legal aptitude orient ation bookle t - pt...

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LEGAL APTITUDE BOOKLETS

Legal reasoning Orientation booklets 01, 02 and 03 are designed to provide readers a detailed introduction to Indian law.

The detailed contents for booklets are as mentioned below

Introduction to Legal Reasoning

Law and Classification of Laws

Torts

Contracts

Criminal Laws

Constitutional Law

Other Important laws (Corporate, Business, Economic etc.)

Legal Aptitude Test I

Legal Aptitude Test II and III

Legal Reasoning Test IV and V

[Please ensure you are thorough with the content before you attempt the tests.]

If you have any queries, please write to us at [email protected]

Best Wishes !

J

LEGAL APTITUDE ORIENTATION BOOKLET

Regd.Office:IndorePTcentresspreadacrossIndia~Established1993

OurmottoKarKeDikhayengeisdeliveredthroughouruniqueTechnologyDrivenProcessEngine(TDproengine).Email:[email protected] Web:www.PTeducation.com,www.facebook.com/PTeducation

PTEducation,Allrightsreserved.

A problem well understood is a

problem half solved.

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Introduction to legal reasoning Legalreasoningisatechniquetosolvealegalproblem.Thesolutionofalegalproblemliesintheapplicationoftheprinciplesoflawtoascertainedfacts.Thus,legalreasoninginvolvesapplicationofgivenlegalprinciplestothefactualsituationandinordertoarriveatthemostappropriateanswer.

Generally,alegalreasoningquestionconsistsof(1) Afactualsituationoralegalproblem.(2) Alegalprincipleorruletobeapplied.(3) Alternativesolutions(normally34innumber).

Theexamineehastomarkthemostappropriateanswerandnotmerelythecorrectone.It is importanttogothroughallthealternativescarefully,beforepickingoneasthe"right"answer.

Illustration

Principle:Apersonisguiltyofculpablehomicideamountingtomurder,iftheactbywhichthedeathiscausedisdonewithinanintentionofcausingdeath.Facts:AnilandPrakashareplayinghideandseek.Anilhidesbehindabush.Amar,whoisonaprowltohuntforrabbits,observingsomemovementnearthebushandassumingarabbitwashidingthere,firesandkillsAnil.AmardoesnotknowthatAnilwashidingbehindthebush.ThepoliceprosecuteAmarformurder.

(a) Amarwouldnotbeliableformurder,ashedidnothavetheintentiontokillAnil.(b) Amarwouldbeliableformurder,becauseheshouldhavetakencaretofindoutthetargetbeforeshooting.(c) Amarwouldnotbeliableformurder,becauseitwouldbetoomuchtoexpecthimtoidentifythetargetbeforeshooting.(NLSIUEntranceExam.2001)

Youcanbreakupthelegalprincipleintodifferentpartstounderstanditbetterandthenapplyittothegivensituation.Inthisexample,thedifferentpartsofthelegalprinciplemaybe:

(1) Personguiltyofculpablehomicideamountingtomurder(2) Actbywhichthedeathiscaused(3) Donewithintentionofcausingdeath.

Itisveryclearthatintentionofcausingdeathisamusttoholdapersonguiltyofculpablehomicideamountingtomurder.Inthegivencase,AmarhadnointentiontokillAnil.So,youcansafelymark(a)intheanswer.Further,itisimportanttonotethatyoumustnotdeviatefromthelegalprinciplegiven.Youhavetoavoidoptionslike(b)whichadvocatesreasonablecare,asitisnotmentionedanywhereinthelegalprinciple.

Theproblemsoflegalreasoninggenerallypertaintothelawoftorts,contracts,crime,constitutionetc.Astudentwhoisawareofthelegalprinciplescansolvetheproblemfasterandmoreaccurately.

Importanceinlawentranceexamination

LegalreasoningholdsthekeytotheentranceexaminationofNationalLawSchoolsandDelhiUniversity'sFacultyofLaw.Itformsanimportantpartofthequestionpaperduetotheverynatureofthissubject.UnliketheothersectionsonEnglish,reasoningandgeneralknowledge,legalreasoningproblemstestthelegalsenseandaptitudeoftheentrants.

Legalreasoningisallaboutthinkinglikealawyerinagivensituation.Legalreasoningisuniquelyimportantasnoentrantstudieslawbeforeenteringalawschool.Apriorknowledgeofsomelegalprinciplesandtheircorrectapplicationisnecessarytosolvelegalreasoningquestions.Generally,thereisnegativemarkinginthissectioninentranceexamsofNationalLawSchoolsandtheDU.Therefore,asoundknowledgeoflegalprinciplesisamustbeforeansweringaquestion.

LawsandClassificationofLaws

Lawmaybebestdefinedas"rulesofhumanconduct".Whentheserulesapplywithinnationalboundaries,theyareknownasnationallaw,whilerulesofconductbetweennationsareknownasinternationallaw.Torts,contracts,criminallaws,constitutionallaws,corporatelaws,businesslawsandeconomiclawsareallpartofnationallaws.

ThemostfundamentalsourceofalllawsinIndiaistheIndianConstitutiontowhichalllawsmustconform.

Lawsmaybedividedintocivillawsandcriminallaws.Thebasicdistinctionbetweencivilandcriminallawsisthatcivillawsinvolverestorationoftherightsofprivateparties,whilecriminallawsdealwithconductwhichisharmfultothesocietyatlarge.

Lawscanalsobeclassifiedintopubliclawsandprivatelaws.Whilepubliclawdealswithrelationsbetweenastateanditssubjects,privatelawregulatesrelationsamongsubjects.Examplesofpubliclawsareconstitutionallaw,administrativelawandcriminallaw.Examplesofprivatelawsaretorts,contracts,companylaw,tenancylaw,etc.


Law of Torts Tortmeanswrong.Buteverywrongisnotatort.Awrongmaybeacivilwrongoracriminalwrong.Tortisacivilwrongorprivatewrongi.e.awrongagainstprivateindividuals.Acriminalwrongisapublicwrongoraviolationofpubliclawamountingtoanoffenceagainstthestate.Criminalwrongsaretakencareofbycriminallaw(e.g.IndianPenalCode).Lawoftortsdealswithcivilwrongsorprivatewrongs.Further,acivilwrongisredressedorcompensatedbydamageorcompensation.Suchdamagemaybepredeterminedor fixed.

If,underanagreement,AagreestopayRs.100toBifhebreaksthecontract,damagesforthebreachofcontractisfixedtobeRs.100only.Suchdamagesarecalledliquidateddamages.But,incaseoftorts,damagesareunliquidated,i.e.notfixedornotpredetermined.Thisisbecauseoftheverynatureofthewrongfallingunderthelawoftorts.

Youcan'tfixacertainsumascompensationfordifferentactsofnegligence,nuisanceordefamation.Thequantumofcompensationshalldifferaccordingtofactsandcircumstances.

Essentialsofatort

Generally,atortconsistsofsomeactoromissionbythedefendantortortfeasororwrongdoer,withoutreasonablecause,whichhascausedsomeharmorinjurytotheplaintiff.Theessentialstoconstituteatortare:1. Awrongfulactoromissiondonebydefendant.2. Somedamageorharmorinjurysufferedbyplaintiff.3 . Somelegalremedyisthereforcausingsuchinjury.

Twomaxims

Twoimportantmaximshelpindeterminingliabilityunderthelawoftorts.Theseare1. Damnumsineinjuria2. Injuriasinedamnum

Damnumsineinjuria

Damnummeans"damage"or"harm".Sinemeans"without".Injuriameans"injury"or"legalinjury",i.e.infringementofsomelegalright.Thus,thefirstmaximDamnumsineinjuriameans"damagewithoutinjury".Itmeans,inagivencase,apersonmayhavesufferedsomedamageorharmbutnoinjuryorviolationoflegalright.Insuchacase,noactionwilllieunderthelawoftorts.Because,causingdamageorharm,howeversubstantialitmaybe,isnotactionableunlessthereisinjuriaorinfringementofsomelegalrightofthedependent.

Thus,ifIownasweetsshopandyouopenasimilarsweetsshopinadjacentbuilding,Imaysufferbigdamageorharmorlossduetoafallinthenumberofcustomers.ButIcannotsueyoufortortasthereisnoinjuria,thereisnoviolationofmylegalright.

IntheGloucesterGrammarSchoolcase,aschoolmastersetuparivalschoolintheneighbourhoodoftheplaintiff,forcinghimtoreducefeesfrom40penceto12penceperstudentandtherebycausingbigmonetarylosstohim.Thecourtheldthattheplaintiffhadnoremedyforlosssufferedbecausethedefendantwasexercisinghisownlegalrightandnoinjuriaorinfringementoflegalrightofthedefendanthadtakenplace.

IntheMogulSteamshipCo.case,anumberofshippingcompaniesjoinedtogether,offeredmuchlessfreightandtheplaintiffcompanywasforcedtomoveoutoftheteacarryingtrade.TheHouseofLordsheldthatthedefendantshadexercisedtheirownlegalrightandnolegalinjurywascausedtotheplaintiffthoughithadsufferedgreatmonetaryloss.

Injuriasinedamnum

Thesecondmaxim,injuriasinedamnum,meansinjurywithoutdamages.Itmeansplaintiffhassufferedinjury.Hislegalrightisinfringedorviolated.But,nodamageorharmiscausedtohim.Still,theplaintiffcansueistortbecauselawoftortprotectsapersonfrominjuriai.e.legalinjuryorinfringementofsomelegalmight.Whetheranyharmiscausedornot,isimmaterial.

IncelebratedcaseofAshbyv.White,theplaintiffwasaqualifiedvoterataparliamentaryelection.Defendant,areturningofficerwrongfullyrefusedtotenderhisvote.Thecandidate,forwhomtheplaintiffwantedtovote,wonbyabigmargin.Itappearedthattheplaintiffsufferednoharmorlossordamage.Yet,thedefendantwasheldliable.Plaintiffwasawardeddamages.


Lawoftortshasbeenthemostimportantareafortestinglegalreasoningability.Thedifferentlegalprinciplesandconceptsunderthelawoftorts,whichareimportantforsolvinglegalreasoningproblemsarementionedbelow.Studentsareadvisedtogothroughthosepagesandlearnthelawfirstbeforeansweringthequestionsonlegalreasoningbasedonthelawoftorts.

1. Principle:Nolegalremedyexistsforaninjurycausedbyanact,forwhichonehasconsented.Facts:Aneesh,acricketenthusiast,purchasesatickettowatchtheonedayinternationalcricketmatchbetweenIndiaandAustralia,organisedbytheBoardofControlforCricketinIndia(BCCI).AsheisabsorbedinwatchingtheexploitsofSachinTendulkar,aballstruckforasixbythelatterhitsAneeshonhisbodyandinjureshim.AneeshsuesBCCIforreimbursementofthemedicalbillhepaidfortreatmentoftheinjury.(a) Aneeshshouldbecompensatedashepurchasedthetickettogetentertainmentandnottogetinjured.(b) Aneeshwouldloseashevoluntarilyexposedhimselftotherisk.(c) BCCIisliableasitdidnotensurethatthespectatorswereprotectedfromtherisksofsuchinjuries.(NLSIU,2001)

2. Principle:Amasterisliableforthewrongscommittedbytheservantinthecourseofhisemployment.Facts:AmitworksasaclerkinapharmaceuticalcompanyBioPharmaLtd.Heisrequiredtotakestockofthegoodssuppliedandmaintaintheaccountsofthecompany.Bharat,afriendofAmit,fromtheneighbouringvillage,cametomeetAmitintheoffice.SinceBharatdidnothaveanyotheracquaintanceinthecity,hegaveRs.10,000thathehadwithhimtoAmitforsafekeeping.WhenBharatreturnedtotheofficethenextmorningtocollectthemoney,helearntthatAmithaddisappearedwithhismoney.BharatbroughtalegalactionagainstBioPharmaLtd.fortherecoveryofthemoney.(a) BioPharmaLtd.,wouldbeliable,sinceAmitreceivedthemoneywhilebeingintheoffice.(b) BioPharmaLtd.,wouldnotbeliable,asBharathadnobusinesstransactionswiththecompany.(c) BioPharmaLtd.,wouldnotbeliable,assafekeepingofmoneywasnotpartofAmit'sduty.(NLSIU,2001)

3. Principle:Anoccupierisliabletoatrespasserinrespectofsomewilfulactintendedtocauseharmordonewithrecklessdisregard.Facts:AfarmhousebelongingtoNarayanhaditsfencingelectrified.Theobjectwastoensurethatthefarmwassecuredfromanywildanimalsinthevicinity.Therewasaclearwarningabouttheelectrifiedfencing.Acricketball,hitfromanearbyplayground,fellwithinthefarm.Viren,acoachconductingasummercampforschoolchildren,attemptedtojumpthefencetoretrievetheballandgotinjuredonaccountoftheelectricshock.VirenfiledasuitagainstNarayanforrelief.(a) Narayanwillnotbeliable,becauseVirenwasatrespasser.(b) Narayanwillnotbeliable,becausehehadgivensufficientwarningaboutelectricfence.(c) Narayanwillbeliable,becausehemusthavetakennoteoftheadjacentplayground.(NLSIU,2001)

4. Principle:Acarelesspersonbecomesliableforhisnegligencewhenheowedadutyofcaretoothers.Facts:Asthebuswasleavingtheplatform,Baburushedandboardedthebuskeepingthedooropen.Inder,whowasstandingattheedgeoftheplatform,washitbythedoorofthemovingbusandwasinjured.IndertakesBabutocourtdemandingmonetarycompensation.(a) BabuisliabletoInderfornothavingtakencaretoclosethedoorofthemovingbus.(b) BabuisnotliabletoInder,asitwasthedutyoftheconductorofthebustoclosethedoor.(c) BabuisnotliabletoInder,asitwasthedutyofthelattertotakesufficientcare,whilestandingontheplatform,asnottoexposeoneselftosuchaccidentalharm.(NLSIU,2001)

DIRECTIONS:Followingquestionsarebasedonthegivenlegalprinciple.Youcanselecttheanswerfromfollowingcodes.

(a) Aisliablefortortofnegligence.(b) Aisnotliablefortortofnegligence.(c) Factsofthecasegiveinsufficientevidence.(d) Noneofthese.

LegalPrinciple:Inactionfornegligence,followingessentialsmustbefulfilled.(a) That"A"oweddutyofcaretotheplaintiff.(b) That"A"madeabreachofthatduty.(c) Plaintiffsuffereddamagesasaconsequencethereof.

5. Facts:Awasthemanufacturerofgingerbeer.Theplaintiffpurchasedabottleofthisgingerbeerfromaretailerforhisladyfriend.Someofthecontentswerepouredinatumblerandsheconsumedthesame.Whentheremainingcontentsofthebottlewerepouredintohertumbler,thedecomposedbodyofsnailfloatedoutwithhergingerbeer.Herhealthseriouslysufferedbydrinkingthecontaminatedcontents.Thebottlewasofdarkopaqueglassandclosedwithametalcap,sothatcontentscouldnotbeascertainedbyinspection.


6. Facts:Aboardedatrainwhichhadjuststartedmovingbutkeptthedoorofthecarriageopen.Thedooropenedoutside.Theplaintiff,aporter,whowasstandingontheedgeoftheplatformwashitbythedoorandinjured.

7. Principle:Whenapersonconsentstotheinflictionofsomeharmuponhimself,hehasnoremedyintort.Facts:Theplaintiffwasatamotorcarracebeingheldonatrackownedbyacompany.Duringtheracetherewasacollisionbetweentwocars,oneofwhichwasthrownamongthespectators,therebyinjuringtheplaintiff.Plaintifffiledasuitagainstthecompany.(a) Companyisliable.(b) Companyisnotliable.(c) Companyisnotliablebecauseplaintiffimpliedlytooktheriskofinjury.(d) Companyisnotliablebecauseitowednodutyofcaretotheplaintiff.

8 . Principle:Thereisnoliabilityintortincasesofinevitableaccidents.Facts:Twostrangerstookaliftinajeep.Duringthejourney,oneoftheboltsthatfastenedtherightfrontwheelgaveway.Thetwostrangerssufferedseriousinjuriesintheaccident,resultinginthedeathofoneofthem.Thesurvivorfiledasuitagainstjeepownerforcompensation.(a) Jeepownerisliable.(B) Jeepownerisnotliablebecauseitwasaninevitableaccidentandthedefectinjeepwasnotapparent.

9. Principle:Anemployerisresponsibleforanyaccidentorlosscausedtohisemployees,duringthecourseofemployment.Facts:JohnrunsEmpireCircus.Thecircushasaverypopularshowcalled''MotorCycleinGlobe''.TwomotorcyclistsRohitandMohitdrivetheirmotorcycleswithintheglobeincompletedarkness.Duringoneshow,anaccidenthappens.ThemotorcycleofRohitandMohitcollidewitheachother.RohitdiesintheaccidentwhileMohitloseshisleg.TheirparentsclaimcompensationfromJohnthemanagerandproprietorofEmpireCircus.(a) Johnisnotliabletopayanycompensation,becausetherewasnofaultofhimintheaccident.(b) Johnisnotliabletopaybuthemaypayifhethinksso.(c) Johnisliabletopaybecauseheistheemployerandtheaccidentoccurredduringthecourseofemployment.(d) Noneoftheabove.

10. Principle:Acarelesspersonbecomesliableforhisnegligencewhenheowesadutytotakecareofanother.Facts:Neelam,whosehusbandhadbeenkilledinamotoraccident,filesanappealthroughhercounselclaimingenhancedcompensation.Thecaseremainedonthedailylistofthecourtfortwoweeksandthenithasdismissedondefault.ThecounselofNeelamis(a) liabletoNeelamfornothavingtakencaretoenquirethedailylist.(b) notliabletoNeelamasitwasthedutyofthecourtofinformNeelam.(c) notliablebecauseitwasthedutyofNeelamtotakecare.(d) Both(b)and(c)arecorrect.

11. Principle:Aprincipalshallbeliableforanydamagecausedbytheagentinthecourseofemployment.Thescopeofanagent'sauthorityisconditionednotonlybythepowerconferredbytheprincipal,butbythereasonablepublicperceptionofsuchauthority.Facts:Fortisisawellknownhospital,offeringspecialisedfacilities.Whenapatientcomestothehospital,thegeneralphysicianexamineshimandrefershimtotherelevantspecialist.ThebrochureofhospitaldescribesallthedoctorsasdoctorsofFortis.But,infact,allofthemincludingthegeneralphysicianareindependentpeople,usingthehospital'sfacilitiesundercontractualarrangements.

Madan,havinggonethroughthebrochure,cametothehospitalseekingacureforararekindofdisease.Hewasadmittedintothehospitalandoperateduponforsomeheartproblem.Amongthevariousdocumentshesignedatthetimeofadmission,therewasaforminwhichFortisdisclaimedliabilityforthenegligenceofanydoctor.Madansignedallthedocumentsmechanicallyasmostofthepatientstendtodounderthoseagonisingcircumstances.Duetothenegligenceofoperatingsurgeon,Madandied.WhenhiskithandkinfiledasuitagainstFortisallegingnegligence,Fortisresistedtheclaimonthebasisofthedocument,signedbyMadan.(a) Fortisshallnotbeliable,sincethecontractsignedbyMadan,exempteditfromanyliability.(b) Fortisshallnotbeliable,sinceitisnotreallyinapositiontocontrolthespecialistsurgeoninthecourseofacomplicated

operation.(c) Fortisshallbeliable,becauseMadanwasdrawnintothehospitalbyitsbrochure,describingthevariousfacilitiesavailable.

(NLSIU,2002)

12. Principle:Anemployershallbeliabletotheinjuriescausedtohisemployeebythenegligenceofafellowemployeeinthecourseofemployment.SahilandAkhileshweretwoemployeesworkinginthetextilefactoryofGhanshyamdas.Oneday,Sahilcametothefactoryinaninebriatedstateandhishandswerenotsteadywhileoperatingthemachine.Asaresult,Akhilesh,whojusthappenedtogonearthemachineforsomework,gotinjured.HefiledasuitagainstGhanshyamdasforcompensation.(a) Ghanshyamdaswillbeliable,becauseAkhileshwasinjuredbySahil'sactinthecourseofemployment.(b) Ghanshyamdaswillnotbeliable,becausehewasnotresponsibleforSahil'sinebriatedcondition(c) Ghanshyamdaswillnotbeliable,becauseAkhileshhimselfshouldhavebeencarefulwhilegoingnearSahil.(NLSIU1995)


Law of Contract LawsrelatingtocontractsarecontainedintheIndianContractAct,1872.Contractsarefundamentaltohumanbehaviourinasocietyaseverydayweenterintoagreementsofsomesortortheotherinourdaytodaylife.Lawofcontractisatthecoreofallcommercialactivitiesand,hence,itisoneofthemosttestedareasinlawentranceexamination.Normally,4to5questionsareaskedineverylawentranceexam,basedontheprinciplesofthelawofcontract.Studentsareadvisedtolearnthebasicprinciplesofthelawofcontractbeforeansweringthequestionsthatfollow.

ThequestionsarebasedonpreviousquestionpapersofNLSIU,BangaloreNUJS,Kolkataand,DelhiUniversity.

1. Principle:Acontractisanagreementenforceablebylaw.Facts:SmitainvitedNikitatoherhousefordinner.Nikitaacceptedtheinvitationbutlaterdidnotgo.OnNikita'sfailuretoattend,SmitafiledasuitagainstNikitaforthepriceofnonconsumedfood.Canthisagreementbeenforcedbylaw?(a) Thisagreementcannotbeenforcedasitisjustasocialagreement.(b) ThisagreementcanbeenforcedasSmitacanrecoverthepriceofnonconsumedfood.(c) ThisagreementcannotbeenforcedasNikitadidnotaccepttheinvitationinwriting.(NUJS,2000)

2. Principle:Aminor'sagreementisabsolutelyvoid.Facts:Rajesh,aged16,isastampcollector.HeisparticularlyanxioustogetararestampbelongingtoChirag,whoagreesinwritingtosellittoRajeshforRs.100,butsubsequentlyrefusestodeliverittoRajeshthoughRajeshpaysRs.100.RajeshnowwantstosueChirag.Willhesucceed?(a) RajeshcannotsucceedasChiragisnotliable.(b) RajeshcansucceedashehaspaidRs.100forthestamp.(c) RajeshcansucceedasChiragagreedinwritingtosellthestamp.(NUJS,2000)

3. Principle:Acontractwithoutconsiderationisvoid.When,atthedesireofoneparty,theotherpartydoessomething,theconsiderationissaidtoflowfromthelattertotheformer.Facts:Ahousewasonfireandachildwastrappedinsidethehouse.Everyonewasshoutingforhelp.Abraveonlooker,hearingtheshrieksofchild,wentinsidethehouseandbroughtitout.ThegratefulfatherofthechildpromisedtopaytherescuerRs.10,000.Subsequentlyherenegedonthepromise.Therescuersuedhimforthebreach.(a) Thefatherofthechildmustpayfortheservicerenderedbytherescuer.(b) Therescuerisnotentitledtothepayment,sincehehadactedonhisown.(c) Commercialconsiderationcannotbeappliedtohumanitarianinstincts.(NLSIU,2002)

4. Principle:Whentheparties toanagreementagreeonthesamethingin thesamesense,therearisesa legallybindingobligationbetweenthem.Facts:SameerGallerywasawellknownantiqueshopinthecity.Sheela,whohadpenchantforcollectingarticlesofrarebeauty,wastakenupbyanintricatelydesignedflowervaseintheshop.TheshopkeeperexplainedtoherthevasebelongedtotheVijaynagarEmpireperiodandalthoughverydelicate,itwasquitestrongandnoteasilybreakable.Sheelasaidthatshewasattractedtoitonlyfortheaestheticpleasureitgaveheranditsothercharacteristicswereimmaterialtoherandboughtthepiece.Shelaterdiscoveredthatitwasnotaperiodpieceandnoticeditdevelopingcracksaswell.SheproceededagainsttheproprietorofSameerGalleryformonetaryrelief.(a) SameerGallerymustcompensateSheela,sinceboththecharacteristicsattributedtothearticlewereprovedwrong.(b) SameerGalleryneednotcompensate,sinceSheelawasunconcernedaboutwhatwasattributedtothearticle.(d) Theproprietormustcompensateherforirresponsiblestatementsmadebyhim.(NLS IU,2001)

5. Principle:Ifboththepartiesagreeuponthesamethinginthesamesense,thepartiesareboundbytheiragreement.Facts:SunnywrotetoKapilofferingtosellhishorseforRs.20000.Kapilwroteback,''IagreetopurchaseyourblackhorseforRs.20000.''(a) Thepartiesareboundbytheiragreementastheyagreeonthepriceandalsoonthegoodsforsale.(b) Thepartiesarenotfoundbytheagreementastheobjectisuncertain.(c) Thepartiesareboundbytheiragreementasthecolourofthehorseisonlyaquestionofdetail.(NLSIU,2001)


6. Principle1: Noconsideration,nocontract.Principle2:Considerationissomethingdoneornotdoneatthedesireofanotherparty.Principle3:Considerationmusthavevalueintheeyeoflaw.Facts:InnovativeEducationTrustmanagesaschoolnamedBharatVidayaniketan.Raman,theparentofastudentintheschoolsuggestedtothetrustthatitcouldbuildanewlibrarybuildingforwhichhewouldbearapartofthecost.Theschoolauthoritiesacceptedthesuggestionandstartedconstructionofthebuilding.Raman,whosufferedalossinbusiness,nowrefusestopaythemoneyhehadofferedearlier.(a) Ramanisnotliabletopayasthebuildingwasforthebenefitoftheschoolandhehadnothingtodowithitbywayof

enjoymentandbenefit.(b) HeisliabletopayasRaman'schildisastudentinthesameschool.(c) Ramanisliabletopaybecause,baseduponhispromise,theschoolauthoritiesstartedconstructionofthebuilding.

(NLSIU,2000)

7. Principle1:Acceptanceofanofferiscompletewhentheacceptanceisputintothecourseoftransmissionsoastobeoutofthepoweroftheacceptor.Principle2:Acceptance,oncecompleted,makestheagreementbindingonboththeparties.Facts:PacceptsQ'sofferofhismotorcarforRs.4lakh.Theacceptancewasputintoanemail.Unfortunately,whentheemailwastransmitted,thereweredistortions,asaresultofwhich,QisnotinapositiontoreallyreadwhatPhadwritten.(a) Boththepartiesareboundtoperformtheirpartoftheagreement.(b) Nobodyisboundtoperformtheagreement.(c) PisboundtoperformtheagreementbutnotQ.(d) QisboundtoperformtheagreementbutnotP.(NLSIU,2000)

8. Principle:Agreements,themeaningofwhichisnotcertainorisnotcapableofbeingmadecertain,arevoid.Facts:RohitagreestosellSalim''onethousandmoundsofriceatapricetobefixedbyPrem.''IstheagreementbetweenRohitandSalimvoid?(a) Yes.(b) No,becausethepricecanbemadecertainbyPrem.(c) Yes?,becauseRohithasnotfixedtheprice.

9. Principle:Apersonwhoisusuallyofsoundmind,butoccasionallyofunsoundmind,maynotmakeacontractwhenheisofunsoundmind.Apersonwhoisusuallyofunsoundmind,butoccasionallyofsoundmind,maymakeacontractwhenheisofsoundmind.Facts:Mayur,apatientinalunaticasylum,is,atintervals,ofsoundmind.CanMayurcontractatintervals?(a) Yes,becauseheisahumanbeing.(b) No.(c) Yes,becauseheisofsoundmindduringthoseintervals.Whodecidesifheissoundataparticularinterval?How?

10. Principle:Whereboththepartiestoanagreementareunderamistakeastoamatteroffactessentialtotheagreement,theagreementisvoid.Facts:KartikagreestobuyfromArifacertainhorse.Itturnsoutthatthehorsewasdeadatthetimeofthebargain,thoughneitherpartywasawareofit.IstheagreementbetweenKartikandArifvoid?(a) Yes,becauseKartikandArifwerefriends.(b) Yes,becauseKartikandArifwereunderamistakeastoamatteroffact,whichisessentialtotheagreement.(c) No,becauseKartikwasinformedofthehorsebeingdead.(d) No,becauseArifwasinformedofthefact.

11. Principle:Apersontowhommoneyhasbeenpaid,oranythingdelivered,bymistakeorundercoercionmustrepayorreturnit.Facts:MohiniandHemajointlyowe100rupeestoMegha.MohinialonepaystheamounttoMegha.Hemanotknowingofthisfact,pays100rupeesagaintoMegha.IsMeghaboundtorepayHema?(a) No.(b) Yes,MohiniandGitaarefriends.(c) Factsarenotclear.(d) Yes,becauseHemahaspaidMeghaundermistakeorunknowingly.


12. Principle:Anagreementisacontractifit ismadebythefreeconsentofthepartiescompetenttocontract,foralawfulconsiderationandwithalawfulobject,andtheyarenotherebyexpresslydeclaredtobevoid.Facts:SunilagreestosellSarthakahouseworthRs.100000forRs.1000.IstheagreementbetweenSunilandSarthak,acontract?(a) No,becausetheconsiderationisinadequate.(b) No,becauseSarthakhasplayedfoulonSunil.(c) Yes,becauseinadequacyofconsiderationdoesnotmakeanagreementvoid.(d) No,becausethereisnofreeandexpressconsent.

13. Principle:Whereapersonlawfullydoesanythingforanotherperson,ordeliversanythingtohim,notintendingtodosogratuitously,andsuchanotherpersonenjoysthebenefitthereof,thelatterisboundtomakecompensationtotheformerintherespect,ortorestore,thethingsodoneordelivered.Facts:Pramod,atradesman,leavesgoodsatArvind'shousebymistake.Arvindtreatsthegoodsashisownandusesit.IsArvindboundtorepayPramod?(a) No,becausePramodandArvindarefriends.(b) Yes,becausePramodneverintendedtoleavethegoodsatArvind'shouse,butleftthembecauseofamistake.(c) No,becausePramodleftthegoodsatArvind'shouseduetohisownfault.

14. Principle:Inthecaseofalternativepromises,onebranchofwhichislegalandtheotherillegal,thelegalbranchalonecanbeenforced.Facts:MahendraandSurendraagreethatMahendrashallpaySurendraRs.1,000forwhichSurendrashallafterwardsdelivertoMahendrariceorsmuggledopium.Whichisavalidcontract?(a) Todeliversmuggledopium(b) Todeliverrice(c) Both(a)and(b)

15. Principle:Contingentcontractstodoornottodoanything,ifanuncertainfutureeventhappens,cannotbeenforcedbylawunlessanduntilthateventhashappened.Iftheeventbecomesimpossible,suchcontractsbecomevoid.Facts:PrateekcontractstopayDiwakarasumofmoneywhenDiwakarmarriesAnita.AnitadieswithoutgettingmarriedtoDiwakar.HasthecontractbetweenPrateekandDiwakarbecomevoid?(a) No.(b) Yes,Diwakarcanmarrysomeotherperson.(c) Yes,becausetheeventhasbecomeimpossible.

16. Principle:Apersonwhorightfullyrescindsacontractisentitledtocompensationforanydamagewhichhehassustainedthroughthenonfulfilmentofthecontract.Facts:Meghna,asingercontractswithHarsh,themanagerofthetheatre,tosingathistheatrefortwonightseveryweekduringthenexttwomonths.Heengagestopayher100rupeesforeachnight'sperformance.Onthesixthnight,Meghnawilfully absents herself from the theatre and Harsh, in consequence, rescinds the contract. IsHarsh entitled to claimcompensation?(a) Yes,becausehehassufferedloss.(b) No.(c) Yes,becausehehasrightfullyrescindedthecontract.

17. Principle:Aperson,whoisinterestedinthepaymentofmoneywhichanotherisboundbylawtopayandwhothereforepaysit,isentitledtobereimbursedbytheother.Facts:HarbansholdalandinBengal,onaleasegrantedbySatish,thezamindar.TherevenuepayablebySatishtothegovernmentbeinginarrears,hislandisadvertisedforsalebythegovernment.SalewillalsoterminatetheleaseofHarbans.Topreventthesaleandtheconsequentterminationofhisownlease,HarbanspaysthegovernmentthesumduefromSatish.IsSatishboundtomakegoodtoHarbanstheamountsopaid?(a) No.(b) Yes.(c) DependsuponSatish'swish.


Criminal Laws Criminallawdealswiththeactsofcrimeandpunishmentsprovidedtherefor.ItiscontainedmainlyundertheIndianPenalCode,1860(IPC).TheIPCclassifiescertainactstobecrimesoroffencesandmakesthempunishable,generallywithimprisonment.

TheCodeofCriminalProcedure,1973(Cr.P.C.)laysdowntheprocedureofthecourtdealingwithanoffenceunderIPC.

Legalreasoningofalawentrantistestedintheareaofcriminallawtoappreciatehisunderstandingoftheprinciplesofacriminalact.Thelegalprinciplesgenerallycomefromsomespecificcrimeslikecheating,theft,culpablehomicide,murder,criminaltrespass,extortion,kidnapping,rashandnegligentact,etc.

Studentsareadvisedtogothroughthebasicprinciplesofcriminallawbeforeansweringthequestionsgivenbelow.

1. Principle:EverypersonwhocommitsanoffenceintheterritoryofIndiashallbeguiltywithinthemeaningofIndianPenalCode.Facts:John,acitizenofFrancecommitsmurderinMadras.Inthiscase(a) John,isnotguiltybecauseheisnotacitizenofIndia(b) JohnisguiltyofmurderbecauseeverypersonwhetherheisacitizenofIndiaornot,isliableifhecommitsonoffencein

India.(c) Johnisliablebuthecan'tbetriedinIndia.

2. Principle:AnIndiancitizen,ifhecommitsanoffencewithinthemeaningofIndianPenalCodeinanyothercountry,willstillbeliabletobetriedinIndia.Facts:Avinash,acitizenofIndia,commitsamurderintheUSA,whichisnotanoffenceintheUSA.Inthepresentcase,(a) AvinashisguiltyofmurderandcanbetriedinIndiairrespectiveofthefactthatmurderisnotanoffenceintheUSA.(b) AvinashisnotguiltyofmurderinIndiabecauseitisnotanoffenceintheUSA.(c) AvinashisnotguiltyofmurderbecauseitwasnotcommittedinIndia.

3. Principle:Nothingisanoffencewhichisdonebyaccident,andwithoutanycriminalintention.Facts:Aneezfiresarevolverintheair.Ahmad,whoiscomingdownbyaparachuteishitandkilled.Inthiscase(a) Aneezcanbeheldguiltyifhehasdonetheactintentionally.(b) Aneezcan'tbeheldliableifhecanprovethatAhmadwaskilledaccidentally.(c) Aneezisnotliablebecausehefireditintheair.

4 . Principle:Nothingisanoffencewhichisdonebyachildwhoisbelowsevenyearsofage.Facts:Paras,achildof6yearsfiresarevolver,whichresultsinthedeathofhisfather.Inthiscase,(a) Paraswillbeguiltyofmurder,becausehehascommittedmurder.(b) Paraswillnotbeguiltyofmurderbecausehefiredtherevolveraccidentallyathisfather.(c) Paraswillnotbeguiltybecauseheisbelow7yearsofageandthusincapableofanoffence.

5. Principle:Everypersonhasarighttodefendhisownbodyandthebodyofanyotherperson,againstanyoffencecommittedby anybody.Facts:Vasu,undertheinfluenceofmadness,attemptstokillVenkatesh.Venkatesh,defendinghimselfagainstVasu'sattacks,killsVasu.Inthepresentcase,(a) Venkateshisguiltyofmurder.(b) Venkateshisnotguiltyofmurder,becausehehastherightofprivatedefenceofbodyevenagainstamadperson.(c) Noneoftheabove.

6. Principle:Apersonwhoinstigatesanotherpersontocommitanoffenceissaidtoabetthesaidoffence.Facts:VidhuinstigatesBhaskartomurderShobhit.Bhaskar,inpursuanceoftheinstigation,stabsShobhit.Shobhitsubsequentlyrecoversfromthewound.Inthepresentcase(a) Vidhuisnotliableforanyoffence.(b) VidhuisnotliablebecauseShobhithasrecoveredfromthewound.(c) VidhuisguiltyofinstigatingBhaskartocommitmurder.


7. Principle:Apersonisguiltyofcheating,whenhefraudulentlyinducesanotherpersontodeliverthelatter'spropertytohim.Facts:VimalfalselyrepresentedtoKamal,ashopownerthathewasanofficerfromtheCommercialTaxDepartment.Whileexaminingtheaccountsoftheshop,Vimalshowedinterestinbuyingamicrowaveovenoninstalmentbasis.Kamalreadilyagreedwith thehopethathewouldgeta favourableassessmentfromVimalregardshistax liability.Vimalpaid thefirstinstalment,tookthemicrowaveovenanddisappearedfromthescene.Thepolice,however,managedtocatchholdofVimalandprosecutehimforcheating.(a) Vimalcommittedcheating,becauseheinducedKamaltopartwiththemicrowaveoven,posingasthoughhewasfromthe

CommercialTaxesDepartment.(b) Vimalcommittedcheating,becausehedidnotpaythesubsequentinstalments.(c) Vimaldidnotcommitcheating,becauseKamalhandedoverthearticleinordertogetafavourableassessmentfromVimal.

(NLSIU,2001)

8. Principle:Whoeverbywords,signsorotherwise,bringsintohatredorcontemptorexcitesdisaffectiontowardsthegovernmentestablishedbylawinIndiashallbepunishedwithimprisonmentforlife.Facts:Inapublicmeeting,YashpalReddy,theleaderofanoppositionpartythunders.''Thisisagovernmentofscoundrels,bootleggersandscamsters.Theydeservetobeunseated.Teachthemalessoninthecomingelectionsbyvotingthemoutofpower.''ThegovernmentiscontemplatingtoprosecuteYashpalReddy.(a) YashpalReddyisguiltyofseditionforhavingmadeirresponsibleandinflammatorystatementsagainstthegovernment.(b) YashpalReddyisnotguiltyofseditionasheisonlyexercisinghisfreedomofspeechinpublic.(c) YashpalReddyisguiltyofseditionashisstatementwouldincitepeopletoviolenceleadingtoabreakdownoflawand

order.(NLSIU,2001)

9. Principle:Whenapersonrepresentstoanothersomethingasatruefact,knowingfullywellthatitisnottrue,heisguiltyoffraud.Thepersonsubjectedtofraudmayavoidanagreement.Facts:Mayankpresentsahorseforsale.Thehorseiskeptondisplaysothatanyoneinterestedcouldexamineit.Thehorsehasacrackedhoofanditiscleverlyconcealedbytheowner.NishanttellsMayank''Ifyoudonotdenyit,Ishallassumethatthehorseissound.''Mayankkeepssilent.Nishantpurchasesthehorse.(a) Nishantcanavoidtheagreementondiscoveryofthedefect.(b) Nishantcannotavoidtheagreement,asthehorsewasondisplayandhecouldhavesatisfiedhimselfofitssoundnessby

personalexamination.(c) NishantcannotavoidtheagreementasMayankdidnotmakeanyrepresentationtomisleadhim.Hemerelykeptsilentso

thatNishantcouldfindthingsoutbyhimself.(NLSIU,2001)

10. Principle: Anact doneby achild between7and12years of age isnotan offence, if he/she isnotmatureenough tounderstandthenatureandconsequencesoftheact.Facts:Amarachildof9years,findsagoldchaininthehouseofhisuncleandgivesistohisbrotherRohit,aged5years,askinghimnottotellanyone.Theunclereportedittothepolicestationandpoliceconductedasearch.Duringthesearch,thegoldcoinfallsfromthepocketofRohitandwhenthepoliceaskRohit,hesaysthatitwasgiventohimbyhisbrotherAmar.(a) BothAmarandRohitareguiltyoftheft.(b) AmarisguiltyoftheftbutRohitisnot.(c) BothAmarandRohitarenotguiltyoftheft.(NLSIU,2000)

11. Principle1:Preparationtocommitanoffenceisnotanoffence.Principle2:Afteronehasfinishedpreparationtocommitanoffence,anyactdonetowardscommittingtheoffencewiththeintentiontocommitit,isanattempttocommittheoffence,whichisbyitselfanoffence.Facts:MohitwantstokillVikas.Hebuysagunandcartridgesforcommittingthemurder.HethensetsoutsearchingforVikasandwhenheseesVikas,heloadshisgunandtakesaimatVikasandpullsthetrigger.Thegundoesnotfire.(a) MohitisguiltyofattempttomurderVikasfromthetimehesetsoutinsearchofVikas.(b) Mohitisguiltyofattempttomurderfromthetimeheloadshisgun.(c) MohitisguiltyofattempttomurderfromthemomenthetakesaimatVikas.(NLSIU,2000)


12. Principle:Tobeheldguiltyofanoffence,oneshouldhavedonetheactthatcausestheintendedresult.Facts:VikramwiththeintentiontomurderPranavstabshimrepeatedlywithknife.Pranavistakentohospitalandisfoundoutofdanger.Thereafter,duetothenegligenceofthedoctor,Pranav'swoundsareinfectedandherequiressurgicalintervention.Duringthetimeofoperationtoremovehisinjuredinfectedleg,Pranavdiesonaccountofadministrationofgeneralanaesthesia.(a) VikramisguiltyofmurderofPranav.(b) VikramisnotguiltyofmurderofPranav,butmaybeguiltyofattempttomurder.(c) VikramisnotguiltyofmurderofPranav,butmaybeguiltyofcausinghurt.(NLSIU,2000)

13. Principle1:Mischiefisaninjurytopropertywiththeintentionofcausingwrongfullosstoanypersonorpublic.Principle2:Thepersontowhomthelossiswrongfullycausedbymischiefneednotbetheownerofthepropertyhimself.Facts:AamirhasleasedhishousetoSohailfor5years.Afteroneyear,AamirfeelstheneedforthehouseandrequestsSohailtovacatethehouse,butSohailrefuses.Aamir,inordertogetSohailvacatethehouse,setsfiretoit,butSohail,withthehelpoftheneighbours,quicklyextinguishesthefirebeforeitcanreallydamagetheproperty.(a) Aamirisguiltyofmischief.(b) Aamircannotbeguiltyofcausingmischief.(c) Aamirisnotguiltyofmischiefastherewasnodamage.(NLSIU,2000)

14. Principle:Theftisthedishonestmovingofpropertywiththeintentionoftakingitoutfortheperson'spossessionwithouthisconsent.Facts:Shahidgiveshiswoollencoattoadrycleaneralongwithhiswife'ssareesforthepurposeofdrycleaning.Heistoldtocollecttheclothesaftertwodays.Whenhecomesaftertwodays,hefindsthathedoesnothaveenoughmoneytopaythedrycleaner.Butsince,duetothewinter,heneedsthecoatdesperately,hesurreptitiouslyplacesthecoatnearhisgoodssothathecanquietlytakeitwithouttheknowledgeofthedrycleaner.(a) Shahidisguiltyoftheft.(b) Shahidisnotguiltyoftheft.(c) Shahidisnotguiltyoftheftbuthastopaycompensationtothedrycleaner.(NLSIU,2000)

15. Principle:Amanisguiltyofculpablehomicideamountingtomurder,iftheactwithwhichthedeathiscausedisdonewiththeintentionofcausingmurder.Facts:DhanrajissufferingfromjaundiceandinflammationofthebrainandShankarknowsthisconditionverywell.OncetheyhadaheatedargumentonsomeissueandDhanrajslappedShankarinanger.ShankarlosthisselfcontrolanddealtasevereblowonDhanraj'shead.Asaresult,Dhanrajdied.ThepolicesoughttoprosecuteShankarformurder.(a) Shankarwasliableformurder,becauseheknewDhanraj'sdelicatecondition.(b) Shankarwasnotliableformurder,becauseheactedinselfdefence.(c) Shankarwasnotliableformurder,becausehedidnothavetheintentiontokillDhanraj.(NLSIU,1995)

16. Principle:Selfdefenceisconsideredasauniversalexceptionforintentionallycausingharm.Facts:Robbers,armedwithknivesandcrowbars,broketheaccessdoorofahouseandenteredit.Theownerofthehousetookouthisgunandthreatenedtoshootthem.Therobbersranoutofthehouseandstartedpeltingstones.Theowneropenedfire.Havingheard the gun shot, thepolice rushed to theplace and announced that the ownermust stop firing. The owner,suspectingmischiefcontinuedtofireandapolicemanwasinjuredbyashot.Therobbersmeanwhilefled.Theownerwassuedforattackingapublicservantonduty.(a) Theownershallbeliableforcausingharm,inexcessofwhatisnecessaryforselfdefence.(b) Theownershallnotbeliableforattackingthepublicservantassuch,thoughhemaybeheldliableotherwise.(c) Theowner'sactionisjustifiedbytheconsiderationofselfdefence.(NLSIU2002)


17. Principle:Whenacriminalactisdonebyonepersoninfurtheranceofthecommonintentionofhimselfandsomeotherpersons,eachofsuchpersonsisliablefortheactinthesamemannerasifitweredonebyeachoneofthem.Facts:A,BandCdecidedtocommitburglary.Theybrokeintoalockedhouse.However,adomesticservantappearedfromtheouthousebeforetheyhadfinished,andstartedshouting.A,BandCleftthehouseandstartedrunningaway.Theywerepursuedbyasmallcrowd.A,onbeingcaughtbyX,oneofthepersonspursuingthem,stabbedhimandranaway.Bythattime,BandChaddisappeared.Xdiedonaccountofthestabwounds.Laterthepolicearrestedallthree.TheywerechargedforattemptedburglaryandmurderofX.

(a) AlongwithA,thepersonwhostabbedX,BandCarealsoguiltyofmurderbecauseAstabbedXinfurtheranceofthecommonintentiontocommitmurder.

(b) AlongwithA,BandCarealsoguiltyormurderbecauseA,atthetimeofstabbingX,wasactingonbehalfofBandCandhewantedtosavenotonlyhimselfbutBandCaswell.

(c) Aaloneisguiltyofmurderbecause,thoughtherewascommonintentiontocommittheoffenceofburglary,therewasnocommonintentiontocommittheoffenceofmurder.(NLSIU,1997)

18. Principle:Whoevercausesdeathbydoinganactwiththeintentionofcausingdeathcommitstheoffenceofculpablehomicide.Facts:ParikshitknowsVinaytobebehindabush.Umeshdoesnotknowit.Parikshit,withanintentiontocauseVinay'sdeath,inducesUmeshtofireatthebush.UmeshfiresandkillsVinay.(a) UmeshisguiltyofculpablehomicideandnotParikshit.

(b) Umeshisnotguiltyofanyoffence,butParikshitisguiltyoftheoffenceofculpablehomicideasheinducedUmeshtofirewiththeintentionofcausingVinay'sdeath.

(c) Noneoftheabove.

19. Principle:Ifanypersondoesanyactwithintentiontocausedeath,commitsculpablehomicideevenifsomepersonotherthanthepersonwhomheintendstokill,dies.Facts:Birju,giftssweetsmixedwithpoisontoGanpatwithanintentiontocausethedeathofGanpat.GanpatoffersthosesweetstoBirju'schildreninBirju'sabsence,withoutknowingthefactthatpoisonwasmixedwiththesweets.Consequently,Birju'schildrendie.(a) GanpatisguiltyofcausingthedeathofBirju'schildrenashegavethemthesweets.

(b) Birjuisnotguiltybecausehedidnotintendtokillhisownchildren.(c) Birjuisguiltyofcommittingculpablehomicide,inasmuchashehadtheintentiontocausedeath.

20. Principle:Whoeverpreventsanypersonfromproceedingbeyondcertaincircumscribinglimitsissaidtohavewrongfullyconfinedtheperson.Facts:Nischal,placesmenwithAk47attheoutletsofabuildingandtellsVikrantthatthearmedmenwillfireatVikrantifheattemptstoleavethebuilding.

(a) NischalcannotbesaidtohavewrongfullyconfinedVikrant,asVikrantcanfreelymoveinsidethehouse.(b) NischalhaswrongfullyrestrainedVikrantinasmuchasheispreventedfromproceedingbeyondthebuilding.(c) Noneoftheabove.

21. Principle: Ifanypersonenticesoralluresanyminor,outofthecustodyofthelawfulguardianofsuchminor,withouttheconsentofsuchlawfulguardian,heorsheissaidtohavekidnappedsuchminor.Facts:GauravpromisestogivetoOmprakash,aminor,agoldwatchifhecomestoanothercity.Omprakashgoestosuchothercityforreceivingthewatch.(a) Gauravisnotliableforanyoffence.(b) GauravissaidtohavekidnappedOmprakash,inasmuchasOmprakashwenttotheothercity,becauseoftheallurement

ofGaurav.(c) GauravisnotguiltybecauseOmprakashcametothecityonhisown.

22. Principle:Whoeverintentionallyputsanypersoninfearofphysicalormentalinjuryandtherebyinducestheperson,soputinfear,todeliveranypropertytoanyperson,commitsextortion.Facts:Ajay,byputtingRajendrainfearofcausingdeath,inducesRajendratodeliverhisRolexwatchtoShakti.(a) Ajayisguiltyextortion,inasmuchasthewatchwasnotdeliveredtohimbutwasdeliveredtoShakti.

(b) Ajayisnotguiltyofanyoffence.(c) AjayisguiltyofextortionbecausethewatchwasdeliveredtoShaktionlybecauseAjayputRajendrainfearofdeath.


23. Principle:Theftamountstorobberyiftheoffenderforcommittingtheftvoluntarilycausesanyperson'sdeathorcauseshurt.Facts:ParmanandpushesAnandonhisfaceandthereafterParmanandremovesAnand'swatchandwallet.(a) ParmanandisguiltofcommittingrobberyasheinflictedinjuriesonAnandforcommittingtheft.(b) Parmanandisnotguiltyofanyoffence.

(c) Parmanandisguiltyoftheft,notofrobbery.

24. Principle:Whoever,bydeceivinganyperson,fraudulentlyinducesthepersonsodeceivedtodeliveranyproperty,issaidtocheat.Facts:Arindam,byfalselyrepresentingthatheisagoldsmith,inducesAhishektodelivergoldoncredit.(a) Arindamisnotliableforanyoffence(b) Arindamisliableforcheating

(c) Arindamisguiltyofcheatingbecausehefalselyrepresentedthathewasagoldsmithforobtainingthegoldoncredit.

OtherImportantLaws

Reasoningistheessenceofallexistinglaws.Therefore,legalreasoningquestionsmaybeaskedfromanylawotherthancontract,tortandcrime,whichhavebeendiscussedsofar.Theotherareasfromwherequestionsmaybeaskedare:(a) Constitutionallaw(b) Administrativelaw

(c) Familylaw(e.g.Hindulaw)(d) Generallegalprinciples

1. Principle:Allminorities,whetherbasedonreligionorlanguageshallhavetherighttoestablishandadministereducationalinstitutionsoftheirchoice(Article30).Facts:Jayantwantstoestablishaneducationalinstitutiontohelpthepoorofhiscommunityandtoeducatethechildrenofhiscommunity.Jayantbeingaveryrichmanhasnoproblemregardingfinancefortheinstitution.Therefore,heappliestostategovernmenttogranthimpermissiontoestablishandadministertheinstitution.Stategovernmentrejectshispleaonthegroundthatsaidinstitutionwillcreatecommunaltensionintheproposedarea.WhatshouldJayantdo?

(a) Heshouldfileacivilsuitinthedistrictcourt(b) HeshouldfileaspecialleavepetitionbeforeSupremeCourt(c) Hehasnoremedyunderthelaw

(d) HeshouldfileawritpetitionbeforeSupremeCourtorHighCourt.

2. Principle:AmarriagecanbesolemnisedbetweentwoHindus,ifneitherpartyhasaspouselivingatthetimeofmarriage.Facts:GeetadecidestomarryDivyaaHindugirl.Geetaisof18yearsandDivyaisof21years.Istheproposedmarriagevalid?(a) Yes,becauseboththegirlsarenotminor.

(b) Yes,becauseneitherGeetanorDivyahasalivingspouse.(c) No,becausemarriageitselfimpliesthatitshouldbeperformedbetweenagirlandaboy.(d) Noneofthese.

3. Principle:Thecourthaspowertoissueaninjunctiontoprohibitachildmarriagefrombeingperformed.Facts:AmarriageisperformedbetweenYogeshandRashi.Yogeshis14yearsofageandRashiis17yearsofage.Ravi,apublicspiritedpersonfiledasuittodeclarethesaidmarriagevoid.Isthesuitmaintainable?(a) No,becausecourthaspowertoissueinductionandnottodeclaremarriageasvalidandvoid.

(b) No,becausethemarriageisperformedwiththeconsentoftheirparents.(c) Yes,becausethepolicyofthelawistopreventthechildmarriages.(d) Noneoftheabove.


4. Principle:Onapetitionpresentedbyeitherthehusbandorthewife,adecreeofdivorcemaybegranted,iftheotherpartyhastreatedthepetitionerwithcruelty.Facts:RahulandAnjaliarehusbandandwife.WhiletheyarereturningfromatriptoPune,atthebusterminal,their6yearoldsonalmosthasanaccidentduetothenegligenceofthewife.Husbandslapswifeinafitofanger.(a) Petitionofdivorcecannotbefiled(b) Petitionofdivorcecanbefiled

(c) Petitionofdivorcecannotbefiledongroundofcruelty,becauseslappingbyRahulinthegivensituationdoesnotamounttocruelty.

(d) Petitionfordivorcecannotbefiledonthegroundofcruelty.

5. Facts:Rajivignoredaredlightanddrovehiscarontotherailwaytracksasatrainwasapproaching.TheenginestalledandRajivdidnothavesufficienttimetogetthecaracrossthetracks.Sahil,therailwayenginedriver,sawRajivandcouldhavestoppedthetrainhadhenotbeenwavingatagroupofgirlsjoggingalongaroadbesidethetrack.TheycollidedandRajivwasinjured.InanactionbyRajivagainstSahil,(a) Rajivwillwinbecausehecouldnotgettosafetyintime.

(b) RajivwillwinbecauseSahilwasoperatingthetraininacarelessmanner.(c) RajivwilllosebecauseSahilwasrelyingonthewarningsignal.(d) Rajivwilllosebecausehedidnotobeytheredsignal. (NLSIU,88)

6. Principle:Apartnerhasimpliedauthoritytoraisealoanonbehalfofthepartnershipbusiness,ifitisnecessaryintheusualcourseofbusiness.Facts:A,BandCarepartnersinafirmofcharteredaccountants.Theyhadagreedthatnoneofthemwouldcontractaloaninthenameofthefirmwithouttheconsentofallthepartners.Nevertheless,Atookaloanfromabankinthenameofthefirmandspentthemoneyforhispersonalneeds.Thebankdemandedrepaymentfromthepartnershipfirm.(a) Thepartnershipfirmisnotliable,becausethepartnershadunanimouslyagreedthatnoneofthemwouldraisealoanin

thenameofthefirm.(b) Thepartnershipfirmisnotliable,becauseraisingaloanisnotintheusualcourseofbusinessinthiscase.

(c) ThepartnershipfirmisliablebecauseAhadactedasapartnerwhileraisingtheloan.(NLSIU94)

7. Principle:UndertheIndianConstitution,everybodyshallbeequalbeforelaw.TheIncomeTaxActhappenstoprovidethatthosewhoseannualincomeisuptoRs.60,000shallpay10percentoftheirincomeastaxandthosewhoseannualincomeexceedsRs.60,000shallpaythetaxattherateof20percent.ThosecitizenswhoseannualincomeexceedsRs.60,000,challengethelegislationonthegroundthatitisaviolationoftheprincipleofequalitybeforelaw.

(a) Theywillsucceed,becausethelawdiscriminatesagainstpeoplewhoearnmorethanRs.60000perannum.(b) Theywillnotsucceed,becausethepeoplewhoearnmorethanRs.60,000arenotequaltothepeoplewhoearnlessthan

Rs.60,000.(c) Theywillnotsucceed,becausethislawenablesthegovernmenttoequalisetheincomesofallthepeopleinthecountry.(NLSIU1994)

8. Principle:Apartnershallsharewithotherpartnerswhateverprofitshemakesinthecourseofpartnershipbusiness.Facts:Mani,KareemandAbdularepartnersdoingbusinessinsarees.WhenManiwenttothemanufacturerstobuysarees,hewastoldthatifhebought600sarees,hewouldgetadiscountofRs.100oneachsaree.Thepartnershipbusinessrequiredonly500sarees.However,Manibought600sareesandkept100sareesforhimself.Heaccountedforthesaleof500sareestohispartnersandpocketedtheprofitshemadefromthesaleofthe100sareestohimself.Onfindingthisout,KareemandAbdularedemandingashareintheprofitsmadefromthesaleofthe100sareesaswell.

(a) Maniisboundtosharetheprofitsfromthesaleofthe100sareesalso,asitwasmadeinthecourseofpartnershipbusiness.

(b) Maniisnotboundtosharetheadditionalprofitashewasaccountableonlyfor500sareestohispartners.(c) Manineednotsharetheadditionalprofit,becausehisbuyingoftheadditional100sareeswastogetthediscountandhelp

thefirm.(NLSUI,2001)


9. Facts:SunriseIndustriesLtd.isalargeindustrymanufacturingindustrialchemicalsandenzymesusedintanningprocess.Itislocated in Sambalpur inOrissa. Itwas found recently that the industry isdischarging industrial toxicwaste in theriverMahanadi.Asaresultthewaterishighlypolluted.TheOrissaPollutionControlBoarddecidestotakelegalactionagainstthecompanyforviolationofapplicableenvironmentallaws.Theyobtainanorderfromthecourttopreventtheindustryfromdischargingpollutantsintheriver.NowthePollutionControlBoardisconsideringwhetherthedirectorsofthecompanymaybeprosecutedandpunishedwithimprisonmentforviolatingthepollutioncontrollawswhichmakesuchpollutionacriminaloffence.(a) It isunreasonabletopunishthehigherofficerslikedirectorsofacompanybysendingthemtojail.Insteadofthat

companymaybeaskedtopayahugeamountoffineonly.(b) Althoughthedirectorsarenotresponsibleforthedaytodaymanagementofacompany,theycontrolresponsibility.

Hence,theymustbeprosecutedandpunished,evenwithimprisonment.(c) Thecompanymaybeaskedtopaycompensationforpollutingtheenvironment.Butthereneednotbeanycriminal

responsibilityasfarasthehigherofficialsofthecompanyareconcerned.

(d) Itwouldbeunreasonabletosendofficialsofacompanytojailforviolationofpollutioncontrollaws,becausethatwillaffectindustrialproductionandeconomicgrowthofthenationandthepeoplewillsufferbecauseofsuchharshactionagainstindustrialists.(NLSIU,1997)

10. Principle:Anadoptedchildshallbedeemedtobethechildoftheadoptiveparentswitheffectfromthedateofadoption,andfromthisdate,thechild'srelationswiththenaturalparentsshallbereplacedbyitsrelationswiththeadoptedparents.Facts:MahendrawasbornintoaprosperousHindujointfamily.UnderHindulaw,Mahendraisentitledtoashareinthepropertyinheritedbyhis(i.e.Mahendra's)fatherfromhis(i.e.Mahendra's)grandfather.Mahendrawasgiveninadoptiontoanotherperson,namelyVineet.Afterthisadoption,therewaspartitionintheerstwhilefamilyofMahendra.Mahendraclaimedashareinthecourseofpartition.(a) Mahendrawillsucceed,becausebyvirtueofbeingborn into the family,Mahendrashouldgetasharein the family

property.(b) Mahendrawillnotsucceed,becauseheisentitledtothepropertiesoftheadoptiveparentsonly.(NLSIU,1994)

11. Principle1:UnderIndianConstitution,ifapersonisconvictedofanoffence,hecannotbeprosecutedagain.Principle2:UnderCriminalProcedureCode,ifapersonisprosecutedinanoffenceandiftheprosecutionresultseitherinacquittalorinconviction,thenhecannotbetheprosecutedforthesameoffence.Facts: Ismailwasprosecutedforanoffenceofmurderandhewasacquitted.ThereafteradditionalevidencecametolightpointingtoIsmail'scomplicityinthesameoffence.Sothepolicewenttoprosecutehimagain.(a) IsmailcannotbeprosecutedasheenjoystherightunderourConstitutionnottobeprosecutedtwiceforthesame

offence.(b) IsmailcannotbeprosecutedasheenjoystherightunderCriminalProcedureCodenottobeprosecutedtwiceforthesame

offence.

(c) IsmailcannotbeprosecutedasheisprotectedbothbytheConstitutionandCriminalProcedureCode.(d) Noneoftheabove.

12. Principle1:AnylawmadebytheParliamentthatinfringesonthefundamentalrightsofthecitizensisinvalidandunenforceable.Principle2:Freedomtocarryontradeorprofessionofone'sownchoiceisafundamentalright.Principle3:TheParliamentiscompetenttoimposereasonablerestrictionsontheexerciseofthisright.Principle4: IftherestrictionimposedbytheParliamenttotallyremovesornullifiesanyfundamentalright,thenitwillbeconstruedasanunreasonablerestriction.Facts:InordertoensurethatpeopleliveinanamicableatmospherethegovernmentofIndiadecidedtoabolishcourtsandconstitutedDisputeSettlementBoards.Further,toachievethisobjective,thelawstipulatedthatlawyersshouldnotbeallowedtoespousetheclaimsofparties,insteadtheirclaimsbeespousedbysocialworkers.(a) ThelawmadebytheParliamentisvalidasitdoesnotinfringeanyfundamentalright.

(b) ThelawmadebytheParliamentisvalidas,eventhoughthereisrestrictionoffundamentalright,sucharestrictionisreasonable.

(c) ThelawmadebyParliamentisinvalidasitconstitutesaninfringementoffundamentalrightsandtherestrictionimposedisnotreasonable.

(d) Noneoftheabove.(NLSIU,1990)


13. Principle:MarriageofminorsundertheHinduMarriageAct,1955,isnotnullandvoid.Facts:Apetitionisfiledbyawifeclaimingmaintenancefromherhusbandin1989.Thehusbandopposedtheclaimonthegroundthatatthetimeofmarriage,thewifewas5yearsofageandhehimselfwas10yearsoldandthattheirmarriagewasillegal.Willthewifesucceed?(a) Thewifewillsucceedasthemarriagewasvalid.(b) Thewifewillsucceedbecausebothofthemwereminors.

(c) Thewifewillnotsucceedbecausethemarriagewasillegal.(NUJS,2000)

14. Principle:Apromissorynoteisaninstrumentinwritingsignedbythemakertopayacertainsumofmoneyonlytoortotheorderofacertainperson.Facts:RitwikpromisestopaySahilasumofRs.5,000throughemail.Later,Ritwikrefusestopay.CanSahilsuehim?(a) SahilcansuehimasRitwikmadeapromisetopayhimRs.5,000(b) Sahilcannotsuehimasthisisnotapromissorynote.

(c) Sahilcansuehimasthisisapromissorynote.(NUJS,2000)

15. Principle:Alawtakingawayafundamentalrightisunconstitutional.The44thamendmenttotheConstitutionhasremovedfundamentalrighttopropertyforeverfromtheConstitution.Decidewhetheritisconstitutional.

(a) Yes,becauserighttopropertyisnotasfundamentalasrighttolife.(b) No,becausewhenrighttopropertyisdeclaredafundamentalrightbyConstitution,alawtakingawayitisunconstitutional.(c) Yes,statecanamendanyfundamentalright.(NLSIU,1999)

16. Principle:Nopersoncanbeprosecutedandpunishedtwiceforthesameoffence.Facts:AmanandotherswereprosecutedandpunishedforanoffenceundertheSeaCustomsAct.AsecondprosecutionwasagaininitiatedagainsthimandothersforcriminalconspiracyundertheIndianPenalCode.Decide.(a) Amanandotherscan'tbeprosecutedforsameoffenceastheyhavealreadybeenpunishedundersomeotherlawi.e.Sea

CustomsAct.

(b) Yes,theycanbeprosecutedandpunishedbecauseanoffenceunderSeaCustomsActisdifferentfromanoffenceunderIPC.(NLSIU,1999)

17. Principle:Legalaidisarightandnotacharity.Apersonfacingacriminalchargeinacriminaltrialpleadsthatheisunabletoengageanadvocateforreasonsofpovertyandthatheshouldbeprovidedwithalawyeratstateexpensestodefendhim.Decide.(a) Stateisboundtoprovidehimalawyerasitisamatterofhisright.

(b) Statemayrefusetopaytheexpensesoflawyertoacriminalperson.(c) Staymaydenyonthegroundofunavailabilityoflawyerorlackoffinance.(NLSIU,1999)

18. Principle:Nopersonshouldbecondemnedunheard.Facts:Therewasacomplaintagainstagovernmentservantthathehadacceptedbribefromapersonfordoinghimafavour.Ashowcausenoticewasissuedtothegovernmentservantaskinghimshowcausewhydisciplinaryproceedingsshouldnotbeinitiatedagainsthim.Hesubmittedarepresentationinreplytotheshowcausenotice.Theofficerinchargethensubmittedhisreportthedisciplinaryauthoritytotheeffectthatthechargewasproved.Thegovernmentservantwasthendismissedfromservice.Hecontendsthathewasnotgivenanopportunityofbeingheard.

(a) Thegovernmentservantcanberemovedashehadbeengivenanopportunityofbeingheard.(b) Hecan'tberemovedbecauseashowcausenoticeisnotsufficientopportunityofbeingheard.(c) Dismissalitsrighttochargeisproved.(Optionnotclear).(NLSIU,1999)

19. Principle:Nopersoncanbeajudgeinhisowncause.Facts:Anadmissiontestistobeheldtoselectthebeststudentsforadmissiononmerit.Thefatherofacandidatewithoutdisclosingthathissonisappearinginthetestisinvolvedinconductingthetest.Objectionsareraisedonthegroundthatthesanctityofthetestisvitiatedasapersoninterestedinthetesthastakenpartinconductingit.Decide.

(a) Testisvalidbecausethefatherofcandidateisnotajudgeinthiscase.(b) Admissiontestisvitiatedbecausethefatherisapartofconductingthetestandhenceinapositiontoaffecttheresult.

(c) Objectionisnotonsoundground.(NLSIU,1999)


20. Principle:Arbitrarinessistheveryantithesisoftheruleoflaw.Facts:Anadmissiontestforadmissiontothelawschoolisconductedintwoparts.First,awrittentestisheldwhichcarries200marks.Thisisfollowedbyanoralpersonalitytest,whichalsocarries200marks.Thesubjectiveelementinherentintheoraltest,itisalleged,makesthewholeexercisearbitrary.Decide.(a) Alawschoolhastherighttoconductitsadmissiontestinthemanneritthinksfit.(b) Assigning200markstointerviewisarbitraryandagainstruleoflaw.

(c) Ifthereisafairexamandinterview,theadmissiontestisvalidandlawful.(NLSIU,1999)

ModelQuestions

ThefollowingquestionsaretakenfromorbasedonthequestionpapersofDelhiUniversityandNationalLawSchools,inthepreviousyears.Youneedtosolvethesequestionsinasimulatedexaminationcondition,settingyourselfatimelimit.Youmayallotabout50minutesforthe50questions.

1. Principal:Anoffercanbeacceptedonlywhentheacceptorhasknowledgeofsuchoffer.Facts:ArpitofferstopayarewardofRs.10,000,toanyonewhofindshiswatch,Mithilesh,withoutknowledgeoftheoffermadebyArpit,findsandreturnsthewatch.(a) Mithileshcan'tclaimtherewardofferedbyArpit,becausetheofferwasnotspecifictohim.

(b) Mithileshcan'tclaimtherewardamountastheoffermadebyArpitwasfrivolous.(c) Mithileshcan'tclaimtherewardbecausehedidn'thaveknowledgeoftheoffermadebyArpit.(d) Noneoftheabove.

2. Principle:Foranacceptancetobeavalidacceptanceitmustbecommunicatedtotheotherpartyandmereintentiontoacceptisnotsufficient.Facts:GaganofferstosellmustardoiltoViren.Virenintendstopurchasetheoil,writesaletterbutforgetstopostit.GagancomestoknowaboutViren'sintentionanddispatchestheoiltoViren.(a) Itisavalidacceptance,asVirenwithanintentiontoaccept,wrotetheletter.(b) ThereisnoacceptanceatallasitwasnotcommunicatedtoGagan.

(c) Mereintentiontoacceptissufficient.(d) Noneoftheabove.

3. Principle:Inordertoconvertanofferintoapromise,acceptanceofsuchoffermustbeabsoluteandunqualified.Facts:ChamanofferstosellhishousetoYashforRs.1000.YashagreestopurchaseChaman'shouseforRs.900.ChamanrejectsYash'sofferofRs.900.Thereafter,YashagreestopurchasethehouseforthepricestatedbyChaman.Chamanrejectsthistoo.

(a) ChamanisnotboundtosellthehousebecauseYashrejectedtheofferinitiallymadebyChamanandthustheofferlapsed.(b) ChamanisboundtosellthehousebecauseYashhasaccepted,thoughsubsequently,theoffermadebyChaman.(c) Noneoftheabove.

4. Principle:Anofferisrevokedifthepersonmakingtheofferdiesandthefactofthisdeathcomestotheknowledgeofthepersonaccepting,beforeheaccepts.Facts:SawanofferstosellhishousetoNeela.Subsequently,Sawandies.NeelawithoutknowledgeofthefactofSawan'sdeath,acceptstheoffer.

(a) TheoffermadebySawantoNeelawasrevokedassoonasSawandiesandNeelacan'taccepttheoffer.(b) Inordertoenterintoacontract,thedeathofapersonisirrelevant.

(c) NeelahasvalidlyacceptedtheoffermadebySawan,asNeeladidn'thavetheknowledgeofSawan'sdeath,beforeheaccepted the offer.

5. Principle:Anagreementmadewithoutconsiderationi.e.thepriceforwhichthepromiseoftheotherisboughtorsoldisnotenforceable.Pleaseverifythissentence.Facts:MeenapromisestogiveAartiRs.10000withoutanyconsiderationinreturn.(a) TheagreementtopayAartiRs.10000isvoidasthereisnoconsideration.(b) AgreementtopayAartiisvalid.

(c) AarticanvalidlyenforcethepromisemadebyMeenaeventhoughthereexistsnoconsideration.(d) Noneoftheabove.


6. Principle:Anagreemententeredintobyaminor(below18years)isvoidabinitio(fromthebeginning).Facts:Kamal,aminor,contractedtosellhishousetoBaldev.Kamal,receivedRs.15,000asconsiderationandrefusedtodeliverpossessionofthehouse.

(a) TheagreementbetweenKamalandBaldevisvalid.Kamalhastodeliverpossessionofthehouse.(b) TheagreementbetweenKamalandBaldevisvoidabinitiobecauseKamalwasaminorwhenheenteredintotheagreement.(c) Noneoftheabove.

7. Principle:Aminorwhofraudulentlyrepresentsthatheisamajor,isnotstopped(precluded)fromtakingthedefenceofminoritytoavoidthecontract.Facts:Aminor,Rohit,succeededindeceivingsomemoneylendersbytellingthemalieabouthisageandreceivedaloanofRs.500.

(a) Theminor,Rohitcanvalidlypleadthatheisaminorandcanavoidthecontract.(b) Theminorcan'ttakethedefenceofminority,becauseheobtainedtheloanfromthemoneylenderontherepresentation

thatheisanadult.(c) Noneoftheabove.

8. Principle:Apersonwhosuppliesnecessitiesoflifetoaminorisentitledtobereimbursedforsuchsupply.Facts:Pawan,aminor,borrowsRs.10000fromNitin,fordefendinghimselfinadacoitycase.(a) Nitinisnotentitledtobereimbursedasanagreementwithaminorisvoidabinitio.(b) NitinisentitledtobereimbursedasthemoneyborrowedbyPawanmustbetakentohavebeenborrowedfornecessaries,

i.e.todefendhislibertyinlife.

(c) MoneysuppliedbyNitin,notbeingnecessaries,heisnotentitledtobereimbursed.

9. Principle:Apersonwhoisusuallyofunsoundmind,butwhoisoccasionallyofsoundmind,mayenterintoacontractwhenheisofsoundmind.Facts:Kunal,alunaticwhoislodgedinamentalhospital,agreestosellhishouseforRs.100000toBrijMohan,adoctor.Kunal,whileacceptingtheoffermadebythedoctor,wasofsoundmind.(a) Theagreemententeredintobyalunaticisnotatallenforceable.

(b) Alunatichasnocapacitytoenterintoanagreement,onlyhis/herrelativescandoso.(c) Theagreemententeredintobythelunaticisenforceablebecause,whileacceptingtheoffer,hewasofsoundmindand

couldunderstandandformarationaljudgment.

10. Principle:Wheretherelationsbetweenthepartiesaresuchthatoneofthepartiesisinapositiontodominatethewilloftheotherpartytherebyobtainsanunfairadvantagebyusingsuchinfluence,thensuchcontractisvoidable.Facts:A,aspiritualguru,inducedB,adevotee,togiftthewholeofhispropertysothathecouldsecuresalvation.(a) Becausethedevoteegiftedthepropertyundertheundueinfluenceofthespiritualguru,thecontractisviolable.(b) Thedevoteegiftedthepropertyoutofhisownwill,sothecontractisvalid.(c) Noneoftheabove.

11. Principle:Apromisemadewithoutanyintentionofperformingit,therebyinducinganotherpartytoenterintoacontract,amountstofraud.Facts:VikaspurchasesgoodsfromVimal,withthepriceofthegoodstobepaidsubsequently.Vikastakespossessionofthegoodswithoutanyintentiontopaythepriceofthegoods.

(a) Vikas'sactoftakingpossessionofthegoodswithoutanintentiontopaythepriceamountstofraud.(b) Itdoesn'tamounttofraud.

12. Principle:Everyagreementofwhichtheobjectorconsiderationisforbiddenbylawisunlawfuland,hence,void.Facts:GaneshagreestolethisdaughteronhireforprostitutionforRs.1000.(a) Theagreementisvalidand,hence,enforceable.(b) Theagreementtoletthedaughteronhireforprostitutionisvalidbecausetheactisnotforbidden.(c) Theagreementisvoidasitisimmoralandisalsoforbiddenbylaw.


13. Principle:Anagreement,themeaningofwhichisnotcertain,isvoid.Facts:Harish,agreestoselltoVaibhav''hundredtonsofoil''.Inthepresentcase(a) TheagreementbetweenHarishandVaibhavisenforceableasthereisnouncertainty.

(b) TheagreementbetweenHarishandVaibhavisvoidforuncertaintybecausethereisnothingwhatevertoshowwhatkindofoilwasintended.

(c) Noneoftheabove.

14. Principle:Anagreementtodoanimpossibleactisvoid.Facts:RajaniagreeswithBalatodiscovertreasurebymagic.(a) Theactisnotvoidbecausetheactiscapableofbeingperformed.

(b) Theactisnotvoidbecauseitisnotforbiddenbylaw.(c) Theactisvoidbecausetheagreementtodiscovertreasurebymagicisimpossibleofperformance.

15. Principle:Whoever,bywordseitherspokenorwritten,orbyvisiblerepresentation,orotherwise,bringsorattemptstobringintohatredorcontempt,orexcitesorattemptstoexcitedisaffectiontowardsthegovernmentestablishedbylawinIndia,shallbepunishedwithimprisonmentforlife,towhichfinemaybeadded.Facts: Anenvironmentalist,KaushikBanerjee,enragedby theenvironmentalpolicyofgovernment delivereda veryhotspeech.Hesaid,"Thisisthegovernmentoffools,scoundrelsandscamsters.Teachthemalessoninthecomingelectionsbyvotingthemoutpower."KaushikBanerjeeisbeingtriedforsedition.(a) KaushikBanerjeeisguiltyofseditionforhavingmadeirresponsibleandinflammatorystatementsagainstthegovernment.

(b) KaushikBanerjeeisnotguiltyofseditionbecauseheisusinghisfreedomofspeechandexpression.(c) KaushikBanerjeeisguiltyofseditionashisstatementwouldcauseviolence.

(d) Noneoftheabove.

16. Principle:Whoever,intendingtotakedishonestlyanymoveablepropertyoutofpossessionofanotherperson,movesthatpropertywithoutthatperson'sconsent,suchtakingissaidtobetheft.Facts:KshitijwithadishonestintentiontotakeParag'sdogputsbaitforthedoginhispocket.Onnoticingthebait,thedogstartsfollowinghim.LateronKshitijfoundagoldchaintiedroundthedog'sneck.(a) Kshitijcommittedthetheftofdog.(b) Kshitijcommittedthetheftofthedogaswellasofthegoldchainbecausethechainwasattachedtothedog.

(c) Kshitijcommittedtheftofdog,becausehewantedtotakedishonestlythedog,notthechain.(d) Noneoftheabove.

17. Principle:Whoevercausesthedeathofanypersonbydoinganyrashornegligentactshallbepunishedwithimprisonmentofeitherdiscretion(?)foratermwhichmayextendedtotwoyears.Facts:MeetawasboardingaD.T.C.busfromthefrontentrance.Theconductorwhistledandthedrivertookoffspeedily.Shefelloffandwascrushedtodeathundertherearwheel.Thedriverandconductorareprosecuted.

(a) Bothdriverandconductorareguiltyofnegligentandrashact.(b) Onlythedriverisguiltyofnegligentactbecausehetookoffspeedily.(c) Onlytheconductorisguilty.

(d) Neitherofthemisguilty.

18. Principle:Whoevercausesthedeathofanypersonbydoinganyrashornegligentactshallbepunishedwithimprisonmentofeitherdiscretionfortermwhichmayextendtotwoyears.Facts:Aboyenteredinterredintotheswimmingpoolofacountryclubsurreptitiously,withouttheknowledgeofChowkidarRamdev.Hewaslostinwater.ThesecretaryoftheclubNageshandRamdevarebothprosecutedfortherashandnegligentact.

(a) BothRamdevandNageshareguiltyofnegligentact.(b) Ramdevaloneisguiltyofnegligentact.

(c) Nageshaloneisguiltyofnegligentact.(d) Nooneisguiltyofnegligentactbecausetheboyenteredtheclubsurreptitiously.


19. Principle:Whoevercausesthedeathofanypersonbydoinganyrashornegligentactshallbepunishedwithimprisonmentofeitherdiscretionfortermwhichmayextendtotwoyears.Facts:Inordertomakeupafevermixture,Akhil,acompounder,tookabottlefromacupboardwherenonpoisonousmedicineswerekept.Withoutreadingthelabelofthebottle,whichwasinawrapper,headdedthecontentstothemixture,whichwasadministeredtoSunil.Sunildiedofpoisoning.Lateron,itwasfoundthatthebottlewasmarkedpoison.

(a) Akhilisnotguiltyofanynegligentact.(b) Akhilisguiltyofanegligentactbecauseheshouldhavereadthelabelofthebottle.(c) Akhilisnotguiltyofanegligentactbecausethebottlewasplacedwithnonpoisonousmedicine.

(d) Noneoftheabove.

20. Principle:Tocreateacontract,theremustbeacommonintentionofthepartiestoenterintolegalobligation.Facts:NalinandhiswifewereenjoyingtheirleaveinEngland.WhenNalinwasduetoreturntoSriLanka,wherehewasemployed,hiswifewasadvisedtostaybackinEnglandforhealthreasons.Nalinpromisedtosendheranamountof30amonthfortheprobableexpensesofmaintenance.Hedidsendthemoneyforsometime,butafterwardsdifferencesaroseandhestoppedsendingthemoney.HasNalinenteredintoabindingcontractwithhiswife?

(a) Yes,becausecommonintentionofthepartieswastoenterintoabindinglegalcontract.(b) No,becausethecommonintentionofthepartieswasnottoenterintobindinglegalcontract.(c) Can'tsayfromtheabovefacts.

(d) Noneofthese.

21. Facts:Ahusbandandwifewithdrewtheircomplaintsunderanagreementbywhichthehusbandpromisedtopayheranallowanceandwifetorefrainfrompledginghiscredit.(a) Thisagreementisabindingcontract,astherewascommonintentiontoenterintolegalobligations.

(b) Thisagreementisnotabindingcontractastherewasnosuchcommonintention.(c) Can'tsay.

(d) Noneofthese.

22. Principle:Anofferneednotbemadetoanascertainedperson,buttoworldatlargeandcontractismadeonlywiththatpersonwhocomesforwardandperformstheconditionsoftheproposal.Facts:Acompanymanufacturingsmokeballsofferedbyadvertisementtopay100toanyone"whocontractstheincreasingepidemicofinfluenza,coldsoranydisease,afterhavingusedtheballaccordingtoprinteddirections".Rajatusedthesmokeballsaccordingtothedirections,butsheneverthelesssufferedfrominfluenza.WillRajatget100?

(a) No,becauseshehasnotinformedthecompanyofherintentiontoenterintocontractwiththecompany.

(b) No,becauseshemighthavecaughtcoldduetootherreasons.

(c) Yes,becauseshehasperformedtheconditionsoftheproposal.

(d) Noneofthese.

DIRECTIONS:Readthelegalprinciplegivenbelowanddeterminewhether'A'hascommittedtheoffencedefined.Youcanchoosetheanswerfromfollowingcodes

(a) Yes (b) No (c) Can'tsay (d) Noneofthese

Principle:Apersonwhofindspropertynotinpossessionofanyotherperson,andtakessuchpropertyforthepurposeofrestoringitorprotectingitcommitsnooffencebutheisguiltyofoffence,ifheappropriatesittohisownuse,whenheknowsorhasthemeansofdiscoveringtheowner.

23. Facts:Afindsarupeeontheroad,notknowingtowhomtherupeebelongs.

24. Facts:Afindsaletterontheroad,containingabanknote.Fromthedirectionandcontentsoftheletterhelearnstowhomthenotebelongs.Heappropriatestheuseofthenote.


25. Facts: Afindsapursewithmoney,notknowing towhom itbelongs.A,afterwardsdiscovered that itbelongstoZ,andappropriatesittohisownuse.

DIRECTIONS:Answerthequestionsonthebasisoflegalprinciplegivenbelow.Youcanselecttheanswerfromthefollowingcodes(a) Agreementisvoid (b) Agreementisvalid (c) Can'tsay (d) Noneofthese

26.Principle:Acontracttodoanactwhich,afterthecontractismade,becomesimpossible,becomesvoidwhentheactbecomesimpossible.

Facts:PareshandVarshacontracttomarryeachother.Beforethetimefixedforthemarriage,Pareshgoesmad.

27. Facts:Acommunityhallwasbookedfortwodaysforamarriage.But,thehallwasdestroyedbyaccidentalfirebeforetheceremony.

28. Principle:Culpablehomicideisnotmurderiftheoffender,whilstdeprivedofpowerofselfcontrolbygraveandsuddenprovocation,causesthedeathofthepersonwhogavetheprovocation.

Facts:UndertheinfluenceofpassionexcitedbyaprovocationfromZ,AintentionallykillsY,Z'schild.

(a) Aisnotguiltyofmurder.

(b) Aisguiltyofmurder.

(c) Aisnotguiltyofmurderbecausehewasactingunderprovocation.

(d) AisguiltyofmurderbecausetheprovocationwasnotfromYbutfromZ,hisfather.

29. Principle:Nothingisanoffencewhichisdoneintheexerciseofrightofprivatedefence.Thisrightalsoextendstolawfullycausingthedeathoftheassailant,iftheoffencewhichoccasionstheexerciseoftherightofprivatedefence,beanassaultwhichcausesreasonableapprehensionof

(a) deathorgrievoushurt.

(b) rape.

(c) kidnapping.

Thisrightisavailableforprotectingone'sownbody,aswellasthebodyofanyother,providedtheassaultisnotselfinvited.

Facts:DeveshandSameerwerefightingoveragirl.SameertookoutacyclechaintohitDevesh.Devesh,apprehendingdevioushurt,struckaknifethroughSameer'sheart.Deveshis:

(a) Protected.

(b) Notprotected.

(c) NotprotectedbecausetheassaultwasoccasionedbyDevesh'sfaultinpickingupafight.

(d) Notprotectedbecausetherewasnoreasonableapprehensionofgrievoushurt.

30. Principle:Whenacriminalactisdonebyonepersoninfurtheranceofcommonintentionofselfandsomeothers,eachofthepersonsisliablefortheactinthesamemannerasifitweredonebyeachofthem.

Facts:Varun,Rakesh,OmkarandChetandecidedtocommitdecoity.TheybrokeintoAryan'shouseforsaidpurpose.Whiletheywerecommittingtheoffenceofdacoity,ChetanshotAryandeadduetosomerivalry.

(a) Varun,Rakesh,OmkarandChetanareguilty.

(b) OnlyChetanisguilty.

(c) Chetanisguiltybecausehecommittedthemurderwhichwasnottheircommonintention.

(d) Chetanisnotguiltybecausedacoitywastheircommonintention,notmurder.


31. Principle:Whoeverdeliverstoanyotherpersonasgenuine,anycounterfeitcurrencywhichheknowstobecounterfeit,butwhichhedidnotknowtobecounterfeitatthetimewhenhereceivedit,isguiltyofanoffence.

Facts:Mr.Chaturvediisacashierinaschool.Oneevening,hiswifereturnedhomefrommarket.Whileshewascountingtheremainingmoney,Mr.ChaturvedinoticedacounterfeitcurrencynoteofRs.100.HiswifetoldhimthatitwasgiventoherbywayofchangewhenshegaveaRs.500noteatthegroceryshop.Mr.Chaturvedigoestothesameshopwithaviewtogetridofthecounterfeitnote.HebuysashavingcreamworthRs.32.50andgivesthecounterfeitnoteatthecashcounter.Thecashierinspectsthenoteandrealisesthatitiscounterfeit.Hecallsthepolice.

(a) Mr.Chaturvediisnotguiltyofanyoffencebecauseheneithermanufacturedthecounterfeitnotenordidhecirculateitwithaviewtodeceiveinganybody.

(b) Mr.Chaturvediisgotguiltybecausehewasattemptingtoreturnthecounterfeitnotetothesamepersonfromwhomhereceivedit.

(c) Mr.Chaturvediisguiltybecauseheattemptedtodeliveracounterfeitcurrencynoteasgenuine,whichheknewwascounterfeit.(NLSIU,1997)

32. LalitgoestothegroceryshopofRanjan,whichhevisitsquiteoftenforhisrequirements.

Lalit:Iwanttenbagsofoldrice.

Ranjan:Hereisthericeyouarelookingfor.

LalitbuystenbagsofricefromRanjanandsubsequentlydiscoversthatthericesuppliedisnotreallyold.LalitfilesasuitagainstRanjan.

(a) Lalitwillnotsucceed,becauseRanjandidnotpromisehimtosupplyoldrice.

(b) Lalitwillsucceed,becauseRanjanhadagreedtosupplythericeofLalit'sspecifications.

(c) Lalitwillnotsucceed,becauseLalitshouldhaveverifiedthequalityofricehimself.

33. Gaurishisrunningapolyclinicwellequippedwithoperationtheatresandsupportingstaff.Paramjeetisasurgeonwhomakesuseofthispolyclinictooperateonhispatients.Whileoperatingonapatient,Tej,duetothenegligenceofnurseJyoti(whowasasupportstaffofpolyclinic),thesurgicalknifewasleftinsidetheabdomenofTej.Asaresult,TejdevelopedseveralcomplicationsAdviseTejastoagainstwhom(GaurishorParamjeet)heshouldfilethesuitfordamages.

(a) Gaurishshouldbesued,becauseJyotiwasthestaffnurseinhispolyclinic.

(b) Paramjeetshouldbesued,becausehewasresponsibleforwhateverwasdoneduringtheoperation.

(c) Paramjeetshouldbesued,becauseheshouldhaveselectedabetterstaffnurse.

34. Principle:Inacontractofagency,noliabilityexistsupontheagenttowardshisprincipal(master),ifheactswithreasonablediligenceinthematterofagency.

Facts: Indrajit,theownerofanestate,instructedKaushal,anestateagenttofindabuyerforhisestate.Kaushal,gotanofferfromSadanandtobuy theestateforRs.9,50,000andthesamewaspromptlycommunicatedtoIndrajit.Beforethecontractofsalewasconcluded,theagentgotanofferofRs.10,25,000fromMilind.KaushaldidnotcommunicatethisinformationtoIndrajit.Thelatterbringsanactionovertheformerfornothavingperformedhisfunctionasanagent.

(a) KaushalisnotliabletoIndrajitashisjobwasonlytofindabuyerandnomore.

(b) KaushalisnotliabletoIndrajitashegotgoodpricefortheestate,which,undertheprevailingmarketconditions,wasabonanza.

(c) KaushalisliabletoIndrajitashedidnotcompletelyperformthefunctionofanagent.(NLSIU,2001)

35. Principle:Theownerofaproperty,whoallowsitsusebyanotherperson,becomesliable,forthedamagecausedbyitsuse,bythelatter.

Facts:Tilaktakeshiscartothegarageforservicing.Sincehisofficeisacoupleofkilometresawayfromthegarage,herequeststheownerofthegaragetoaskoneofthelatter'sassistantstodrophimtooffice.TheownerofthegarageasksYatin,anemployee,todotheneedful.Ontheway,thecarcollideswithamotorcycleowingtonegligentdrivingbyYatinandinjuresitsrider.ThemotorcyclistbringslegalactionagainstTilak,seekingmonetaryrelief.

(a) Motorcyclistwillfailinhisaction,asheshouldhavebroughtanactionagainstthegarageowner,inwhoseemploymentwasYatin.

(b) MotorcyclistwillnotsucceedasYatin,whoisnottheagentofTilak,isdrivingthevehicle.

(c) MotorcyclistwillsucceedasthecarwasdrivenbyYatinwiththeconsentofTilak.(NLSIU,2001)


36. Principle:Amasterwillbeliableforthewrongfulactsofhisservantsinthecourseofemployment.

Facts:PrabhathasaregularsavingsbankaccountinKarnatakaBankinwhichheusedtodepositmoneyfromtimetotime.Oneday,whenhewantedtowithdrawsomebigamount,hediscoveredthattwoentriesinhispassbook,immediatelypriortothedateofwithdrawal,werenotauthenticatedbythemanager,asrequiredunderbankingrules.Thebankdeclinedresponsibilityfortheseentriesandthemanagerdisclaimedanyknowledgeinthisregard.Prabhatfiledasuitagainstthebank.

(a) Prabhatwilllose,becauseheshouldhavetakencarethattheentrieswereauthenticated.

(b) Prabhatwilllose,becausethemanagerwasnotawareoftheissue.

(c) Prabhatwillwin,becauseitwasforthemanagertoensuretheauthentication.

37. Principle:Amastershallbeliablefortheactsofhisservantsdoneinthecourseofemployment.

Facts:HMT,apublicsectorundertakingisoperatinganumberofbusservicesforitsemployeesinBangalore.Thesebusesarequitedistinctintheirappearanceandcarrytheboard"ForHMTemployeesonly".Eknath,avillagerfromaneighbouringstate,waswaitingforaregularbusinoneofthebusstopsinBangalore.AbusbelongingtoHMThappenedtostopnearbyandanumberofpeoplegotintothebus.Eknath,withoutrealisingthatitwasanHMTbus,gotintothebusandsoonthereafter,thebusmetwithanaccidentduetothedriver'snegligence.Eknath,alongwithseveralothers,wasinjuredintheaccident.EknathseekstofileasuitagainstHMTclaimingdamages.

(a) Eknathwillsucceed,becausehegotintothebuswithoutrealisingthatitwasHMTbus.

(b) Eknathwillnotsucceed,becauseitwasforhimtofindoutwhetheritwasapublictransportbus.

(c) Eknathwillsucceed,becausethedriverwasanyhowdutyboundtodrivecarefully.(NLSIU,94)

38. Principle:Apartnershallsharewithotherpartnerswhateverprofithemakesinthecourseofthespartnershipbusiness.

Facts:Bipin,apartnerinaBangalorefirmengagedintextilebusiness,wenttoanearbyplacetobuysomesilksarees.Themanufacturertoldhim:"Ifyoubuy500sarees,youwillgetadiscountofRs.50oneachsaree".Bipin,infact,requiredonly400sareesforhisfirm.Nevertheless,hebought500sareesandkept100sareesforhimself.Aftersometime,heonhisownsold100sareesandmadeagoodprofit.Otherpartnersdemandthatheshouldsharetheseprofitswiththem.

(a) Bipinhastosharetheprofits,becauseheboughtthose100sareesinthecourseofpartnershipbusiness.

(b) Bipinneednotshareit,becausehehasalreadybenefitedthefirmbygettingasubstantialdiscountinthepurchases.

(c) Bipinneednotsharetheprofits,becausehisadditionalbuyingof100sareeswastogetthediscountandhelpthefirm.(NLSIU94)

39. Principle1:Masterisliablefortheactoftheemployee/servant.

Principle2:Thehusbandorthewifeisnotresponsibleforanycommissionofwrongoneachother.

Facts:UditisamanagerofahotelbelongingtoAbhay.BecauseofthenegligenceofUdit,afoldingchairfellfromthefirstfloortothegroundfloorinjuringthereceptionistofthehotel,namedHimaniwhoisthewifeofUdit.HimaniasksforcompensationfromAbhayandUdit.

(a) BothAbhayandUditareresponsibletocompensateHimani.

(b) OnlyAbhayisresponsibletocompensateHimani.

(c) OnlyUditisresponsibletocompensateHimani.

(d) NooneisresponsibletocompensateHimani.

40. Principle1:Ifapersonusesgoodswhichareleftinhiscareduetomistakebyanotherperson,hehastocompensatetheotherperson.

Principle2:Apersonisliabletopaythepriceofgoodswhentheyaresoldtohim.

Facts:AfriendMahesh,leavesabagofricebymistakeinthehouseofhisfriendSatish.Satish'swife,thinkingthatthebagofricehasbeenbroughtbySatishforhomeconsumption,startsconsumingtherice.Aftertwodays,themistakewasrealisedwhenMaheshcomestoSatish'shousefortakingawaythebag.Bythetime,10kgofriceisconsumedfromthebag.MaheshdemandsthepricefromSatish.

(a) Satishisnotliabletopaytheprice.

(b) SatishisliabletocompensateMaheshfor10kgrice.

(c) Satishisliabletopaythepriceoftheentirebagofrice.


41. Principle1:Ifthereisundueinfluenceonapartytoanagreementhemayrefusetoperformtheagreement.

Principle2:Whenonepartyinanagreementisinapositiontodominatethewilloftheotherpartyandheuseshispositionovertheotherpartytogettheotherparty'sconsenttotheagreement,thisisundueinfluence.

Facts:Thelandlordasksthetenanttoagreetoincreasetherenttodoublethepreviousamountortovacatethehouse.Thetenanthadtoagreetogivedoublethepreviousrentandcontinuelivinginthehouse.Hethereafterrefusestopay.

(a) Tenanthastopaythenewrent.

(b) Tenanthastopaytheoldrentandcontinuetooccupythehouse.

(c) Tenanthastopaytheoldrentbutvacatethehousewithinareasonabletime.

42. Principle1:Amasterisliableforthewrongscommittedbyhisservantduringthecourseofemploymentbutnotfortheactsofanindependentcontractor.

Principle2:Whetherapersonisaservantofanotherornotistobedeterminedbyfindingoutwhocontrolsthemethodofworkorownsthetoolsorwhobenefitsfromtheprofitoftheventureorbearstheloss.

Facts:BikashHospitalisawellknownhospitalandDr.Hemantisacardiologistinthehospital.HeisalsoattachedtoafewotherhospitalsastheservicerulesofBikashHospitaldonotprohibitit.DuetothenegligenceofDr.Hemant,thepatientofthehospitaldiesandhischildrendecidetofileasuitagainsttheBikashhospitalandDr.Hemant.

(a) BothDr.HemantandBikashHospitalareliable.

(b) Dr.HemantisliablebutnotBikashHospital.

(c) BikashHospitalisliableandnotDr.Hemant.

43. Principle1:Negligenceistheomissiontodosomethingwhichareasonablemanwoulddo,breachofwhich,if itcausesdamage,makesoneliabletothepersonwhosufferedloss.

Principle2:Oneowesadutyofcaretoanotherifareasonablemancanforeseethathewillbeaffectedbythebreachofduty.

Principle3:Oneisnotliableiftheinjuredpartyvolunteerstotaketherisk.

Facts:Acricketmatchisbeingheldinastadium.Vilas,beingunabletoaffordtheticketprice,isviewingthecricketmatchsittingatopanearbytree.Whenabatsmanhitsaballovertheboundary,theballhitsPiyushandhesustainsaninjuryonhisspinalchordduetothefallfromthetree.

(a) TheorganisersandthestadiumownersareliabletocompensatePiyush.

(b) Thecricketerwhohitstheballisliablealongwiththeorganisers,butthestadiumownerisnotresponsible.

(c) Nobodyisresponsible.

legal aptitude orient ation bookle t - pt...

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