March 31, 2016
#CallDrop: Supreme Court adjourns plea of telecom companies against High Court order to compensate for call drop, adjourned to Tuesday, April 5 after senior advocate Kapil Sibal concluded his arguments on behalf of telcos.
#DrugBan: The Delhi High Court will continue hearing the interim ban on some drugs banned by the Centre. ASG Sanjay Jain will continue with the arguments on Monday. The court asked the government to submit evidence that the banned drugs have adverse affect on health.
March 30, 2016
#ShaniShinganapur: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday ruled that women cannot be barred from entering the Shani Shinganapur temple saying “even women can go where men can”.
The matter will now be heard on April 1. The bench has also asked the Maharashtra government to explain the gender bias being followed in the famous temple, in the court on the same day.
#CallDrop: SC to hear plea of telecom companies challenging the High Court order over compensation for call drops on March 31.
#BlackMoney: PIL by Ram Jethamalani to be heard by Supreme Court on April 26.
March 29, 2016
#UnsafeSterlisations: Following petition regarding various unhealthy, unsafe and unethical sterilisations conducted across the country, especially Bihar and Chhattisgarh, the Supreme Court today directed Jai Ambe society which conducted such operations in Chhatisgarh, to furnish details of members, and audited accounts.
Around 14 women had lost their lives in the state because of unsafe sterilisations.
During the last hearing of the matter, the bench of Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice UU Lalit had directed the Chhattisgarh government to submit the Anita Jha Commission report pertaining to the 14 casualties in a week. Matter now listed on May 7.
#Nagaland: The bench of Justices Kurian Joseph and Rohinton Fali Nariman tagged the writ petition filed against the eight MLAs of Indian National Congress joining hands with Nagaland People’s Front party and rejection of disqualification petition which was filed by the petitioner, and was rejected by the legislative assembly. The matter has been listed for July.
#Tiger: Stating that wildlife officials and forest department very well know what should be done with dangerous animals, the Supreme Court today dismissed a petition seeking directions for forest department to not catch and confine tigers that are reportedly dangerous for human life from the forests adjoining villages.
The petitioner lawyer had argued that instead of confining them, such tigers should be relocated, citing an incident where a body was found having marks on the face and people suspected that the person was killed by a tiger.
March 28, 2016
#DDCAvs.MCD: The Supreme Court today asked Delhi and District Cricket Association(DDCA) to provide proof of the amount paid to MCD to use RP Mehra block at Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla ground after the latter claimed to have paid the civic body on a regular basis to use the premises.
The bench of Justices Jagdish Singh Khehar and C. Nagappan asked the DDCA counsel to produce the payment receipt by Monday, and deferred the matter for one week.
Earlier, the DDCA had filed a plea in Delhi High Court, seeking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from MCD for Feroz Shah Kotla ground, which was denied clearance as it was within 100 metres of a monument, Kotla Baoli.
As the High Court refused to entertain the plea on March 22, the DDCA filed an SLP in the Supreme Court against the HC order dated March 22.
#KaveriWaterDispute: The Supreme Court will hear the Kaveri water dispute (State of Tamilnadu vs. State of Karnataka) on July 19.
#TaslimaNasreen: The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition seeking cancellation of Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen’s visa, saying such petitions cannot be entertained. The exiled writer’s visa was extended by one year in July 2015, on the intervention of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, after her residency permit lapsed.
March 26, 2016
#DavidHeadley: Terrorist accused opened a new can of worms during the fourth day of his cross examination in the sessions court of special judge G A Sanap including that Bal Thackeray was on the hit list of Hafiz Saeed and how he wanted to “teach” Shiv Sena supremo “a lesson”.
This is what the terrorist turned approver told the court today:
“I visited Sena Bhavan & resdience of Bal Thackeray to do a surveillance”.
“Hafiz Saeed told me Bal Thackeray needed to be taught a lesson, I told him I will take 6 months to complete the task”.
“It is not true that I wanted to establish Islamic rule in India”.
“I was taking contribution from my 4-5 friends to fund LeT, I don’t recollect their names and quantum of fund raised with their help”.
“I will give answers about India & 26/11; will not comment on questions on Denmark or Pakistan. It is none of your(defence lawyer)concern”.
“Lakhvi introduced me to Muzammil Bhatt and told me about his role in Ishrat Jahan, Akshardham cases”.
“It is wrong that I and my associates were planning to assassinate Pervez Musharraf, this is not true”.
“Yes, I told NIA that there was a women’s wing in LeT and mother of Abu Aiman was its head”.
“I conducted surveillance of CBI HQ Tanna House and Maharashtra assembly,but not Israel Embassy”.
March 25, 2016
#DavidHeadley: In a shocking revelation, terrorist turned approver David Headely today told a Mumbai court during the third day of his cross examination that he had animosity towards India since his school was bombed by India planes in 1971, further giving a chilling confession that he joined LeT to avenge the bombings.
These are the other confessions he made while testifying in the court of special judge G A Sanap, who is hearing the case against Abu Jundal in the sessions court here today:
Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was Pakistan Prime Minister in 2008, had visited his home within weeks after the 26/11 terror attacks.
His father, who was a Director General with Pakistan Radio, knew about his links with with LeT “My father was aware of my association with LeT and he was not happy about it,” he said.
He had no knowledge of any women cell and suicide bomber cell in LeT.
He also denied that NIA suggested to him to name Ishrat Jehan (in the case). He also refuted meeting special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam and Joint Commissioner of Police, (Crime) in USA before his deposition in February this year.
“I have never been interrogated or questioned in connection with 9/11 US attacks case.”
“I was arrested in Pakistan once, the case was registered by my ex-wife Faiza”
“It’s not true that I was treated for mental illness in 1992.It’s not true that I ws suffering from Mixed Personality Disorder.”
“Sajid Mir disclosed about first failed attack on Mumbai,to me in Lahore.”
“I did surveillance in Military area of Colaba (Mumbai) with the same purpose with which I did surveillance at other places.”
I never did any recee of Colaba police station but I did conduct surveillance at Maharashtra Police Headquarters near Taj
March 23, 2016
#VodafoneTaxAudit: The Delhi High Court today disposed off the writ filed by telecom giant Vodafone, challenging an Income Tax Department notice that had asked the company about its financial records for financial year 2011-12 as it ought not to be subjected in a special audit.
The bench of Justices S Murlidhar and Vibhu Bhakru, however, said that the question of law raised in the writ petition, is open to challenge
The court, on March 21, had asked Vodafone to reply to the show cause notice by the Income Tax department by March 25, warning that no extension will be given.
Earlier, the Income-Tax Department had issued a reminder to Vodafone over its Rs 14,200-crore rupees tax demand. The department had sent a notice to Vodafone International Holdings BV in this regard as the tax is due from the acquisition of 11 billion dollar Hutchison Whampoa’s India telecom business in 2007.
#DavidHeadley: Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, who was again cross-examined through a video link in US today, told a Mumbai court the terror group Lashkar e Taiba did not pay him, and instead he paid them around Rs. 70 lakh. The source of this money was his business in New York and sale of property in Pakistan, he further said.
The Lashkar terrorist, who is serving a jail term in the US for the 2008 terror attack in Mumbai, which killed 166 people, however, refused to answer any questions related to his wife Shazia Gilani, claiming that they were still legally married and hence he will not share details about her. But he confessed that she knew of his links with terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
About Tahawwur Rana, the terrorist told the court that Rana knew about his association with Lashkar, adding that five months before the 26/11 attack, he had informed Rana about it, giving a detailed account of the training he had undergone in Pakistan by Lashkar operatives and admitting that he was spying on behalf of Lashkar.
Headley is being questioned by the lawyer of Abu Jundal, the key 26/11 plotter, against whom he had deposed last month. The cross-examination will continue for four days.
March 22, 2016
#KumarVishwas: Acting on a plea filed by AAP leader Kumar Vishwas against orders passed by Patiala House Court to register an FIR against him for molestation, the Delhi High Court issued a notice. The matter will now be heard on July 21.
Senior advocate TPS Phoolka, who appeared for Vishwas, argued that there was no direct allegation against him. It was also stated that the complainant herself had said that she has not filed any complaints, which the magistrate court failed to appreciate.
#Marathwada: Shreehari Aney resigned as Maharashtra’s advocate general after receiving flak from all quarters for supporting separate statehood for Marathwada. Aney submitted his resignation to Maharashtra governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Tuesday morning. According to reports, Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis met Aney on Monday evening at his official residence and reportedly asked him to submit his resignation.
#BarAssociation: Justice Oka of Bombay High Court today ruled that no bar association can deny entry to lawyers on the grounds that they are not a member of bar association. The association, however, can deny facility which are available to members on the basis of payment
The bench also ruled that lawyers who are denied entry on the grounds of membership can approach the Maharashtra Bar Council, and appropriate action can be taken.
March 21, 2016
#GangaPollution: National Green Tribunal today rapped Uttar Pradesh government, State Pollution Control Board and Central Pollution Control Board, asking the state government and the two bodies to “sit together and make a brief of details of all towns near Ganga, Ramganga, amd Kali, and all the sewage and industrial discharges”.
Justice Swatanter Kumar said, “You people need to get complete information. Guess work must be stopped now.”
The court also asked Uttarakhand to submit their latest inputs on compliance report.
Matter adjourned for Tuesday.
#RishikeshCampSites: The Uttarakhand government has filed an application, seeking modification in the order passed by the National Green Tribunal wherein it has banned camping activities alongside Kaudiyala to Rishikesh. The matter pertains to tourist camps alongside Ganga and its tributaries
The court considered that out of 56 camping sites, only 38 have been permitted, and 18 do not require forest clearance. On the other hand, MOEF clearance matter is still pending.
The matter has been listed on April 5, for further directions
March 19, 2016
#YashBhartiAwards: IPS officer Amitabh Thakur on Friday challenged the Yash Bharati awards before the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court. Among the awardees is Surabhi Ranjan, wife of UP Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan.
The petition said a lot of names in the list of awardees vis-à-vis his/her contribution in social field is definitely of superior nature. It further said the internet also did not toss up too many public achievements associated with names like Sthavi Asthana, Iqbal Ahmed Siddique, Wazir Ahmad Khan, Chakresh Jain and many others.
Thakur has claimed that the 22 names were initially chosen surreptitiously and 12 more names were added when the list was almost finalised, making it a list of 46. This clearly shows that the awards are being given arbitrarily,” the cop who is not new to controversies, said/.
He also objected to the award given to Surabhi as “directly against the principle of natural justice and wipes away their credibility”.
The petition also read that giving Rs. 11 lakh along with Rs. 50,000 per month pension, without adopting a fair procedure is definitely against the established administrative principles and is an indicator of arbitrariness, hence he has prayed for cancelling of the wards and giving these awards through a fair and transparent procedure.
March 18, 2016
#UmarKhalid: The Patiala House Court today granted six-months interim bail to JNU students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya. The students have been asked to submit bail bonds of Rs 25000 each and also a surety of the same amount. The court has also directed both of them to not leave Delhi during the interim period. Umar Khalid has been accused of being one of the main organisers of the event marking the anniversary of hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, where anti-national slogans were allegedly raised.
He and Anirban surrendered on February 23.
#SARGeelani: Special judge, Patiala House Court Deepak Garg to hear bail application of former DU professor SAR Geelani on Saturday.
#NarmadaBachao: Justices Banumathi and UU Lalit of Supreme Court adjourned the Narmada Bachao Andolan case. It will be listed after holidays under non-miscellaneous matter. Fixed for March 30.
#BarCouncilOfIndia: The Supreme Court has referred the Bar Council of India case to a five-judge bench (BCI Vs. Bonnie FOI Law College)
Acting upon suggestion of amicus curiae, senior advocate K K Venugopal, the court will consider whether the BCI is competent to conduct post enrollment exam. The bench will also decide whether Sudheer vs. BCI was wrongly decided where it was held that no pre enrollment training be held by the BCI. The court will also consider if the BCI can prescribe pre-enrollment examination.
The court has given four weeks’ time to circulate the issues to the parties.
#AccidentVictims: The bench of Justice JS Khehar and C Nagappan issued notice on a writ petition which prayed directions be issued to the Union of India that every injured citizen brought for treatment should instantaneously be given medical aid to preserve life and only thereafter procedural criminal law should be allowed to take its course, in order to avoid negligent death. The petition also prayed that in the event of breach of such direction, appropriate compensation should be admissible.
#MobileTowerRadiation: The Supreme Court has given two weeks time to the petitioner who has challenging the NGT order wherein it dismissed the petition challenging the setting up a mobile tower in DDA park, terming it to be harmful to birds and humans due to radiation. Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan interfered and submitted that it is very harmful and that he had earlier filed a petition. The bench of Justices Banumathi and UU Lalit directed the petitioner to bring scientific material to prove it is harmful.
The NGT had dismissed the petition on the ground that it did not have the jurisdiction to hear the matter
March 17, 2016
#CallDrop: The Supreme Court today asked TRAI to consider amending penalties proposed on telecom companies for call drop and inform it. While hearing the case, the court said prima facie it appears that technical papers which cite the reason of call drops were not taken into account while framing regulations. Matter has been adjourned till holidays.
#KanhaiyaKumar: The Delhi High Court adjourned hearing on plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to Kanhaiya Kumar to March 23.
#SYLRow: The Supreme Court appointed Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretary of Punjab & Chief Secretary of Haryana to ensure status quo in the Satluj Yamuma Link Canal matter. The case will now be heard on April 25.
#Mining: The Supreme Court reserved the order on mining, and said it will frame guidelines regarding existence of mines based on that they will decide right of people whose leases have expired and who filed applications for renewal, which are pending.
March 16, 2016
#Umar&Anirban: The Delhi High Court today reserved its orders on the bail plea of JNU students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya for March 18.
During the proceedings, counsel for the students submitted to the court that both of them voluntarily surrendered to the police. The counsel also said that the perception among media and society that Khalid and Bhattacharya did something wrong was a matter of opinion, not law.
He also mentioned Delhi government’s report which suggested that the video in which they were allegedly raising anti-national slogans, was tampered with, and added that the event’s venue had outsiders as well. “People shouting slogans haven’t been identified yet,” the counsel told the court.
The Delhi Police, on the other hand, opposed the bail plea, submitting that they did not rely solely on the video but also on the statements given by 10 independent witnesses against both of them.
#FodderScam: The Supreme Court adjourned the Fodder Scam to April 21 after the SG Ranjit Kumar sought time to file a ‘better’ affidavit regarding condoning the delay.
During the proceedings, senior advocate Ram Jethmalani who was appearing on behalf of former chief minister of Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav, objected to the delay in fling the SLP which was around 157 days. The bench of Justices Arun Mishra and V Gopal Gowda said, “We usually condone such delays but since the respondents are objecting, we want to hear the application for delay.”
The court gave two weeks time to file the affidavit and one week to respondents to file counter.
The matter will now be heard on April 21.
#KarnatakaMotorVehiclesAct: The Karnataka High Court has quashed the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation [Amendment] Act, 2014, calling it unconstitutional and ultra vires. The Amendment Act levied a lifetime tax on motor vehicles registered outside the State of Karnataka, in case they have been in the state for a period exceeding thirty days.
March 15, 2016
#NationalHerald: The Delhi High Court issued notice to Subramanian Swamy acting on a petition filed by Motilal Vora. The matter will be heard on April 4.
#CallDrop: The Supreme Court adjourned the matter (Cellular Operators’ Association of India vs. TRAI) to March 17.
#JNU: Patiala House Court today extended the judicial custody of JNU students Anirban Bhattacharya and Umar Khalid for another 14 days.
#KanhaiyaKumar: The Delhi HC dismissed a petition alleging that Kanhaiya Kumar has violated the conditions laid down by the court while granting him an interim bail of six months. The court of Justice Pratibha Rani, which dismissed the petition, had also given bail to the JNSU president.
#OwaisiHateSpeech:The Lucknow CJM court today approved a complaint filed against Asaduddin Owaisi, demanding a sedition case to be registered against him for the inflammatory remarks made by him on Monday.
The complaint also demanded that he should also cease to be a Member of Parliament. The matter will be heard on March 16.
#CVCAppointment: The Supreme Court will hear a plea challenging the appointment of KV Choudhary as Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) on March 29. Senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani had mentioned the matter before the Chief Justice of India and Justice UU Lalit for listing, and said in the court that Choudhary must be put in jail. On a lighter note, the CJI remarked, “Mr Jethmalani, usually you argue for persons who are in jail. Today, for a chaneg, you have asked someone to be put inside jail”.
#NationalCourtOfAppeals: The Supreme Court heard the matter regarding formation of national court of appeals to hear appeals from high courts today (V. Vasanthakumar vs. H.C. Bhatia & ors).
The bench of CJI and Justice UU Lalit observed that it is difficult for people from down south and the north-east to access the Supreme Court, which was opposed by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who stated that the court of appeals will not be a solution and the same was earlier introduced in Pakistan where it failed.
The court had earlier asked senior advocate KK Venugopal to submit propositions which shall be referred to a larger bench. Venugopal, meanwhile, submitted that the long delay and back log in the Supreme Court is a violation of the fundamental right to access to justice. The court, however, remarked that it cannot form such a body and the best it can do is to practice restraint since people file appeals against orders of adjournment.
The bench instructed Venugopal to file the propositions within four weeks.
#AirConnectivityWithShimla: In the matter regarding air connectivity with Shimla (Air India vs. Prakash Dhaulta) before CJI and Justice U U Lalit, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing on behalf of Jet Airways stated that there should be a ride policy and not ad hoc arrangements.
ASG Patwalia read the Route Dispersal Guidelines formulated by the ministry of civil aviation and submitted that there were three categories under these rules, and the said guidelines may be revisited to accommodate Shimla. Patwalia further submitted that the north-east and Lakshadweep gave discounts and subsidies to the airlines and Shimla can do the same.
However, the bench did not agree to this.
Since the state of Himachal Pradesh has not filed its reply, the court gave it another opportunity. The competent authority will be asked to implement the amended policy amongst scheduled airlines.
Matter will now be heard on May 12.
#SwarajAbhiyan: The Supreme Court today gave more time to Centre to file its affidavit regarding compensation to farmers in drought hit states, upon the request of the counsel. The standing counsel had sought more time as the three weeks’ deadline given by the court earlier ended today. The matter will now be heard on March 30. In the previous hearings, the court had sought information on the efforts made by states to implement schemes like mid-day meals and Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
#Jallikattu: The bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Shiva Kirti Singh adjourned the Jallikattu matter today after the Union of India sought time for counter.
The matter will now be heard in July for final disposal.
March 14, 2016
#JDeyMurder: The MCOCA court has asked the CBI to file a reply regarding application of custody of underworld don Chhota Rajan by March 17. The court also told the investigating agency that 90 days are completed on April 6, and hence it is mandatory to file the chargesheet.
#SaharaVs.Jet: The Supreme Court bench of Justices Anil R Dave and Adarsh Kumar Goel granted leave in the matter of Subrata Roy Sahara and others vs. Jet Airways. The matter pertains to a ruling of Bombay High Court dismissing an appeal filed by Sahara India where it claimed that Jet Airways is liable to pay an interest of 18 per cent on payment due for the buyout of Air Sahara(now JetLite).
#ProvisionsToDisabled: The Supreme Court has asked all states to file their reply regarding implementing the provisions under Persons with Disabilities(Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act, 1995) within four weeks. The matter(Justice Sunanda Bhandare Foundation vs Union of India) was being heard by Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh. The court was informed that some states have complied with the directions issued by the court and some have not. The matter will now be heard on April 26.
#VijayMallya: Two banks file caveat before Debt Recovery Tribunal, Mumbai regarding Vijay Mallya’s loan matter.
#JiahKhanDeath: A Bombay court handed over actor Sooraj Pancholi his passport, and has kept a photocopy of the same. He will be visiting Dubai to attend a films award function from March 15 to March 21.
March 12, 2016
#PatnaHighCourt: Currently, we have something that we didn’t earlier: the power of technology. Let’s make the bar, bench & court tech savvy,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while laying emphasis on the significance of technology in changing times while speaking at the centenary celebrations of Patna High Court.
“Quality of argument and judgment will improve with technology being used actively. Earlier, you had to research for a long time for a case. But today Google is such a bar member that it finds whatever you want it,” PM further stressed.
Hailing the court’s achievements, PM Modi said, “In the last 100 years Patna HC scaled new heights. I hope the best aspects are carried forward in the years to come:
March 11, 2016
#TajCorridorCase: Petition was filed in Supreme Court for fresh investigation against BSP supremo Mayawati in the alleged disproportionate assets case. Matter will be heard on April 14.
#SardarSarovarNarmadaNigam: The Supreme Court today ruled that the stay on Gujarat High Court’s judgment that struck down the SardarSarovarNarmadaNigam(Conferment of Power to Redeem Bonds)Act will continue till the matter is heard. The bench of Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Amitava Roy ordered that all rejoinders should be filed before before second week of July when the case will be taken up again.
#PanMasalaAd: The Delhi health department has sent a strict compliance notice to Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn for appearing in a pan masala advertisement under Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act 2003(COTPA).
All kinds of direct and indirect advertisement of tobacco products has been banned under section 5 of COTPA 2003.
“In view of this, it is clear that the said pan masala is being advertised as brand promotion of gutka/tobacco products, which is misleading the consumer, especially the minors, and is a great violation of public health practice as per COTPA 2003. Though the onus of this violation of section 5 of COTPA lies upon the said tobacco company but by appearing in the advertisement you also become party to this violation under section 5 of the Act,” the notice issued to the actor reads.
“Therefore through this letter you are served strict compliance notice not to appear in such advertisement,” said S K Arora, Additional Director (Health).
#RightToFood: Granting time to Union of India, the Supreme Court asked it to file its reply on whether maternity benefits are being given to women under Food Security Act, and if there was any problem in implementing the same by April 5.
The bench of Justices Kalifulla and Banumathi asked if there was any problem in implementing the Act. Senior advocate Collin Gonsalves who was appearing on behalf of People’s Union for Liberties submitted that 80 per cent of IAs can be disposed since those are covered under the Act. He also presented a list of IAs.
#DisabledFriendlyPlatforms: Hearing a PIL demanding disabled-friendly platforms, the Bombay High Court rapped the railways for seeking more time till June-end. Expressing his displeasure on the extension sought, Justice Oka said, “In the last hearing too, you had requested more time. You can’t keep seeking extensions and hold up the plans. Name an officer who will be held responsible for this.”
#StudentsDrowningInHP: The Supreme Court today asked the Himachal Pradesh government to deposit the pending compensation amount in Andhra Pradesh High Court within five weeks in the VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology vs. Registrar, High court of Himachal Pradesh matter. 24 students from the institute had drowned in a river in HP during a college trip when they ventured near the river to click photos.
Eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani who was appearing for the college told the bench of the CJI and Justice UU Lalit that an amount of Rs 84 lakhs was pending.
The court directed that this amount be deposited in the Andhra Pradesh High Court within five weeks. Jethmalani further submitted that the major liability is of the HP electricity authority and the state.
#1984Riots: The Supreme Court while dismissing the petition regarding 1984 riots filed by Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee, stated that it has been 32 years since the riots and the SIT is doing its job. The Chief Justice of India further said, “You people want to keep the pot boiling.” It was further observed that if someone had suffered, he had 34 years to lodge an FIR.
March 10, 2016
#ArtOfLivingMatter: The AOL foundation had not submitted the Rs five crore fine imposed by the National Green Tribunal till the filing of this report. The NGT had asked the AOL to deposit the fine by 4 PM today. Counsel for the foundation, meanwhile, refused to comment on the matter but added that they had time till tomorrow. In an earlier development, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, in an interview to a news channel refused to pay the fine.
#BlackBuckPoaching: “I am a human being and an Indian as well”. This is what Bollywood superstar Salman Khan said to Jodhpur court where he appeared in connection with the black buck poaching case.
Claiming the star’s innocence in the case, his counsel said that he was being “falsely implicated” following media reports of the incident that took place in 1998.
Khan sought time from the court to bring in his defence witness.
The matter will now be heard on April 4.
#KanhaiyaKumar: Supreme Court to hear plea demanding protection to Kanhaiya Kumar on March 29 now.
#PatialaHouseScuffle: Supreme Court adjourns contempt plea against lawyers involved in Patiala House scuffle to March 29.
#JiahKhanDeath: The Bombay High Court granted relief to Sooraj Pancholi by returning his passport even as the CBI opposed the decision.
Justice Mrudula Bhatkar ordered the investigating agency to give his passport back to Pancholi.
The court also asked Pancholi to give a statement regarding why he needs the passport and his travel schedule, if any. Pancholi’s passport was seized by Mumbai Police after orders by Bombay High Court in July 2013.
March 9, 2016
#Politicians’ picture on billboards matter in Supreme Court: Mukul Rohatgi, AG, argued why only PM’s picture should be displayed?
#Centre has decided against bringing appointments to the higher judiciary under the RTI Act’s ambit: Union Law Minister Gowda
#Patiala House scuffle, contempt against lawyers row: Supreme Court adjourns matter to 10, March
#Bombay High Court ban on Dark Chocolate, movie reportedly based on Sheena Bora case, continues. Matter next on April 7
March 8, 2016
#DecriminilasingPolitics: The writ petition demanding lifetime ban on MLAs and MPs who have been convicted from contesting elections was referred to the Chief Justice of India for constituting a Constitution bench to decide upon an additional criterion not mentioned in Article 102 of the Constitution regarding disqualification of a member of a legislative body.
The petition has also prayed that minimum educational qualification and maximum age limit to contest the assembly and legislative election must also be set.
The counsel for Union of India submitted that the court cannot refer the matter for the consideration of the CJI to constitute a five-judge bench under Article 145 of Constitution. The bench, hwoever, disagreed with his view, saying that the Supreme Court in one of its earlier judgment in (2014) 9 SCC 1 has already refrained itself in laying down an additional criteria not contemplated in Article 102(1).
Previously the court had requested the Law Commission of India to prepare a report on the issue, which was duly done by the Commission in its 244th report titled ‘Electoral Disqualifications’, and placed before the court .
#ChildCareLeave: The Bombay High Court has asked the Union of India and Airport Authority of India(AAI) to file their reply on the petition that has alleged that they have not implemented rules pertaining to child care leave despite the orders passed by the High Court in 2013.
A division bench of Justices Anoop Mohta and S C Gupte was hearing a contempt petition filed by S Mangala who is working with AAI as DGM. She sought implementation of the previous order passed by the court, and also contempt action against the AAI authorities for non-compliance of the order.
The court has given four weeks to UoI to file its reply.
#Airtel: Hindu Janjagriti Samiti, a Hindu organisation has moved Bombay High Court against telecom giant Bharti Airtel, alleging that the company has been censoring its videos “deliberately”.
In its petition, the organisation has also claimed that the company blocks any content that it uploads, and it is only after the members complain that the website is unblocked. For instance, it claimed to have uploaded videos on Kanhaiya Kumar and JNU row, which was blocked by Airtel.
This has been happening since Aug 2015, and the company officials told them that they have been given instructions to block it.
The petitioners prayed that the Centre should cancel Airtel’s license for this.
Meanwhile, the counsel appearing on behalf of submitted to the court that it could be a mistake, and sought two weeks’ time to file a formal reply.
#MuzaffarnagarRiots: A petition filed by a journalist, Allama Zameer Naqvi, has challenged the constitution of Justice Vishnu Sahay Committee to probe Muzaffarnagar riots, in Lucknow High Court. The petition says appointing Justice Sahay as chairman is illegal since the state government cannot select member of human rights commission for any other committee.
The petition demanded the report submitted by the committee to be quashed, and the riots to be investigated by the CBI.
The matter will be heard on March 10.
March 7, 2016
#SameerBhujbal: The counsel for Sameer Bhujbal asked the sessions court to not extend his custody as he has been cooperating with the probe.
Senior advocate R B Mokashi defended Bhujbal, saying, “My client has provided every necessary documents. He has not fled abroad or anywhere else, and has been cooperating. Hence, his remand should not be extended.”
Mokashi also requested that home cooked food should be allowed for his client.
During the proceedings, Mokashi further submitted, “We have provided all the reports. If the prosecution is not able to make sense out of it, they cannot brand my client as guilty. They are seeking extension of remand because they are unable to frame any allegations. They started on a high note but are now unable to crucify the target.”
The matter will be heard on March 10.
#FireSafetyNormsViolation: The Bombay High Court today asked the Bombay Municipal Corporation to submit statistics on the number of buildings it has inspected for fire norm violations till 2015. It was hearing a PIL filed against the BMC for allowing construction without inspecting them for fire safety.
The PIL also asked the BMC to implement the provisions under Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act 2006.
Justice Oka asked the civic body to give status on their reply and the number of buildings it has inspected till March 2015.
The BMC, on its part, said that it has inspected 3895 in city, 3301 in suburbs, and issued notices to 1521 buildings in city, 3291 in suburbs. It also informed the court that it has initiated prosecution against five buildings in city and six in suburbs.
The bench directed the BMC to submit a copy of the Fire Prevention Act as well.
The case will now be heard on March 29.
March 5, 2016
#MulayamSinghYadav: Granting relief to former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Mahoba district court dismissed all the three cases against former him.Judge Kulpahad had passed adverse orders in the matters.
#ChiefJusticeRajasthanHC: Justice SK Mittal today took oath as the 33rd Chief Justice of Rajsthan High Court. State governor Kalyan Singh administered the oath to Justice Mittal who was previously justice at Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Born on April 15, 1954, Justice Mittal did his LLB from Kurukshetra University and LLM from Panjab University, becoming the first gold medalist of PU.
He was registered as member of Bar Council, Punjab and Haryana in 1978, and started his practice in Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1980. he is an expert in civil, revenue and writ matters.
On July 2, 2002, he became justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court.
#ConsumerForum: Dismissing a case claiming compensation for mental agony, the Maharashtra Consumer Redressal Forum ruled that it cannot consider the complaint if the aggrieved exaggerated the amount of claim sought.
The complainants, Pritesh Salot and Tejas Salot had demanded a claim of Rs 27 lakhs from Urmiraj builder for mental agony. The complainants had alleged that they had booked a flat with the construction company after paying Rs 2.25 lakhs but were not handed over the possession. Following this, they moved the commission demanding the compensation, and possession of the flat.
According to provisions in the Consumer Act, all states have pecuniary jurisdiction, which means that cases with claims above Rs 20 lakhs will come directly to the commission while those below this amount will be considered by the district forums.
The commission observed that the amount was exaggerated to bring the complaint under the purview of the commission, and hence dismissed.
March 4, 2016
#KashmiriMigrants: The Supreme Court has directed the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to hear the matter regarding rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri minorities, which has been pending with the SC for a decade.
The court directed that a division bench of the High Court heard the matter and expedite it. The matter has been transferred as the relief and rehabilitation department is based in Jammu.
All records pertaining to the case will also be transferred to J&K High Court.
It must be noted that families have been displaced since 1990, and are yet to receive the Rs 1640 crore grant released by the previous government for their rehabilitation.
#WaterHarvesting: The Supreme Court directed a distillery situated near Chandigarh to bring on record the steps taken and methods adopted to replenish the ground water it has been using, failing which it cannot use it further.
The matter (Gram Panchayat Salena Jeewan Singh Wala vs. Union of India) is related to approval given by the Central Ground Water Authority to the distillery for drawing ground water from Amloh region near Chandigarh which has been declared over-exploited and is a notified area.
Moreover, the ground water level in the area is very low and farmers are not allowed to bore tubewells.
The distillery was given the approval on the condition that it will replenish three times the water used through water harvesting.
#CallDrop: The Supreme Court adjourned the call drop matter in which telecom companies have challenged the high court order to award compensation for call drop, to March 10. It however, refused to suspend the High Court order asking telecom companies to compensate users for call drops.
Senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for service providers, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi for respondents TRAI.
#HDFCvs.IncomeTaxTribunal: Observing it as a clear case of “judicial indiscipline”, the Bombay High Court rapped the Mumbai Income Tax Tribunal for disregarding the binding decision of the High Court in respect of the same assessee for an earlier assessment year.
The High Court also set aside the impugned order of the tribunal in its entirety and restored the issue to the tribunal to decide it afresh on merit and accordance with the law.
The court was hearing a petition challenging the tribunal order which dismissed the petitioner’s appeal related to the assessment year 2008-09 on the issue of applicability of Section 14A of IT Act to disallow a portion of the interest paid on borrowed funds in respect of investments made in tax free securities.
The court also observed that refusal of the tribunal to follow the binding decision of this court in case of CIT vs. HDFC for an earlier assessment year 2001-02 on similar issue of applicability of Section 14A to partially disallow interest expenditure when interest free funds available with the petitioner are in excess of investments made in tax free securities.
“The tribunal has exceeded the bounds of its authority by disregarding the binding decision of this court, which if not corrected, may sound the death knell of established practice of judicial system,” the court observed.
#AshiyanaRapeCase: Lucknow High Court bench reserves order on revision petition of main accused in Ashiyana rape case, Gaurav Shukla.
#LandAcquisition: Lucknow High Court bench asks special land acquisition officer, Bareilly to appear in Pilibhit land acquisition case. Matter will now be heard on March 31.
#LawyersArrest: 11 lawyers arrested by Crime Branch from Esplanade Court for selling back dated papers. Produced in the court.
March 3, 2016
#JDeyMurder: The MCOCA court adjourned the J Dey murder case to March 14, and has asked the CBI to file a progress report regarding the investigation.
The CBI, meanwhile, told the court that it does not have proper infrastructure to probe the case.
Counsels of underworld don Chhota Rajan who is an accused in the case, moved an application in the court, requesting it to take Rajan into custody in all 68 cases as non-bailable warrants have been issued by the CBI.
#KarismaKapoor: The Bandra Family Court today adjourned the child custody matter of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor and her estranged husband Sanjay Kapur to April 7.
Counsels appearing on behalf of both the parties told the court that the Apex court has asked the couple to explore the possibility of a settlement.
In view of these directions, Amrita Sathe, who is representing Kapoor, sought an adjournment.
#IllegalHoardings: Taking serious cognizance of PIL against political parties erecting hoardings across Mumbai and Pune on Marathi Diwas, the Bombay High Court remarked sharply, “Is it not becoming a mockery? We are passing so many orders, and nobody is following?”
The bench also rapped Shiv Sena counsel Vishwajeet Sawant when he said that people should come to their office with complaints against illegal hoardings. “Look at the plight of municipal offices. You expect a common man to visit your party office, and file a complaint against your leaders,” the court asked.
Meanwhile, counsel for Bombay Municipal Corporation(BMC) informed the court that two BMC officers were recently attacked during one of the drives to remove such hoardings. Justice JJ Oka then observed that such incidents will become a habit, and cannot be taken lightly.
The bench then asked the standing counsel that it wants to know whether the matter was probed, and the status of the investigation as well as the name of the attackers, and the political party they are affiliated with.
The matter will be heard on Friday.
#POCSOCourt: The Bombay High Court, acting on a PIL, today ordered the state government to deposit the amount sanctioned for infrastructure of POCSO court by tomorrow.
The bench of Justices JJ Oka and Shalini Phansalkar told the state counsel that it was not aware that the government has released funds. “This court has passed many orders regarding infrastructure of POCSO court, which should be read. We had instructed that water coolers and purifiers must be provided in the POCSO court last summer, and now another season is approaching.
“We want the money deposited tomorrow,” the court said.
March 2, 2016
#AllIndiaBarExam: Social justice is not possible with a half-baked lawyer. This was observed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur during hearing a plea challenging All India Bar Examination (AIBE) post enrolment exams.
During the proceedings, Justice Thakur remarked, “We must appoint someone as amicus. 60000 lawyers join profession every year, only 2000 come from National Law Schools. This matter has assumed a different dimension.”
“It’s time to reform the profession. We need to have a system where everyone in black coat can’t become a lawyer,” Justice Thakur further remarked, adding that when non-meritorious people enter the profession, malpractices occur.
The case will now be heard by a three-judge bench on Friday.
#VijayMallya: Liquor baron Vijay Mallya got relief from Lucknow High Court which put a stay on removing a factory of United Spirit Limited in Meerut. The factory has been reportedly constructed on land of Shia Waqf board.
The matter will be heard after 10 days.
#PlotAllotmentScam: Bombay High Court will hear a criminal application filed by Social activist Praveen Wategaonkar, challenging the clean chit given to former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan in the parking plot allotment scam on March 7
The matter was mentioned before a division bench of Justices V M Kanade and Revti Dere. The Previously, the High Court had asked the state to look into the allegations made in the petition against Chavan.
The state had also told the court that after no substance was found against the former CM during the probe. Accordingly the petition was disposed of in December 2014.
The petitioner has sought recall of the said order claiming that it was passed in his absence.
#IllegalConstruction: The Bombay High Court directed BJP to restore its office of 9000 sq ft to original 1200 sq ft. The court has given six months’ deadline for the same.
#NewAppointment: 11 additional judges took oath as judges of Bombay High Court today. The swearing ceremony was held in the Central Hall of the court. Justices Sriram Rajendran, Gautam Patel, Revati Dere, Mahesh Sonak, Vijay Achliya, Ajay Gadkari, Girish Kulkarni, B P Colabawalla, Anil Menon, Chandrakant Bhadang, and Anuja Prabhudesai were among those the oath.
These judges were appointed as additional judges two years ago.
March 1, 2016
#IshratJahan: The Supreme Court will hear the petition filed by senior advocate M L Sharma in Ishrat Jahan encounter matter next week.
Sharma, in his petition has accused former home minister P Chidambaram of filing a false affidavit. The petition has also demanded dismissal of charges against police officers accused of fake encounter.
#AccidentVictims: The Lucknow High Court has issued notice to KGMU, seeking reply on policy regarding treatment of accident victims. The matter is to be heard on March 2.
#BJP: Bombay High Court asks BJP to restrict constructed area of its office at Nariman Point. To pronounce orders tomorrow.
#AdoptionPolicy: The court of Chief Justice of India disposed of Ashraya and Others vs. Central Adoption Agency and others as infructuous. The court said that the government has notified guidelines for adoption including by Non Resident Indians.
#AambyValley: Tehsildar seals Amby Valley for non-payment of Panchayati Raj tax.