BREAKING | Karnataka High Court Denies Bail To Actress Ranya Rao, Co-Accused In Gold Smuggling Case

The Karnataka High Court on Saturday (April 26) dismissed the bail petitions filed by Kannada Actress Harshavardhini Ranya Rao and co-accused Tarun Konduru Raju, who have been arrested in the Gold Smuggling Case.Justice S Vishwajith Shetty while dictating the order, said, "Petitions dismissed". A detailed copy of the order is awaited. The court had reserved its order earlier this week...

[POCSO Act] Trying To Grope Victim's Breast Doesn't Fall Under Definition Of Attempted Rape: Calcutta High Court

The Calcutta High Court has held that the attempt of a man to grope a minor girl's breast in an inebriated state, did not tantamount to the offence of attempted rape under the POCSO act, but could be categorised as attempt to commit aggravated sexual assault due to there being no penetrative act.A division bench of Justices Arijit Banerjee and Biswaroop Chowdhury held:We have carefully...

Compassionate Appointment On Teacher Post Compromises Quality Of Education, Violating Article 21A: Allahabad High Court Strikes Down GOs

While holding that compassionate appointment of teachers compromises quality of education thereby violating fundamental right to education under Article 21-A of the Constitution of India, the Allahabad High Court declared Government Orders dated 04.09.2000 and 15.02.2013 ultra vires Articles 14, 16 and 21-A of the Constitution of India insofar as they relate to appointment on the posts...

Calcutta High Court Calls For West Bengal Govt's Response In PIL Challenging Deocha-Pachami Coal Project

A division bench of the Calcutta High Court led by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam has directed the Government of West Bengal and the WBPDCL to file affidavits within three weeks, responding to an interim application filed in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the illegalities and violation of official contractors involved in implementation of coal/basalt mining at...

Musical Works Based On Hindustani Classical Music Can Be Original Even Though Belonging To Same Genre, Raga Or Taal: Delhi High Court

In a significant ruling on copyright law and Indian classical music, the Delhi High Court has held that musical works based on Hindustani Classical Music, though belonging to the same genre, same Raga and same Taal, can be original compositions and original musical works.Justice Prathiba M Singh said that so long as the composition in Hindustani classical music is an original work of...

Restriction On Levy Of Differential Rates Under Article 304 Of Constitution Doesn't Apply To Goods Imported From Outside India: Madras HC

The Madras High Court stated that Article 304 of the Constitution applies only to goods imported from other states or union territories and not to goods imported from outside India.The Division Bench consists of Chief Justice K.R. Shriram and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq looked into the case of State of Kerala and others v. Fr. William Fernandez and other, (2021) 11 SCC 705 and observed that...

Letters Withheld Despite Orders: Patna HC Orders Issuance Of Appointment Letters To Panchayat Teachers After 16 Years

Noting the continued failure of the Employment Unit under the Panchayat Raj Bhorah, District Saran at Chapra to issue appointment letters to candidates selected for the post of Panchayat Teacher in 2009 despite multiple judicial directions, the Patna High Court has directed the District Education Officer and the District Programme Officer (Establishment) to collect service particulars from...

PIL In Telangana High Court Challenges Waqf Amendment Act, Calls It 'Systemic' Injury To Religious & Property Rights Of Muslims

A PIL has been filed in the Telangana High Court challenging the enforcement and operationalisation of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 in the State, calling it a 'systemic' injury to religious, constitutional and property rights of the Muslim community.A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara on Friday (April 25) adjourned the plea after noting the pendency of...

"Grossly Abused Jurisdiction Of PIL": Madras High Court Imposes 75K Cost On Litigant For Stalling Revenue Collection

The Madras High Court recently imposed a cost of Rs. 75,000 on a litigant for misusing the jurisdiction of public interest litigation and approaching the court for stalling a revenue collection process by the Kodaikanal municipality.The bench of Justice G Jayachandran and Justice S Srimathy noted that the litigant had attempted to project his private interest as a public interest and attempted...

'Malicious Prosecution': Ex-Special Intelligence Bureau Chief To Telangana High Court For Anticipatory Bail In Phone Tapping Case

Arguing his anticipatory bail plea in an alleged case of phone tapping of politicians and high court judges in the previous government led by BRS, former Special Intelligence Bureau Chief T Prabhakar Rao told the Telangana High Court on Friday (April 25) that the prosecution lodged against him is malicious. He has also moved an interim application seeking interim protection from arrest....

[NDPS Act] Absence Of Recovery From Accused Insufficient For Bail When Nexus With Narcotic Network Is Disclosed: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has observed that mere absence of recovery of narcotic drugs from an accused is not a sufficient reason for the grant of bail, when there is prima facie evidence of involvement of the accused in a narcotic network. Justice Shalinder Kaur remarked that the involvement in a narcotic network justifies a 'more cautious' approach for grant of bail under Section 37 of...

Appointment Of Arbitrator By GM Of Metro Rail In Dispute Between Railways & Contractor Is Barred U/S 12(5) Of Arbitration Act: Calcutta HC

The Calcutta High Court bench of Justice Shampa Sarkar has held that the appointment of an arbitrator by the General Manager of Metro Railways in a dispute between Metro Railways and the contractor is barred by Section 12(5) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (Arbitration Act). Therefore, the General Manager cannot be permitted to appoint the arbitrator. Brief...