Hybrid System of Hearing – Best solution

B V Acharya, Senior Advocate and former Advocate General for Karnataka. Bangalore The controversy among two sections of lawyers regarding physical hearing and virtual hearing is continuing and the Supreme Court Advocates Association has minced no words when its President stated “we have no choice but to take agitational approach”. Shockingly he told the Judges …

Aarogya Setu App. Informed consent of users of the app is must for sharing user data by the Government of India and National Informatics Centre. Karnataka High Court.

Anivar A Aravind vs Ministry of Home Affairs and others. Writ Petition 7483/2020 decided on 25 January 2021. Chief Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty Judgment Link: https://karnatakajudiciary.kar.nic.in/noticeBoard/WP-7483-2020.pdf HELD: 28. (i) We accept the assurance given by the Governmentof India that no individual will be denied the benefitsof any services that are …

Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 . Section 15. Requirement of a woman witness to be present during the search and/or for a woman police officer to be present during the search is directory and not mandatory when the accused is male. Karnataka High Court.

M. Vishwanath vs State of Karnataka. Criminal Petition 2113/2020 decided on 23 December 2020. Judgment Link: http://judgmenthck.kar.nic.in/judgmentsdsp/bitstream/123456789/360577/1/CRLP2113-20-23-12-2020.pdf Relevant paragraphs: 11.3. This Court in several decisions has come to a conclusion that the requirements under Section 15 of the Act are mandatory and not directory. However, in all the said decisions the dictum by the Hon’ble …

Election Law. Purposive interpretation. “Assets of candidate” includes consideration passed on for agreement of sale. Candidate must disclose such asset in the affidavit accompanying the Nomination Form. Karnataka High Court.

Firdous Parveez Taj vs Yasmin Taj. Writ Petition 11100/2020 decided on 22 January 2021. Judgment Link: http://judgmenthck.kar.nic.in/judgmentsdsp/bitstream/123456789/360729/1/WP11100-20-22-01-2021.pdf Relevant paragraphs: There is no dispute as to the legal requirement of disclosure inter alia of “assets” of the candidate and of spouse, both in terms of the State Election Commission Notification dated 14.07.2003 and the mandatory  prescription …

Election Petition. Amendment to introduce “material facts” after the expiry of limitation to file election petition not permissible. Only “amplificatory particulars” can be added. Karnataka High Court.

Firdous Parveez Taj vs Yasmin Taj. Writ Petition 11100/2020 decided on 22 January 2021. Judgment Link: http://judgmenthck.kar.nic.in/judgmentsdsp/bitstream/123456789/360729/1/WP11100-20-22-01-2021.pdf Relevant paragraphs: It is basic to the law of elections that in a democracy, the mandate of people as expressed at the hustings must prevail and be respected; that is why the election of a successful candidate is …

Will. Proof. Attesting witness of a will is not found or having died, Court can accept the evidence of the Sub-Registrar who had registered the will. Supreme Court.

Ved  Mitra  Verma v. Dharam  Deo  Verma,  Civil Appeal. 153 of 2009 decided on 31:7:2014. Reported in 2014 (15) SCC 578 Judgment: Justice Ranjan Gogai and Justice S.A.Bobde Aggrieved by the judgment and order of reversal passed by the Gauhati High Court at Guwahati, Shillong Bench, this appeal has been filed. The respondent Dharam Deo …

Criminal Procedure Code. Section 202. When the accused has office, branch office or the like within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate where the offence has been committed, there is no requirement of enquiry before issuance of summons. Karnataka High Court.

M/s. Dream Logistics Company vs Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. Criminal Petition 101728/2017 decided on 6 November 2020. Judgment Link: http://judgmenthck.kar.nic.in/judgmentsdsp/bitstream/123456789/348072/1/CRLP101728-17-06-11-2020.pdf Relevant paragraphs: 9. Whether a Magistrate can issue summons to a person residing outside the territorial jurisdiction without conducting an enquiry under Section 202 of Cr.P.C., if so under what circumstances? 9.5 The procedure under …

Labour dispute. Dismissal of a workman cannot be interfered with merely on the ground that no disciplinary enquiry was held, if the employer could justify the action before the Labour Court. Supreme Court.

State of Uttarakhand and others. vs Sureshwati. Civil Appeal 142/201 decided on 20 January 2021. Judgment Link: https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2020/13459/13459_2020_38_1501_25605_Judgement_20-Jan-2021.pdf Relevant paragraphs: 14.This Court has in a catena of decisions held that where an employer has failed to make an enquiry before dismissal or discharge of a workman, it is open for him to justify the action …

Pollution Control laws. Tenant of a property or operator of industry in the air pollution control area has to obtain consent/permission from the Pollution Control Board unless there is a contract to the contrary in the lease agreement. Karnataka High Court

M/s. Dream Logistics Company vs Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. Criminal Petition 101728/2017 decided on 6 November 2020. Judgment Link: http://judgmenthck.kar.nic.in/judgmentsdsp/bitstream/123456789/348072/1/CRLP101728-17-06-11-2020.pdf Relevant paragraphs: 12. Point (v). Can a tenant or a licencee of the property contend that the liability of obtaining permission from the respective Pollution Control Board would be that of the owner and the …