Education, High Post Don't Protect Women From Sexual Harassment At Workplace, Mindset Of Men Unchanged Despite Strict Laws: Delhi High Court

Citing Shakespeare, the Delhi High Court recently observed that despite stringent law and repeated lamentation about gender neutrality and equality, the psychology and mindset of men in workplace where sexual harassment continues to haunt women has remained unchanged, especially when it involves “Power-Dynamics.”“While now, though grudgingly, woman's right to equal opportunity of work,...

Chhattisgarh HC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance Of News Report Flagging Dilapidated Condition Of Police Quarters In Raipur, Calls For State's Affidavit

The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken suo-motu cognizance of a news report published in a Hindi daily which highlighted the dilapidated conditions of Police Quarters located in Amanaka, Raipur, and the failure of the State to construct new houses funds being sanctioned.The news report revealed that 24 houses in the Quarters are nearly 34 years old, and the condition is such that the...

Rithanya Dowry Death Case: Madras High Court Refuses To Transfer Probe, Asks Superintendent Of Police To Monitor

The Madras High Court has directed the Superintendent of Police, Tiruppur, to monitor the investigation in connection with the death of 27-year-old Rithanya, who committed suicide earlier in July this year, over alleged dowry harassment. Justice Satish Kumar disposed of the petition filed by Annadhurai, Rithanya's father, seeking to transfer the investigation to an...

Person Availing Services Of Sex Worker 'Induces Prostitution', Can Be Prosecuted Under Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that a person availing the services of a sex worker in a brothel cannot be termed a “customer,” stressing that sex workers are not commodities and should not be reduced to the status of products in commercial transactions.Justice V.G. Arun, in his order, clarified that the very concept of “customer” involves the purchase of goods or services. In...

Disabilities Attributable To Military Service; Pension Must Be Granted By Rounding Off Disability From 20% To 50% : P&H HC

A Division bench of the Punjab & Haryana High Court comprising Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi and Justice Vikas Suri held that a disability not noted at the time of entry into military service is presumed to be attributable to or aggravated by service, and the disability pension must be granted by rounding off the percentage from 20% to 50%. Background Facts The respondent...

Delhi High Court Orders Counselling Of POCSO Victim Raped By Elder Brother, Orders Disbursement Of ₹13 Lakh Compensation

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) to appoint a support person and provide counselling to a POCSO victim and her family in a case where she was repeatedly raped by her biological elder brother when she was a 15 year old minor, leading to her pregnancy which was later aborted.Justice Sanjeev Narula asked the DSLSA to coordinate counselling for...

Educated Woman In Relationship Despite Knowing Partner's Marital Status Can't Be Said To Be Exploited In Law: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has recently observed that when an independent and educated woman willingly continues to engage in a romantic relationship even with knowledge of her partner's marital status, it cannot be said that she was misled or exploited in law.Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that permitting failed relationship between two consenting adult to be converted into the offence of...

Customs Broker's Failure To Oversee Warehousing Of Re-Export Goods Leading To Sale In Local Market Is 'A Clear Infraction': Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has held that a Customs Broker must diligently perform its responsibilities under the 2018 Licensing Regulations however, any failure thereof must be met with a proportionate punishment.While dealing with a case where the broker's license was suspended due to alleged failure to oversee warehousing of goods meant for re-export, leading to their sale in the domestic market,...

[S.276 CrPC] 'Permitting Filing Of Chief Affidavit Of Material Witness As Evidence In Criminal Case Prejudices Accused': Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently acquitted a person after finding that the trial court accepted chief affidavits of witnesses as evidence against him in violation of Section 276 Cr.P.C.As per Section 276 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in trials before the Sessions Courts, the evidence of each witness has to be taken down either by the judge hearing the case or by his dictation in...

No Refund Of Unutilised ITC On Closure Of Business U/S 54 CGST Act, Must Be Reversed U/S 29(5): Sikkim High Court

The Sikkim High Court stated that no refund of unutilised ITC (Input Tax Credit) on closure of business under section 54 CGST Act (Central Goods and Services Tax), must be reversed under section 29(5). Section 54 of the CGST Act, 2017 deals with refund of tax, intertest, or any other amount paid under GST. The refund can be claimed in case of excess tax payment, zero-rated...

Delhi High Court Orders Customs To Release Padma Bhushan Awardee's Imported Artwork Amidst Dispute Over Valuation

The Delhi High Court has ordered the Customs Department to release the artwork of Padma Bhushan awardee Late BC Sanyal, seized amid a dispute surrounding its valuation.A division bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Shail Jain observed there is no conclusive proof that the artwork was made in Pakistan, as claimed by the Department.“The bill of entry itself reveals that the import is...

Can't Hold Online Platforms Liable For Contempt Over Songs Glorifying Liqour, Violence Due To Non-Compliance With Reet Mohinder Order: P&H HC

In a recent clarification, the Punjab and Haryana High Court held that online platforms such as YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, and others cannot be held in contempt for hosting songs that glorify violence or promote liquor, under the scope of the directions issued in the Reet Mohinder Singh v. State of Punjab & Ors. case.In Reet Mohinder Singh v. State of Punjab & Ors, the Court...