High Courts
Kerala High Court Quashes Case Against Film Distributor Swargachitra Appachan For Allegedly Tampering With 2004 Movie 'Vellinakshatram'
The Kerala High Court has quashed the criminal proceedings initiated against film distributor Appachan, prominently known as Swargachitra Appachan booked for allegedly tampering with Malayalam film 'Vellinakshtram'.The prosecution alleged that a distressing scene in which actor Siddique strangles a small child, was inserted in the film "after" it was certified by the Censor Board. Thus, a...
Madras High Court Judge Decides To Watch Vetri Maaran's 'Manushi' Movie After CBFC Denies Certification
The Madras High Court has decided to watch the Tamil movie “Manushi”, in a special screening on Sunday, after the Central Bureau of Film Certification refused to certify it, alleging that it portrayed the State in a bad light. Justice Anand Venkatesh decided to watch the movie after its producer, and an acclaimed director Vetri Maaran, approached the court to quash the...
'Nothing But Red-Tapism': Gujarat High Court Slams Its Registry Over Delay In Installing CCTV Cameras In Registry & HC Campus
The Gujarat High Court criticized its Registry officials for inordinate delay in implementing its earlier directions for installation of CCTV cameras in "every corner of the Registry" as well as "important places" in the high court campus, remarking that the same can be equated to "red tapism" to delay action.For context the high court had in December 2023 directed its Registrar to expedite...
'Non-Examination Of Sexual Assault Victim Or Officer Who Recorded Her Statement Amounts To Denial Of Fair Trial To Accused': Bombay High Court
The Bombay High Court has held that failure to examine the victim in a case of sexual assault, coupled with the omission to examine the police officer who recorded her statement, fatally undermines the prosecution's case and results in denial of a fair trial to the accused. The Court observed that such lapses strike at the root of the prosecution's case and violate the constitutional guarantee...
'Search Alternate Space For Chandigarh NCLT', P&H High Court Directs After Tribunal Shut Due To Water Seepage
The Punjab & Haryana High Court today directed the Chandigarh UT administration to search for an alternate space for the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) as the present building is undergoing repair work due to water seepage.Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry said, “Counsel for the Union of India Shri Jain informs that they will take about 30 days to carry out...
Stamp Duty To Be Paid On Value Of Sale Deed If Executed In Furtherance Of Decree Under Specific Relief Act: Karnataka High Court
The Karnataka High Court has held that the sale deed executed in furtherance of a decree for Specific Performance, after contesting, the stamp duty liable to be paid would not be as per the valuation of the property on the date on which the document was presented for registration and but would be on the agreement value.Justice Suraj Govindaraj said “ I am of the considered opinion that...
Kerala High Court Prevents Arrest Of Rapper Vedan In Alleged Rape Case
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (August 19) passed an interim order not to arrest Rapper Vedan while considering his anticipatory bail plea in a case alleging rape on false promise to marry.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed that Vedan shall not be arrested since his bail application is being considered by the Court. On Monday, the Court had allowed the petition filed by the de...
CCS Rules | Once Employee's Study Leave Is Sanctioned, State Can't Reduce Salary Based On Subsequent Amendment: HP High Court
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that once an employee was given study leave for pursuing a three-year LLB Degree course, he became entitled to full leave salary in terms of the unamended Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules.The Court clarified that the subsequent amendment, which reduced the leave salary to 40% could not be applied retrospectively to a leave that had already...
Order U/S 53A(1) Of Maharashtra Stamp Act Must Be Passed Within Six Years From Date Of Issuing Certificate For Adjudication: High Court
The Bombay High Court has held that an order under Section 53A(1) of the Bombay/Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958 must be passed within a period of six years from the date of issuance of the certificate of adjudication under Section 32. It ruled that merely initiating proceedings within six years is not enough, as the final order itself has to be made within that period.Justice Jitendra Jain...
Gujarat High Court Extends Asaram's Temporary Bail In Rape Case Till September 3
The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday (August 19) extended Asaram's temporary bail, who was convicted in a 2013 rape case by a sessions court in Gandhinagar and is serving a life sentence.After hearing the matter for some time, the court extended Asaram's temporary bail till the next date of hearing i.e. September 3, after noting that Rajasthan High Court had listed his bail plea in a separate...
Employee Cannot Seek Promotion Merely Based On Eligibility, When Dept Promotion Committee Was Not Convened Before His Retirement: HP High Court
The Himachal Pradesh High Court held that an employee cannot claim promotion merely on the ground that he was found eligible, where the Departmental Promotion Committee was convened only after his retirement.The Court further stated that there is no vested right to promotion after superannuation in the absence of any mala fide delay on the part of the competent authority.Rejecting the...
Kerala High Court Seeks Urgent Action On Cleaning Of Periyar River's Tributary, Moots Formation Of Unified River Authority
While hearing a batch of matters concerning pollution of Periyar river, the Kerala High Court has sought urgent action with respect to the river's tributary Kuzhikandam Thodu, reiterating the need for a unified river authority.During the hearing a division bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M B Snehalatha expressed serious concern over the continuing inaction on cleaning...