No Person Can Demand Investigating Officer Of Their Choice Or From A Specific Caste Or Community: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court has observed that no person can seek a direction that the Investigating Officer in a particular case must be of his own choice or that he must belong to a specific caste or community.Stating that such demands are impermissible under law, a bench of Justice Abdul Shahid stayed the criminal proceedings in an SC-ST Act case in which the complainant sought a fresh...

'Report But Don't Use Embellishments': Bombay High Court Tells Republic TV, Arnab Goswami Over Coverage Of Cases On Anil Ambani

The Bombay High Court on Thursday orally told Republic TV and its editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami not to use any "embellishments" while reporting on the ongoing investigations against industrialist Anil Ambani.Single-judge Justice Arif Doctor made it clear that he was not going to pass any gag order against the channel but asked Goswami to tone down the tenor of his reporting against Ambani....

Delhi High Court Takes On Record Arvind Kejriwal's Affidavit On Empanelment Of Justice SK Sharma's Children As Govt Counsel

The Delhi High Court on Thursday (April 16) agreed to take on record an affidavit filed by Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal alleging bias on part of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma, on the ground that her children are Central government panel counsel.Kejriwal appeared in person via VC and requested that the affidavit be taken on record. He has sought Justice Sharma's recusal from hearing...

Allahabad High Court Grants Bail To Man Accused Of Operating Fake Embassy, Posing As 'Consul'

The Allahabad High Court recently granted bail to a 49-year-old man accused of operating a fake embassy in Ghaziabad and running a 'Consulate' while claiming himself to be a 'Royal Advisor'.Considering the fact that a charge sheet has been filed and further custodial interrogation of the accused is not required, a bench of Justice Ashutosh Srivastava granted bail to the applicant,...

Withdrawal Slip Drawn On Co-operative Society Engaged In Banking Activities Qualifies As 'Cheque' U/S 6 NI Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has recently held that a withdrawal slip drawn on a cooperative society, which is engaged in banking activities, falls within the definition of 'cheque' as provided under Section 6 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.Justice C.S. Dias held that cooperative societies performing banking functions can be considered as 'banker' as per Section 3 NI Act and therefore,...

GBG Act Reduces Ward Committees To 'Advisory Bodies', Confers Binding Powers On Statutory Panels: Citizens Action Forum Tells Karnataka HC

During the hearing of a PIL challenging the constitutionality of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act 2024, Citizens' Action Forum, one of the petitioners- told the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (April 15) that Section 103 of the impugned Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024 [GBG Act], only confers the constitutionally mandated ward committee mere 'advisory powers' under the new statute....

Plea In Madras High Court Seeks Quashing Of TVK Candidate Aadhav Arjuna's Nomination, Says He Concealed Material Information

A plea has been filed in the Madras High Court challenging the acceptance of the nomination of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate Aadhav Arjuna, alleging that he concealed material information in nomination papers. The petitioner, Devarajan from Chennai, alleges that Arjuna has concealed material information in his nomination papers and the returning officer for the...

Trial Court Must Determine Whether Additional Accused To Be Tried Jointly Or Separately; Main Case Proceeds Independently: J&K&L High Court

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh held that where an additional accused is summoned during the course of proceedings, the trial court must undertake a judicial determination as to whether such an accused is to be tried jointly with the existing accused or separately.The Court clarified that once a separate trial is contemplated, the proceedings in the main case need not be...

Lokpal Can Form Prima Facie Opinion Before Issuing Show Cause Notice, No Prior Hearing Required: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has observed that the Lokpal of India must form a prima facie opinion regarding the existence of a case before issuing a show-cause notice following a preliminary inquiry report. A Division Bench comprising Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Renu Bhatnagar said that after the preliminary inquiry report is received by the Lokpal, it is incumbent upon it to consider the...

Orissa High Court Reduces Sentence Of Imprisonment Of 26-Yr-Old Man Convicted For Raping 80-Yr-Old Lady

The Orissa High Court upheld a trial court order which convicted a 26-year-old man for raping an 80-year-old woman noting that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. It however reduced the sentence imposed from 12 years imprisonment as imposed by trial court, to 10 years imprisonment. While upholding the findings of the trial Court on the guilt of the accused-appellant,...

Plea In Madras High Court Alleges Fraudulent Fund Collection Through NaMo App, Seeks Action Against BJP Leaders

A plea has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking probe into alleged donations sought by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) through NaMo App and website. The petition, filed by BR Aravindakshan, a resident of Chennai, alleged that the party has cheated countless members of the public to make donations through the app for the Union Government's schemes, when in reality the funds were collected...

Telangana HC Stays Further Proceedings In FIR Against BJP's Madhavi Lata Accused Of Obstructing Voter, Forcibly Lifting Niqab During 2024 Polls

The Telangana High Court has issued notice on a quashing plea by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Madhavi Lata, accused of interfering and obstructing the electoral process during the Hyderabad Parliamentary elections held on May 13, 2024.A bench of Justice J Sreenivas Rao directed that any further proceedings in the FIR against Lata shall remain stayed for the time being. It was also...