The Committee has gone through the Answer keys and also perused the comments of the Examiners in respect of all the four questions challenged by the petitioner in the writ petition. The view of the Committee is as under:- Q.7. 'A' is married and is having one child. A's husband 'B' does not live with her. 'C' on false promise to marry 'A' makes physical relationship with her and later refused to marry. (1) 'C' has committee the offence of rape. (2) 'C' has not committed the offence of rape. (3) 'C' has committed the offence of sexual assault. (4) 'C' has committed the offence under Section 494 of Indian Penal Code. Decision As per answer key, the correct answer is (2). The Committee is of the opinion that this is the correct option. Reason The prosecutrix is only 'separated' and not 'divorced' and an inducement of marriage can only be made to an unmarried or divorced person. Here the prosecutrix still maintains her status as a married person. This follows from the decision of Supreme Court in Prashant Bharti v. State (NCT of Delhi) reported as MANU/SC/0063/2013 : (2013) 9 SCC 293, where it was held as under: "17 ...It is apparent from irrefutable evidence that during the dates under reference for a period of more than one year and eight months thereafter, she had remained married to Lalji Porwal. In such a fact situation, the assertion made by the complainant/prosecutrix, that the appellant-accused had physical relations with her, on the assurance that he would marry her, is per se false and as such, unacceptable. She, more than anybody else, was clearly aware of that fact that she had a subsisting valid marriage with Lalji Porwal. Accordingly, there was no question of anyone being in a position to induce her into a physical relationship under an assurance of marriage... The decisions of Anurag Soni v. State of Chhatisgarh reported as MANU/SC/0522/2019 : (2019) 13 SCC 1and Pramod Suryabhyan Pawar v. State of Maharashtra & Anr., reported as MANU/SC/1142/2019 : (2019) 9 SCC 608are not applicable in this case as the issue of 'promise to marry' in relation to a 'subsisting marriage' was not before the court. "Q. 53 Company 'A' is the registered trademark holder of the mark 'VITE' specifically in respect of pens. Company 'B' adopts the name 'VITE' in respect of ink. The adoption by company 'B' constitutes (1) Infringement (2) Passing of (3) Both infringement and Passing off (4) Neither infringement nor passing off" Decision As per answer key, the correct answer is (3). The Committee is of the opinion that this is the correct option. The reasoning for the same is given below. Reasons The registered trademark of the company is 'VITE' for Pens. Under Section 29(2)(a) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, if the mark used by B is identical to the registered trademark and the goods and services are similar, then the same could constitute infringement. Pens and ink are similar goods as these are cognate and allied. They are sold via the same trade channels and the class of customers is also identical. The use by B for mark 'VITE' for ink would also constitute passing off of A's goods as those of B. Use by B of the mark 'VITE' could cause damage to A's reputation as also A's business and goodwill. The various preconditions for passing off would also be satisfied in terms of the judgment in Cadila Healthcare Ltd. v. Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., MANU/SC/0199/2001 : 2001 PTC 300 (SC) and in several other decisions both of the Supreme Court and the High Court. "Q.78. While sentencing the accused in an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1998, the relevant criteria is (1) Reformation (2) Deterrence & Denunciation (3) Both (1) & (2) (4) None of the above" Decision As per answer key, the correct answer is (2). The Committee is of the opinion that this is the correct option. Reasons In Shanti Lal Meena v. State of (NCT of Delhi) reported as MANU/SC/0408/2015 : (2015) 6 SCC 185, where in a case under POC Act, after considering the principles of sentencing policy and past precedents, the Supreme Court (Three Judge Bench) held as under: "20. As far as punishment for offences under the PC Act is concerned, we do not think that there is any serious scope for reforming the convicted public servant. The moment he is convicted, he loses his job. Hence, there is no significance to the theory of reformation of his conduct in public service. The only relevant object of punishment in such cases is denunciation and deterrence. That is the reason Parliament has restricted the judicial discretion in imposing punishment." So far as decision in K.P. Singh v. State (NCT of Delhi) reported as MANU/SC/1072/2015 : (2015) 15 SCC 497 (Two Judge Bench) is concerned, although the view of V. Gopala Gowda, J. does not refer to sentencing policy but the concurring view of T.S. Thakur, J. refers to it in following words: "10. Determining the adequacy of sentence to be awarded in a given case is not an easy task, just as evolving a uniform sentencing policy is a tough call. That is because the quantum of sentence that may be awarded depends upon a variety of factors including mitigating circumstance peculiar to a given case. The Courts generally enjoy considerable amount of discretion in the matter of determining the quantum of sentence. In doing so, the courts are influenced in varying degrees by the reformative deterrent and punitive aspects of punishment, delay in the conclusion of the trial and legal proceedings, the age of the accused, his physical/health condition, the nature of the offence, the weapon used and in the cases of illegal gratification the amount of bribe, loss of job and family obligations of accused are also some of the considerations that weigh heavily with the Courts while determining the sentence to be awarded. The Courts have not attempted to exhaustively enumerate the considerations that go into determination of the quantum of sentence not have the Courts attempted to lay down the weight that each one of these considerations carry. That is because any such exercise is neither easy nor advisable given the myriad situations in which the question may fall for determination. Broadly speaking, the courts have recognised the factors mentioned earlier as being relevant to the question of determining the sentence. Decisions of this Court on the subject are a legion. Reference to some only should, however, suffice." The above is a generalised view of the parameters involved in award of sentence in a criminal case. The sentence was not reduced on the aspect of reformation but on other aspects including period of trial, bribe amount and undergone sentence. The decision in B.G. Goswami v. Delhi Administration reported as MANU/SC/0081/1973 : (1974) 3 SCC 85was again a decision of a "Two Judge bench'. "Q.134. A Decision rendered in a proceeding under Section 372, Indian Succession Act, 1925 (1) is summary in nature (2) does not finally decide the rights of the parties (3) does not bar the trial of the same question in any other proceedings between the same parties (4) All of the above" Decision As per the answer key, the correct answer is (4).The Committee is of the opinion that this is the correct option. The reasoning for the same is set out below: Reasons Proceedings under Section 372 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925 for grant of succession certificate is not for the purpose of adjudication of any claims between the legal heirs. Such application is made under Section 372. A succession certificate cannot be granted in respect of any debt or security for which letters of administration or probate is required. Under Section 373, the proceedings are summary in nature. If there are any questions of fact and law, which are intricate and difficult to determine, the District Judge only takes a prima facie view as to which person has the best title. Since the proceedings are summary in nature, Section 387 specifically stipulates that there would be no bar to conduct a trial on the same question in any suit or proceedings between the same parties. Thus, the correct answer is (4) i.e. All of the above. Case Law Section 372-Proceedings for grant of Succession Certificate-Grant of certificate of any decision made in such proceedings will not bar any party to the proceeding to raise same issue in a subsequent suit. [Madhvi Amma Bhawani Amma and Ors. Vs. Kunjikutty Pillai Meenakshi Pillai and Ors. C.A. No. 1544 of 1990 Decided On: 27.04.2000, paras 13, 16, 19] This sub-section [Section 373, Indian Succession Act, 1925] reveals two things, first adjudication is in a summary proceedings and secondly if the question of law and fact are intricate or difficult, it could still grant the said certificate based on his prima facie title. In other words the grant of certificate under it is only a determination of prima facie title. This as a necessary corollary confirms that it is not a final decision between the parties. So, it cannot be construed that mere grant of such certificate or a decision in such proceedings would constitute to be a decision on an issue finally decided between the parties. This leaves no room for doubt. Thus any adjudication made under Part X of this Act which includes Section 373 does not bar the same question being raised between the same parties in any subsequent suit or proceedings. So we have no doubt to hold that any decision made in the proceeding under Section 372, for the grant of Succession Certificate under the Indian Succession Act, would not bar any party to the said proceedings to raise the same issue in a subsequent suit. [Joginder Pal Vs. Indian Red Cross Society and Ors. C.A. No. 5664 of 2000 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17208 of 1999) Decided On: 29.09.2000] These Sections [373, 383(e), 387, Indian Succession Act, 1925] make it clear that the proceedings for grant of succession certificate are summary in nature and that no rights are finally decided in such proceedings. Section 387 puts the matter beyond any doubt. It categorically provides that no decision under Part X upon any question of right between the parties shall be held to bar the trial of the same question in any suit or any other proceeding between the same parties. Thus Section 387 permits the filing of a suit or other proceeding even though a succession certificate might have been granted. In view of the above, the Committee is of the opinion that all the aforesaid four questions have been correctly framed and answer keys provided thereto are also correct. Registry is directed to place these Minutes on record before the Court. |