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(Specific Performance of Sale Agreement)

Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Order II Rule 2, Order VIII Rules 3 & 5); Specific Relief Act, 1963 (Section 16(c)); Indian Contract Act, 1872 (Section 51) - This appeal challenged a trial court’s judgment denying specific performance of a sale agreement while granting a refund of the advance amount. The plaintiff and defendant entered into a sale agreement on 09.03.2006 for 51 cents for Rs. 12,75,000/-, with an advance of Rs. 4,80,000/- paid.

(Applicability of Section 47-A of Indian Stamp Act to Auction Sale Certificates)

Indian Stamp Act, 1899 (Sections 2(10), 2(14), 47-A, Article 18, Article 23 of Schedule I); Registration Act, 1908 (Sections 17(2)(xii), 89(4)); Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (Sections 4, 5) - The appellants challenged Single Judges' orders quashing the Registering Authority's references of auction sale certificates under Section 47-A of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, for undervaluation. These certificates originated from public auctions under SARFAESI Act, IBC, or court-monitored liquidation processes. The Registering Authority contended that Article 18, Schedule I of the Stamp Act applies restrictively, and sale certificates from SARFAESI/IBC sales require mandatory registration, making them amenable to Section 47-A due to perceived undervaluation. They relied on a Full Bench decision in R. Thiagarajan, which supported applying Section 47-A to SARFAESI sale certificates.

(Applicability of Land Acquisition Act's Reconveyance Provisions to National Highways Act Acquisitions)

National Highways Act, 1956 - Sections 3-D, 3-J - Land Acquisition Act, 1894 - Section 48-B - Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act, 2013 - Section 101 - This judgment addresses a reference to a Larger Bench regarding whether Section 48-B of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (LA Act), providing for reconveyance of acquired land, applies to lands acquired under the National Highways Act, 1956 (NH Act) after a Section 3-D declaration.

The Court affirmed that the NH Act, 1956 is a self-contained code for land acquisition, as established by the Supreme Court in National Highways Authority of India vs. Sayedabad Tea Company Limited. Section 3-J of the NH Act explicitly excludes the application of the LA Act for acquisitions made thereunder.

(Counting of Part-Time Service for Pensionary Benefits)

The Tamil Nadu Pension Rules, 1978 (Rule 11), Tamil Nadu Village Assistants Pension Rules, 1995 (Rule 4(a)), and Tamil Nadu State and Subordinate Services Rules (Rule 10(a)(i)), in light of G.O. (Ms) No.625, Revenue Department, dated 06.07.1995. The central question was whether 50% of service rendered by Part-Time Village Assistants prior to their regularization (effective 01.06.1995) should be considered for pensionary benefits.

Petitioners cited judgments that had allowed such counting, including one upheld by the Apex Court for specific Thalayaris in cadre posts. Respondents relied on the Full Bench decision in *R.Kaliyamoorthy* and the Division Bench ruling in *E.Balachandran*, asserting that only service in a sanctioned 'cadre post' (temporary, officiating, or permanent) qualifies for pension.

(Kidnapping for Ransom)

This judgment involves appeals against convictions under Sections 120B, 364A, 419, 341, 342, and 368 of the Indian Penal Code, considering procedural aspects of the Cr.P.C. and the Indian Evidence Act - The prosecution alleged that A1, A2-A10 conspired to kidnap PW1's two young daughters for a Rs. 50 lakh ransom. A1, A3, and A10 intercepted the children's car, sedated the driver (PW3), and confined the children at A9's house.

(Bonded Labour and Atrocities Against Scheduled Tribes)

Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Section 374 - Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 - Section 3(1)(xi) - Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 - Sections 2(a), 2(d), 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 - Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 - Section 235(2) - This criminal appeal challenged the acquittal of the respondents (rice mill owners) from charges including bonded labour, wrongful confinement, and atrocities against Scheduled Tribes. The prosecution alleged that the accused exploited Irular (Scheduled Tribe) individuals, forcing them into bonded labour by providing advances, paying sub-minimum wages, restricting their movement, and subjecting them to ill-treatment and caste-based abuse.

The Trial Court had acquitted the accused, citing issues with the Revenue Divisional Officer's (RDO) authority and minor discrepancies in victim testimonies.

The High Court found that the RDO was duly empowered under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, to identify and release bonded labourers. The subsequent complaint by the Tahsildar was valid.

(Prisoner's Leave (Ordinary and Emergency)

Tamil Nadu Suspension of Sentence Rules, 1982 (Rules 3, 6, 13, 22(1), 22(2), 22(3) - The writ petition challenged the rejection of ordinary leave for a life convict, Gopi @ Sahaya Burono, who had served 17 years. His request for leave without escort was denied by the DIG of Prisons based on Rule 22(3), which mandates a one-year gap from the date of return from the last ordinary leave for a subsequent spell. The convict's last ordinary leave ended on 13.01.2025, rendering him ineligible at the time of the current request.

The Court upheld the rejection of ordinary leave, finding the second respondent's stand consistent with Rule 22(3).

(Quashing of Criminal Proceedings (Cheating & Criminal Intimidation)

This petition sought to quash criminal proceedings in CC.No.1406 of 2022. The case involved alleged offences under Sections 417 (Punishment for cheating) and 506(ii) (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. The prosecution alleged that the petitioner and the second respondent, a major, were in a consensual physical relationship. The second respondent claimed the petitioner subsequently neglected and refused to marry her, after having a physical relationship on the "pretext of marriage" and later "on compulsion." An FIR was initially registered under Sections 417, 506(ii) IPC and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 2002.

(Quashing of Criminal Proceedings)

Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1959: Sections 4AA(1a) and 2(aa) - Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Section 2(28) - Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973: Section 482 0 This petition sought to quash criminal proceedings against the petitioners in S.T.C.No.1453 of 2021. A complaint alleged that petitioners, belonging to a political party, organized an election campaign with approximately 100 private two-wheelers, affixing party flags without prior permission.

This act was deemed to cause public disturbance and violate the Model Code of Conduct, leading to registration of a case under Section 4AA(1a) of the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1959.

The petitioners contended that the vehicles involved were private and not "motor vehicles" as specifically defined under Section 2(aa) of the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act.

Section 2(aa) defines "motor vehicle" for the purpose of the Act as one "used for road transport service by any State Transport Undertaking."

The Court noted that the prosecution did not dispute the private nature of the vehicles.

(Preventive Detention and Procedural Compliance)

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)Sections 141(pari materia Section 122(1)(b) CrPC), Sections 110-117 CrPC, Section 446 CrPC, and Article 21 of the Constitution of India - The Criminal Revision Case challenged a preventive detention order issued by an Executive Magistrate for alleged breach of a good behaviour bond. The petitioner argued the order lacked jurisdiction and violated due process.

The order was based on police recommendations and other reports, but crucial materials were not furnished to the petitioner, nor was a proper opportunity to defend provided, as notice was served post-custody and lacked grounds.

The Court affirmed that Chapter VIII proceedings, though executive, are judicial in nature, requiring strict adherence to natural justice and "procedure established by law" under Article 21.