What is malafides in the jurisprudence of power?

Malafide exercise of power does not imply any moral turpitude. It means exercise of statutory power for “purposes foreign to those for which it is in law intended”. It means conscious violation of the law to the prejudice of another, a depraved inclination on the part of the authority to disregard the rights of others, where intent is manifested by its injurious acts. Passing an order for unauthorized purpose constitutes malice in law.

Category: Jurisprudence   Posted on: October 4, 2023

Under the PMLA, is it mandatory that a copy of the written grounds of arrest is furnished to the arrested person? What is the consequence if this is not done?

To give true meaning and purpose to the constitutional and the statutory mandate of Section 19(1) of the PMLA 2002 of informing the arrested person of the grounds of arrest, it would be necessary that a copy of the written grounds of arrest is furnished to the arrested person as a matter of course and without exception.

Category: Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002   Posted on: October 4, 2023

What are the requirements of a valid Will under the Indian Succession Act 1925?

A will is valid if it fulfils the statutory requirements of sections 63 and 68 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925 and it is proved that (a) the testator signed the Will out of his own free Will, (b) at the time of execution he had a sound state of mind, (c) he was aware of the nature and effect thereof and (d) the Will was not executed under any suspicious circumstances.

Category: Succession   Posted on: September 24, 2023

What is a “substantial question of law” under section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure?

(a) A Court sitting in second appellate jurisdiction has to frame substantial question of law at the time of admission, save and except in exceptional circumstances. Post such framing of questions the Court shall proceed to hear the parties on such questions, i.e., after giving them adequate time to meet and address them. It is only after such hearing subsequent to the framing that a second appeal shall come to be decided. (b) In ordinary course, the High Court in such jurisdiction does not interfere with finding of fact, however, if it does find any compelling reason to do so as regard in law, it can do but only after perusing the records of the Trial Court, on analysis of which the conclusion arrived at by such a Court is sought to be upturned. In other words, when overturning findings of fact, the Court will be required to call for the records of the Trial Court or if placed on record, peruse the same and only then question the veracity of the conclusions drawn by the Court below

Category: Jurisprudence   Posted on: September 23, 2023

In an amalgamation, can the transferee entity be fastened with corporate criminal liability for offences which the amalgamating entity is accused of?

A corporation is virtually in the same position as any individual and may be convicted of common law as well as statutory offenses including those requiring mens rea. The criminal liability of a corporation would arise when an offense is committed in relation to the business of the corporation by a person or body of persons in control of its affairs. In such circumstances, it would be necessary to ascertain that the degree and control of the person or body of persons is so intense that a corporation may be said to think and act through the person or the body of persons

Category: Criminal Law, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016   Posted on: September 17, 2023

What is the Principle of mutuality?

The principle of mutuality is rooted in common sense. A person cannot make a profit from herself. This implies that a person cannot earn profit from an association that he shares a common identity with. The essence of the principle lies in the commonality of the contributors and the participants who are also beneficiaries. There has to be a complete identity between the contributors and the participants. Therefore, it follows, that any surplus in the common fund shall not constitute income but will only be an increase in the common fund meant to meet sudden eventualities

Category: Income Tax Act   Posted on: September 8, 2023

When can a Court review its own judgements and correct mistakes therein?

Though the concept of finality of judgment has to be preserved, at the same time, the principle of ex debito justitiae cannot be given a go­bye. If the Court finds that the earlier judgment does not lay down a correct position of law, it is always permissible for the Court to reconsider the same and if necessary, to refer it to a larger Bench

Category: Jurisprudence   Posted on: October 1, 2022

Compounding of offences under the Income tax Act, 1961: Revised CBDT Guidelines

In conformity with the Government’s policy of facilitating Ease of Doing Business and decriminalisation of offences, CBDT has taken steps in this direction and issued revised Guidelines for Compounding of offences under the Income-tax Act, 1961(the ‘Act’) dated 16.09.2022 with reference to various offences covered under the prosecution provisions of the Act.

Category: Income Tax Act   Posted on: September 18, 2022