Rajasthan HC Initiates Suo Motu Case Over Lack Of Hygienic Public Washrooms, Says Women Compelled To Defer Urination, Restrict Water Intake

Rajasthan High Court has taken suo-moto cognizance of the lack of sanitary and hygienic public washrooms for women, making them prone to several health issues.“The facilities as are available to women walking on the street are almost negligible and in no way proportionate to the existing facilities vis-a-vis the women population. Not only are the basic infrastructure/facilities lacking,...

Child's Testimony Can't Be Brushed Aside, Punjab & Haryana HC Upholds Teacher's Conviction For Sexually Assaulting Student In School

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has upheld the conviction of a school teacher for sexually assaulting a class 8th student under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act), while noting that the "occurrence took place in school premises."Justice Amarjot Bhatti said, "as per facts of the case, it is fully covered under the provisions of Section 9 (f) of POCSO Act as...

Provisions Of Foreign Trade Policy Cannot By Itself Authorise Levy Of Interest U/S 28AA Of Foreign Trade Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court stated that the provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy cannot by itself authorise the levy of interest under Section 28AA of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, as such levy must be supported by plenary legislation. The Bench of Justice Gopinath P. was considering a case where the assessee challenged the interest imposed upon him under...

'Strange', Punjab & Haryana High Court Flags Conflicting Judgements Passed By Authority For Same Property Between Same Parties In One Day

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has flagged a "strange" case where the Rent Control Appellate Authority passed conflicting judgements with respect to same property between same parties on the same day.It was brought to the Court's notice that the Appellate Authority on the same day has given two conflicting orders - in one, on the same very grounds, ejectment has been ordered and in...

2% Additional Tax For Acquiring 'Second Vehicle' Can't Be Levied When First Vehicle Has Already Been Sold: Telangana High Court

The Telangana High Court recently set aside Moosarambagh RTO's direction imposing 2% additional tax on a resident's purchase of a Mahindra XUV 700 car by labelling it to be his 'second vehicle'. As per the Telangana Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1963, vehicles that cost over Rs 20 lakh will be charged 18%. A second vehicle purchased in the name of the owner will be charged an additional...

Delhi High Court Rejects PIL Seeking Comprehensive Probe Into Navjot Singh Sidhu's Cancer Cure Claims

The Delhi High Court today dismissed a PIL seeking comprehensive and scientifically rigorous investigation into the claims of Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu that his wife's Stage 4 cancer was treated through a specific diet plan and Ayurveda.A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela remarked that Sidhu's statements were his personal opinion...

CJ Manmohan Bids Farewell To Delhi HC, Says Justice Not Just About Delivering Verdicts But Also About Understanding Human Stories

Chief Justice Manmohan on Wednesday bid farewell to the Delhi High Court after his elevation as a judge to the Supreme Court of India.In his farewell speech, CJ Manmohan said that administering justice is not just about delivering verdicts but also about understanding human stories behind each case as well as about empathy and compassion. “I have witnessed the transformative power of law,...

Loss In Derivatives Is Not A Speculative Transaction And Can Be Set Off Against Business Income Of Assessee: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court stated that loss in derivatives is not a speculative transaction and can be set off against business income of the assessee. Further, this is not a case where Section 73 of Income Tax Act is attracted since it deals with losses in speculation business. The Bench of Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar observed that “……..a loss in the derivative...

'Belongs To Backward Community, Reformation Can't Be Ruled Out': Chhattisgarh HC Commutes Death Sentence Of Man For Rape & Murder Of 7 Yr-Old

The Chhattisgarh High Court has commuted the extreme sentence of death imposed on a man for committing rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl in the year 2021.While weighing the aggravating and mitigating circumstances against the accused-appellant, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad held –“These are the incriminating circumstances,...

[Kidnapping] Accused Cannot Be Held Guilty If Minor Girl Voluntarily Leaves Her Guardian: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that merely accompanying the minor after her departure or passive association is not sufficient to constitute the offence of kidnapping a minor from their lawful guardian.The Court upheld the acquittal of the accused in the case of kidnapping a minor girl, observing that it was a case of "consensual elopement, rather than kidnapping as...

No Necessity To Call Upon Accused To File Counter In Extension Application, Presence Only Needed To Consider Objections: Madras HC

The Madras High Court recently observed that when an application for extension was filed by the prosecution, the presence of the accused was ensured only to inform him about the application and consider the objections, if any. The court added that there was no necessity for the court to call upon the counter of the accused. Justice Sunder Mohan emphasized that while considering...

Teachers Must Possess Essential Aptitude, Ability To Meet Challenges Of Teaching: Telangana HC Rejects Plea Against Eligibility Test Guidelines

Dismissing a plea by certain candidates challenging the syllabus criteria in the Guidelines for Teacher Eligibility Test claiming it to be arbitrary, the Telangana High Court observed that the guidelines framed by National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) are to ensure that competent candidates are recruited as teachers.In doing so the court underscored that the requirement of having...