Lawyer Can't Be Prosecuted For Defamation For Statements Made On Instructions Of Client: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently held that a lawyer cannot be prosecuted for the offence of defamation, merely for statements made by him upon a client's instructions. Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan held that a lawyer only speaks on behalf of his client and has no opportunity to verify the truthfulness of the facts narrated by the client. The court added that any responsibility for such...

'Publicity Driven Exercise': Orissa High Court Quashes Case Against Mukesh Ambani Over Supply Of 'Defective Mobile' To Lawyer In 2003

The Orissa High Court has quashed a criminal complaint and summoning order issued by a Magisterial Court against the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and its Chairman Mukesh Ambani over supply of a defective mobile handset to a lawyer in the year 2003.While setting aside the impending criminal prosecution, the Bench of Dr. Justice Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi termed the entire exercise as...

P&H High Court Grants Bail To Man Over Alleged Involvement In Espionage Activities Linked To Pakistan During Op Sindoor

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has granted bail to Davender Singh alias Davinder Singh in a case alleging involvement in espionage activities linked to Pakistan, noting the absence of material to substantiate the allegations beyond disclosure statements.Singh was alleged to have engaged in these espionage activities during the military exercise titled Operation Sindoor, undertaken by...

Dispossession Proceedings Under BNSS Impermissible When Party Is In Actual Possession: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court has held that proceedings for dispossession under Section 164/165 BNSS cannot be initiated if party in actual possession of property. Justice Brij Raj Singh held “The State Authority has to protect the parties but if actual possession is there with answering-opposite party nos.2 and 3, they cannot be dispossessed by proceeding under Sections 164/165 BNSS except...

Singing All Stanzas Of 'Vande Mataram' In Schools Not Made Mandatory: Karnataka High Court Dismisses PIL Against MHA Circular

The Karnataka High Court today refused to entertain a PIL challenging the Ministry of Home Affairs' circular advising singing of all six stanzas of the national song 'Vande Mataram' in all schools.The division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakru and Justice C.M Poonacha noted that the MHA circular mentions "may" and is thus, not mandatory."....The petitioner claims that the same violates...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Denies Bail To Former MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker In Money Laundering Case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has denied bail to former MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker in a money laundering case. The Court observed that the allegations, nature of transactions, and material collected during the investigation did not justify release at this stage.Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya was hearing a petition seeking regular bail in a prosecution complaint filed by the Directorate of...

Menstrual Leave A Facet Of Bodily Autonomy, Needed Due To Lack Of Workplace Facilities: Women's Association Tells Karnataka High Court

All India Democratic Women's Association told the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (April 8) that the lack of facilities for women at work places is one of the reasons behind the executive order granting menstrual leave, which affords them with an opportunity to deal with the issue in the privacy of their homes.The court was hearing a challenge to the state government's notification...

Habeas Corpus Plea Seeking Custody Not Barred By Guardians & Wards Act, Writ Can Be Invoked In Child's Best Interest: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court quashed a single judge's order which had rejected a mother's habeas corpus petition seeking custody of her child from the father, observing that her plea could not have been dismissed on the ground that there was remedy available under Guardians and Wards Act. In doing so the court said that the writ court can invoke its extra-ordinary jurisdiction if it is in the...

'No Bias Can Be Attached To Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma' : CBI Opposes Kejriwal's Recusal Application

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has opposed before the Delhi High Court applications filed by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and other accused persons seeking recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from hearing the agency's challenge to their discharge in the excise police case.In its response, CBI has said that bias cannot be attached to views of judges taken in their decisions. It...

Karnataka High Court Issues Notice Over Custodial Death Of 24-Year-Old, But Refuses To Issue Blanket Directions In PIL Seeking Protocol

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (April 08), refused to issue notice regarding the formulation of a comprehensive protocol to prevent custodial torture in a PIL filed by the People's Union for Civil Liberties. However, the court has issued a limited notice to the State and Police department, including the DGP, over the alleged custodial death of 24-year-old Darshan in November 2025.The...

'Swatantryaveer' Title Given To Savarkar Not By Govt But By A Writer : Savarkar's Grandnephew Tells Pune Court

In the ongoing criminal defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks against right-wing ideologue Vinayak Savarkar, the latter's grandnephew on Wednesday (April 8) told a special MP/MLA court that the title 'Swatantryaveer' (brave freedom fighter) was not given to Savarkar by the Government.Savarkar's grandnephew - Satyaki, who is the complainant in the case, is...

HP High Court Quashes Dy Commissioners' Power To Modify Panchayat Reservation Roster Beyond Article 243D Of Constitution

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that the State's decision to empower Deputy Commissioners to alter up to 5% of the reservation roster went beyond the framework prescribed under Article 243D of the Constitution and Section 125 of the Panchayati Raj Act. It further stated that reservations in Panchayats must strictly follow population-based criteria and rotation, and any deviation...