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...

Reservation Granted In One State Can't Be Extended To Another, Backward Classes May Not Share Same Social Realities: Rajasthan High Court

The Rajasthan High Court has reiterated that benefit of reservation granted in one state cannot be extended to reserved category candidates belonging to another state, noting that one cannot assume that backward classes across different States "share identical or even comparable social realities". The bench of Justice Sanjeet Purohit who was hearing a petition filed by the Federation of...

Motor Accidents | Absence Of Badge Not Breach Of Policy For Autorickshaw Driver, Insurer Liable To Compensate: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court, in a recent judgment, clarified that since there is no need for separate badges to drive autorickshaws if drivers hold valid licenses, absence of badge is not a fundamental breach of insurance policy conditions.Justice M.B. Snehalatha held that in such circumstances, the insurer is liable to compensate and it does not have the right to recover from the registered owner...

Delhi High Court Issues Notice To 'X' User On Gaurav Bhatia's Plea Alleging Breach Of Interim Order Restraining Defamatory Posts

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice on a plea filed by Senior Advocate and BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia seeking take down of content uploaded by a X (formerly Twitter) user alleging that the same is in wilful disobedience of an interim order passed in his defamation suit. Bhatia has filed the fresh application against user “Ranting Gola” alleging that despite the interim order...

Delhi High Court Seeks Centre, Meta's Response To Plea Against Blocking Of News Outlet Molitic's Facebook Page

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice on a plea filed against blocking of Facebook page of digital media platform Molitics on March 29. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav sought response of the Union Government through Ministries of Electronics and Information Technology, Home Affairs and Information And Broadcasting, as well as Delhi Police and Meta Platforms. The plea has been...

S.193(2) BNSS | 60-Day Timeline For Chargesheet In Rape, POCSO Offences Not Shortcut To Default Bail For Accused: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court has held that an accused cannot seek reprieve of default bail by citing the 60-day investigation timeline mandated under Section 193(2) BNSS (applicable for offences like POCSO and Rape). Terming the provision as 'victim-centric', not intended 'to furnish an escape route' for the accused, the Court underscored that Section187(3) BNSS [90-day timeline for investigation...