Case Details

  • Case Name: Lakhbeer Singh vs. M/s. Khanna Katha Udyog (Special Leave Petition (Criminal))
  • Diary No.: 4879/2026
  • Origin: Impugned final judgment and order dated 08-12-2025 in CRLR No. 87/2025 of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla
  • Court/Authority: Supreme Court of India
  • Order No.: Not specified (order dated 22-05-2026)
  • Date of Order: 22 May 2026
  • Period of Dispute: Not explicitly stated; relates to the period after the High Court judgment of 08‑12‑2025
  • Interim Applications (IA): IA No. 78762/2026 (condonation of delay), IA No. 78760/2026 (exemption from filing C/C), IA No. 78761/2026 (exemption from surrendering within time)

Parties Involved

  • Petitioner: Lakhbeer Singh (represented by Mr. Chandrika Prasad Mishra, AOR)
  • Respondent: M/s. Khanna Katha Udyog
  • Bench: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Manoj Misra and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Manmohan

Issues / Allegations / Violations

  • Petition seeks condonation of delay in refiling the criminal petition.
  • Petition seeks exemption from filing a copy of the impugned judgment (C/C).
  • Petition seeks exemption from surrendering (presumably of the petitioner) within the stipulated time.
  • Underlying dispute involves a fine imposed on the petitioner amounting to Rs 13 lakhs.

Findings & Observations

  • The Court, after hearing counsel, found the parties willing to settle the matter subject to full payment of the fine.
  • The Court noted that the petitioner has already deposited Rs 7.5 lakhs of the total fine.
  • No further legal reasoning beyond the willingness to settle is provided.

Penalties / Settlements / Directions

  • Total Fine: Rs 13 lakhs.
  • Amount Already Deposited: Rs 7.5 lakhs.
  • Balance to be Deposited: Rs 5.5 lakhs, to be paid within one month from the date of the order (i.e., by ~22‑06‑2026).
  • Notice to Respondent: Issued, returnable on 21‑07‑2026.
  • Exemption from Surrender: Continues until the next date, conditional on deposit of the balance fine amount.
  • Deposit Procedure: The balance amount shall be deposited before the trial court.
  • Investment Directive: Upon receipt, the trial court shall invest the amount in an interest‑bearing instrument of a nationalized bank, complying with the Supreme Court’s orders.

Corrective Actions & Future Obligations

  • Petitioner must deposit the remaining Rs 5.5 lakhs within one month.
  • Trial court is obligated to receive the deposit and invest it as directed.
  • Respondent must respond to the notice by the stipulated return date (21‑07‑2026).

Final Ruling & Enforcement

  • The Supreme Court condoned the delay in refiling.
  • The exemption from filing C/C and from surrendering remains in effect pending full fine payment.
  • The order is enforceable; failure to deposit the balance may lead to further legal consequences.
  • The trial court’s investment of the fine amount ensures that the funds are held in a secure, interest‑bearing account as per the Court’s directive.