Topic
Karnataka High Court rules that banks cannot freeze accounts beyond the amounts directed by investigating agencies, reinforcing customer rights under the proportionality principle. The judgment mandates PNB to limit the freeze to Rs. 25,000 and allow access to remaining funds, setting a precedent for balanced cyber crime investigations.
The Bombay High Court has ruled that cancelling an excise license for minor operational violations requires a reasoned assessment of proportionality and mandatory consideration of the licensee's reply. This sets a critical precedent for administrative fairness in licensing sanctions, protecting small licensees from disproportionate penalties without due process.
The Bombay High Court struck down the suspension of a ration shop license and total forfeiture of a Rs. 5,000 security deposit for trivial administrative oversights, holding that such penalties violate the doctrine of proportionality and contradict the State's own punitive framework under Government Resolution 1991. This ruling reinforces that public authorities must tailor sanctions to the gravity of the breach, protecting small retailers from disproportionate state action under the Public Distribution System.
Bombay High Court upholds that dismissal from service is disproportionate for isolated misbehavior, reinforcing proportionality in disciplinary proceedings under service law.
National Green Tribunal holds that cutting electricity to enforce environmental compliance is arbitrary unless proportionate and necessary; mandates operational continuity for compliance.
Madras High Court holds that freezing entire bank account for a Rs.10,000 alleged offence violates proportionality; mandates limited lien only.