Allied Laws

 

1. Bankers lien: Bank can recover outstanding amount against firm from all or any of partners

As per sections 25 and 13(b) of the Partnership Act, partner is always liable for partnership debt unless there is an implied or express restriction to the contrary.

Section 171 of the Contract Act provides for a general bankers lien. The banker can look to his general lien as a protection against loss on loan. The deposits and securities are held to be species of goods over which lien may be exercised.

In view the provisions of Partnership Act particularly sections 25 and 13(b), all partners are jointly and severally bound to discharge the liability of a firm and bank could recover the outstanding amount against the firm from any partner and it could not lie in the mouth of a partner that he is not liable to discharge liabilities of the firm but is liable only to the extent of his share and lien could not be created against his securities.

J & K Bank Ltd vs. Abdul Samad Chaloo. AIR 2008 (J & K) 1

2. Correction of mistake in entry on date of birth in passport. Passport Act Sec. 10.

To correct a mistake in entry on date of birth in passport the individual has to approach the competent authority who had issued passport. The concerned competent authority has power to make necessary amendments in the passport and there is no need for declaratory order from Civil Court.

Siddhiqui Suriya Bano vs. Regional Passport Officer AIR 2008 (NOC) 263 (AP)

3. Denial of right to co-sharer to enjoy joint family property. Criminal proceedings cannot be under taken, remedy available under civil law

The Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court held that right of a co-sharer to enjoy the joint family property is a civil right. Such a right, if denied by the other co-sharer for one reason or the other, must be enforced by taking recourse to the remedies available under the civil laws. Criminal proceedings, cannot be taken recourse to for enforcing such a civil right.

Rajinder Singh Katoch vs. Chandigarh Administration & Ors AIR 2008 SC 178

4. Deficiency in rendering ‘Medical Services’: Consumer Protection Act

The ECG of the patient was not normal and it was found mild Ischemia. Subsequently the patient died due to cardiac arrest. It was duty of doctor to advise patient in writing to consult cardiologist as well as to reduce smoking and drinking. Failure to advice the patient amounts to deficiency in
service. Doctor held liable to pay compensation of 5 lakhs.

Smt. Indrani Bhattacharjee vs. Chief Medical Officer & Ors. AIR 2008 (NOC) 101 (NCC) – 2007(5) ALJ 735

5. Deficiency in service by Airlines: Consumer Protection Act 2(1)(g)

Loss caused to the consumer due to pilferage or theft from baggage which was opened in presence of airline authorities and they were found to be tampared. Evidence clearly showed that airlines staff had tampared with the baggage.

It was held that airlines was guilty of deficiency in services and liable to pay compensation.

Indian Airlines Ltd vs. Smt. Prakrithi Shetty AIR 2008( NOC) 102 (NCC)

6. Deficiency in Service by ‘Bank’ : Consumer Protection Act Sec. 2(1)(g)

Amount deposited by a customer in PPF account in excess of ceiling prescribed in the scheme. The Bank refused to pay interest on the excess deposits made in PPF account.

The Hon’ble Commission, Delhi held that once bank accepted the deposit made in excess of ceiling prescribed, it would be liable to pay interest on such deposit. Non payment of interest would amount to deficiency in service by the bank.

State Bank of India vs. B.V. Ramana Murthy AIR 2008 NOC 394 (NCC)

7. Mother can claim maintenance against her son : Sec. 125 of Cr. P.C.

The Hon’ble Court relying on the decision in case of Mahendrakumar Ramrao Gaikwad vs. Golbhai Ramrao Gaikwad and Anr. 2000(2) Mh. L. J. 378 (Bom) held that the son cannot be absolve from his own responsibility to maintain his mother even though the husband may be alive, son is one of those persons from whom a woman can claim maintenance u/s. 125 of Cr. P.C.

The mother would be entitled to claim maintenance from the son under section 125 of Cr. P.C. irrespective of the fact that the husband is alive.
Rafuddin vs. Smt. Salecha Khataon AIR 2008 NOC 776 (BOM)

8. Right of Child in womb in joint family property: Hindu law

A child in the womb is entitled to for a share in coparcenary property of an undivided Hindu joint family. The child is entitled for a share in the joint family property when born alive and not otherwise. On behalf of the child in the womb no partition suit is maintainable.

M.S. Subbukrishna & Ors etc. vs. Smt. Parvathi & Anr. etc. 2007 (6) AIR Kar R. 169

9. Karta of huf can enter in to contract for mortgage of undivided share of his minor son for legal necessity

The property belonging to a joint family is ordinarily managed by the father or other senior member for the time being of the family. The manager of a joint Hindu family is called the karta. So long as the members of a family remain undivided, the senior member of the family is entitled to manage the family property. The karta or manager has the power to contract debts for family purpose and family business. A joint Hindu family may have no business at all, and yet debts may be contracted by the manager for a joint family purpose. Such debts are binding on other members. Besides the power to contract debts for the family business, the manager has the power of making contracts, giving receipts and compromising or discharging claims ordinarily incidental to the business. The power of the manager of a Joint Hindu Family to alienate the joint family property is analogous to that of a manager for an infant heir. The manger of a joint Hindu family has the power to alienate for value, joint Hindu family property, so as to bind the interest of both adults and minors in the property, provided that the alienation is made for legal necessity for the benefit of the estate.

Rajat Pangaria vs. State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur & Ors. (2008) 141 Comp Cas 323 (DRAT) (Delhi)

10. Unfair trade practice by car manufacturer : Consumer Protection Act. Sections 2(1)(R) & 2(1)(g)

The consumer purchased a Mercedez Benz a luxuriour car: There was one manufacturing defect pointed out. Which required repeated repairs after its purchase. It was held that consumer was entitled to get replacement or refund of purchase price of car. Non replacement of vehicle would tantamount to unfair trade practice.

M/s. Controls & Switchgear Company Ltd. vs. M/s. Diamberchrysher India Pvt. Ltd. & Anr. AIR 2008 (NOC) 385 (NCC).