Kerala High Court Underscores Head-Priest's Authority In Temple's 'Spiritual' Affairs, Seeks Expert Report On Sree Padmanabhaswamy Idol

In petitions concerning alleged defects in the Moolavigraha (principal idol) of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Kerala High Court underscored that matters relating to the temple's spiritual domain fall within the authority of the Thantri (head priest), who enjoys the status of “father of the deity”. A division bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M B Snehalatha recorded...

Employee Who Acquired Disability During Service Can Be Promoted Under Physically Handicapped Quota: P&H High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that an employee who acquires a disability during the course of service is entitled to be considered for promotion under the physically handicapped (PH) quota.The petitioner's promotion under the PH category was denied by the State authority on the grounds that he had acquired the disability during his service and not at the time of...

Short Intervals Forcing State Buses To Overspeed, Delay In Revising Timetable Despite Orders 'Deliberate Act Of Contempt': Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court underscored the urgent need to regulate State-bus timings, directing the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to take immediate steps to ensure safer urban mobility.Justice Amit Rawal, was considering petitions filed by autorickshaw drivers seeking permission to operate freely in Kochi and Perumbavoor.In its earlier order dated August 8, the Court had expressed...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Stays Appointment Of Bhakra Beas Management Board's Secretary

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed the appointment of the Secretary of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) till the next hearing, while issuing notice to the Board and other authorities.Justice Sandeep Moudgil was hearing a plea filed by the Superintending Engineers in Punjab's Water Resource department, alleging that the application that called for the post of...

Karnataka High Court To Hear Vijay Mallya's Plea Seeking Information On Kingfisher Debt Recovery In September

The Karnataka High Court on (Friday) listed in September pleas by fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya and Director of United Breweries Holdings Limited (in liquidation) Daljit Mahal, seeking a direction to the concerned Banks to provide a statement of accounts on the amounts owed by him, UBHL and other certificate debtors.The plea seeks that information be provided by taking into account...

Habeas Corpus Plea Not Substitute To Custody Proceeding Available Under Guardianship Act: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has observed that a habeas corpus petition cannot serve as a substitute for custody proceedings under the guardianship laws like Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act. It clarified that High Court can intervene only when it is clear case of illegality.Justice Sumeet Goel said,"The High Court's jurisdiction to issue a writ of Habeas Corpus in minor child...

Chhattisgarh High Court Initiates Suo Moto Case Over Railway's Refusal To Fund Treatment Of Electrocuted Contract Worker "Battling For Life"

The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken suo-motu cognisance of Railway Department's refusal to the fund the treatment of a young contract worker "battling for his life" after coming in contact with an Overhead Equipment (OHE) while repairing a leakage at the Railway Coaching Depot.While the Railway officials were reported to have attempted to "distance themselves" from the responsibility,...

Govt Employee's Transfer Is Not Vitiated Merely Due To Being Made Upon Recommendation By MLA: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court has said that the transfer of a government employee would not be vitiated for being made solely at the instance or recommendation of a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA).A division bench of Justice S G Pandit and Justice K V Aravind said thus while dismissing the petition filed by S Venkateshappa, a Tashildar, challenging the order of the Karnataka...

Fatigue-Detection Cameras, Police Verification: Kerala High Court Upholds Mandatory Safety Measures For Public Transport Operators

The Kerala High Court has upheld the State Transport Authority's (STA) decision mandating installation of surveillance cameras with fatigue-detection sensors, geo-fencing technology, and compulsory production of Police Clearance Certificates(PCCs) for transport personnel.Justice Mohammed Nias C P, delivered the judgment dismissing a batch of writ petitions petitions filed by stage...

'Practice Seriously Deprecated': Allahabad HC Takes Exception To Advocate Addressing Court Sans Filing Vakalatnama Or Authority Letter

The Allahabad High Court recently took strong objection to an advocate addressing the Court without any Vakalatnama or authority letter from the client, observing that such a practice is 'detrimental' to the litigants on behalf of whom such an advocate is appearing. A Division Bench of Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Syed Qamar Hasan Rizvi deprecated this practice while...

[S.91 CrPC] Accused Cannot Be Summoned To Produce Incriminating Evidence Against Himself: Calcutta High Court

The Calcutta High Court has held that an accused cannot be summoned under section 91 of the CrPC to provide incriminating material against himself, which would be used against him in trial.Justice Partha Sarathi Sen held: "It thus appears to this Court that from the series of reported decision as cited from the Bar it would reveal that it was never the legislative intent while enacting Section...

Delhi High Court Reserves Order On Gautam Gambhir Foundation's Plea To Quash COVID Drugs Hoarding Case

The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved order on a plea filed by Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir, his foundation and its members seeking quashing of a case involving allegations of hoarding and unlicensed distribution of drugs during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.Justice Neena Bansal Krishna reserved the verdict after hearing Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai appearing for...