Legal Update July, 2016

#July 15, 2016 

#SC dismisses plea in Salman Case

The Supreme Court today dismissed an application seeking compensation for one of the victims injured in the 2002 hit-and-run case involving Bollywood actor Salman Khan. The Court said that the case was already pending before it.

#Approach high courts, says SC

The petitioners seeking quashing of the centre’s notification on culling of nilgai in Bihar, wild boars in Uttarakhand and monkeys in Himachal Pradesh in the Supreme Court were today asked to approach the concerned high courts. The petition was also withdrawn.

#Divya Pahuja and mom in police custody

The girlfriend of slain gangster Sandeep Gadoli, Divya Pahuja, and her mother were sent to police custody till July 20 by a metropolitan magistrate’s court in Mumbai.

#Decision likely on transgender student’s use of boys’ bathroom case

The US Supreme Court will hear a petition by the school board in Gloucester County, New Jersey seeking stay on the lower court’s ruling which allows a transgender student, Gavin Grimm to use boys’ bathroom. The school board in its petition contends that permitting a transgender student to use bathroom that don’t match with his or her biological gender would infringe upon others’ students privacy. Earlier, Grimm had won the ruling in his favour when the fourth circuit court of appeals allowed him to access the boys’ bathroom in April.

#Media control tightened by Thailand

Thailand government has decided to tighten noose on electronic media in the country. The government has taken the decision in the wake of a referendum next month on a draft constitution. This move empowers Thailand’s telecommunications authority to close any radio or television station whose broadcasts threaten national security. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha invoked a catch-all article in the country’s constitution that gives the government absolute power to perform any action to protect national security.

#Kin of MH17’s file civil suit against Malaysian Airlines

Family members of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17’s victims today filed a civil suit against Malaysian Airlines System Berhad (MAS) today. Kin filed seven suits while acting for 11 clients. The suit seeks special damages and general damages. Special damages have been sought for funeral expenses and belongings. The suit has been filed by virtue of the Montreal Convention. Montreal Convention 1999, an international treaty on compensation for air disasters, allows family members and the kin of victims to file lawsuits against an airline within a period of two years.

#PIL in Augusta Westland deal

A PIL from ML Sharma was put up in the Supreme Court today in the multi-crore Agusta Westland helicopter deal. The PIL sought a probe into the matter. However, Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar informed the court that a special investigation team had already been formed to probe the deal, which was looking into the role of the accused. The petition was disposed off.

#Gujarat govt slapped notice over NEET

A writ petition was filed by a MBBS aspirant in the Supreme Court over NEET. The petitioner alleged that he did not attend the common medical entrance test conducted by the Gujarat government under the impression that NEET was the only recognized entrance test, as per the supreme Court’s order. The apex court issued notice to the Gujarat government and asked it to find a solution. Matter will come up again on July 18.

#Hearing begins in Bilkis Bano case

The Bombay High Court commenced hearing today on appeals filed by the convicts as well as the CBI in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gangrape case. The bench hearing the case sought more details on the matter.

#Culling of animals: Apex court to hear petition

The apex court will hear today animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi’s petition to reverse the 2015 ruling by the Centre declaring the Nilgai in Bihar, Wild Boar in Uttarakhand and Rhesus Macaque monkey in Himachal Pradesh as vermin and allowing their culling. The powers conferred by Section 62 of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 allow the central government to declare certain animals as vermin and allow their killing.

#Medico-legal assistance of rape victims: Supreme Court to hear plea

The apex court will hear a PIL today which considers the constitutional validity of the two finger test and prayers for the framing of guidelines for the medico-legal assistance for victims of rape. Petitioner also seeks framing and implementation of a uniform, gender-sensitive protocol for the examination, documentation and treatment of a sexual assault survivor across the country using the protocols and manual developed by them. 

#Supreme Court to hear a matter on plastic ban

The Supreme Court will hear a matter today regarding total ban on the use of plastic of all kinds and creating of an appropriate mechanism for collection of plastic of all forms in different parts of the country.

#TN Godavarman Thirumulpad Vs Union Of India & Ors 

The Supreme Court will hear a petition today by T N Godavarman Thirumulpad regarding large scale illegal mining of stone in the forest area in Aravali hills.       
#Bombay HC to hear matter of shifting of High Court complex

The Bombay High Court will hear today a petition by Ahmad Abdi urging shifting of High Court complex to elsewhere.
#Bombay HC to hear a PIL regarding homeless people

The Bombay HC will hear today a PIL seeking night shelter for homeless people who spend night on the street. The court has even directed to provide the same. The matter was kept for further direction.

#Bombay HC will hear matter concerning human right commission   

A PIL raising issue of the lack of infrastructure to Human Right Commission in Maharashtra and also the vacant posts lying in the commission will be heard by Bombay High Court today. The state was directed to take steps and was told to inform the court.

#July 14, 2016

#Bombay HC seeks MPSC’s response on candidates

The Bombay High Court today issued notice to the law and judiciary department of Maharashtra asking its response to a petition contending that though the petitioner was on serial number one in the waiting list of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), he was denied the job as the list was not given to the concerned department. As a result, the petitioner lost the chance of being appointed despite having passed the exam. The law and judiciary department has asked MPSC to provide a list of waiting list candidates.

#Vacant posts’ issue to be examined by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court will hear a civil appeal today filed by Malik Mazhar Sultan and Anr for filling up of vacancies in the states of Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir for the posts of Junior Civil Judge and District Judge.

#PIL on NEET to be heard

The apex court will hear a PIL today filed by Dr Anand Rai, a social activist which challenges an ordinance passed by the Union Government on National Eligibility cum Entrance Test and questioning the Centre’s flip-flop on the issue. The Centre had initially accepted the apex court’s order and later partially reversed it through an ordinance.

#Disparity issue in admissions: apex court to hear the case

The apex court will hear a PIL today which deals with disparity in conducting entrance examination for admission to DM (Doctorate of Medicine) and M.Ch. (Masters of Chirurgiae). Most of the states conduct the entrance examination for the eligible candidates from all over India and permit them to appear in the entrance examination, yet the states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, confine the eligibility only to the candidates having domicile in their respective states. And candidates having the domicile in the said states can appear in other states’ entrance examination without any restriction and compete with other candidates, and the said situation creates a clear disparity, and further a state of inequality has been allowed to reign in the aforesaid three states. Supreme Court on October 27, 2015 had directed that the state of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana cannot apply the domicile test.

#Death penalty: apex court to hear a review petition

The apex court will hear a review petition today filed against its order upholding the death penalty awarded to a person who raped a four-year-old girl. Petitioner approached the Supreme Court after the death sentence awarded by Additional Sessions Judge, Nagpur for raping and causing death to a four-year-old girl. And
it was also upheld by the High Court. However, the apex court dismissed his appeal and maintained the death sentence.

#Dowry act implementation: Bombay HC to hear plea  

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition today regarding the implementation of Dowry act in Maharashtra. The court has asked the state to ensure implementation.

#Overcrowded prisons: Bombay HC to examine the case

The petition which raises the issue of overcrowded prisons in Maharashtra will be heard today by the Bombay High Court. In all the state prisons, the number of inmates are almost double than sanctioned capacity, the petition says. The petitioner is Shaikh Ibrahim and the respondent is State of Maharashtra and Ors.

#Lucknow Bench to pronounce sentence to three terrorists

The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench will pronounce today the sentence to the three Pakistani terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed who were convicted in the terrorism case.

#Reservation denial issue to be taken up by Lucknow Bench

The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court will hear a case today regarding the denial of the benefit of the reservation to the OBC students in Lucknow’s Ambedkar University 

#SP MLA’s case to be heard by Lucknow Bench

The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench will hear a petition today by rape victim against the Sultanpur MLA of Samajwadi Party who has been accused of rape.

#IPS Officer’s case to be heard

The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench will hear a plea today filed questioning the investigation by Vigilance against IPS Officer Amitabh Thakur.

#G Noida’s court to hear case against Akhlaq’s family  

District court of Greater Noida will likely to decide today whether a case should be registered against Mohammed Akhlaq’s (a resident of Dadri who was killed last year on the suspicion of cow slaughter)  family or not for the cow slaughter.

#Allahabad HC to administer transport fee collection contract

The Allahabad High Court will administer the auctioning of transport fee collection contract by District Panchayat, Sonbhadratoday. The contract is valued at Rs 4 crore 41 lakh while the minimum amount for the auction has been kept at Rs 5 crore.

#Allahabad HC to hear a case urging CBI probe

The Allahabad High Court will hear a PIL today urging CBI probe in the Mathura’s Jawahar Park incident in which 26 people were killed including policeman.    

#Kanpur court to hear a case against Salman Khan

A Kanpur court will hear a petition today on actor Salman Khan’s statement against the rape victim.   

#CBI court to hear a case against Yadav Singh  

A CBI court in Ghaziabad will hear a case today against the former Noida Authority’s official Yadav Singh who is accused of siphoning crore of rupees along with the head of Tirupati Construction’s Vinod Kumar Goyal and Noida Authority’s former Project Manager Ramendra.

#July 13, 2016

#Supreme Court re-instates Congress rule in AP

The Supreme Court today overturned President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh (AP) and ordered the
re-instatement of Congress rule in the state. The court held President’s Rule imposed by Governor of AP  as unlawful and unconstitutional. The state had been under President’s Rule since January 26.

#National Court of Appeal: apex court refers matter to constitution bench  

The apex court today referred the matter of setting up National Court of Appeal with regional seats in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata to a constitution bench. The petitioner, V Vasanthakumar had sought Supreme Court’s interference in setting up the National Court of Appeal. Vasanthakumar had contented before the apex court that the National Court of Appeal will unclog pending cases of Supreme Court.

#Israel passes law targeting human rights organizations

Israel has passed a controversial law which, according to the law experts will clip the wings of many human rights organizations operating in Israel. The law necessitates the organizations to furnish their foreign funding in all communication channels such as newspapers, TV, billboards, online and also with public officials.

#Martial law urged in Pakistan

A little-known political party Move on Pakistan is pitching for martial law in Pakistan and calling to establish a government powered by technocrats. According to the media reports, the party has mounted banners in 13 Pakistani cities including Quetta, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha and Hyderabad urging martial law in the country.

#Supreme Court adjourns matter regarding captive elephants

The Supreme Court has deferred the case pertaining to treatment of captive elephants to September 21 for final hearing. During the last hearing, an interim application challenging a notification issued by the government of Kerala regularizing ownership of 289 elephants was heard. The Court had then directed the Kerala government not to issue any ownership certificate to elephant owners. The Court had also directed that no elephants covered by the said notification should be “transferred” in “any possible manner”.

 #Apex court to hear PIL regarding under-served regions in air traffic 

The Supreme Court will hear a PIL today regarding increasing of air traffic to Shimla. In the last hearing, the Court had observed that Air India was only promoting lucrative “routes” and asked why the state-owned carrier had not started flights to Shimla and even North-East region.

#Supreme Court will hear a SLP regarding benefit of reservation in promotions

The apex court will hear a special leave petition today by Mohammad Haneef Lone against the order of Jammu and Kashmir High Court regarding benefit of reservation in promotions in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir High Court had held that there should be no benefit of reservation in promotions in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

#Protection of wildlife and forests: Supreme Court to hear a petition

The Supreme Court will hear a petition today regarding protection of wildlife and forests. The Court in their earlier hearing issued various directions pertaining to treatment of captive elephants.  

#Fake encounters in Manipur: Apex court to take up the plea

The apex court will hear a PIL today filed by relatives of the victims of the fake encounters in Manipur.

#Bombay High Court to hear a PIL on civil issues 

The Bombay High Court will hear a PIL today which raises issue of poor facilities of infrastructure, sanitation etc in consumer forums in Mumbai.

#Farmers suicide in Maharashtra: Bombay HC to take cognizance

The Bombay High Court today is slated to take suo motu cognizance of the suicide committed by farmers Maharashtra.

#Lucknow Bench to hear plea regarding extension of service

The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench will hear a petition against the extension of service given to the Chief Medical Officer of Lucknow.  

#Reservations issue of OBC students: Lucknow bench to hear a plea 

The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench will hear a petition questioning why the OBC students of Lucknow’s Ambedkar University have not been profited under the reservations category.

#Panchkula CBI court will hear a case against Dera Sacha Sauda’s Chief

Special CBI court will hear a petition against Dera Sacha Sauda’s Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim for sexual assault on Sadhvi.   

#Dithering of recruitment: Allahabad HC to hear a petition

The Allahabad High Court will hear a petition questioning the dithering of the recruitment process involving 72 thousand soldiers of central police force.

#Allahabad HC to hear a plea regarding pre-release of old prisoners   

The Allahabad High Court today will hear a response from the UP government whether it has earmarked any policy for the pre-release of the old prisoners or not. Earlier, the Court had taken cognizance of the issue and had directed the Secretary (Home) of UP to file a response.

#Punjab and Haryana High Court will hear a petition against Harsimrat Kaur

The Punjab and Haryana High Court will hear a case challenging the election of Central Minister, Harsimrat Kaur as a MP of Bathinda.   

#Bhopal gas tragedy: American company likely to file a response

Bhopal court will today likely get a response from American company Dow Chemicals in the Bhopal gas tragedy case. Earlier, the Court had already issued three notices to the company. This is the fourth time that Court has issued a notice to the company.

#July 12, 2016

#Apex court adjourns matter related to anti-defection of MLAs 

The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing of the matter today relating to the Uttarakhand High Court’s order quashing President’s rule in Uttarakhand to August 21. During the earlier hearing, the Union of India agreed for the floor test and thereafter the Presidential Rule was withdrawn. But the question of law with regard to the impugned judgement remained therefore court directed the matter to be listed today for hearing the petition filed by the Union of India challenging the High Court order.

#Dance bars in Maharashtra: Supreme Court adjourns the matter 

Today, the Supreme Court has adjourned the matter challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions in Maharashtra Police (second amendment) Act which bans dance performances at bars and hotels in Maharashtra. The matter would be heard on July 18. In the last hearing, the Court had directed the Maharashtra Police to issue the licenses to the dance bars.

#Supreme Court adjourns matter related to NGT’s order

The Supreme Court today adjourned the matter while reviewing an order of National Green Tribunal (NGT). The builder had been fined for Rs 150 crore for building an IT park in Bengaluru just one km away from a lake for which it was fined. NGT had also imposed several conditions including the maintenance of the lake on the builder. Gopal Subramaniam appearing for builder said he will file an affidavit stating which conditions are agreeable within two weeks.

#Matter concerning bifurcation of judicial service deferred

The apex court today heard the petition regarding the bifurcation of judicial service between state of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Senior Advocate Indira Jaising represented Telengana Judges Association. Solicitor representing Union of India and Ors did not appear. The matter was adjourned.

#Bombay High Court disposes off street vendors’ case

The Bombay High Court disposed off the petition filed by street vendor association of Navi Mumbai. The Court asked the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to allow street vendors to ply food carts as it has been allowed in the act of the NMMC.

#Bombay HC to hear petition against illegal cell phone towers

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition today from actress Juhi Chawla. She has challenged installation of illegal cell phone towers.

#Petition regarding heights of reconstructed buildings to be heard

Today, the petition which seeks guidelines to be framed for heights of reconstructed buildings falling in heritage precincts will be taken up by Bombay High Court.

#PIL regarding demolition of dilapidated buildings to be heard

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition today by Ketan Tirodkar against the issue of the demolition of dilapidated buildings   in   the   local   area.   The petition pointed out that there   are   cases   of   loss   of lives due to collapse of such dilapidated buildings.  

#Bombay High Court to hear a petition on poor condition of buses in Maha state 

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition today filed by Datta Mane about road safety and poor condition of buses run by Maharashtra’s state transport department within the state.

 #Bombay High Court to hear Arundhati Roy’s appeal

The Bombay High Court’s Nagpur bench today will hear writer Arundhati Roy’s appeal against criminal contempt notice issued against her for her article in a weekly magazine questioning the continued incarceration of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba.

#Real life Sultan’s case to be heard in Muzaffarpur’s CJM court today 

Muzaffarpur’s CJM court will hear a petition today from Muzaffarpur’s resident Mohammed Sabir Ansari aka Sabir Baba. Ansari has filed a petition complaining that he has not been paid royalty for the film Sultan as the film has been inspired from his life. He has alleged in the petition that director of the film A Abbas in 2010 had promised him to pay the royalty of Rs 20 crore. But he has not been paid the royalty yet. He has accused Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma and A Abbas.

#Plea against Uttarakhand High Court’s order quashing President’s rule in the state to be heard 

The Supreme Court will hear a petition today filed against the Uttarakhand High Court’s order quashing President’s rule in the State. During the earlier hearing, the Union of India agreed for the floor test and thereafter the Presidential Rule was withdrawn. But the question of law with regard to the impugned judgement remained therefore bench directed the matter to be listed on July 12 for hearing the petition filed by the Union of India challenging the High Court order.

#PIL on the culling of stray dogs to be heard

The apex court will hear a PIL today against the direction of cull stray dogs in Kerala, and seeking protection of children from stray dogs. The Supreme Court has directed all states to sterilize and vaccinate stray dogs under supervision of Animal Welfare Board of India using provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for controlling its population and rabies.

#Supreme Court to hear PIL banning film replete with Sikh jokes

The Supreme Court will hear a PIL today filed for stay of release of feature film Santa Banta Pvt. Ltd. The PIL seeks framing of the guidelines to curb the menace of the social/racial/religious/ethnic remark/abuses/comments/ jokes etc. including the Sikh jokes. The petitioner, Harvinder Chowdhury wants   to implement the said guidelines through their law enforcing agencies.

#PIL concerning labour welfare to be heard

The apex court will hear a PIL today concerning labour welfare. The PIL urges the Central Government to implement Building and other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) Act, 1996 and the Building and Other Construction workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996.

July 11, 2016

#SC to work extra for Nirbhaya case 

In a significant move, the Supreme Court today decided to work beyond its working hours for the speedy disposal of the Nirbhaya case, which is pending before the apex court since March 2014. The court ruled that the bench dealing with the case will hear it on each Monday and Friday from 2 pm to 6 pm from July 18 onwards. The court has already appointed two amicus curiae to argue on behalf of the convicts. It also accepted an application from the parents of the victim to argue the case. The counsels for the accused submitted that they wanted to withdraw from the case as the court had already appointed amicus curiae to assist it. They informed the court that a perception had emerged that they were not able enough.

#New SC bench postpones Sabarimala case

The Sabarimala Temple case was taken up afresh by a new bench of the Supreme Court and it postponed the hearing to November 7. Before that, the apex court wanted to know from the counsel of the Kerala government whether it supported the stand taken by the previous UDF government on the issue. The LDF government in 2008 had criticised restrictions on the entry of women aged between 10 and 50, but later the UDF government supported the tradition followed by the temple. V Giri, the state government’s counsel, said it stood by the UDF’s viewpoint.

#CBI to ask for police remand of Rajendra Kumar

A special CBI court will hear the CBI’s for a police remand for the former principal secretary of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Rajendra Kumar and six others. They had been sent to a day’s judicial custody on Sunday. All of them are accused in a corruption case. 

#Setalvad hearing deferred to August

The Supreme Court today heard a petition from Teesta Setalvad challenging the freezing of her personal bank account and bank accounts of her two NGOs—Sabrang Trust and Citizens for Justice and Peace by the Gujarat Police. Setalvad has been accused of embezzlement of foreign funds. Kapil Sibal arguing on behalf of Setalvad pleaded that the police had done so with malafide intentions. The apex court has sought a response from the Gujarat government which wanted a copy of the petition. The matter will be taken up on August 17.

#PIL which seeks uniform policy for Section 498A to be heard

The Supreme Court will hear a PIL today filed by Social Action Forum and Anr. The PIL seeks to  have a  uniform policy of registration of FIR, arrest and bail in cases under Section 498A of   the IPC.

#Vembanad Lake: Supreme Court to take a stock

The Supreme Court will hear a PIL today which seeks monitoring of the implementation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Act. The Supreme Court ruled that the protection of the Vembanad Lake in Kerala, which was undergoing severe environmental degradation due to increased human interventions, was a matter of serious concern for Kerala as well as the country.

The court had earlier observed that the lake should be saved as it supports a large aquatic bio-diversity and acts as an important habitat for migrating birds. Court is monitoring the steps taken by the government in the lake and islands as a whole, steps taken to restore the illegally reclaimed banks of the lake, steps taken to avert pollution etc.

#Apex court to take up Sahara Chief’s release matter     

The Supreme Court will take up today the hearing of the case related to Sahara Group Chief Subrata Roy’s release from the jail. Earlier on the last hearing on May 11, the apex court had extended Roy’s parole till July 11. On May 6, the Court had allowed Roy and Ashok Roy Choudhary, his brother in law, granted four week parole to perform the last rites of Roy’s mother.

#Supreme Court to hear a PIL regarding honour killing

A PIL regarding honour killing will be taken up by the apex court today. Earlier, the Law Commission had proposed a Bill called the Prohibition of Interference with the Freedom of Matrimonial   Alliances Bill which intends to check honour killings. It aims to criminalise the intimidation of consenting adults by kangaroo courts for same-gotra marriages, inter-caste, inter-community and inter-religious marriages.

#Nirbhaya case: Supreme Court to hear appeal from convicts

Supreme Court to hear appeals filed by convicts of Nirbhaya gang rape case today. When the matter was last heard on April 4, 2016, court had directed “we will hear it like a trial court and you can place on record whatever evidence you have. We will give you a patient hearing. Let time be consumed”. Court had also appointed two amicus curiae for two of the convicts.  

#Ban of entry of women in Sabrimala temple: Supreme Court to take up the matter  

The PIL filed by Indian Young Lawyers Association and others challenging the ban of entry of women aged between 10 and 50 in Sabrimala temple, Kerala would be heard by the apex court today.

#Bombay High Court to hear a petition in Jiah Khan case

The Bombay High Court will hear today a petition of Rabia Khan, mother of deceased actress Jiah Khan who allegedly committed suicide. She had contended that her daughter was killed. However, the CBI has submitted a report before the court that it didn’t find any proof which suggests that Jiah was killed.

#Bombay HC to hear a petition of NCP leader Pankaj Bhujbal   

The Bombay High Court will take up the case of NCP leader Pankaj Bhujbal today who has sought stay on the execution of the non-bailable warrant issued against him in Prevention of Money Laundering Act case.

#UP’s top court to hear PIL seeking termination of the membership of MLA

The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench will hear a PIL today which seeks the termination of the membership of Patti’s Vidhan Sabha MLA Ram Singh Patel. 

#Trainee Teachers of UP: Supreme Court to hear the case

The Supreme Court will hear a case involving 72,825 trainee teachers in Uttar Pradesh today.

July 10, 2016

#CourtsThisWeek

#Transgender anti-discrimination bill to be enacted

Massachusetts State in US has sent a transgender anti-discrimination bill to be enacted into law. The new bill aims to end discrimination against transgender people in public places such as restaurants and parks. The bill allows transgender people to use the bathroom or locker room of the sex with which they identify, rather than their biological sex. The legislation provides for the MCAD and attorney general’s office to report their suggestions, regulations or guidance by September 1, with full implementation of the law taking effect on October 1, 2016. (09/07/2016)

#No foreign Judges are allowed in the country, says Sri Lankan President

The Sri Lankan President while attending a ceremony categorically stated that he will not compromise on national security and integrity at any cost. He stated that no foreign court, judge or organisation will be allowed to intrude into the domestic affairs and judiciary in Sri Lanka today and in future as well.

Reiterating his stand on the issue, he said that though various views are being expressed in the country regarding deploying of foreign judges and setting up of foreign military courts to take actions against the so called human rights abuse during the period of war, it will not be permitted. (09/07/2016)

#A sigh of relief for PTOs who conducts Hajj operations 

The Supreme Court today allowed those private tour operators (PTOs) who had conducted earlier Hajj operations deemed fit for this year’s Hajj operations also – they are now eligible for being considered in draw of lots. As far as PTOs who conduct Umra operations, only those PTOs are qualified who had undertaken Hajj operations previous year. Those who failed in draw of lots are disqualified for this year.(08/07/2016)

#Supreme Court declines to interfere in Delhi HC proceedings  

Supreme Court today disposed of Special Leave Petition against an order of the Delhi High Court regarding distribution of legislative powers between Delhi Government and Government of India under Article 239AA of the Constitution.

Supreme Court said that as the Delhi High Court has already heard the matter and reserved the judgement on all the issues including the preliminary issue, it is desirable that the High Court should pronounce the judgment. Thereafter, needless to say, it will be open to the parties to seek their remedies as advised in law, the Court said. (08/07/2016)

#Sultan replies to women commission

Salman Khan today replied to the Maharashtra Women’s Commission on charges related to his controversial rape comment. The commission had sent him a notice to appear before MWC. (07/07/2016)

#Road scam PIL deferred by Bombay HC

Vivekanand Gupta, the secretary of the Mumbai unit of BJP filed a PIL in a road and de-silting scam in the Bombay High Court today. He pleaded that the probe into the scam must be handed over to Anti-Corruption Bureau. He also sought suspension of Laxman Vhatkar, chief engineer, SWD for his role in the scam and a permanent ban on SGS and Plaxitech from all BMC contracts. The court listed the matter for July 12. (07/07/2016)

#CBI seeks time in Sheena Bora case

The CBI sought more time from the Bombay High Court today for filing its response on the bail plea of Peter Mukherjea in the Sheena Bora murder case. The matter was posted for July 19. Mukherjea had moved the high court after his bail plea was rejected two times by the sessions court. (07/07/2016)

#Pistorious gets 6-year jail term

Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to six years in prison for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by South Africa’s highest court, North Gauteng High Court. The punishment was much lower than expected as the public prosecutors had demanded at least 15 years of imprisonment. (06/07/2016)

#SC admits Salman Khan hit-and-run case

The Supreme Court today admitted a plea by the Maharashtra government against the acquittal of actor Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi representing the Maharashtra government urged the court to put the hearing on the fast track. The court, however, denied his request. Khan’s counsel Kapil Sibal told the court that his client had no objection if the case was decided on merit. The hearing is likely to begin after six weeks. (05/07/2016)

#Injunction order on Great Grand Masti

The Bombay High Court today passed an injunction order to block more than 400 websites. The order was passed by a single-judge bench. The bench was approached by Balaji Motion Pictures, the producers of film, Great Grand Masti. It had alleged that some websites had already leaked the film before its release and had even put it on public domain for downloading.

The court also directed the cyber cell to find out whether any download of film had taken place before its release. The film is slated to release on 22 July. (05/07/2016)

#Judicial custody extended for Chhagan Bhujbal

A Mumbai sessions court on Monday extended the judicial custody of Chhagan Bhujbal and his nephew Sameer Bhujbal till July 18 in the money laundering case. Both were physically present in the court. (04/07/2016)

#Akhlaq murder case postponed

The Akhlaq murder case will be heard by a Gautama Budh Nagar district court on July 25. He was killed in Bisada on September 28 last year allegedly for consuming beef. (04/07/2016)

#SC still to decide on ban for diesel vehicles

The Supreme Court today reserved its judgement on a plea that sought scrapping of the ban order on the registration of diesel vehicles above 2,000 cc in Delhi-NCR. The apex court had issued the ban in December last year to bring down pollution levels.

Stating that it was against the ban, the centre sought six weeks’ time to conduct a study on diesel vehicles’ effect on environment. It also sought permission from the court to find out whether an environment compensation cess could be implemented. The Centre also contended that it should be allowed to decide the quantum of cess.

On June 1, the apex court had said that it could think about lifting the ban on diesel vehicles if the one-time environment compensation cess was introduced. (04/07/2016)

#Why maths test for lawyers?

CareerAttorney-1-640x295

The Bombay High Court today asked the Maharashtra government why it thought that knowledge of mathematics was necessary for lawyers. The court was hearing a petition challenging the Maharashtra government’s decision to conduct a common entrance test (CET) for law admission. The petition alleged that the decision was “arbitrary and lacked “transparency”. The government, however, justified its decision saying that the state had exercised its executive powers to ascertain the aptitude of aspirant lawyers and the CET included objective questions on general knowledge, basic law, English and maths. The state government also told the court that it wanted to improve the quality of lawyers as there were many who could not even draft a petition properly and others who kept seeking adjournments in courts. The court rebutted that such things couldn’t be controlled by a CET. (04/07/2016)

July 09, 2016

#No foreign Judges are allowed in the country, says Sri Lankan President

The Sri Lankan President while attending a ceremony categorically stated that he will not compromise on national security and integrity at any cost. He stated that no foreign court, judge or organisation will be allowed to intrude into the domestic affairs and judiciary in Sri Lanka today and in future as well.

Reiterating his stand on the issue, he said that though various views are being expressed in the country regarding deploying of foreign judges and setting up of foreign military courts to take actions against the so called human rights abuse during the period of war, it will not be permitted.

#Gunawardena, former Sri lankan MP granted bail

Sajjan Vass Gunawardena, former United People’s Freedom Alliance MP was granted bail by a Sri Lankan court. He was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) last month for having hand in an alleged deceit relating to a property in Colombo.

Gunawardena was granted bail on a surety of Rs 500,000 and four personal bails of Rs 500,000 each. Gunawardena has been a serial offender; he was also arrested by the CID last year in another case. He was allegedly found of misusing vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.

#Churches lambast new terrorism law in Russia

An anti-terrorism law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin has sparked massive outrage among the churches in the country, the Los Angeles Times reported. According to the reports, as many as 7,000 churches in the country are fasting and praying against the law. It places strict limitations on religious liberty by forbidding religious congregation in residences and putting a check on propagation of religion, including on the Internet.

#Transgender anti-discrimination bill to be enacted

Massachusetts State in US has sent a transgender anti-discrimination bill to be enacted into law. The new bill aims to end discrimination against transgender people in public places such as restaurants and parks. The bill allows transgender people to use the bathroom or locker room of the sex with which they identify, rather than their biological sex. The legislation provides for the MCAD and attorney general’s office to report their suggestions, regulations or guidance by September 1, with full implementation of the law taking effect on October 1, 2016.

July 08, 2016

#Supreme Court declines to interfere in Delhi HC proceedings  

Supreme Court today disposed of Special Leave Petition against an order of the Delhi High Court regarding distribution of legislative powers between Delhi Government and Government of India under Article 239AA of the Constitution.

Supreme Court said that as the Delhi High Court has already heard the matter and reserved the judgement on all the issues including the preliminary issue, it is desirable that the High Court should pronounce the judgment. Thereafter, needless to say, it will be open to the parties to seek their remedies as advised in law, the Court said.

#Give suggestions on the effectiveness of crèche facilities, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court granted time to the respondent to give suggestions on the crèche facilities in the Supreme Court. The petitioner Anindita Pujari had filed a writ petition on the case questioning the effectiveness of the crèche facilities following which the court had postponed the opening of the crèche facilities.

#Hearing on CLAT deferred 

The Bar Council of India has sought more time to file their counter in the PIL filed by Shamnad Basheer who had sought a permanent body to conduct Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). The case will now he heard after four weeks. Basheer had filed the PIL in 2015 spelling out various errors in the conduct of CLAT over the years.

#Manipur encounter killings: Supreme Court directs through investigation

In a PIL seeking Special Investigation Team/Central Bureau of Investigation probe into Manipur extra-judicial killings, the Supreme Court observed alleged judicial killings by security forces must be investigated. Supreme Court also said that Army can also conduct its own inquiries into accusations of extra judicial killings in Manipur till Court examines. Supreme Court also sought details of 1,528 alleged extra judicial killings in Manipur.

#A sigh of relief for PTOs who conducts Hajj operations 

The Supreme Court today allowed those private tour operators (PTOs) who had conducted earlier Hajj operations deemed fit for this year’s Hajj operations also – they are now eligible for being considered in draw of lots. As far as PTOs who conduct Umra operations, only those PTOs are qualified who had undertaken Hajj operations previous year. Those who failed in draw of lots are disqualified for this year.

#Supreme Court will hear a petition on CLAT

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The Supreme Court will hear a PIL filed by Shamnad Basheer against Union of India and others for a permanent body to conduct Common Law Admission Test.

A sou moto PIL on rights of children to be heard   

Supreme Court will hear a sou moto PIL to implement the protective provisions contained in the Protection of Rights of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.

#Supreme Court will hear a petition against the defection of MLAs

The Supreme Court will hear a writ petition which is filed against the merger of the eight MLA’s of Indian National Congress with Nagaland People’s Front party.

#SLP for distribution of powers to be heard by Supreme Court   

The Supreme Court will hear a Special Leave Petition against an order of the Delhi High Court regarding distribution of legislative powers between Delhi Government and Government of India under Article 239AA of the Constitution. Earlier the matter was listed before two different benches but the Judges recused themselves from hearing it.

#Supreme Court will hear a writ petition on Hajj quotas

The Supreme Court will hear a writ petition by regarding discrepancies in allocation of Hajj quotas to private tour operators who along with government take Hajjis to Saudi Arabia.

#Supreme Court to decide upon Rahul Gandhi’s appeal

The Supreme Court will hear an appeal by the Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi who had sought that his defamation case should be heard by lower court. The RSS had filed a defamation suit against him as he had directly held responsible RSS for killing Mahatma Gandhi.

#Bombay High Court to deliver a verdict on roads’ bad condition in Mumbai

The Bombay High Court will deliver a judgement in which it has taken suo moto cognizance of the bad condition of roads in Mumbai especially during rainy season.

#Case on misuse of the allotted land to be adjudicated by Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court will take a decision on the sale of liquor drugs and other substance on the place which was allotted in the market for selling agriculture products. The Court had taken a suo moto cognizance of the matter.

#Bombay High Court will hear a PIL on printing of currency notes

The Bombay High Court will hear a PIL pertaining to the printing of the currency notes by Reserve Bank of India. According to the petition, as a result of the procedure which is followed by the Reserve Bank of India in printing certain category of currency notes there is immense possibility of illegal duplication/fabrication of these currency. The matter is listed for hearing today.

#Petition on Dowry act to be heard by Bombay High Court 

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition on the issue concerning the implementation of Dowry Act in Maharashtra. The court had previously directed the Maharashtra government to ensure the implementation of the Act.

#PIL seeking shelters for homeless to be heard

The Bombay High Court will hear a PIL which seeks shelter to homeless who spend their night on the streets. The court had even directed to provide the same. The matter had been kept for further direction.

#Lucknow bench to hear a plea on IPS Officer Thakur

High Court of Allahabad’s Lucknow bench will hear a petition filed against the investigations by the Vigilance department on IPS Officer Amitabh Thakur.

#Reservation denied to OBC students; Lucknow bench to hear a petition

High Court of Allahabad’s Lucknow bench will hear a petition for not giving reservation to the students belonging to the other backward caste (OBC) of Lucknow’s Bhimrao Ambedkar University.

July 07, 2016

#Many accused apply for exemption in NSEL case

Exemption applications were filed today on behalf of several accused at the special PMLA court, Mumbai in the National Spot Exchange scam case. However, Enforcement Directorate (ED), which had prosecuted them in March under PMLA last year, pleaded that arrest warrants be issued. It contended that the applications should not be accepted by the special court as the concerned persons were not physically present.The defence pleaded that the accused did not come to court as they feared being arrested. The court had earlier asked all the 68 accused in the case to appear on July 7. Exemption applications for 63 accused were submitted in the court.

#Sultan replies to women commission

Salman Khan today replied to the Maharashtra Women’s Commission on charges related to his controversial rape comment. The commission had sent him a notice to appear before MWC.

#Road scam PIL deferred by Bombay HC

Vivekanand Gupta, the secretary of the Mumbai unit of BJP filed a PIL in a road and de-silting scam in the Bombay High Court today. He pleaded that the probe into the scam must be handed over to Anti-Corruption Bureau. He also sought suspension of Laxman Vhatkar, chief engineer, SWD for his role in the scam and a permanent ban on SGS and Plaxitech from all BMC contracts. The court listed the matter for July 12.

#CBI seeks time in Sheena Bora case

The CBI sought more time from the Bombay High Court today for filing its response on the bail plea of Peter Mukherjea in the Sheena Bora murder case. The matter was posted for July 19. Mukherjea had moved the high court after his bail plea was rejected two times by the sessions court.

#Authorities to submit action-taken report to Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court today directed the BMC, MMRDA and collector eastern suburbs to file an action-taken report on its earlier order regarding inconvenience caused to people due to the monorail construction at RAC Colony in Chembur, Mumbai. The court in its 2013 order had asked the authorities to solve problems faced by people due to construction activities in the area. The petitioner today told the court that nothing had been done by the authorities.

 #Life guard’s plea to be heard by Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition today against Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation by Juhu Beach Life Guard Association. In the petition, it has been asked as why life guard association shelter was demolished at Juhu Beach and equipment was destroyed at the behest of an oral complaint of MLA. The petition therefore demands restoration of the structure and also compensating the equipments which were lost during the demolition.

#Bombay High Court to hear a petition from inmates  

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition filed by an inmate currently lodged in Arthur Road Jail, Mumbai today. He has filed this petition from the jail pointing out the security concern of jail and inmates due to the high rise construction around the prison.

#Former AAP leader Gandhi’s petition would be heard

A petition by former Aam Aadmi Party leader Mayank Gandhi would be heard by Bombay High Court today. The petition seeks inquiry of various dam projects across Maharashtra.

July 06, 2016

#Police remand for Praduman Yadav

The Bombay High Court today granted police remand till July 9 for Gurgaon policeman Praduman Yadav, a prime accused in the killing of gangster Sandeep Gadoli in an alleged fake encounter inside the Airport Metro Hotel in Marol, Andheri.

#Pistorious gets 6-year jail term

Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to six years in prison for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by South Africa’s highest court, North Gauteng High Court. The punishment was much lower than expected as the public prosecutors had demanded at least 15 years of imprisonment.

July 05, 2016

#Bombay High Court clears CET

The Bombay High Court today dismissed a petition challenging the common entrance test (CET) for law aspirants introduced by the Maharashtra government. The court held that the state was empowered to hold such tests. It struck down the contention of the petitioner that CET was illegal and unconstitutional. The court also ruled that the Bar Council of India and the state bar council should also be involved in the process of conducting CET.

#Injunction order on Great Grand Masti

The Bombay High Court today passed an injunction order to block more than 400 websites. The order was passed by a single-judge bench. The bench was approached by Balaji Motion Pictures, the producers of film, Great Grand Masti. It had alleged that some websites had already leaked the film before its release and had even put it on public domain for downloading.

The court also directed the cyber cell to find out whether any download of film had taken place before its release. The film is slated to release on 22 July.

#Kishore Wagh appears before Mumbai ACB court

Kishore Wagh, arrested by the Mumbai unit of the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau for taking a bribe of Rs 4 lakh, today appeared before a Mumbai ACB court.

#Mumbai Police asked to probe Mumbai Bank scam
The Bombay High Court today clubbed the two cases filed against a Mumbai cooperative bank and asked the Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai Police to note down complaints and investigate the Mumbai Bank scam. Activist Pankaj Kotecha wanted the CBI to probe the scam. He claimed in his petition that the Mumbai Police was not investigating the case. Another petitioner Vivekananda Gupta had filed a petition against the directors of the bank for bypassing norms and waving off bad loans.

#PIL against BCI quashed

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a PIL challenging the rule that the Bar Council of India (BCI) must verify qualifications of advocates. The court ruled that as BCI was a statutory body and well within its rights to do so.

#SC admits Salman Khan hit-and-run case

The Supreme Court today admitted a plea by the Maharashtra government against the acquittal of actor Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi representing the Maharashtra government urged the court to put the hearing on the fast track. The court, however, denied his request. Khan’s counsel Kapil Sibal told the court that his client had no objection if the case was decided on merit. The hearing is likely to begin after six weeks.

#Hearing in Kadam case deferred

A Bombay Sessions Court adjudicating the Ramesh Kadam case adjourned the hearing after being informed by the investigating officer that the Special Public Prosecutor was not available. Kadam, a Nationalist Congress Party MLA, has been arrested in a money laundering case.

#NDA government changes nomenclature of high courts
Three prominent high courts of India will undergo a name change, as decided by the Union cabinet today. The Calcutta High Court will henceforth be known as Kolkata High Court, the Madras High Court will be rechristened Chennai High Court and the Bombay High Court will bear the name Mumbai High Court.

#Haryana government slammed by high court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today came down heavily on the Haryana government in the Murthal gang rape case. The court lambasted the government for asking more time to gather more facts in the incident. The Haryana government’s counsel accepted that rapes had taken place during the Jat quota protest in February in Murthal. The court also directed the state government to submit the second part of the Prakash Singh Committee report on July 7, the next date of hearing.

#Hearing on Delhi government’s SLP deferred again

The hearing on a Special Leave Petition regarding distribution of legislative powers between Delhi government and the Government of India under Article 239AA of the constitution was again adjourned today by the apex court as Justice L Nageswara Rao recused. Chief Justice TS Thakur said the matter would be heard on the next working day. On Monday, the top court had adjourned the case as Justice Khehar had recused.

#PIL against quota for weaker sections deferred 

The Gujarat High Court today adjourned the hearing of a petition challenging the ten per cent reservation given for the economically weaker sections in jobs and education in Gujarat.

The petition stated that the three percent reservation for the handicapped and the two percent reservation for sportspersons do not encroach upon the unreserved category. It, however, alleged that reservation awarded for the economically weaker section cuts into unreserved category.

#Supreme Court to hear a PIL challenging NGT orders

A petition challenging directions passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding vehicles on Rohtang Pass will be heard by Supreme Court. NGT had asked the government to provide CNG buses to go on Rohtang Pass; present limit is 500 vehicles per day.  In the last hearing, Counsel submitted that around 35 lakh tourist visit this place. For that 6000 vehicles should be allowed, 1200 vehicles allowed by NGT is not fair.

#SLP challenging Salman’s acquittal to be heard

Supreme Court will hear a Special Leave Petition challenging Bombay High Court’s order of acquittal of Actor Salman Khan in hit and run case filed by Maharashtra government.

#Supreme Court to take up Delhi govt’s plea

The apex court will hear a Special Leave Petition regarding distribution of legislative powers between Delhi Government and Government of India under Article 239AA of the Constitution.

#Plea regarding life guard at Juhu Beach to be heard

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition about the various grievances of life guard working at Juhu Beach, Mumbai. The petition has been filed by Juhu Beach Life Guard Association against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

July 04, 2016

#SC still to decide on ban for diesel vehicles

The Supreme Court today reserved its judgement on a plea that sought scrapping of the ban order on the registration of diesel vehicles above 2,000 cc in Delhi-NCR. The apex court had issued the ban in December last year to bring down pollution levels.

Stating that it was against the ban, the centre sought six weeks’ time to conduct a study on diesel vehicles’ effect on environment. It also sought permission from the court to find out whether an environment compensation cess could be implemented. The Centre also contended that it should be allowed to decide the quantum of cess.

On June 1, the apex court had said that it could think about lifting the ban on diesel vehicles if the one-time environment compensation cess was introduced.

#CJI concerned over judges’ protests in Telangana  
The Chief Justice of India has been asked by a delegation of lawyers from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to intervene in the protests by judicial officers from Telangana.  Already 11 judges have been suspended for the strike.
It is believed that the CJI has sought an end to the strike before talks could begin as a conducive atmosphere was necessary. According to media reports, the CJI also said that the image of the judiciary was at stake.
Meanwhile, the striking judges have sought the revocation of the suspension of 11 judges. Bar Associations are expected to meet, based on discussions with the CJI and Governor ESL Narasimhan.

#SC to take up Delhi govt’s plea tomorrow

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The Supreme Court will hear on Tuesday a Delhi government plea on the distribution of legislative powers between the centre and the state of Delhi under Article 239AA of the constitution. The apex court posted the matter for tomorrow as the two Judges who heard the plea decided to recuse. On July 1, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear a Special Leave Petition (SLP) by senior advocate Indira Jaising on the matter.

#Judicial custody extended in Sheena Bora case

The judicial custody of all the four accused in the Sheena Bora murder case— Shyamvar Rai, Peter Mukerjea, Indrani Mukherjea and Sanjeev Khanna—was extended by a Mumbai sessions court on Monday.

#Why maths test for lawyers?

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The Bombay High Court today asked the Maharashtra government why it thought that knowledge of mathematics was necessary for lawyers. The court was hearing a petition challenging the Maharashtra government’s decision to conduct a common entrance test (CET) for law admission. The petition alleged that the decision was “arbitrary and lacked “transparency”. The government, however, justified its decision saying that the state had exercised its executive powers to ascertain the aptitude of aspirant lawyers and the CET included objective questions on general knowledge, basic law, English and maths. The state government also told the court that it wanted to improve the quality of lawyers as there were many who could not even draft a petition properly and others who kept seeking adjournments in courts. The court rebutted that such things couldn’t be controlled by a CET.

#Hearing on potholes’ case deferred

The Bombay High Court has asked the government to file its response in an affidavit in the Western Highway potholes case within two weeks. The next hearing will take place on July 20.  

#Consult Army and MoD for FOB, says Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the railways and the BMC to contact the Army and the Ministry of Defence for their opinion on the construction of a temporary foot over bridge connecting the area near the Sandhurst Road station and the Dockyard Road station in Mumbai. The court also directed the city transport to provide extra bus service so that people do not use the tracks. It further directed that the entire railway track be barricaded.

Two bridges between Sandhurst Road and Dockyard Road stations were demolished as they were in a dilapidated condition. After the demolition, many accidents took place as people tried to cross the railway tracks. The PIL had sought a court direction to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the railways to construct a temporary over bridge. During the last hearing, the court had directed BMC and the railways to select the site where the bridge could be constructed and resolve the technical problem coming in the way.

#Need to check illegal chit funds

The Supreme Court has sought response within four weeks from the centre on a PIL seeking direction to the centre, SEBI and RBI to take appropriate steps to check unauthorized chit fund schemes. The centre submitted that changes had already been made in the concerned laws for the purpose.

#SC agrees for an early hearing in Catholics divorce case

Despite ruling that Catholic churches have no legal authority to grant divorce, the Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine the issue. The PIL had held that many Catholics marrying again after getting divorce from the church were being held guilty for bigamy by civil  and criminal courts.

#NEET petition slated for July 7

A plea from health activist Anand Rai challenging the centre’s ordinance on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) will now be heard by a bench headed by Justice Anil R Dave on July 7. The Supreme Court gave this decision on Monday after taking up Rai’s plea which wanted that the ordinance be struck down.

#Judicial custody extended for Chhagan Bhujbal

A Mumbai sessions court on Monday extended the judicial custody of Chhagan Bhujbal and his nephew Sameer Bhujbal till July 18 in the money laundering case. Both were physically present in the court.

#Akhlaq murder case postponed

The Akhlaq murder case will be heard by a Gautama Budh Nagar district court on July 25. He was killed in Bisada on September 28 last year allegedly for consuming beef.

#Kulkarni’s plea rejected

The Bombay High Court has rejected the plea of Sameer Kulkarni who filed a petition to speed up the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Kulkarni himself is an accused in the case.

#Ban of diesel taxis: Supreme Court to hear a petition 

The Supreme Court will hear a PIL today in connection with the ban of diesel taxis in Delhi. Delhi government had requested before the Court that ban may be stayed since the taxi operators are badly affected as diesel vehicles cannot be converted into CNG.

#AP government order to be examined today by Supreme Court  

Supreme Court will hear a PIL today filed by R Chandrashekar Reddy challenging an Andhra Pradesh government order dated August 7, 2007. The government order had made certain proposals for granting remission to the prisoners under Sector 433-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

#PIL regarding availability of Leprosy drugs to be heard 

A PIL filed by Pankaj Sinha will be heard today by Supreme Court pertaining to issuance of directions for availability of the drugs that can completely cure 99 per cent of leprosy bacteria drugs at primary health centres.

#Moral education: SC to hear a PIL

The Supreme Court will hear a PIL today to issue Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate Writ and to direct respondents to include Moral Science as a compulsory subject in the syllabus of Class I to Class XII.
#PIL concerning employees of nuclear institutions to be heard

A PIL will be heard by Bombay High Court today filed by Chetan Kothari. The PIL filed on the basis of RTI information reveals the details about the death and suicide of scientists or officers/employees who have died on account of various diseases like cancer while working at nuclear institutions in India.

#Construction of court building: Bombay HC to hear a plea

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition today concerning the construction of court building at Sangli, Maharashtra which was delayed due to insufficient fund.
#Tainted MLA’s case to be heard by Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition today of Pankaj Bhujbal who has sought stay on the execution of the non-bailable warrant issued against him in Prevention of Money Laundering Act case.

#5th amendment in ICDR:  Bombay HC to take cognizance

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition today in which a petitioner has challenged the 5th amendment in Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements contending that this amendment will affect small investors.
#Foot over bridge case to be heard by Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition today which seeks the construction of a foot over bridge at Sandhurst Road, Mumbai. The bridge made during British era was demolished due to its poor condition however no alternative was provided to people.
#Vacant posts in DRAT/DRAT: Bombay HC to take up the issue 

The Bombay High Court will hear a petition today filed by Suraj Jadhav regarding vacant posts in Debts Recovery Tribunal and Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal, Mumbai.

#Asaram case: Jodhpur Session Court will hear the proceedings

The Jodhpur Session Court will hear today the Asaram case in which he is lodged in jail for 21 months for an alleged sexual assault on a teenage girl.

#Punchukula Distt Court will hear the Panipat Blasts Case 

The Punchkula District Court will hear today the Panipat Blasts Case in which the main accused Swami Aseemanand along with others will appear in the court. So far 163 witnesses have deposed in the case.

#Jats reservation issue again to be taken up

The Punjab and Haryana High Court will be hearing today on a petition filed against not giving the reservation to the Jats.

July 03, 2016

#CourtsThisWeek

#India does not vote on LGBT resolution at UN  

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India has abstained from voting on an LGBT resolution at the UN Human Rights Council. The reason cited by the external affairs ministry is that the Supreme Court is yet to decide on LGBT rights (challenge to Section 377).

According to media reports, the resolution seeks to appoint an independent expert to examine cases of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The decision to appoint such an expert was taken in the wake of the Orlando nightclub killings.(02/06/2016)

#Next hearing on Panama leaks in July

The Panama Papers leak case will now be taken up by the Supreme Court again on July 25. While responding to the petition for a CBI probe into the matter, the apex court today ordered that a copy of the petition be served to the counsel of SEBI as well, and sought response within a week.(01/06/2016)

#Sheena Bora Case: driver’s statement to be given to accused

In a hearing of the Sheena Bora murder case before the Bombay High Court today, the court directed that driver Shyamvar Rai’s statement under Section 164 CrPC be provided to the other three accused in the case. Earlier, the driver had turned approver in the case.(30/06/2016)

#Singer Ankit Tiwari unable to attend court

Singer Ankit Tiwari could not present himself before a Special Women’s Sessions Court in Mumbai today. Advocate Mahesh Vaswani who represented the singer presented medical reports to the court citing that Ankit was unwell. Tewari was accused of rape by a former girlfriend.(30/06/2016)

#Petition on Kohinoor diamond examined

Kohinoor, Kohinoor diamond, Kohinoor England, Kohinoor british, Kohinoor war, Kohinoor news, Kohinoor india

The Supreme Court ordered today that a petition seeking directions to the Centre to bring back the Kohinoor diamond should be listed along with a similar pending petition. The case heard today was that of Heritage Bengal and Anr vs. Union of India and Ors. It was heard by the bench presided over by the Chief Justice of India.(30/06/2016)

#WhatsApp case dismissed

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the PIL against WhatsApp and other messenger services with end-to-end encryption filed by RTI activist Sudhir Yadav. The court pointed out that if Yadav was worried about national security (as mentioned in his petition), he should go to the concerned department. The petitioner had appeared in person.(29/06/2016)

#Bombay High Court unhappy with Rabia

The lawyer representing Rabia Khan in the Jiah Khan suicide case sought an adjournment in the Bombay High Court on Wednesday. The lawyer pleaded that as Rabia was not in town the rejoinder in the case couldn’t be filed. The court, however, was displeased with repeated adjournments sought by Rabia’s counsel.(29/06/2016)

#Ahmedabad court dismisses plea on book ban

An Ahmedabad court refused to ban a book, “Feku Ji Have Delhi Ma” (Feku is now in Delhi), on the ground that it made fun of the promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Lok Sabha campaign in 2014. The court held that the comments were the “personal opinion” of the author Jayesh Shah, and banning the book on that basis would go against the right to freedom of expression enjoyed by him.

The petitioner, Narsinhbhai Solanki, had alleged that the book “offended” his sentiments and showed the prime minister and his government in poor light.

The court, however, held that the book was in no way a threat to the unity and sovereignty of India—the prime reason for banning it.

The plea was dismissed and the author and publisher were given the go-ahead to sell the book.(29/06/2016)

#Hearing on Triple Talaq pleas deferred to September 6

The Supreme Court deferred the hearing on Triple Talaq petitions to September 6. It also observed that the court would have to determine whether it could adjudicate on Muslim personal laws in case it was found that these infringed upon the fundamental rights.

It asked the center to respond to petitions within six weeks.

Earlier, a suo motu writ petition had been registered by the Supreme Court for considering the rights of Muslim women on marriage, divorce and maintenance and whether the current practices under the Muslim Personal Law regarding marriage, divorce and maintenance, were violating Part III of the constitution.

A petition had also been filed by Shayara Bano alleging that the practices of Talaq-E-Bidat, Nikah-Halala and polygamy under the Muslim Personal laws were illegal and unconstitutional. The petitioner sought an order from the court to provide a life of dignity to Muslim women.

An interim application was also filed by the Bhartiya Muslim Woman Morcha seeking that the All India Muslim Personal Law Board be restrained from giving statements in the media as it was spreading rumours. (29/06/2016)

#SC refers Section 377 petition to CJI court

The first order in the much-awaited challenge to Section 377 filed by a group of leading citizens, who are members of the gay community in India, was issued by the Supreme Court today. The court held that they could not hear it before the decision in the already pending curative petition filed by the Naz Foundation on the same subject was heard.

They ordered that this fresh petition, Navtej Singh Johar and others vs Union of India by well-known citizens, Chef Ritu Dalmia, hotelier Aman Nath, business executive Ayesha Kapur, journalist Sunil Mehra and dancer N S Johar should be sent to the court of the chief justice of India as he is hearing the curative petition by the Naz Foundation. Earlier in February 2016, the court had ordered that the petition by the Naz Foundation be heard by a constitution bench.(29/06/2016)

#Two Telangana judges suspended on disciplinary grounds

The High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad suspended two judges K Ravinder Reddy and V Varaprasad for violating code of conduct. The judges took part in the protest by Telangana state judges, demanding the division of the existing Hyderabad High Court and the immediate recall of provisional allocation list for judicial officers between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Over 139 judges, including senior civil judges, district judges and junior civil judges from 10 districts from Telangana took part in the protest on June 26. Reddy is also the president of the Telangana Judicial Officers’ Association and Varaprasad holds the post of general secretary in the association.(28/06/2016)

#Allahabad High Court to hear policemen’s petition

Allahabad High Court will hear a petition challenging the suspension of six policemen of Kitganj police station, Allahabad. They had been suspended for implicating a trader in a false case.(27/06/2016)

July 02, 2016

#India does not vote on LGBT resolution at UN  

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India has abstained from voting on an LGBT resolution at the UN Human Rights Council. The reason cited by the external affairs ministry is that the Supreme Court is yet to decide on LGBT rights (challenge to Section 377).

According to media reports, the resolution seeks to appoint an independent expert to examine cases of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The decision to appoint such an expert was taken in the wake of the Orlando nightclub killings.

July 01, 2016

#Tainted NCP legislator’s case adjourned

A Mumbai sessions court today adjourned the hearing of a money laundering case in which NCP MLA Ramesh Kadam is involved. The court adjourned the case as the public prosecutor was absent. Kadam is accused of siphoning off Rs 140 crore from a trust fund. He had also allegedly gifted cars worth Rs 57 crore from the trust fund to his near and dear ones.

#Anti-trust settlement annulled in US

An anti-trust settlement which Visa and MasterCard had reached with millions of retailers was annulled by the United States Court of Appeals in Manhattan yesterday. The Court adjudged it as “unreasonable and inadequate”. The court said that the merchants had been “inadequately” represented when the settlement was reached in 2012. The settlement valued at $7.25-billion is one of the largest in US’s anti-trust history.

#Next hearing on Panama leaks in July

The Panama Papers leak case will now be taken up by the Supreme Court again on July 25. While responding to the petition for a CBI probe into the matter, the apex court today ordered that a copy of the petition be served to the counsel of SEBI as well, and sought response within a week.

#Respondent given four weeks to reply

A PIL seeking that ward-wise counting of votes be done away with came up before the apex court today. The respondent requested four weeks’ time to file a counter response, which was granted.

#SC raps center over workers’ welfare

The Chief Justice of India today was unhappy over the centre’s apathy towards construction workers. The court had earlier issued certain directions for their welfare. It took a grim view of the petitioner’s allegation that nothing had been done for the workers and even funds were lying unused. The centre argued that many meetings and seminars had been conducted to enlighten the workers about various schemes launched by the government.

The Court asked NALSAR to come up with a report on the schemes drawn up for the welfare of construction workers.

#Driver’s confession handed over in Sheena Bora case

A special CBI court on Friday handed over a copy of the statement from Indrani Mukerjea’s driver Shyamvar Rai to all the three accused in the Sheena Bora murder case. Rai is now an accused-turned-approver in the case. The statement says that Indrani had killed her daughter on April 24, 2012 with the help of Rai and her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna.

#Supreme Court to take up Delhi government’s plea on July 4

The Supreme Court will hear a Special Leave Petition (SLP) on the distribution of powers between the Delhi government and the centre on July 4, 2016. The SLP was today submitted before the Chief Justice of India by senior advocate Indira Jaising, with a request for urgent hearing. The apex court has been requested to interpret Article 239AA, the special provision that deals with Delhi.20150409bdeshi-rape-convict-begs-mercy-from-nepali-victim-600x0

#No sympathy for a rape convict even if he is a boy

The apex court today dismissed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) of a boy who had been convicted and sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment for raping a sixteen year old girl. The convict pleaded that he was only 18 and a 10-year jail term was too harsh. The court commented that a young boy should know that he can’t be physical with a minor girl, even if it was consensual.

#Supreme Court to hear a PIL on Disabilities Act

The Supreme Court will hear a PIL filed by Rajive Raturi concerning implementation of Disabilities Act.

#PIL concerning fake encounters to be heard by SC

The Supreme Court will hear a PIL concerning fake encounters in Gujarat. PIL alleges that during the years 2003-2006, 21 police encounter killings took place in the State of Gujarat. It was also alleges that the so-called police encounters were fake. In the petition, an appeal was made for ordering an inquiry into all the cases of police encounters.

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#Bombay High Court to hear contempt case against top bureaucrat

The Bombay High Court is likely to pass an order in contempt proceedings against additional chief secretary (home), Maharashtra of K P Bakshi.

#PIL concerning printing of notes to be heard by Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court will hear a PIL pertaining to the printing of the currency notes by Reserve Bank of India. According to the petition, as a result of the procedure which is followed by the Reserve Bank of India in printing certain category of currency notes there is immense possibility of illegal duplication/fabrication of these currency.