability with due regard to seniority" and asked the Public Service Commission (PSC) to evaluate candidates using an objective grading system based on …

The State acquired 9.47 acres in 1983 and 14.10 acres in 1985 near Eluru for house sites for the poor. The Land Acquisition Officer fixed compensation at Rs 40,000 per acre, but the reference court and the Andhra Pradesh High Court enhanced the market value to Rs 150 per square yard based on the Basic Valuation Registe…

The Uttar Pradesh Public Services Tribunal set aside the removal of Rameshwar Dass Gupta and ordered his confirmation, promotion and payment of salary, gratuity and pension. Gupta filed an execution petition under Order 21 Rule 1 of the CPC to recover the awarded amounts. The executing court, however, added interest at…

Rameshwarlal, a former employee of the Municipal Council, Tonk, claimed arrears of salary for the period September 10, 1987 to August 18, 1988. He filed a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution in the Rajasthan High Court in February 1990, which was dismissed on the ground that the claim was civil in natur…

The Supreme Court considered a series of appeals and writ petitions filed by Mahavir Sugar Mills Ltd. and related parties against the State of Uttar Pradesh concerning the U.P. Sugar Undertakings (Acquisition) Act, 1971. The Court noted that the validity of the Act had already been upheld in Ishwari Khetan Sugar Mills …

The State acquired 46 acres 6 gunthas of land in Miryalaguda for a housing scheme. The trial court fixed compensation at Rs 65,000 per acre with a one‑third deduction for development charges. A subordinate judge enhanced the market value to Rs 1,20,000 per acre and reduced the deduction to one‑fourth. The High Court up…

The Punjab Armed Police took possession of land belonging to Budh Singh in 1963 and paid a modest compensation, after which the owners sued, claiming the acquisition was illegal because it was not made under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The courts ordered the State to refund the compensation, but later a notificatio…

The Collector acquired certain lands under a notification issued on 17 November 1980 pursuant to Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and awarded compensation of Rs 38,500. The petitioner claimed a higher amount and a reference under Section 18 of the Act was filed; he relied on a sale agreement dated 5 Decem…

The State of Bihar issued a notification under s.4 and a declaration under s.6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 to acquire land for a housing project, and took possession on March 22, 1957, handing it to the Housing Board. The respondent filed a title suit and sought an interim injunction under Order 39 Rule 1 of the …

Lalitha filed a suit for declaration of title and possession and later filed an application on August 3, 1993, seeking to file a list of witnesses for summoning. Her husband, acting as general power of attorney, submitted an affidavit stating they mistakenly believed the list had already been filed, and the omission wa…

The State of Rajasthan acquired about 1800 acres of land for defence purposes under the Rajasthan Land Acquisition Act, 1953. The Land Acquisition Officer (LAO) could not determine the compensation because portions of the land were in excess of limits prescribed by the Rajasthan Tenancy Act, 1955 and the Rajasthan Impo…

The Union Territory of Chandigarh acquired 70.09 acres of land in Manimajra for setting up brick kilns under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The Collector fixed compensation at Rs.23,600 per acre for cultivated (Abi) land, Rs.17,000 for rain‑fed (Barani) land and Rs.12,000 for waste (ghair munkin) land, which the Civil…

Oswal Agro Mills Ltd. appealed against the classification of its "toilet soaps" as "other sorts" under tariff item 15(2) of the First Schedule of the Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944, which attracted a higher excise duty. The Assistant Collector had placed the soaps in the higher rate category, the Collector re‑classi…

Varkey Joseph, the youngest brother of the deceased Mathew, was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC for killing his brother after a property dispute. The trial court and Kerala High Court upheld the conviction based largely on circumstantial evidence and testimony obtained through leading questions during chief e…

K.G. Kulkarni, a former sorter in the Railway Mail Service who was working as a clerk in the Speed Post Section, was denied an opportunity to appear for the departmental examination for promotion to Postal Superintendent/Postmaster Group B. He challenged the decision before the Central Administrative Tribunal, which se…

The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation sought higher compensation for 24.9 acres of land acquired for a road transport depot. The Collector initially awarded Rs. 11.25 per square yard, which was enhanced to Rs. 25 per square yard by the Additional District Judge under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act.…

The case concerned the Baroda District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union Ltd., where the Committee was elected for a three‑year term, but the Collector convened a meeting to elect a President and Vice‑President for a one‑year term. The petitioners argued that, under Sections 74‑C and 145(2) of the Gujarat Co‑operative …

B.N. Misra was appointed on an ad‑hoc basis as an Ayurvedic Medical Officer in October 1983. After an unauthorised five‑year absence, a government order dated 8 September 1989 allowed him to resume duty upon production of a fitness certificate, treating the absence as a break in service. A selection committee later fou…

The Supreme Court examined the applicability of the Mysore Agricultural Department Service (Recruitment) Rules, 1961, to determine the inter‑se seniority between directly recruited officers and promotees in the Karnataka Agricultural Service. The appellants contended that the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal erred in …

The Sri Kanyakaparameswari Committee claimed that its temple was a denominational institution entitled to protection under Articles 26(b) and 26(d) of the Constitution, seeking exemption from the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Religious Institutions Endowment Act, 1987. The High Court recognized a denominational status …

The appellants, owners of saw‑mills, challenged the constitutionality of the Madhya Pradesh Kashtha Chiran (Viniyaman) Adhiniyam, 1984 and the M.P. Transit (Forest Produce) Rules, 1961, contending that the mandatory maintenance of detailed records (Forms D‑1, D‑2, D‑3) and the consequent risk of confiscation violated t…

The State of Punjab appointed a general‑category employee as Junior Technical Assistant and later promoted a Scheduled Caste candidate to the sole Assistant Superintendent post, which was reserved under the roster. The aggrieved general‑category employee sought a mandamus to de‑reserve the post, arguing that reservatio…

The petitioner, Rajeev Mankotia, filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking protection of the Viceregal Lodge in Shimla as an ancient monument of national importance, opposing the Union Government's plan to convert it into a tourist hotel. The Court examined the definition of "ancient monument" and the duties of th…

The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner issued a notice under Section 7B of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 to Shillong City Bus Syndicate for failure to pay EPF contributions for Jan‑Sept 1972. The syndicate contended that the Act did not apply to the Khasi Hills Autonomous Distr…

The government reserved clerk posts in ‘A’ class offices for ex‑servicemen, allowing only matriculation as the minimum qualification for them, while general candidates required higher marks. In 1979 it was decided that, if suitable ex‑servicemen were unavailable, the dependent sons or daughters of ex‑servicemen could b…

The respondent, Simla Rani, was allotted a booth under the Punjab Urban Estate (Sales of Sites) Rules, 1965 and paid only the initial quarter of the purchase price. The balance was to be paid in instalments with 7% interest, but she defaulted, prompting the State to invoke Rule 13 and impose a 10% penalty plus the cont…

Akshaya Restaurant filed a suit for perpetual injunction against P. Anjanappa and others, alleging an agreement of sale of land. The defendants' written statement admitted a sale agreement, but later they sought to amend the statement under Order 6 Rule 17, claiming the agreement was for development of the land for mut…

The deceased Guddi, wife of the accused Kishore, suffered 80 % burns after kerosene was poured on her and she later died. Three dying declarations were recorded – one in the FIR, one under Section 161 of the Cr.P.C., and a judicial‑magistrate’s statement (Ex P‑8). The Sessions Court convicted Kishore under Section 302 …

The West Bengal State Electricity Board claimed Rs 28,68,264.06 from Fakir Chand Rice Mills for alleged pilferage in electricity consumption. The trial court ordered the mill to pay Rs 2,60,000, which the High Court later modified to a direction to deposit Rs 5,60,000 without adjudicating the liability. The mill appeal…

The appeal arose from a dispute over the appointment of Smt. Damyanti Singh as a teacher in Mahadeo Prasad Girls High School, which had been upgraded on July 14, 1977. The respondent claimed she was regularly appointed and therefore entitled to permanent status and arrears of salary under the U.P. Intermediary Educatio…

The State alleged that on 28 May 1988 three accused entered the house of the deceased Bauribandhu, assaulted him and dragged his body outside, leading to charges under Section 302 read with Section 149 IPC. The trial court convicted the appellants under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC, and two of them under Sectio…

Hindustan Machine Tools Ltd. introduced a special voluntary retirement scheme for employees aged 45 with at least 15 years of service, and the respondents retired under this scheme. After their retirement, the company issued Office Order No. 45/90 revising pay scales for existing employees and certain retirees, and the…

The petitioners, heirs of the deceased Smt. Bhagti, sought redetermination of compensation for land acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, after the High Court enhanced the award. They filed an application under Section 28‑A(1) within 30 days of the High Court judgment, but the Land Acquisition Officer dismisse…

The Himachal Pradesh Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran (appellant) entered into a construction contract with Mis. Aggarwal & Co. (respondent). An arbitrator awarded the respondent a 25% increase over tendered rates for work completed after the stipulated date due to delay caused by the Executive Engineer. The appellant deducted …

The petitioners, promotee Upper Division Clerks in the Uttar Pradesh Secretariat Service, challenged their appointment on an officiating basis against vacancies reserved for direct recruitment, arguing that they should be granted seniority from the date they began officiating. They contended that the quota provision un…

The Supreme Court examined the compensation payable to P. Ram Reddy for land acquired by the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The Court held that the market value of acquired land must include the value attributable to its building potentiality, which must be proved by reliabl…

The respondents, who were Class III government servants in Orissa, reached the statutory retirement age of 58 and claimed that, as "workmen" under the second proviso to Rule 71(a) of the Orissa Service Code, they were entitled to remain in service until the age of 60. The Orissa Administrative Tribunal held them to be …

The Government of India issued Office Memorandum No. 18(4)-EV/79 on 25 May 1979, which stipulated that half of the dearness allowance should be treated as pensionable pay, changing the pension calculation from 3/10 to 5/10 of the ten‑month average salary. B. Rama Murthy challenged the memorandum before the Central Admi…

The Gujarat University advertised a Lecturer (Psychology) post reserved for Scheduled Tribes. Arunaben T. Bhojak, a member of the Bakshi Panch Scheduled Tribe, was initially not selected because she lacked laboratory experience. The selected candidate was appointed, and Bhojak challenged the decision. While the Gujarat…

The Union of India appealed a High Court order that had directed the Additional District Judge to award compensation of Rs. 90,000 per acre for land within a 500‑metre belt (belting) along a road, as identified by a Division Bench of the High Court under the Land Acquisition Act. The appellants contended that the Distr…

Bhagwan V. Lahane was appointed Sub‑Inspector in 1976 with his date of birth recorded as 12 Nov 1948 based on the school‑leaving certificate he submitted at entry. In 1982 he claimed his correct birth date was 6 June 1951 and applied for correction under Rule 36 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (General Conditions of …

The appeal concerned the acquisition of land under the Uttar Pradesh Avas Evam Vikas Parishad Adhiniyam, 1965. The central question was whether the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Act, 68 of 1984, and its Section 11‑A, applied to such acquisitions. Earlier Supreme Court decisions were split, but later judgments (Lata Awas…

The respondents, appointed as Junior Basic Teachers, later obtained B.T./E.Ed. qualifications and claimed entitlement to higher pay scales based on a 1957 Punjab circular. The High Court allowed their claim, but the State appealed, citing the Government of Haryana's policy instruction dated 9 March 1990, which stated t…

The Supreme Court heard an appeal by special leave against the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s order remanding a compensation dispute for 71 acres of agricultural land acquired for the National Thermal Power Corporation. The Land Acquisition Officer had initially awarded Rs 4,000 and Rs 4,500 per acre for two groups of lan…

The Supreme Court heard an appeal by Tehri Hydro Development Corporation against a decree of the Allahabad High Court that reduced compensation for land acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and awarded separate compensation for buildings, factories and machinery. The issue was whether the claimants were entitl…

The Commissioner invited tenders for supply of country‑made liquor in Uttar Pradesh for 1996‑97 and on 27 Feb 1996 allotted the districts of Saharanpur and Haridwar to Co‑operative Distillery Co. Ltd. (the third respondent). On 27 Mar 1996 the Commissioner revoked that allotment and re‑allotted Haridwar to Sir Shadial …

The petitioners, selected for promotion under a 25% internal quota, joined their posts in October 1990, while direct recruits under the same quota joined earlier in August 1990. The petitioners claimed that, because their selection process began earlier, they were entitled to seniority over the direct recruits. The Cen…

The Union of India acquired land in Delhi under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and awarded compensation, which was subsequently enhanced by the Land Acquisition Officer and the Additional District Judge. The High Court, relying on the 1984 Amendment Act, further enhanced the compensation by granting a 30% solatium and …

The State of Karnataka issued a notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 on 26 August 1982 and later conducted an enquiry under Section 5‑A, after which a declaration under Section 6 was published on 24 June 1985. Two writ petitions challenged both the notification and the declaration; the Karn…

The Supreme Court dealt with the inter‑se seniority of ad‑hoc doctors in the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Medical and Health Service after the State Government attempted to regularise them under the U.P. Regulation of Ad‑hoc Appointees Rules, 1979. The Court examined whether doctors who were not selected by the Public Serv…

The respondent, a Chief Engineer, had his date of birth in service records corrected from 30‑Nov‑1936 to 28‑Jun‑1938, prompting a complaint to the Lokayukta who, after a trial‑like inquiry, concluded the correct date was 30‑Nov‑1936 and recommended his retirement and recovery of salary. The State acted on the Lokayukta…

The respondent, Harish Chand Anand, held a licence under Section 3 of the Government Grant Act, 1895 to erect a structure on government land. Clause I of the grant allowed the Government to resume the land at any time upon giving one month’s notice and paying the value of the building. The Allahabad High Court held tha…

The Punjab government acquired land for a market under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and initially fixed compensation in categories. The Additional District Judge later re‑classified the land and set higher rates, prompting the claimants to appeal. A single High Court judge, relying on an earlier Punjab High Court dec…

The State of Orissa acquired three parcels of land for an over‑bridge under a notification issued under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The Reference Court fixed compensation at Rs 200 per decimal based on comparable sales, taking into account the land's existing potentialities, and then added a 25% upl…

The State sought enhanced compensation for land acquired at Bambolim, Goa, and filed an appeal against the Civil Court's award on August 25, 1967. The Government Pleader was uncertain whether to pursue the appeal under the Portuguese Code (Recurso de Apelacao) or the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), which had been extend…

The State of Gujarat acquired 7 acres and 28 gunthas of land on the outskirts of Rajkot for an orphanage. The acquisition officer awarded Rs 1.25 per square yard, which was enhanced to Rs 2.05 by the reference court and later the Gujarat High Court held the land could fetch Rs 10 per square yard but, after a 60 % deduc…

Carmel Book Stall, a charitable trust, sold books whose profits were claimed to be exempt from Kerala sales tax under Section 10 of the Kerala General Sales Tax Act, 1963, provided the profits were solely used for charitable purposes. The Sales Tax Officer taxed the profits for the assessment years 1981-82 and 1982-83,…

Hindustan Lever Ltd. constructed a building on two plots in Bombay and was assessed for property tax under the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. The corporation fixed the rateable value at Rs.12,16,285 using the comparative method, which the company contested, leading to a reduction by the Small Cause Court and a…

The appellant, Shyam Lal (deceased) by legal representatives, appealed to the Supreme Court challenging a finding by the Allahabad High Court that certain constructions in a house were made after an earlier High Court judgment. The High Court had earlier struck off a trial court's direction for partition, directing tha…

The appellants, legal representatives of defendants 7‑9, filed a suit seeking a declaration that a compromise decree in an earlier suit (T.S. No. 72/26) was void. The trial court dismissed the suit; the appellate court held the compromise was not obtained by fraud but that the defendants had no right in the property, s…

Sardar Singh claimed a half‑share in a house purchased by his brother Kartar Lal, which was later sold by Kartar Lal to Joginder Nath (respondent). A private arbitration award declared that both brothers were co‑owners, each holding an equal share, but the award was not registered. The respondent sued for specific perf…

Modern Proteins Ltd., a dealer under the Andhra Pradesh General Sales Tax Act, dealt in groundnut products including deoiled cake and groundnut protein flour. For the 1977-78 assessment year, the Central Tax Officer taxed the flour at 4% under the Central Sales Tax Act, but the Assistant Commissioner re‑classified it a…

The State of Kerala acquired 52.88 acres of cardamom plantation for the Periyar Tiger Reserve under a notification issued under s.3(1) of the Kerala Land Acquisition Act, 1962. The Land Acquisition Officer initially valued the land at Rs.14.75 lakh, which was enhanced by the Subordinate Judge to Rs.197.77 lakh; the Hig…

The petitioners, who were appointed as daily‑wage assistant, driver and peons in a cooperative training institute of the Bihar government, had their services terminated by the institute's principal. They filed a writ petition alleging that their dismissal violated Section 25F of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, claim…

The petitioners' land was acquired by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, and the acquisition became final after the Supreme Court dismissed their earlier special leave petition. The petitioners later offered to give part of the land free of cost and soug…

While serving as a Tehsildar, A.K. Jadhav was caught in a trap for demanding and accepting an illegal gratification of Rs.20,000. The Commissioner of the district suspended him on 21 March 1996 pending investigation. Jadhav challenged the suspension, arguing that only the State Government, as the appointing authority u…

In the 1991 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election for the Chennaimahadevi constituency, the returned candidate (appellant) filed an election expense return showing Rs 36,350, admitting use of one vehicle (TN‑72‑1909) with Rs 15,875 expense but also acknowledging a second vehicle (TN‑555) whose expense was not disclo…

Rajender Prasad Gupta was appointed as an untrained temporary teacher on 5 May 1964 and was required to undergo training. He was given two opportunities to attend training in 1968 and 1969 but did not avail them, after which his service was terminated without notice. He challenged the termination, and the Service Tribu…

The petitioner, a Junior Scientific Officer in the Andhra Pradesh Institute of Preventive Medicine Service, claimed he met the qualifications for promotion to Senior Scientific Officer but was denied because Rule 4(b) of the service's ad‑hoc rules required a minimum of five years of post‑graduate experience in food ana…

The Bihar government took over Reghunandan Babula Kanya Middle School on 13 January 1981 under the Bihar Non‑Government Primary School (Taking Over Control) Act, 1976. Two teachers, Ramdeo Yadav and Raj Narain Yadav, who had been appointed as untrained teachers after 1 January 1971 and later completed the required trai…

The case concerned a salt factory operated by the respondents on a 138-acre leasehold that was due for renewal on 1 July 1983. The Union of India claimed title to the land and sought to compel the respondents to accept its title and obtain a renewed licence, while the respondents asserted that they held title under a C…

The respondent applied for a flat under the Shimla Development Authority's Self‑Finance Scheme in 1986, paid an earnest deposit and was initially quoted a construction cost of Rs 1,44,000. In 1991 the Authority raised the cost to Rs 2,73,332 due to material price hikes and, after the District Judge enhanced the compens…

The Supreme Court examined the nomination procedure for nine vacancies in the Punjab Civil Services (Executive Branch) under the 1976 Rules, where the Chief Secretary assigned marks for ACRs, experience, and an ability test, and excluded candidates scoring 33% or less in the ability test. The appellants argued that thi…

The State of Punjab prosecuted National Organic Chemical Industries Ltd. for allegedly selling an adulterated insecticide, Monocil. An Insecticide Inspector seized two samples, sent one to the Public Analyst who reported the product non‑conforming, and issued a show‑cause notice. The respondent requested that the secon…

The appellant and respondent, brothers, inherited a three‑storey building in Madras. A partition deed dated 27 August 1953 stipulated that the ground floor was to be enjoyed jointly, while the first and second floors were to be allotted to each brother respectively. Dispute arose over the manner of enjoyment, with the …

The petitioners, Group C and D employees of the Special Security Bureau in the North‑Eastern Region, filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking the special duty allowance that had been granted to Group A and B officers. The Supreme Court, in Union of India v. S. Vijay Kumar (1994), had held that the allowance was i…

The petitioner, Surjeet Singh Chhabra, purchased gold in India, fashioned it into a Sikh religious ornament called a Kara, and brought it into the country. He was subsequently seized and a confiscation order was issued under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) and the Customs Duty Act. Although he initially conf…

The Supreme Court examined whether the Government of Orissa could levy a penal rent of five times the standard rent on retired government servants who overstayed in allotted government quarters beyond the four‑month period prescribed under Rule 11 of the Orissa Service Code. The respondents, former government servants,…

The case concerned compensation for 38.5 bighas of land acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The District Collector had awarded Rs 700 per bigha for land with deep pits of 8‑10 ft, which was enhanced by the reference court to Rs 4,000 and further by the Delhi High Court to Rs 7,000 per bigha, while levelled l…

The Kerala State Electricity Board acquired 7 acres 8 cents of land and a building under a notification issued on 13 October 1979 pursuant to Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The Land Acquisition Officer fixed compensation at Rs 1,432.50 per cent for the land, which the Reference Court enhanced to Rs 3,0…

The appellant, Osmania University, promoted G. Manohar Rao from Lecturer to Reader under the University Grants Commission's Merit Promotion Scheme, after evaluation by an external expert committee and a seven‑member selection committee. The respondents, Abdul Rayees Khan and G. Manohar Rao, challenged the promotion, al…

In a suit for specific performance, the trial court passed a conditional decree requiring the respondent to deposit Rs.1,80,000 by 21 April 1994. The Karnataka High Court, on the respondent’s application, extended the time by three months. The petitioners then filed an application under Section 28 of the Specific Relie…

Mis Star Wire (India) Ltd. purchased land that had been subject to a notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, published on 1 June 1976. After the award of acquisition was made on 3 July 1981, the company filed a writ petition in 1994 challenging the notification, declaration and award, claimin…

The petitioner, T.R. Dhananjaya, was entitled by a Supreme Court direction to be promoted to Engineer‑in‑Chief and to receive consequential benefits, with the Bangalore City Corporation instructed to create a supernumerary post for him. The Karnataka Government, however, issued an order promoting another officer and li…

The State of Himachal Pradesh appealed a Himachal Pradesh High Court order that awarded the landowner, Shri Dharam Das, compensation for land acquisition along with interest at 12% per annum on equitable grounds from the date of taking possession in 1972 until payment in 1987, in addition to statutory interest and an a…

The appellant, a former employee of Rallis India Ltd., continued to occupy a residential flat after resigning, which the company claimed he held under its tenancy rights. The company prosecuted him under Section 408 of the IPC and Section 630 of the Companies Act for wrongful possession, and a criminal court convicted …

The respondents were workmen at Morinda Co‑op. Sugar Mills Ltd. who were engaged only during the annual crushing season. After each season the factory closed and the workers ceased to work. The Labour Court and the Punjab & Haryana High Court held that because the workers had worked more than 240 days in a year they we…

The State of Gujarat acquired land for an irrigation dam project. The land owners entered into written agreements under Section 11(2) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, accepting the compensation determined by the Collector plus an additional 25% and expressly waiving their right to seek a reference under Section 18. A…

In Civil Appeal No. 279 of 1987, the Supreme Court noted that the order passed in the main appeal contained typographical errors. An application was filed seeking modification of the erroneous part of that order to prevent further litigation. The Court examined whether such clerical mistakes could be corrected without …

The appellants purchased a property from a company under liquidation and sought demarcation of their plot, which led the respondents—owners of an adjoining plot—to claim encroachment and obtain an injunction. The Single Judge ordered the appellants to remove obstructions and appointed a Special Officer to supervise com…

The respondents were teachers in privately managed aided schools in Haryana who, after acquiring higher qualifications, claimed pay scales and dearness allowances equal to those of teachers in government schools. The State Government refused, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted relief, directing parity in pay…

Jog Ram, the appellant, possessed 30 bighas 13 biswas of land that had been evacuee property taken over by the State of Haryana for distribution. In 1967 the land was auctioned and Fateh Singh (respondent No.5) was the highest bidder; the sale was confirmed. In 1968 Jog Ram applied for confirmation of sale and was conv…

The appellants, Malwa Oil Mills, purchased plots 4 and 5 from the erstwhile owners after taking possession of land that had been notified under Section 71 of the Madhya Pradesh Town Improvement Trust Act, 1960 for a housing scheme, and later sought to retain a sign‑board placed on the property. The State of Madhya Prad…

The Supreme Court examined a dispute arising from land acquired by the Government of Punjab under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, where the award and compensation were paid to the original owners. After the bridge was completed, the respondent, Sadhu Ram, entered possession as a yearly lessee in 1965, later purchasing …

The appellant, Ram Singh, had cut down trees that existed on his land as of 24 January 1971 and replanted new trees. The issue before the Supreme Court was whether the newly planted trees could be classified as "grove land" under Section 23(8) of the Uttar Pradesh Imposition of Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1960, which…

The appellants, former owners of surplus urban land in Pune, were deemed to possess excess land under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976. After objections were rejected, a notification under Section 10(3) was published vesting the surplus land in the State, before the appellants' applications under Secti…

The Collector, under the PEPSU Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1955, determined that Inder Singh held 18.82 standard acres of surplus land and ordered its surrender in July 1961, after which the land was taken over by the State and redistributed to landless persons. Subsequent consolidation proceedings revealed tha…

The appellant's land was acquired and a compensation award of Rs.1,000 per acre was made. He applied for a reference under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, but the court’s notice was not properly served; the notice was allegedly served on a deceased father. The reference court dismissed the case ex‑parte f…

The petitioners challenged the compensation awarded for land acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, where the Collector initially fixed rates of Rs.1600, Rs.1400 and Rs.1000 per bigha for three blocks of land. The Additional District Judge enhanced these rates, and the Delhi High Court further raised them to Rs…

Certain lands were acquired under the West Bengal (Requisition and Acquisition) Act II of 1948 and the Collector made an award in March 1951. The claimants filed reference applications under section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 on June 26 and September 7, 1951, seeking enhanced compensation. The Calcutta High C…

The Supreme Court examined a land acquisition dispute where the Collector initially awarded Rs 2,000‑3,000 per bigha as compensation. The reference court, under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, enhanced the market value to Rs 6,500‑8,500 per bigha, a decision affirmed by the Guwahati High Court. On appeal, the C…

The Union of India appealed against the award and decree confirming acquisition of land belonging to Sunil Chandra Saha and others under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The appellants argued that they were not given notice or an opportunity to present evidence to rebut the claimed market value of the land at the time o…

The appellants, heirs of Sh. Topandas Kundanmal, challenged the compensation awarded for the acquisition of 10 acres 12 gunthas of land in Jamnagar for a TB hospital. While the Collector fixed Rs 2,500 per acre, the claimants sought a higher amount based on a per‑square‑foot rate, leading to a reference under s.18 of t…

The Municipal Committee of Bhatinda appealed against the award of compensation for 116 acres of agricultural land acquired for a water‑treatment plant. The Collector had applied the belting principle, fixing different rates for land up to 100 yards from the road and for the remaining area. The High Court’s Division Ben…

The State of Uttar Pradesh acquired land for a Public Works Department office and, while constructing a building and protective wall, encroached upon land owned by Keshav Prasad Singh. A civil suit resulted in a mandatory injunction directing the State to demolish the encroachment and restore possession to the responde…

Justice S.S. Dewan, former Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, retired on 31‑12‑1989 and elected pension under Part III of Schedule I of the High Court Judges (Conditions of Service) Act, 1954, governed by the Punjab Superior Judicial Service Rules, 1963. On 20‑Feb‑1990 Rule 16 of those rules was amended …

Manohar Lal Mirchea retired as a District and Sessions Judge in 1984, when his death‑cum‑retirement benefits were governed by the All India Services (Death‑cum‑Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958. In 1990 Punjab amended Rule 16 of the Punjab Superior Judicial Service Rules, making the Punjab Civil Service Rules (specifica…

V. Gangaram, a teacher appointed in 1959, obtained successive qualifications (B.A., M.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.) and was granted advance increments on the pay scale each time. The government circulars allowed one increment for a B.A. or equivalent, one for B.Ed., one for M.A., and one for M.Ed., but the post of Junior Lecturer …

The appellant, placed at No.10 on a select list of ten candidates for two lecturer positions in Physical Education, sought appointment after two candidates were already appointed. The government rejected his claim, citing an amendment to the Kerala Collegiate Education Service Special Rules, 1994, which imposed higher …

The Chairman of a bank, Kulwant Singh, was surcharged for allegedly using a bank car for unofficial purposes and purchasing furniture, with the bank seeking personal recovery of the expenses. The High Court quashed the surcharge, prompting the bank to appeal. The Supreme Court directed the Joint Registrar of Co‑operati…

The 1994 Gram Panchayat Sarpanch election in Rewa district resulted in Smt. Ram Rati being declared elected over Saroj Devi. Saroj Devi filed an election petition alleging that the election was not properly conducted and that a recount was not carried out despite an alleged application. The Tribunal ordered a recount, …

The Supreme Court considered a petition for divorce by mutual consent filed by Preeti Singh and Sandeep Singh under Section 13(b) of the Hindu Marriage Act. The parties had reached a compromise in which the respondent paid Rs. 1.5 lakhs to the petitioner, deposited Rs. 1.25 lakhs and Rs. 30,000 in the name of his minor…

The respondent, Sri N. Umapathy, purchased the suit property and associated machinery from his vendor and has been in continuous possession since November 1989. The appellant, B.V. Muniyappa, holds a mining lease over the same land, granted by the Government on 29 November 1993. The trial court refused an ad‑interim in…

Mrs. P.K. Sandhu, an in‑service officer of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, filed a writ of quo warranto challenging the appointments of several Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretaries and the Secretary to the Speaker who had been placed on deputation before the recruitment rules were amended. The petition contended that t…

The respondents, who were licensees of a portion of a house belonging to Baij Nath, sued Makhanlal for permanent injunction, possession and damages, claiming they had no right to remain after the licence was revoked. Makhanlal contended that he had contributed half the cost of constructing the house, that the property …

Shri B.L. Sidhana, a temporary cash clerk in the Delhi Milk Scheme, was accused of misappropriating funds and was placed under suspension. While the criminal prosecution was pending, the competent authority terminated his services under Rule 5(1) of the Central Civil Services (Temporary Service) Rules, 1965, mentioning…

The Supreme Court examined an appeal by ex‑servicemen challenging the State of Haryana's recruitment policy that required the selection board to consider ex‑servicemen and their dependent children together for posts reserved for ex‑servicemen. The appellants argued that the policy undermined the purpose of reservation,…

Balbir Singh Neg, after completing 33 years of service, filed an application for voluntary retirement under Rule 48‑A of the Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, which was accepted to take effect on 30 June 1991. He later sought to withdraw the application before it became effective, but the Central Administrative Tri…

The case concerned K.R. Ramanandan, a direct recruit selected in 1977 as Assistant Executive Engineer but appointed only in 1981 due to administrative delays. After passing his test, he was not considered for promotion to Executive Engineer, prompting an appeal before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). The CAT …

The Union of India appealed against the renewal of a salt‑pan licence granted to the respondents, Laxman Gajanan Desai and others, on the ground that title to the land was still in dispute. The Bombay High Court had directed that the licence could be renewed without the respondents conceding title, pending a decision b…

The State of Karnataka appealed a High Court order that had directed the grant of 201 acres 34 guntas of waste land to the respondents, Krishnoji Reo and Anr., for grazing and afforestation under the Bombay Paragana and Kulkarni Watan (Abolition) Act, 1950. The land had earlier been allotted by the Assistant Commission…

The appellant, recruited as a Constable in the Haryana Police under the sports quota, was promoted to Head Constable in 1984 and confirmed in 1987. He later received a show‑cause notice for de‑confirmation and was promoted on an ad‑hoc basis to Assistant Sub‑Inspector in 1990. While undergoing training, his name was re…

The appellant, owner of certain lands, was bound by a sale agreement dated December 21, 1984, which was later extended to require execution of the sale deed within 15 days of the vacating of an injunction. A suit for perpetual injunction was filed on December 23, 1987, and later amended on July 17, 1989, under Order 6 …

The appeal concerned Nagammayi Cotton Mills' liability under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and the Textile (Control) Order, 1986/1993 regarding the mandatory production of hank yarn. The petitioner sought to have past liability waived for the periods April 1 1993‑March 31 1995 and April 1 1990‑September 30 1992, …

The civil court had decreed an eviction suit against the appellant, holding that he was not a tenant, and the decree became final. During execution, the appellant raised a fresh objection that there was no jural relationship because he claimed to be a tenant. The Bombay High Court, in Writ Petition No. 3319 of 1992, di…

The State of U.P. acquired 5.357 acres of agricultural land in Azamgarh for a project. The Land Acquisition Officer initially fixed compensation at Rs 3,658.87 per acre, which the claimant challenged under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The reference court raised the award to Rs 30,000 per acre, and the …

The Bihar State Electricity Board entered into a contract with Mis. Allied Refractories requiring the consumer to pay a minimum guaranteed charge for electricity. The consumers failed to consume the guaranteed amount because of frequent trippings, load shedding and power cuts, and under Clause 13 of the contract they w…

The State of Madhya Pradesh appealed against the dismissal of its appeal in a civil suit where the respondent, S.S. Akolkar, had died. The State filed an application under Order 22 Rule 4 of the CPC to substitute the legal representatives of the deceased, but the application was filed 15 days after the court was inform…

The State appealed against the order that excluded a parcel of land from surplus land on the basis of a will executed in 1978. The respondents claimed a one‑fourth share in the surplus land, arguing that the will of Smt. Gajraji bequeathing the share to her nephew should exempt the land from ceiling provisions. The iss…

The petitioner, born in 1941 to parents who had converted to Christianity before his birth, later reconverted to Hinduism at age 14 and claimed to be an Adi‑Dravida Scheduled Caste to obtain SC benefits in his employment with the Food Corporation of India. He filed a suit for a declaration of Scheduled Caste status; th…

The Supreme Court examined whether the Uttar Pradesh rules granting special seniority to demobilised officers commissioned during national emergencies (Nov 1962‑Jan 1968 and after Dec 1971) while excluding those commissioned between Jan 1968 and Dec 1971 violated Article 14. The respondent, a former short‑service army …

The State of Maharashtra acquired about 108 acres of agricultural land within a municipal corporation for an agricultural produce market and made an award under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. Several claimants, dissatisfied with the award, invoked Section 18 of the Act and obtained an enhanced compensation of Rs.0.80 …

The appellant owned 18 guntas of land in Adilabad municipality that were acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. Compensation was initially based on letting value and later enhanced to Rs. 75 per square yard by the reference court. The appellant claimed a market value of Rs. 300 per square yard, relying on the B…

The respondent, Nirmala Devi, constructed a shop on a 4 ft × 6½ ft portion of a road in Karnal that was deemed a public street. The Municipal Committee issued a notice for demolition; when the respondent failed to comply, the Committee demolished the shop. The respondent sued for damages of Rs 20,000. The trial court d…

The petitioner, a Civil Judge appointed on probation after six months of training, remained on probation beyond the two‑year period without a confirmation order. The Madhya Pradesh High Court, finding his performance unsatisfactory, discharged him under Rule 52(a) of the M.P. Government Service (Temporary, Quasi‑perman…

The petitioners filed a suit for perpetual injunction to restrain the defendants from dispossessing them of land. The defendants filed a written statement raising a counter‑claim for possession, alleging trespass. The trial court dismissed the injunction suit and granted possession to the defendants; this was affirmed …

The petitioner’s father was the second defendant in a suit for recovery of money under a mortgage. A preliminary decree was passed, after which the second defendant (surety) died. The plaintiff sought a final decree and asked that the petitioner be brought in as the legal representative of the deceased defendant. The d…

The Supreme Court examined whether the Haryana Government could lease municipal land, earmarked as open space for sanitation and recreation, to the Punjab Samaj Sabha for a Dharamshala. The land had been vested in the municipality under the Haryana Municipal Act, 1973 and was reserved under a town planning scheme for p…

The petitioners challenged the appointment of candidates to posts reserved for Backward Class (BC‑A) in Andhra Pradesh, arguing that when no local BC‑A candidates were available, the government should have allowed BC‑A candidates from other zones to be considered as non‑local and appointed on merit. The respondents con…

The Chandigarh Administration issued show‑cause notices to several teachers who had been promoted from Classical and Vernacular posts to Master/Mistress (TGT) positions, alleging that the promotions violated the Chandigarh Education Service (School Cadre) Group ‘C’ Recruitment Rules, 1991 which, it claimed, allowed pro…

S. Jaffar Sahib, a general‑category candidate, was denied appointment as Deputy Collector for the 1980‑81 recruitment, where five posts were reserved and five were open. He challenged the appointment of six candidates from reserved categories, alleging that the reservation rules were violated. The Andhra Pradesh Admini…

The respondents were employees of a privately managed agricultural school that received grant-in-aid and offered a two‑year Agricultural Extension Diploma. After the State of Uttar Pradesh abolished the diploma course, the employees were terminated and sought post‑retirement benefits under the Uttar Pradesh State Aided…

The appellants, recruited to the Bihar State Police Service in 1969, were promoted to the Indian Police Service (IPS) after being placed in a select list prepared in 1985 pursuant to a Supreme Court direction to prepare a list for the year 1983. Although the list was approved by the Union Public Service Commission in 1…

The respondents were detained under Section 3(1) of the National Security Act, 1980 by the District Magistrate, Jaisalmer on 7 January 1987. Grounds of detention were not supplied within the statutory five‑day period; the magistrate recorded “exceptional circumstances” on 11 January and supplied the grounds on 16 Janua…

Daulat Singh filed a suit for specific performance of a land sale; he died and his son continued as legal representative. The plaintiff sought to amend the plaint to implead Shivnath Mishra, alleging Mishra had become a co‑owner of the land by a decree under the U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act and therefo…

The workmen of Rohtas Industries Ltd., whose four industrial units were closed on 9 September 1984, filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking payment of arrears, compensation and other statutory dues. The Patna High Court had appointed a provisional liquidator, but the Supreme Court, invoking the Sick Industrial C…

The Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) issued a notice under Section 24(1) of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 to disconnect electricity to Hotel Satkar for non-payment of bills based on contract demand, which the hotel contested, arguing that charges should be on actual consumption and that the dispute should be ref…

Hafiz Washi Ahmed filed a suit for injunction to protect his possession of a portion of land and a structure, claiming exclusive title based on an alleged gift, while the land was partly declared evacuee property. The trial court held that the factual question of whether the disputed portion was part of the evacuee pro…

The truck bearing No. 9493 was seized by a Divisional Forest Officer for carrying 22 logs of timber without a permit under the Madhya Pradesh Ven Upaj Vyapar Viniyaman Act, 1969. The driver compounded the offence by paying Rs.1,000, but the truck was not released because its value was not paid, leading to its confiscat…

The respondent filed a suit to remove a structure erected by the appellant and to restrain interference with his possession of a 50 ft x 30 ft plot. The plot originally belonged to the respondent's maternal grandmother, who had executed a possessory mortgage in favor of Pukharaj, who later returned the mortgage deed an…

The State appealed against a Karnataka High Court order that denied registration of occupancy to a tenant, Puppegouda, who had been in possession of 2 acres 30 gunthas of land since 1950 under successive lease renewals. The Karnataka Tenancy Act, 1961 protected his possession, and the Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, 1974…

The Supreme Court examined a challenge by OBC candidates to the proviso of Rule 13 of the Rajasthan State and Subordinate Services (Direct Recruitment by Combined Competitive Examinations) Rules, 1962, which allowed a 5% relaxation in preliminary‑exam cut‑off marks for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) cand…

A settlement deed gave a life estate in land to K and a vested remainder to the respondent. K alienated the land, prompting the respondent to sue K in the District Munsif Court, which decreed that K had no right to alienate and granted an injunction. The appellant, who later purchased the land from K, was not a party t…

The appellants, who were defendants in civil suits filed in 1983, failed to appear before the trial court on 20 February 1992, leading to ex‑parte orders against them. They applied under Order 9 Rule 13 of the CPC to have those orders set aside, claiming they were diligent and that their non‑appearance was due to a rep…

The respondents were Physical Training Instructors employed by the Central Government who were later absorbed into the Haryana State Service as P.E.T.s/D.P.Es effective July 1, 1976. Their appointment order stipulated that from the date of absorption they would receive all allowances admissible to other state employees…

Respondent-4 (Ashok Kumar) claimed promotion to accountant, asserting seniority as a clerk since November 29, 1976, after the octroi moharrar and clerk posts were merged. The appellant (Kuldip Chand) argued that his fortuitous posting as a store‑keeper, though at a higher pay scale, gave him seniority over the responde…

The respondents were government servants who were deputed to the Rajendra Agricultural University, resigned from government service and were subsequently absorbed as university employees. Upon their retirement, the State of Bihar denied liability for any pension, relying on section 39(20) of the Rajendra Agricultural U…

The appellant, a widow of a deceased government employee, was appointed to a Class IV post on compassionate grounds under a rehabilitation scheme. Her services were later terminated on the ground that she had allegedly married her late husband's brother and concealed this marriage and the birth of a child, which the Bo…

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) appealed a Delhi High Court order concerning the forfeiture of a deposit it had taken from Bhavana Cooperative Group Housing Society Ltd. The Supreme Court examined whether the DDA could lawfully retain the entire deposit or only a portion of it. Relying on its earlier decision in …

The appellant, a partner in a film‑exhibition partnership, was alleged to have colluded with another firm to misappropriate film prints and proceeds, leading the second respondent to file a complaint before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Patna. The Chief Judicial Magistrate examined the complainant and transferred the …

The State of West Bengal acquired 985.95 acres of land in Durgapur for industrial purposes under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, with an initial notification in 1956 that later lapsed and a second notification in 1964. The Land Acquisition Officer fixed compensation at Rs. 2,310 per acre, but the reference court enhanc…

The appellants filed appeals under Section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act seeking compensation of Rs.75,000 per acre but paid court fees based on a lower valuation of Rs.60,000 per acre. After a separate case enhanced compensation to Rs.75,000, they applied to pay the deficit court fee to obtain the higher amount. The …

The appellant, Prem Ballabh Belwal, was a tenure‑holder of 182 acres of bhumiswami land under the U.P. Imposition of Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1960. His wife, Basanti Devi, held 24 acres as an Asami (occupancy) right. The question before the Supreme Court was whether the wife's land, held only in occupation, should…

The case concerned Kashi Vidyapith, a deemed university under the U.P. State Universities Act, which sought acquisition of land for its campus, staff quarters, hostels and playground. The High Court had set aside the declaration under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, holding that the university was not an “other …

The State of Maharashtra issued a 1970 resolution authorising Zilla Parishads to upgrade primary school teachers to Head Masters with retrospective effect from 1 April 1966, subject to specific vacancy conditions. Four teachers filed a writ petition claiming entitlement to the upgraded pay scale. The Chief Executive Of…

The respondents (plaintiffs) sued the T.N. Electricity Board for Rs. 46,08,820, claiming that the freight rates for transporting iron and steel were to be paid on a multi‑slab basis as indicated in a handwritten addition to a letter appended to their tender. The High Court Division Bench accepted this claim, holding th…

The petitioner challenged a land acquisition notification issued under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and the subsequent declaration under Section 6, arguing that the notification lacked required particulars. The District Judge, acting as the reference court under Section 18, declared both the notificat…

The Uttar Pradesh Avas Evam Vikas Parishad issued a notification under Section 28 of the 1965 Adhiniyam on 7 June 1982 and later obtained Government approval on 24 August 1982, followed by a declaration under Section 32 on 28 February 1987. Friends Cooperative Housing Society filed a writ petition contending that the n…

The petitioners, Nepal-based workers employed by the CPWD under a bilateral agreement between India and Nepal, challenged termination notices and sought declaration that they were regular CPWD employees in India entitled to parity in seniority, promotion, and benefits. The Union of India argued that they were a separat…

The appellant‑tenant Vipin Kumar was evicted under Section 13(2)(iii) of the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, 1949 for constructing a wall and door in the verandah of his demised shop without the landlord’s consent, which was held to have stopped the flow of light and air and thus materially impaired the buildin…

The petitioners, Permanent Way Inspectors (Grade III) in the Indian Railways, sought a higher pay scale (Rs 1600‑2660) than the one fixed (Rs 1400‑2300) on the ground that they formed a separate cadre subordinate to Permanent Way Mistries and Direct Track Maintenance Mistries. The Central Administrative Tribunal (Madra…

M. Hara Bhupal, a Section Officer in the Intelligence Bureau, was deputed to the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) as Private Secretary on 14 June 1989. He later sought absorption in the CAT as a Section Officer, which was granted effective 4 November 1996, and claimed seniority either from his promotion date in th…

The petitioner, a Scheduled Caste officer, was transferred from Kola to Mumbai on the ground of administrative necessity, despite his claim that the transfer was made on compassionate grounds and was therefore invalid. He contended that, under instructions to retain SC/ST officers near their hometowns, the transfer vio…

The respondent filed a suit for specific performance against Mst. Bhabia Devi, and an ex‑parte decree was granted when she failed to appear. She later applied under Order IX Rule 13 of the CPC to set aside the decree, alleging that notice was not served because she was not residing at the alleged address. Evidence show…

The petitioners, employed as Fitters (T & G), sought to be merged with the Jig Borers category and to receive equal pay, alleging that the removal of separate nomenclatures and their fusion into a single Fitter category resulted in arbitrary and discriminatory treatment. The Central Administrative Tribunal had refused …

The State of Gujarat entered into agreement No. B‑1/17 of 1981‑82 with the contractor Dahyabhai to carry out protective measures for a road bridge over the Ambica River. Although the work order was issued on 3 June 1981, the contractor delayed in receiving the work sheet and specifications and ultimately abandoned the …

The petitioner, a former Branch Manager of a Gramin Bank, was charged with fourteen counts of dereliction of duty for granting loans without securing adequate securities or ensuring supply of implements to borrowers, resulting in loss to the bank. An inquiry officer found all charges proved based on documentary evidenc…

The appellants in three separate sets of appeals held agricultural land in excess of the ceiling prescribed under the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961 and had made sales of portions of that land before the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Reduction of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1970 came into force. T…

The Supreme Court reviewed orders of the Patna High Court that were monitoring the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) probe into the Bihar scam. The Court clarified that the High Court's role is limited to ensuring that the CBI performs its statutory duty and must not pass on the merits of the accusations. It reaf…

The respondents complained that the appellants fraudulently obtained their signature on a sale agreement and filed a criminal case under Sections 420 and 406 IPC. The Judicial Magistrate discharged the appellants, a revision before the Sessions Court was dismissed, and a second revision was filed before the High Court,…

The petitioner, Sodagar Singh, was appointed on an ad‑hoc basis as a Legal Assistant in Punjab Roadways under the direct‑recruitment quota provided by Rule 8 and 9 of the Punjab Roadways (Ministerial) State Service Class‑III Rules, 1977. The Punjab & Haryana High Court held that such an ad‑hoc appointment could not be …

The dispute arose over a permit granted by the Regional Development Authority under Motor Vehicles Rules Rule 155‑A(6). The Madras High Court held that the order was a nullity because it failed to record any reasons, as mandated by the rule. The appellants challenged this finding, contending that the High Court erred i…

The State of Haryana acquired 2,916 acres for a canal under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The District Judge fixed differentiated market values for abbi, barani and gair‑mumkin lands and, on reference under Section 18, enhanced the compensation. The Punjab & Haryana High Court single judge, however, ignored these dis…

M/s Swastic Industries challenged the Maharashtra State Electricity Board’s right to issue a supplementary bill of Rs 317,659 and disconnect its electricity supply after the bill was paid under protest. The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held that the Board’s claim was barred by a three‑year limitation un…

The appellants challenged amendments to Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977 concerning reservation in promotion and the concept of backlog vacancies. The Supreme Court examined whether the first proviso added to Rule 8 could be applied retrospectively and whether the second proviso, which introdu…

The State of Punjab initiated disciplinary proceedings against Swarans Singh, who retired before the proceedings concluded. The disciplinary authority found misconduct and imposed a minor penalty, but the appellate authority on review imposed a 15% reduction in his pension. Singh filed a civil suit challenging the pens…

Kirloskar Brothers Ltd., a manufacturer with factories in Maharashtra and Deewas, set up regional offices in Secunderabad and Bangalore to sell its products. The State Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka treated these offices as establishments under Section 2(g) of the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 and i…

Bhagwan Singh, a co‑owner of undivided joint‑family agricultural land, sold portions of the land in specie to strangers who later sold parts to Karan Singh (the appellant). Bhagwan Singh filed a suit for pre‑emption under the Punjab Pre‑emption Act, 1913, claiming his co‑owner right. The trial court dismissed the suit,…

The petitioners, representing several maths, challenged the constitutionality of Sections 50 to 55 of the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987, alleging that the provisions interfered with the religious freedom of the Mathadhipathi under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitut…

The appellants, heirs of Yadavrao P. Pathade, appealed against the State of Maharashtra seeking interest on the solatium awarded under Section 23(2) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The compensation had been enhanced by the reference court and further by the High Court to Rs 42,056.15, but the High Court refused inte…

The respondent, S. Subramaniam, a Deputy Tehsildar, was charged with demanding and accepting illegal gratification for effecting land‑record mutations. A disciplinary inquiry found the charge proved and ordered his removal from service. The Tamil Nadu Administrative Tribunal, on review, re‑appreciated the evidence, con…

The respondents, Suresh Kumar Verma and another, were re‑engaged as Assistant Development Officers on a daily‑wage basis after the project they were working on ended. The Himachal Pradesh High Court had directed the State to re‑engage them despite existing vacancies, treating the daily‑wage appointment as a regular pos…

The respondents, co‑owners of land sold by a widow who possessed only a limited estate, filed a suit under Section 15(1)(b) of the Punjab Pre‑emption Act, 1913 seeking pre‑emption of the sale. The trial court decreed in their favour and the decree was upheld on appeal, but the second appeal was dismissed. While these p…

The Punjab Town Improvement Act was used to acquire 821 kanals of land for municipal expansion. The Collector’s 1977 award fixed compensation per marla, which the Tribunal enhanced in 1984. Claimants sought further enhancement, relying on a later 1987 Tribunal award and sale transactions cited in the Collector’s award,…

The Pune Municipal Corporation acquired a two‑storey building for road widening under the Land Acquisition Act, compensated the owner and took possession, while tenants (appellants) occupied the premises under leave‑and‑licence agreements. After the agreements expired, eviction proceedings were successful, and the Supr…

The appellants, who were tillers of agricultural land allotted under the Displaced Persons (Compensation and Rehabilitation) Act, 1954, held the land by a temporary sanad in 1954 that became permanent in 1965. After purchasing the land, the respondent, an absentee landlord, sought possession under Section 250 of the Ma…

In this civil appeal, the Supreme Court examined the method of determining market value for compensation under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The State had acquired 20 acres of land from the appellants, and the Land Acquisition Officer fixed compensation based on the claimants' own purchase price of the land in 1957. …

The appellant, Durga Prasad (deceased) represented by LRs, appealed against a decree concerning the transfer of land held by the first respondent, Smt. Gita Kumar. The Patna High Court had earlier affirmed the respondent’s right to the land in Second Appeal No. 602/74. While the appeal was pending before the Supreme Co…