Govt Must Be Able To Determine Strength Of Local Bodies In Interest Of Effective Governance: Kerala HC Affirms State's Delimitation Exercise

The Kerala High Court on Monday (24th February) overturned the decision of a Single Bench invalidating the delimitation exercise for 8 municipalities and one panchayat.Background of the CaseThe Kerala Government by virtue of Kerala Municipality (Second Amendment) Act, 2024 and Kerala Panchayat Raj (Second Amendment) Act, 2024 increased the ratio of number of counsellors/ panchayat members to...

Drugs & Cosmetics Act | Only Sessions Court Can Try Offences Punishable Under Chapter IV On Manufacture, Sale And Distribution: Karnataka HC

The Karnataka High Court has held that trial in a case registered for offences pertaining to manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs and cosmetics under Chapter IV of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act is triable only by a sessions court and the magistrate court is required to commit the case to the Sessions Judge for trial.Justice S Vishwajith Shetty held thus while allowing a petition filed...

Cyber Fraud Of ₹474 Crores Reported In Punjab: HC To Decide Accountability Of Financial Losses Suffered By Victims When Accused Is Untraceable

Taking note of the Punjab Government's report that cyber fraud of Rs.474.49. crores have been reported in State in 1 year, the Punjab & Haryana High Court to decide the accountable for the financial losses suffered by victims in cases where accused is not traceable.The Report revealed that in Punjab, cyber frauds have been reported to the tune of Rs.474.49 crore and out of that, "a...

Jharkhand Advocates' Association Urges High Court To Standardize Passover And Adjournment Practices

The General Body of the Advocates' Association, Jharkhand convened a meeting on February 21, 2025 and unanimously passed two resolutions addressing concerns related to the judicial practice of passover of cases and adjournments in the Jharkhand High Court. The resolutions, adopted after detailed deliberations, highlight difficulties faced by advocates and litigants due to inconsistent...

Discontinuing Contract Without Giving Reasons Arbitrary: Bombay HC Quashes MMRDA's Contract Termination Notice For Mumbai Metro Consultancy

The Bombay High Court has set aside a notice issued by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) that terminated a tender contract with Systra MVA Consulting (India) Pvt Ltd for the appointment of General Consultant for Mumbai Metro Line, ruling that the cancellation was arbitrary and unreasonable.The tender concerned the appointment of General Consultant for the purposes...

Delhi High Court Quashes ₹2000 Crore Tax Reassessment Notice Against Maruti Suzuki For Alleged Escapement Of Income In AY 2009-10

The Delhi High Court has quashed the reassessment action initiated by the Income Tax Department against car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India Ltd for alleged escapement of income in the Assessment Year 2009-10.A division bench of Justices Yashwant Varma and Ravinder Dudeja observed that the company had made full and true disclosure of all facts in the course of the assessment and the...

Amended Necessary Rules Allowing Service Of Notices/Summons Through E-mail By All Courts In Karnataka: State Govt Tells High Court

The State Government on Tuesday informed the Karnataka High Court that it had amended the necessary rules allowing service of notices/summons through electronic mail (email) by all courts in Karnataka.Justice R Devdas was informed that the draft rules forwarded by the High Court were approved and gazetted by the State Government on February 17. Under this, all courts including the High...

Punjab & Haryana HC Orders Opening Of Sealed Entrance Of Shiv Temple To Avoid Stampede On Shivratri, Supervision By Chandigarh Police

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed to open the sealed main entrance of a Prachin Shiv Temple on account of Maha Shivratri, to avoid any incident of stampede on the occasion and directed the supervision of Chandigarh Police.The Court had earlier directed that the Military force would supervise the entire crowd, however,r the order was today modified and the Court asked DSP...

Madras High Court Quashes Case Against Dravidar Kazhagam Members For Protesting Against Hindi Imposition In 2022

The Madras High Court has quashed a case against members of the Dravidar Kazhagam for protesting against Hindi imposition in Egmore in 2022.Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan quashed the FIR filed against Vice President Poongundran, General Secretary Anburaj, and Treasurer Kumaresan. They were booked by the Egmore Police for offences under Section 143(Punishment for member of unlawful...

[S.219 CrPC] Joinder Of Charges Will Not Apply In Case Of Dishonored Cheques Where Consolidated Demand Notice Is Given By Complainant: J&K High Court

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has held that a single complaint for multiple dishonoured cheques is maintainable if a consolidated legal notice was issued and the cause of action arises from a single transaction. The court held that a single cause of action arose for all four cheques in favor of the respondent for filing a complaint against the petitioner upon the expiry of fifteen days...

Punjab & Haryana HC Directs NCB, CBI To Conduct Randomised Raids To Ensure Prohibited Drugs Are Not Sold Without Prescription By Chemists

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the Central Agencies Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to conduct random raids at the medical stores/chemists who are selling prohibited drugs without a valid prescription from a duly qualified medical practitioner.Justice Deepak Sibal and Justice Harpreet Kaur Jeewan said, "We direct CBI/NCB to take...

Should Subsequent Bail Pleas Be Listed Before Roster Judge Even If Judge Who Heard Earlier Plea Is Present? Madras HC Refers To Larger Bench

The Madras High Court has referred to a larger bench the issue on whether subsequent bail applications filed by an accused should be listed before the roster bench even if the judge who had dealt with an earlier bail/anticipatory bail petition is available. Justice Sunder Mohan referred the question to the larger bench after noting the Supreme Court's clarification in Shekhar Prasad...