Fixed-Term Appointments Made Through Due Process Are Not “Backdoor Entries”: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court dismissed a writ petition challenging the regularisation policy of Fixed Tenure Appointees in Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, holding that appointments made through a transparent and competitive process could not be characterised as “backdoor entries” merely because they were initially for a fixed term.A Division Bench of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and...

Refusing Marriage Citing Kundli Mismatch After Physical Relations, Repeated Assurances Attract S.69 BNS: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has observed that refusing marriage citing kundli mismatch after establishing physical relations and repeated assurances of marriage attracts Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.Section 69 BNS criminalizes sexual intercourse achieved through deceitful means.Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma refused to grant regular bail to a man accused of establishing sexual relations with a woman...

"Consensual Relationship, No Intention To Prosecute": Telangana High Court Quashes FIR U/S 69 BNS

The Telangana High Court, in a recent judgement, has quashed criminal proceedings registered under Sections 69 and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), observing that continuation of the case would amount to abuse of process of law where the de facto complainant stated that she did not intend to prosecute the accused and had amicably resolved the dispute.Justice Tirumala Devi...

'Kerala Lives In Total Harmony, Movie Has Wrong Portrayal' : Kerala High Court On 'The Kerala Story 2' Film

The Kerala High Court has sought the Centre's stand today itself on whether a screening of the film 'Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' can be arranged before it decides the pleas challenging its Censor certificate for allegedly depicting the State in a bad light.On perusing the transcript of certain dialogues from the film, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas orally remarked that while people in the...

Kerala High Court Refuses To Stay Common Software Tender For Agricultural Credit Societies, But Seeks Bid Details Before Contract

The Kerala High Court has refused to stay the tender process initiated by the State government in a move to have a centralised Uniform Common Software for all Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).Justice Gopinath P. was considering a plea preferred by the Managing Committee of PACS, namely Kallettumkara Service Co-Operative Bank Ltd., registered under the Kerala Cooperative...

Treating Ad-Hoc Teachers As “Disposable Resources” Undermines Dignity Of Labour & Academic Excellence: AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has observed that frequent engagement and disengagement of Assistant Professors (APs) on adhoc basis disrupts academic planning and directly impairs the quality of education imparted to students, who are the ultimate stakeholders in the educational process.While dealing with a case where the petitioner— an Assistant Professor with over a decade of...

Right To Choose Partner Is Constitutional Right; UP Anti-Conversion Law Doesn't Bar Interfaith Relationships: Allahabad High Court

While dealing with a bunch of petitions relating to interfaith couples in live-in relationships, the Allahabad High Court has held that the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 does not prohibit inter-religion relationships, be it interfaith live-in relationships or interfaith marriage. Holding that right to choose a partner and right to live with dignity...

Disciplinary Proceedings For Obtaining B.Ed Without Permission, Employee Can't Be Given Promotional Post : Gauhati HC

A Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court comprising Justice Michael Zothankhuma and Justice Kaushik Goswami held that obtaining a degree without prior permission amounts to misconduct in violation of statutory conduct rules. Further, during the pendency of disciplinary proceedings, an employee cannot be given an in-charge promotional post, though the degree itself...

Disqualification Clauses Must Be Strictly Construed, Cannot Be Expanded Beyond Advertisement: Patna HC Upholds Grant Of IOCL Dealership

The Patna High Court has held that mere pendency of a criminal case, at a stage where charges had not been framed, does not ipso facto render a candidate ineligible for allotment of a petroleum dealership unless the governing advertisement expressly stipulates such disqualification. The Court further held that the advertisement is the governing instrument of the selection process and cannot...

Rationalists Who Mock People For Treating Gurus As Gods Are The Real Fools & Barbarians : Justice GR Swaminathan

Justice GR Swaminathan of Madras High Court recently remarked that rationalists who call people fools, incompetent and barbarians for treating Guru as equal to god, are the real fools, incompetent and barbarians."In Tamil Nadu, there are certain rationalists, who call us unworthy(Ayogya), fools (muttal) and barbarians (kaattumurandi) for treating Gurus as Gods. But I am saying, those who...

'Party Cannot Be Denied Examination Of Witness Merely On Account Of Witness Being Unwell': Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has held that a party cannot be denied examination of a witness merely on account of the witness being unwell, observing that such a direction is untenable in law and contrary to the principles of the Evidence Act. The Court observed that if a witness is competent and possesses relevant knowledge of the facts in issue, health concerns may justify adjournment, but...

'Each Day's Delay Will Add To Agony': Gujarat High Court Permits Termination Of 15-Week Pregnancy Of Minor Rape Survivor

The Gujarat High Court directed medical termination of a minor rape survivor's 15-week pregnancy observing that "each day's delay will add" to her "agony". Justice M.R. Mengdey observed: "Considering the fact that each day's delay will add to the victim's agony, the following directions are issued :(i) The victim is permitted to get the pregnancy terminated at the Zydus Medical College...