Statements Made By Lawyers During Judicial Proceedings Conferred With ‘Absolute Privilege’, Can’t Be Put To Trial For Defamation: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has said that statements made by a lawyer during judicial proceedings are conferred with an “absolute privilege” and no action for defamation, slander or libel can lie against them for advancing the submissions. Observing that such statements are “complete defence against any allegations of defamation”, Justice Mini Pushkarna said that justice system would...

Use Of Notional Breaks Against Employee Has Been Repeatedly Deprecated As Unfair Practice: Punjab and Haryana HC Grants Relief To PRTC Employee

Observing that use of notional breaks against an employee has been repeatedly deprecated as unfair practice at the hands of the employer, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted relief to an employee of PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC)Justice Pankaj Jain said that the petitioner was working as a daily wager with PRTC and was not in a position to avoid such breaks. There is...

Karnataka High Court Issues Directions To Ensure Time Bound Disposal Of Maintenance Applications U/s 24 Hindu Marriage Act

The Karnataka High Court has issued directions to trial courts to follow a timeline, in deciding applications filed by estranged women seeking maintenance from their respective husbands under section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act. A single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna felt the requirement to issue the directions noting that “Proviso to Section 24 directs that an...

High Court Seeks ‘Comprehensive Report’ From Delhi Police On Sale And Supply Of Banned Chinese Manjha In National Capital

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed Delhi Police’s Crime Branch to submit a “comprehensive status report” after investigating the manufacturers and importers who are supplying the material for banned Chinese manjha to the traders. The banned material is used in the kite flying.Justice Prathiba M Singh also sought details of all the markets where Chinese manjha is being sold and...

Dismissal Of Land Acquisition Compensation Enhancement Claim Only Because Claimant Didn't Lead Evidence Not A Decision On Merits: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court recently held that dismissal of a compensation enhancement claim only because the claimant did not lead evidence cannot be termed a decision on merits. Observing thus, the High Court set aside the reference court's dismissal of five claims under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.Justice Sharmila U. Deshmukh of the Aurangabad bench observed that the reference Court has...

Pending Inquest Proceedings U/S 174 CrPC No Bar For Magistrate To Order Registration Of FIR: JKL High Court

The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on Tuesday held that a case can be registered for investigation by lodging of FIR, on receipt of information about commission of cognizable offence without waiting for a conclusion of inquest proceedings initiated under section 174 CrPC.A bench of Justice M A Chowdhary observed, "Merely because the inquest proceedings were pending before the police...

BREAKING| Kantara Plagiarism Row : Supreme Court Stays HC's Bail Condition That "Varaharoopam" Song Shouldn't Be Used

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the condition imposed by the Kerala High Court that 'Kantara' movie should not exhibit 'Varaharoopam' song for granting anticipatory bail to producer Vijay Kirgandur and director Rishab Shetty in a criminal case over alleged copyright infringement.A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala passed the...

State Must Uphold Citizen's Freedom Of Speech: Madras High Court Sets Aside Single Judge Order Imposing Conditions On RSS' Route March

The Madras High Court has allowed a batch of pleas challenging a single judge order imposing certain conditions on the route march sought to be carried out by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The bench of Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq noted that the State must uphold the citizens' right to freedom of speech and expression. The court thus directed the RSS to...

Candidate Won’t Incur Disqualification Under Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act If Child Born After Cut-Off Date Is No More: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court recently held that a child who was born after the cut-off date but passed away before nomination, would not be counted to disqualify the parent from contesting panchayat elections under the Maharashtra Village Panchayat Act, 1959.Justice Arun R. Pedneker of the Aurangabad Bench set aside the authorities’ order disqualifying a woman on the ground that she had more than...

'We Can't Go Into Suitability' : Supreme Court Gives Reasons For Dismissing Petitions Challenging Justice Victoria Gowri's Appointment

The Supreme Court on Friday pronounced the reasons for the dismissal of the two petitions filed by advocates from the Madras High Court challenging the appointment of Justice Victoria Gowri as an additional judge of the Madras High Court.Justice Sanjiv Khanna, while pronouncing the order on Friday, said, "We have passed a short order. We have followed the constitutional bench judgment and said...

Excommunication Among Dawoodi Bohras: Supreme Court Refers to Nine-Judge Sabarimala Bench

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on Friday referred the question of the validity of the practice of excommunication prevalent among the Dawoodi Bohras, to a nine-Judge Bench constituted to review the ‘first Sabarimala judgement’. The Dawoodi Bohras form a sect of Shia Muslims, whose supreme leader is empowered to excommunicate or expel recalcitrant members,...

Bar Council Of India Has Powers To Prescribe All India Bar Examination : Supreme Court; Overrules 'V Sudeer' Judgment

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on Friday upheld the power of the Bar Council of India to require law graduates to qualify for the All-India Bar Examination as an eligibility criterion to practise law in India. Whether the qualifying examination should be held before or after enrolment was a matter best left to the discretion of the bar council, the bench said. Notably, the decision...