Is a contract in favour of a minor enforceable or is it void, even when it is for the benefit of the minor?

As per the Contract Act, 1872 it is clearly stated that for an agreement to become a contract, the parties must be br competent to contract, wherein age of majority is a condition for competency. A contract in the name of a minor cannot be held valid, simply because it is in the interest of the minor unless he or she is represented by his or her natural guardian or guardian appointed by the court.

Category: Jurisprudence   Posted on: March 10, 2024

What are the essential elements to constitute an offence under Section 3 of the PMLA?

Mere negligence is not sufficient. Intent is essential to constitute an offense under Section 3 of the PMLA. In the absence of prima facie material to substantiate that the third party person knowingly facilitated the transfer of proceeds of the crime, no presumption can be drawn that such person was involved in money laundering as stated under Section 24. The burden is on the prosecution to prove otherwise

Category: Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002   Posted on: March 10, 2024

Can a person who is not directly engaged in criminal activity, but who is involved in some other capacity, be liable under the PMLA Act?

The short answer is that the sweep of Section 5(1) of the PMLA Act  is not limited to the accused named in the criminal activity relating to a scheduled offence. It would apply to any person (not necessarily being accused in the scheduled offence), if he is involved in any process or activity connected with the proceeds of crime. Such a person besides facing the consequence of provisional attachment order, may end up in being named as accused in the complaint to be filed by the authorised officer concerning offence under Section 3 of the 2002 Act.

Category: Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002   Posted on: March 10, 2024

What is the power of the Court to refer a dispute to arbitration if there was no arbitration clause in the agreement or if the dispute is of such a nature that it is not arbitrable?

The Arbitral Tribunals are private fora chosen voluntarily by the parties to the dispute, to adjudicate their disputes in place of courts and tribunals which are public fora constituted under the laws of the country. Every civil or commercial dispute, either contractual or non-contractual, which can be decided by a court, is in principle capable of being adjudicated and resolved by arbitration unless the jurisdiction of the Arbitral Tribunals is excluded either expressly or by necessary implication

Category: Arbitration   Posted on: December 30, 2023

Can a co-op Housing society levy mandatory charges for cultural activities?

There is no restriction on the Society to set up a cultural fund and collect the contribution for such a fund. There is no restriction that such a fund to be created only from profit earned by Society. The only prohibition for levy and collection of charges is that it should be approved by the General Body and said charges should not contradict the provisions of the Act, Rules and Bye-laws of the society

Category: Cooperative Housing Society   Posted on: November 27, 2023

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