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In This Issue

[No.173]

October 20, 2006
Supreme Court
High Courts
PIB
RBI
SEBI
International Cases & News

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Supreme Court

  • Ch. Ramoji Rao, Chairman Ramoji Group of Companies and Anr Vs. State of Andhra Pradesh

The State of Andhra Pradesh represented by Special Public Prosecutor filed a complaint under Section 200 read with Section 199 Cr.P.C. stating that the appellants with a common intention intending to harm the reputation of the Government, of its administration, of the Chief Minister, several ministers and several public servants made a telecast on E TV-2 channel with a commentary knowing fully that the same would harm reputation of public functionaries. Many expressions and words used in commentary were per se defamatory. The appellants filed a petition in terms of Section 482 Cr.P.C. alleging that the said complaint by the respondents was nothing but gross abuse of process of Court. The appellants stated there was no intention in any manner to harm the reputation of the Chief Minister, his ministers or other officers. The respondent opposed the application stating that on the facts alleged, no interference in terms of Section 482 Cr.P.C. was called for. The High Court dismissed the application, holding that a prima facie case existed and, therefore, no interference was called for. Hence present appeal. Held, public interest would be best served in directing a new broadcast to be made in the concerned TV channel by the appellants wherein it is made clear that the content of the voice over commentary was not intended in any manner to defame or harm the reputation of the Chief Minister or his entourage of ministers and officials.

  • Union of India (UOI) and Ors Vs. Dwarka Prasad Tiwari

Respondent, during the course of duty as a constable with Central Reserve Police Force, fired a bullet without orders and without any sufficient reason. A Court of Inquiry was conducted and it was established that the respondent alone was responsible for the firing in which he had sustained bullet injury in his abdomen. Accordingly a departmental inquiry in terms of Rule 27 of the Central Reserve Police Force Rules, 1955 was ordered alleging misconduct and negligence/remissness in discharge of his duty in his capacity as a member of the Force. The inquiry was conducted and the respondent was given opportunity to defend himself. The inquiry officer found the respondent guilty of charges framed against him and he was dismissed from services. Against the order of dismissal, respondent preferred an appeal to the Deputy Inspector General of Police. Pending the said appeal, a writ petition was also filed. The High Court dismissed the petition, but gave a direction for disposal of the appeal pending before the DIGP, CRPF who in turn dismissed the appeal. A revision petition was filed before the Additional Director General who in turn modified the punishment of dismissal to one of removal considering the respondent's young age and short length of service. Against the said order of ADG, a writ petition was filed. The High Court by the impugned judgment held that the defence of the respondent was not properly considered by any departmental authority and the punishment awarded was shockingly disproportionate. Accordingly, the punishment was set aside and direction for reinstatement with certain other benefits was given. Hence, present appeal. Held, the High Court has not indicated any reason for coming to the conclusion that the punishment was shockingly disproportionate. The High Court's order therefore reflects non application of mind. The impugned order of the High Court is set aside. Appeal allowed.

  • State Bank of India Vs. Ranjan Chemicals Ltd. and Anr.

The appellant bank granted a term loan of Rs 30 lakhs to the respondent company. The bank further extended a cash credit facility to the company. As the company failed to meet its obligations under the account, the bank issued a notice calling upon the company to repay the amounts due under the loan transactions and to close its accounts. On receipt of the said notice, the company filed a suit before the Civil Court. The respondent company claimed that the bank had failed to fulfill its obligations while making available the cash credit facility and has not honoured its commitments in time to release the working capital which was agreed to as part of a rehabilitation process of the company and because of the delay on the part of the bank in fulfilling its obligations, the company had suffered losses leading to the Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction, recommending its winding up. The respondent company further contended that in view of the fact that the losses were incurred by the company because of the failure of the bank to fulfill it’s obligations, the company was entitled to recover damages with interest thereon. Thereupon, the appellant bank approached the Debt Recovery Tribunal. Meanwhile, in the suit filed by the respondent company before the civil court, the bank moved an application praying that the said suit be transferred to the Debt Recovery Tribunal for being tried jointly with the suit already pending before the Tribunal as both proceedings arose out of the same cause of action, namely, the grant of a loan and the providing of a cash credit facility by the bank to the company. The appellant bank urged that the suit by the company was really in the nature of a counter claim or set off, as against the claim of the bank for recovery of money on loan amount. The Trial Court took the view that the suit filed by the company did not come with the purview of Section 19(9) of the Recovery of Debts Act and it could not be treated as a counter claim and hence the prayer of the bank was rejected. Upon appeal by the bank against the said order before the High Court of Patna, the Court held that there was no bar created by the Recovery of Debts Act or any other law, which could prevent a person from filing a suit in the civil Court or making any claim, much less, one for damages which was even otherwise, completely alien to the claim based on the loan made by the bank before the Tribunal. Since the suit was not hit by Section 18 of the Recovery of Debts Act, the jurisdiction of the civil Court was not affected and the Court had full authority to proceed with the suit for damages which was filed earlier and which was unconnected with the loan transaction. The revision petition was thus dismissed. Hence, present appeal. Held, the trial court and the High Court have failed to exercise the jurisdiction vested in them by law in refusing to transfer the suit to the Debt Recovery Tribunal, Patna. They have not considered the question whether it will be fit and proper to order a joint trial of the two actions. Hence, it is not only fit and proper but also just and necessary to have the two causes tried together. Appeal allowed.

High Courts

Mumbai

  • Avinash Prabhakar Latpate & Ors Vs. The State of Maharashtra through its Secretary, Health Services Department & Ors

The petitioners were working on daily wages as Field workers for respondent. They were selected and appointed as Field Workers in class IV category by respondents vide an appointment letter which contained a clause that the appointment was on a temporary basis and liable to terminated without any notice. Meanwhile, similarly placed employees like petitioners in present suit filed an application before Maharastra Administrative Tribunal alleging discrimination. Tribunal directed the authorities to set the anomaly right within a specified time period. Upon expiry of said period prescribed by Tribunal, Contempt Petition was filed before the Tribunal alleging non-compliance of orders of Tribunal by authorities. In the said contempt applications, the Tribunal issued a notice before admission of same. However, respondents issued cause notice and terminated services of all said employees including petitioners. Hence, present petition by petitioners challenging the termination order by the respondents. Held, interest of justice requires that petitioners should, at least, be heard, where in either party could put its case, and then final order could be passed. Impugned termination order is set aside.

Chennai

  • M.Ramkumar Vs. The Deputy Inspector General, Central Industrial Security Force, Southern Zone, Chennai-600 090 & Ors

Petitioner while working with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), erroneously granted a railway warrant to a co-worker who had already availed railway warrant for the year and was not eligible for the same. This was done by the petitioner on the basis of information provided by his assistant. The petitioner was held up in some other urgent work and could not verify the matter himself. An entry to this effect was made in the service records and petitioner suppressed the matter without revealing it to his superiors. Later, when the matter came to light, the petitioner was issued with a charge memo by the third respondent. An enquiry was conducted into the matter by the fourth respondent and he passed an order holding that the petitioner should pay fine equivalent to seven days pay. Aggrieved by the order, petitioner preferred an appeal to the second respondent who directed the third respondent to issue a fresh final order for the charge sheet memorandum. Pursuant to the same, the third respondent without conducting a proper and fresh enquiry confirmed the original order passed by the fourth respondent, but reduced the punishment by directing the petitioner to pay the fine equivalent to three days. Against the said order, the petitioner preferred a revision to the first respondent who confirmed the order of the third respondent. Hence, present writ petition. Held, punishment imposed on petitioner by disciplinary authority and modified by appellate authority is not warranted and we are satisfied that ends of justice would be met by mere warning. Writ petition is allowed.

  • The Chairman and Managing Director, Indian Rare Earths Limited, Mumbai & Ors Vs. S.Ganapathy & Ors

The appellant company, a public sector undertaking under Department of Atomic Energy, acquired land for it’s mining activities. The land was acquired after the land owners were paid adequate compensation and land acquisition proceedings were completed by passing an Award. 10 years later, respondent land owners/displaced persons approached High Court by way of writ petitions. The writ petitions were filed seeking a directive from the High Court to the effect that the appellant company fulfill its promise of providing suitable employment to one member of each family who were dispossessed of their lands by way of the acquisition proceedings in question. Apparently, the Manager of the appellant company had promised before the Special Tahsildar, Land Acquisition that one member from each family of the individuals, whose lands were acquired, would be given employment in the appellant company. Therefore, in view of such promise, the appellant Company is estopped from denying such benefit. Also, Government of Tamil Nadu had issued notification G.O.Ms.No.324, Revenue Department, directing all public sector undertakings to recruit without reference to employment exchange at least one member of each family, who were displaced on account of acquisition of lands for any project. The writ petitions were allowed with a direction to provide appointment to one member of each of the displaced families. Hence, present writ appeal. Held, mere promise by Manager was not binding on appellant company and consequently, such promise given by Manager of company cannot be considered to be one of estoppel that could be pleaded against appellant Company. Appeal is dismissed.

Press Information Bureau

  • Visa Procedure for Chinese Nationals Streamlined

Department / Board: PIB Dated 12.10.2006: Vide the present press release, it is notified that the government has issued modified guidelines for grant of visa to Chinese nationals and extension of their stay in India. The objective is to further streamline the visa procedures for obviating the delay in processing of applications for granting or extending Indian visas to Chinese nationals. The modified guidelines are also aimed at enhancing the relatively short validity, particularly of Business and Employment visas and their subsequent extensions within the contours of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of People’s Republic of China on 23rd June 2003. The modified guidelines are aimed to ensure easier movement of genuine Chinese businesspersons, professionals, students and their dependents in India.

  • Union Cabinet Approves Amendment to the Information Technology Act, 2000

Department / Board: PIB Dated 16.10.2006: The Union Cabinet gave its approval for the proposed amendments to the Information Technology Act, 2000. The Information Technology Act was originally enacted in the year 2000 and was primarily aimed to boost e-commerce in the country and also to create an enabling environment for e-Governance in the country. It provided a legal framework for transactions carried out using computers and the internet technologies. The Act was enacted keeping in view the technology directions and scenario existing at that time. As the technology is an ever-evolving process for providing efficient and cost effective options, it was felt that certain amendments would have to be incorporated into the technology driven law keeping abreast with the technological developments. As concerns regarding adequacy of data protection and privacy laws in the country have been raised by customers both within the country as well as abroad, a need to further strengthen the legislation pertaining to data protection and privacy was felt. Hence, present amendments to the IT Act. The Amended Act would prescribe security practices and procedures to be followed by body corporates and organizations regarding personal information of customers.

RBI

DBOD

  • Amendment in Master Circular on Guarantees and Co-acceptances

Circular No. DBOD.No.Dir.BC. 35/13.07.10/2006-2007 Dated 11.10.2006: Vide RBI Master Circular DBOD.No.Dir.17/13.03.00/2006 dated July 1, 2006 relating to guarantees and co-acceptances, banks were advised that it is binding on the part of the beneficiary of the guarantee to seek confirmation of the controlling office/head office as well, for which a specific stipulation be incorporated in the guarantee itself, but the beneficiaries of guarantees issued by banks were reluctant to accept the guarantees issued with the above stipulation, resulting in loss of business to banks. Hence, Reserve Bank of India notifies the deletion of above clause i.e. paragraph 2.5 of the said Master Circular with immediate effect through the present circular.

SEBI

Primary Market Department

  • Amendments to SEBI (Disclosure and Investor Protection) {DIP} Guidelines, 2000

Circular No: SEBI/CFD/DIL/DIP/23/2006/16/10 Dated 16.10.2006: SEBI, vide the above circular notifies the adoption of policy of Lock-in on pre-IPO shares before Initial Public Offering (IPO) held by Venture Capital Funds and Foreign Venture Capital Investors. As per the existing SEBI (DIP) Guidelines, 2000 pre-issue shares of an unlisted company making an Initial Public Offering (IPO) are not required to be locked in, if the same are held by Venture Capital Funds (VCFs) or Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCIs) registered with SEBI. As per the new policy which modifies the existing SEBI (DIP) Guidelines, 2000, the benefit of this exemption is restricted only to shares held by VCFs or FVCIs registered with SEBI, for a period of at least one year as on the date of filing draft prospectus with SEBI and shares issued to SEBI registered VCFs/ FVCIs upon conversion of convertible instruments during the period of one year prior to the date of filing draft prospectus with SEBI, provided that the period of holding such convertible instruments as fully paid up, together with the period of holding shares resulting from conversion, by the VCFs and FVCIs, is at least one year as on the date of filing the draft prospectus with SEBI. Further, the amendment regarding lock-in made available vide the above circular shall be applicable to all offer documents, which are yet to be registered with the Registrar of Companies.

International Legal Cases and News

Cases

  • United States of America Vs. Richard Lee Long

The Defendant-Appellant in the present case appeals the district court’s denial of his motion to suppress evidence seized after his vehicle was stopped, based on the police’s belief that he was involved in a reported burglary. The police had received information about the occurrence of a certain burglary in the neighborhood and was conducting searches on vehicles. During the course, the defendant was stopped midway while on his vehicle and a search was carried out on him as the description of his vehicle matched with that of the vehicle that the police had information on relating to the burglary. The search revealed some drugs and a pistol and subsequent interrogation revealed that the defendant was coming from the scene of burglary. He was therefore charged with one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), four counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and one count of carrying a firearm in relation to drug trafficking crimes in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Defendant filed an amended motion to suppress evidence, alleging that the firearm and drugs were seized in violation of his Fourth Amendment rights. Specifically, the defendant alleged that the police officer in question lacked probable cause to justify an investigatory stop and subsequent arrest. After an evidentiary hearing, the Magistrate denied the defendant motion to suppress evidence. The court held that the officer in question had a reasonable suspicion and was legally right in stopping the defendant based on the information that he had as the description of the defendant and his vehicle matched with that of the alleged burglar and his vehicle. On appeal, the district court affirmed the decision of the Magistrate. Hence, present appeal. Held, defendant’s confirmation that he was coming from the scene of burglary and description of his vehicle provided sufficient probable cause for officer in question to arrest defendant. Decision of lower courts is therefore affirmed.

  • Domino's Pizza, Inc., Et Al. Vs. Mcdonald

Respondent McDonald, a black man, is the sole shareholder and President of JWM Investments, Inc. JMV and Domino’s entered into several contracts under which JWM agreed to construct four restaurants in Las Vegas area and lease it to petitioners Domino’s. Thereafter, respondent sued petitioners under 42 U. S. C. §1981, alleging that petitioners Domino's had broken those contracts because of racial animus towards the respondent and that the breach had harmed the respondent personally by causing him to suffer monetary damages and emotional injuries. The District Court dismissed the petition and held that respondent McDonald could not bring a §1981 claim against petitioners Domino's as respondent McDonald was not a party to contract with petitioners. The respondent made and enforced contracts for JMV as its agent and not in his personal capacity. On appeal, the Ninth Circuit reversed the judgement of the trial court and held that not only an injury suffered by the corporation would permit a shareholder to bring a §1981 action, but concluded that when there are injuries distinct from those of the corporation, a nonparty like respondent McDonald can sue under §1981. Hence, present petition. Held, a plaintiff cannot state a claim under §1981 unless he has rights under the existing contract that he wishes "to make and enforce contract." §1981 clause cannot be said to give McDonald a cause of action as he "made and enforced contracts" for JWM as its agent. Hence, judgement of Ninth Circuit Court was reversed.

  • Anthony Ash Et Al. Vs. Tyson Foods, Inc

Petitioners were superintendents at a poultry plant owned and operated by respondent Tyson Foods, Inc. The petitioners, who are African-American, sought promotions to fill two open shift manager positions, but two white males were selected instead. The petitioners alleged that the respondent had discriminated against them on account of their race and so sued the respondent under Rev. Stat. §1977, 42 U. S. C. §1981, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 253, as amended, and 42 U. S. C. §2000 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The petitioners alleged that the plant manager of the respondent who made the disputed hiring decisions had on some occasions referred to them as “boys”. The petitioners argued that this term was evidence of discriminatory animus. The jury awarded punitive damages to the petitioners and the District Court ordered a new trial under Rule 50(c). On appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the judgement of the District Court in part and reversed in part. The court affirmed the District Court's decision of alternative remedy of a new trial under Rule 50(c), but held that trial evidence is insufficient to show unlawful discrimination and to support the decision to grant punitive damages or compensatory award. Hence, present petition. Held, in so far as the Court of Appeals held that qualifications are necessary in all instances to render the disputed term as probative of bias, the court's decision is erroneous. Therefore, judgement of the Court of Appeals is vacated and case remanded for further consideration.

  • Pedro Bisbal-Ramos Vs. City Of Mayagüez; Roberto Pérez-Colón

The plaintiff was working with the Municipal Housing Department of the City of Mayaguez. His position was a "transitory" one and his employment contract was renewed from time to time. As time passed on, the intervals of renewal of his contract became smaller and smaller and ultimately he was terminated from his service. The plaintiff attributes the same to the fact that he supported a rival candidate, an opponent of the Mayor in the primary elections. The plaintiff filed a suit alleging violation of his First Amendment rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Specifically, he alleged that he had been harassed in the workplace and that his employment had been terminated because of his political allegiance to the Mayor’s opponent in the primary elections. The jury gave a verdict in favour of the plaintiff-appellant and awarded compensatory damages for non-renewal of the employment contract and for harassment. The District Court Judge held that that there was sufficient evidence of political persecution and harassment and of deliberate indifference to plaintiff's constitutional rights. However, he reduced the harassment compensatory damages award and punitive damages award awarded to the plaintiff. Hence, present appeal by plaintiff-appellant arguing that reduction of damages violated his Seventh Amendment Rights. Held, an order entering "judgment for a lesser amount than that determined by the jury without allowing petitioner the option of a new trial, cannot be squared with the Seventh Amendment. Since the plaintiff-appellant may opt for a new trial, it would be premature to approve a punitive damages award based on the compensatory award from the first trial. Therefore, matter remanded to District Court to decide whether to order a remittitur offering plaintiff-appellant the choice between a new trial and a reduced damages award.

News

  • UN panel recommends criminal probe of former East Timor government

An independent United Nations commission released a report calling for criminal investigations into the former prime minister of East Timor, Mari Alkatiri, and four other former government officials in relation to armed confrontations between the government and military that left 37 dead earlier this year. The report claims to have found no support for allegations that Alkari armed local militia groups to kill his political opponents, but it recommended he be investigated for weapons offenses and for illegally using armed forces to control protests. Alkatiri resigned after his dismissal of hundreds of striking members of the armed forces led to rioting and continued violence. The UN commission released its report to the Timorese Parliament in Dili.

  • Supreme Court of Missouri rejects Voter ID Law of State of Missouri

The Supreme Court of Missouri affirmed a trial court decision striking down a State of Missouri law requiring voters to show State of Missouri-issued photo identification cards at the polls. A 6-1 majority opinion of the court held that requiring voters to present ID cards violates equal protection and voting-rights clauses of the Missouri Constitution. The court ruled that requiring Missourians to obtain IDs imposes more than a minimal burden on their voting rights and noted that it requires "time, funds and advance planning." The court also held that the provision was not narrowly tailored to the compelling state interest of preventing voter fraud as there was only one specific instance of possible fraud that had occurred since 2002. Similar voter ID laws have been upheld in the State of Indiana but have been blocked in the States of Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives has already approved a bill that would require voter ID cards for federal elections starting in 2008.

  • EU signs interim air passenger data-sharing deal with US

The European Union has formally signed an interim agreement with the United States giving the United States access to passenger name record data from European airlines conducting transatlantic flights. The US is expected to formally sign the deal later while the EU will still needs to submit the deal for all 25 EU member states to ratify the same at the national level. The interim deal, which was agreed upon on October 6, 2006 faced problems after EU and US officials failed to reach agreement by a court-imposed October 1, 2006 deadline on how to share passenger information without violating EU privacy laws. Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the US has requested airlines landing in the country to supply the name, address, telephone number and credit card details of every passenger. In May, however, the European Court of Justice struck down the agreement as illegal under EU law, forcing the US and the EU to begin negotiating a new deal. The new passenger name record agreement also requires the US Department of Homeland Security to ask for passenger data, rather than receiving the data automatically upon departure. The interim agreement is slated to expire in July 2007.

  • Israel president may face rape, sex harassment charges after police probe

The Israeli police have recommended that the Israeli Attorney General indict the Israeli President, President Moshe Katsav on charges of rape, sexual harassment, indecent acts using force and without consent. The recommendation comes in the wake of a three-month long investigation by the Israeli Police on complaints brought against the President’s former employees. At least four or five of the cases are said to be strong enough to support an indictment. There also exists evidence to bring charges of grand larceny, fraud and breach of trust, and illegal wiretapping against the President. The Attorney General is to decide whether to bring an indictment or not against the President after a team of prosecutors reviews the evidence against him. The President may also face impeachment by Knesset, the Israeli Parliament.

  • War Crimes Trial for foreigners involved in Kilwa incident in Congo

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has recommended that three ex-employees of Anvil Mining, an Australian company, be tried for complicity in war crimes committed by Congolese government soldiers in 2004. The crimes are alleged to have been facilitated by the said ex-employees, a Canadian and two South Africans include summary executions, rape, torture, and looting carried out by soldiers in 2004 after the bombardment of the town of Kilwa during a small rebellion in Congo's Katanga province. A court document states that the men "voluntarily failed to withdraw the vehicles placed at the disposal of the 62nd Brigade in the context of the counter offensive on October 2004 to recapture the town of Kilwa" and "knowingly facilitated the commission of war crimes." In June 2005, an Australian law firm acting on behalf of Rights and Accountability in Development (RAID) and Congolese NGOs asked the Australian Federal Police to determine if there was sufficient evidence of Anvil's involvement in crimes against humanity or war crimes under Chapter 8 of the Australian Criminal Code Act of 1995 which reflects the law of the International Criminal Court. Meanwhile, Anvil has insisted that any allegations that it assisted in or had knowledge of any wrongdoing are totally unfounded.