Who is Justice Navin Chawla?

Justice Navin Chawla was born on 7th August 1968 and did his schooling from DPS, Mathura Road. 

How was the Career Journey of Justice Navin Chawla? 

• Justice Navin Chawla completed his LL. B degree from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University.
• In 1993, he enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi, officially starting his legal career 
• He qualified as Advocate-On-Record of Supreme Court in 1999. 
• He practised in Delhi High Court, Supreme Court, and other judicial/quasi-judicial forums. 
• He was confirmed as a Permanent Judge of the High Court of Delhi on 15th May 2017, solidifying his position in the judicial system. 

What are the Notable Judgments of Justice Navin Chawla? 

• Jeewraj Singh Shekhawat v. UOI & Ors (2022) 
  • A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court, comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur, addressed a case involving a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer. 
  • The officer was denied promotion due to ineligibility under the CRPF Group 'A' (General Duty) Officers Recruitment Rules, 2010, requiring 10 years of Group 'A' service, which was affected by his posting abroad. 
  • The Court noted that the officer's circumstances were beyond his control, as the overseas posting led to the non-fulfillment of the eligibility condition. 
• M/S Hotel Marina & Anr v. Vibha Mehta (2024) 
  • The Delhi High Court bench of Justice Navin Chawla ruled on a dispute concerning the execution of a 2006 decree dissolving the partnership firm M/s Hotel Marina. The decree stemmed from a settlement agreement requiring reciprocal promises, including the DH paying Rs. 2 crores and the JD executing relevant legal documents. 
  • The JD claimed the DH's failure to pay Rs. 2 crores by the 30.03.2006 deadline invalidated the settlement, while the DH argued the JD’s refusal to execute the documents rendered the payment unfeasible. 
  • The Court held that under Sections 51 and 52 of the Contract Act, reciprocal promises must be performed simultaneously. The DH demonstrated readiness to pay, but the JD's unwillingness to execute documents justified the DH’s withholding of payment. 
  • The Court dismissed the JD’s objections, upheld the execution petition, and ordered the JD to pay Rs. 1,00,000 as costs to the DH within four weeks. 
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India & ORS v. Netflix Entertainment services India LLP & ors. (2024)  
  • The Delhi High Court in this case rejected a plea to stay the release of the show Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper on Netflix. 
  • Justice Navin Chawla noted that the trailer did not reference the Chartered Accountancy profession in any manner. 
  • The Court remarked that the series appeared to be a comedy and simply described the protagonist as a Chartered Accountancy exam topper. 
  • The Court refused to impose any restriction on the show's release. 
• Amarjeet Singh Dhillon v. State NCT of Delhi (2024)  
  • The Delhi High Court held that the grant of statutory bail is a final order, not an interlocutory one, as it releases the applicant on bail due to the prosecution's failure to file a chargesheet within the stipulated 60/90 days. 
  • Justice Navin Chawla dismissed the accused's plea challenging the sessions court’s reversal of statutory bail granted earlier by the Metropolitan Magistrate (MM). 
  • The Court noted inconsistency in the MM’s findings, as a prior order in the same FIR had determined a prima facie case under Section 467 of Indian Penal Code, 1860, which contradicted the later observation. 
  • The accused was directed to surrender within two weeks, with the liberty to file a regular bail application, which the Trial Court must decide promptly on its merits.