Writ appeal not maintainable against Single bench Judgment refusing to order further investigation: Orissa HC [Read Judgment]

If the relief asked for in a writ petition is against exercise of power under criminal law or the proceeding would be a criminal proceeding, or the proceeding if carried to its conclusion ultimately may result in sentence of death or imprisonment or fine or forfeiture of property, such writ petition should be treated as filed against a proceeding under criminal jurisdiction. In such a case,...

CIC to consider feasibility of a ‘legal filter’ to sift out ‘needlessly repetitive and harassing’ RTI applications? [Read Order]

There is a need to consider the feasibility of having some legal filter based on objective criteria to sift out those applications that may appear to be needlesly repetitive and of a nature giving cause to allegations of harassment by the respondent, the commission said disposing of 3558 appeals preferred by Retd. IAF officer.Indian Air Force may be capable of defending the country from...

Delhi HC dismisses challenge against age-determination procedure under Juvenile Justice Rules [Read Judgment]

Despite the slight variation in the preference to be given to the evidence that is required to be produced for determination of age between the Model Rules and the State Rules, the JJBs in Delhi are required to follow the procedure prescribed in the State Rules only, the Court clarified dismissing the challenge against age determination procedure in Juvenile Justice rules.Delhi High Court...

Delhi HC turns down challenge to Section 129 of Railways Act, directs Govt. to update upper limit of compensation [Read Judgment]

It is obligatory on the part of the Central Government to update the amount of compensation taking into consideration the substantial change in the money value and the impact it has caused in the cost of living, the Court said while disposing of the PIL.Delhi High Court has turned down the challenge against Section 129 of the Railways Act which confers power on the Central Government to...

Kerala Government move to sabotage RTI Act [Read Circular]

The Government of Kerala has issued a Circular to all public authorities in the State to bring amendments in the Right to Information Act, 2005.  The circular has sought for data regarding RTI Applications received by various departments in the State including the difficulties faced by various Government departments in case of irrelevant/ fake RTI Applications. The Secretary to Government...

Living separately from family to pursue political ambition is desertion ; Orissa HC upholds divorce granted to husband from politician wife.[Read Jt]

The conduct of the wife in leaving the company of her husband and their small children and living separately for so many years since 2007 for pursuing her political ambition clearly indicates that she had deserted the respondent without reasonable cause and without his consent and against the wish of the respondent, the Court said while upholding the divorce.Orissa High Court has upheld...

Government of India notifies Nov 26 as the “Constitution Day”

The Government of India has decided to celebrate the 26th day of the November of every year as the "Constitution Day."The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment published notification with respect to this in the official gazette today.The notification says that by celebrating constitution day the government seeks to promote constitutional values among citizens. The nation is also...

Delhi High Court admits petition by 4 Law Students for harmonization of HC RTI Rules with RTI Act and Rules [Read the Petition]

Delhi High Court has admitted a petition filed by four law students, praying to harmonize the Delhi High Court RTI Rules, 2006 with Right to Information Act, 2005 and its rules.A media report from July, 2015 had apprised the petitioners, Aastha Sharma, Ishwin Mehta, Paras Jain and Kumar Shanu of the request by the Department of Personnel and Training to the Registrar of all High Courts...

Challenge to Beef Ban: Justice Gautam Patel recuses himself from hearing petitions

Justice Gautam Patel of Bombay High Court has reportedly recused himself from hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the amendment in the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976, which imposes a ban on slaughter of bulls and bullocks for their meat in the state.The matter was listed before a Bench comprising Justice Patel and Justice Abhay S. Oka. Justice Patel however recused himself for...

By merely printing “Consumption of liquor is injurious to health” on liquor bottles, citizens cannot be educated about evils of drinking liquor : J & K High Court [Read Judgment]

Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the Government to strictly enforce the liquor policy to restrict and regulate the trade of liquor, adopted by it. The court also asked the State Government to ensure that no liquor shop is allowed to operate on the State/National Highways beyond December, 2015. A Division bench comprising Chief Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Hasnain...

Entry to Madras HC will be frisked by CISF from Today : Registrar issues Public Notice.

Registrar of the Madras High Court has issued a Public notice which said that every entry to the High Court is going to be frisked by the CISF personnel from today. The entry to the High Court will not be easy as it was till yesterday.The officers and staff members of the High Court are expected to enter the building through South Gate, whereas all other gates are open for Advocates to enter....

US Supreme Court sanctions ‘Shoot first, Think later’ approach to policing ; Sotomayor.J dissents [Read the Opinions]

While Majority opined that “Qualified immunity protects actions in the “‘hazy border between excessive and acceptable force.’”, the Dissenting judge said “By sanctioning a “shoot first, think later” approach to policing, the Court renders the protections of the Fourth Amendment hollow”.Supreme Court of United States have ruled that Qualified immunity applies to the actions of...