'Dhurandhar' Script Row: Bombay High Court Calls For Settlement Between Parties, Says Defamation Suit Need Not Be Escalated

In a development in the ongoing defamation suit filed by Aditya Dhar, the director of "Dhurandhar" against filmmaker Santosh Kumar, for accusing the former of 'plagiarism' for his 'script', the Bombay High Court on Thursday (April 16) urged both the parties to try and 'settle' the dispute and not 'escalate' the same to the extent of filing defamation suit.Notably, Kumar has claimed before...

Justice SK Sharma's Children Had No Role In Arvind Kejriwal's Case, Never Assisted In Any Proceedings: CBI Tells Delhi High Court

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has opposed before the Delhi High Court an additional affidavit filed by AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal alleging bias on part of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma, on the ground that her children are Central government panel counsel.In its response, the CBI has said that neither of Justice Sharma's children have ever dealt with, assisted anyone or been involved...

Trafficking Victim Can Be Repatriated Based On 'No Objection' By Trial Court, Magistrate's Order Not Needed: Bombay High Court

A person trafficked to India can be repatriated to his or her original country based on a 'No Objection' granted by the respective trial court dealing with the said trafficking case, the Bombay High Court held on Wednesday (April 15), while ordering immediate repatriation of a Bangladeshi woman.A division bench of Justice Ajay Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata said the court that has passed...

Karnataka HC Refuses To Lift Stay On Probe Over Dog Relocation At DRDO Premises, Directs Preservation Of CCTV Footage

The Karnataka High Court has refused to lift an interim stay granted on an FIR initiated against Defence Research and Development Organisation [DRDO] employees under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, for allegedly relocating the dogs within the DRDO township at Bengaluru.The single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna has asked the respondents to file their objections within...

Madras High Court Disposes Plea Seeking Postal Ballot For Students Away From Home, Cites Similar Issue Pending In SC

The Madras High Court on Thursday (16 April) dismissed a public interest litigation seeking directions to the Chief Election Commissioner and the State Election Commissioner to permit postal ballots for college students studying in various parts of the State, away from their native places. The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan noted that a similar issue...

'State Cannot Exercise Unfettered Discretion In Tender Matters Or Deviate From Notice Conditions Without Reasons': Jharkhand High Court

The Jharkhand High Court has held that the State cannot exercise unfettered discretion in tender matters or deviate from conditions of the Notice Inviting Tender without assigning reasons. The Court observed that even where discretion exists, it must be exercised judiciously with due application of mind and cannot justify an unreasoned departure from prescribed tender conditions.A division...

Delhi High Court Lays Down Principles For Quashing POCSO Cases Where Victim Denies Actual Harm Due To Consensual Relations, Marriage

The Delhi High Court on Thursday laid down various principles for quashing of cases registered under the POCSO Act where the de-juré victim denies actual harm to her. Citing Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani held that while the law treats a minor as a victim (de-juré victim), Courts must assess whether any actual (de-facto) victim exists before allowing prosecution...

Madras High Court Prevents Illegal Broadcast of Vijay Starrer "Jana Nayagan" Movie

The Madras High Court, on Thursday (16 April) has granted an interim injunction restraining internet service providers (ISPs) and cable operators from illegally streaming “Jana Nayagan” movie, starring Actor Vijay. Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy granted the interim relief in a suit moved by the movie's producers, KVN Productions. The production company had moved the court after...

'Irreplaceable Ecological Value': Kerala High Court Allows Road-Widening To Kannur Temple On Conditions Including Afforestation With 400 Trees

The Kerala High Court, in a recent ruling, gave the green signal for a road widening project that was undertaken near Madayikavu Bhagavathy Temple in Kannur after imposing several conditions, including afforestation by planting at least 400 trees.The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar took note of the fact that the area is an 'ecological paradise' and...

Madras High Court Rejects Tamanna Bhatia's ₹1 Crore Appeal Against Power Soaps For Allegedly Using Her Images Despite Expiry Of Contract

The Madras High Court on Thursday (April 16) dismissed an appeal filed by actress Tamanna Bhatia challenging an order of a single judge rejecting her plea seeking damages of Rs 1 Crore from Power soaps for 'unauthorisedly' using her images despite expiry of contract. The bench of Justice P Velmurugan and Justice K Govindarajan Thilakavadi upheld the order passed by the single judge...

Prima Facie Police Can't Institute Prosecution For Alleged Forced Religious Conversion Without Prior Sanction From DM: Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court granted bail to a man accused of inducing the complainant to convert to his religion, after "prima facie" noting that mandate of prior sanction to initiate prosecution under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act had not been followed. For context, Section 6 of the Act states that "no prosecution for an offence under this Act shall be instituted except by or with the...

Centre Notifies Permanent Appointments For 3 Additional Judges Of Madras High Court

The Central Government has recently notified permanent appointments for three additional judges of Madras High Court. The additional judges appointed as permanent judges are: Justice R. Poornima, Justice M. Jothiraman and Dr. Justice Augustine Devadoss Maria Clete.The notification issued by the Ministry of Law & Justice, Department of Justice dated April 10 states:"In exercise of the...