Original Printout From Breathalyzer Machine Mandatory, Type Written Report Not Admissible In Evidence To Prove Drunken Driving: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court recently ruled that original printout obtained from the equipment after a breathalyzer test under Section 203 of the Motor Vehicles Act is admissible as evidence to establish drunken driving under Section 185 of the Act.It is to be noted that breathalyzer test is used to measure breath alcohol content. Justice V.G. Arun stated that typewritten copy prepared by the...

Bombay High Court Dismisses PIL Alleging ₹16.6 Crore 'Fraudulent' Bank Guarantees In Twin Tunnel Project

The Bombay High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking investigation by CBI or SIT into alleged fraudulent bank guarantees accepted by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) from a private company, Megha Engineering Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), for the construction of a Twin Tube Road Tunnel between Thane and Borivali worth around Rs.16,600.40...

Three Additional Judges Sworn-In As Permanent Judges Of J&K And Ladakh High Court

The Chief Justice of High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Tashi Rabstan on Monday administered the oath of office to three Additional Judges Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Justice Rajesh Sekhri & Justice Mohammad Yousuf Wani as Permanent Judges of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, in the Chief Justice's Court Room.The proceedings of the oath taking ceremony...

Delhi High Court Asks Centre To Comply With Supreme Court Order Directing It To Decide Representation Seeking To Rename India As 'Bharat'

The Delhi High Court has recently directed the Union Government to expeditiously comply with an order passed by the Supreme Court in 2020 directing that a petition seeking direction to change the name of the country as "Bharat" from "India" be treated as a representation.Justice Sachin Datta was dealing with a plea filed by an organization Nahama seeking a direction on the Union Government...

Allahabad High Court Dismisses PIL Seeking A CBI Probe Into Mahakumbh Mela Stampede

The Allahabad High Court last week dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela in Allahabad (January 29), which killed 30 people and left 60 more injured. The PIL plea moved by Keshar Singh and 2 others also sought a direction to the respondents to submit a “complete report”...

Expansion Of Definition Of 'Sikkimese' In S.10(26AAA) Of Income Tax Act Doesn't Affect Rights Of Indigenous People: Sikkim High Court

The Sikkim High Court has upheld the constitutional validity of the definition 'Sikkimese' under the Income Tax Act, which was slightly expanded by way of an amendment in terms of the Finance Act, 2023.A division bench of Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder and Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai upheld the vires of Explanation (v) contained under clause (26AAA) of section 10 of the Income Tax Act,...

Registration, Fixed Wages, Pakka Houses: State Accepts Before Bombay HC Suggestions To Improve Working Condition Of Migrant Sugarcane Workers

In relation to a suo motu PIL on the conditions of sugarcane workers, the State government told the Bombay High Court that it has accepted all the suggestions made by the amicus curiae to improve the conditions of the workers and safeguard their rights.A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice MS Karnik took note of the State counsel's statement that the State government...

Kerala High Court Relaxes Dress Code For Advocates During Summer

The Kerala High Court administrative committee have allowed relaxations in the dress code after receiving a representation from the Kerala High Court Advocates Association. The Association had requested for dispensing with the dress code by taking into account the rising heat in the summer.The order said that the advocates appearing in the district court can wear a white shirt with the band....

'Quite Alarming': P&H High Court Flags Increasing Number Of Proclaimed Offenders, Asks Punjab DGP To Ensure Detailed Report Is Submitted

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has asked Director General of Police, Punjab to ensure that a complete information on number of proclaimed offenders in the State is submitted by way of an affidavit of a responsible officer.The Court noted that there are total 4329 proclaimed offenders only in one District, Jalandhar.Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu said, "As number of cases, where accused...

Uttarakhand High Court Notifies Procedure For Listing Of Cases Recused By Judges

Last week, the Uttarakhand High Court notified the procedure for listing of cases recused by the judges. An office memorandum issued on the orders of the Chief Justice of the High Court on March 12 states that where a Bench passes an order or requests to list a case or class of cases before another Bench, such case/cases will be listed before the Bench next in the order of...

Grounds Of Detention Are Vague, Ambiguous: J&K High Court Quashes Preventive Detention Of Former Bar President Nazir Ahmad Ronga

The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has quashed the preventive detention of former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association President Nazir Ahmad Ronga.Justice Sanjay Dhar held that the allegations against Ronga were vague, lacked material particulars, and did not provide a basis for his detention under the J&K Public Safety Act, 1978.The court added, “.. it is clear that...

"Don't Deprive Children Of Education": Bombay HC Asks Defence Authorities To Let Students Pass Through Gates Of Naval Colony To Reach School

The Bombay High Court last week asked the Ministry of Defence not to deprive any student of their right to education by shutting the gates of the Naval Civilian Housing Colony (NCHC) in Mumbai's Kanjurmarg area, because of which children are compelled to walk around 3 kilometres to reach their school which is situated within its premises. A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and...