Delhi Air Quality Crisis : Live Updates From Supreme Court Hearing

As the air quality in Delhi continues to deteriorate hazardously, the Supreme Court will hear today the case concerning the severe air pollution in NCR.A bench of Justices AS Oka and Augustine George Masih will hear the MC Mehta case, in which various directions were issued regarding the air quality of the National Capital Region.Last week, the amicus curiae in the matter, Senior...

Political Insularity Is Critical To Independence Of Judiciary : Justice BV Nagarathna

Justice BV Nagarathna, Judge of the Supreme Court, in a recent public lecture, spoke about the importance of political insularity in ensuring judicial independence."Political insularity is critical to the independence of the judiciary," she said while delivering the Justice Natarajan Centenary Memorial Lecture at Chennai on November 16."Insularity relates to the notion that Courts must not...

Separate Central Law To Deal With Offences Against Medical Professionals Not Required : National Task Force To Supreme Court

The National Task Force, in its report filed in the Supreme Court in the RG Kar suo motu case, has opined against the need for a central law to protect healthcare professionals. According to the NTF, the provisions of the existing penal laws are sufficient to deal with crimes against medical professionals.The NTF stated that various States have enacted laws to specifically deal with violence...

Supreme Court Seeks Explanation From Registry On Why Counter Affidavit Filed By Non-Party Was Accepted

The Supreme Court on November 14 sought an explanation from the Registrar (Judicial) how a party (complainant in this case) was able to file a counter-affidavit when its application seeking impleadment was not allowed by the Court. A bench of Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma was hearing a Special Leave Petition filed against the May 17 order of the Punjab & Haryana...

Supreme Court Keeps In Abeyance Its Order On Arrest Of Prisoners Who Were Given Premature Release In UP

The Supreme Court has kept in abeyance its order requiring the arrest of prisoners who were given premature release in Uttar Pradesh based on a January 10 order of the Allahabad High Court.In this case, a bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Rajesh Bindal on October 15 directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Government of Uttar Pradesh, to file an affidavit on the life convicts who...

No Regular Hearing Matters To Be Listed On Tuesdays-Thursdays In Supreme Court, Only After-Notice Misc Matters

After Justice Sanjiv Khanna took charge as the Chief Justice of India, a new notification has been issued regarding the hearing of the cases in the Supreme Court.As per this notification, regular hearing matters will not be listed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Instead, miscellaneous matters in which notice has been issued will be listed on these days. Bail matters and transfer...

CJI Sanjiv Khanna Expresses Concerns Over Youngsters Leaving Litigation, Says Legal Profession Must Address Entry Barriers

Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna recently highlighted the growing trend of young lawyers opting out of litigation and the need to ensure financial and social security for f the entry-level professionals in the field. The CJI was speaking at the 'Felicitation Function' organised by the Bar Council of India, where he expressed: "Today we are witnessing a concerning trend where...

Supreme Court Flags Rising Incidents Of Foreign Accused Absconding After Bail, Seeks Union's Response

The Supreme Court has expressed concerns about the recurring instances of foreign citizens, who are accused of crimes, jumping bail and becoming untraceable.The Court observed that a procedure needs to be laid down, if not already there, to deal with such instances.A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah was hearing a challenge made by the State of Jharkhand to...

Supreme Court Stays Commercial Suit Proceedings Against Aditya Birla Finance Over SARFAESI Proceedings

The Supreme Court recently issued notice on a special leave petition filed by Aditya Birla Finance Ltd against a judgment of the Bombay High Court which held that a commercial suit won't be barred by Section 34 of the SARFAESI Act when there are allegations of fraud.The bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar also stayed the further proceedings before the Commercial Court....

Supreme Court Issues Notice To West Bengal Govt On Contempt Plea Assailing Use Of Spikes, Burning Mashaals To Scare Away Elephants

The Supreme Court yesterday issued notice to the West Bengal government on a contempt petition filed against it, assailing continued use of sharp spikes and burning mashaals to drive away elephants in the state.A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan passed the order, upon hearing Advocate Rashmi Nandakumar (for petitioner), who submitted that West Bengal government has failed...

Supreme Court Stays HC Order For CBI Probe Into Alleged Irregularities In Jharkhand Assembly Appointments

The Supreme Court today stayed a Jharkhand High Court order, whereby alleged irregularities in the appointments and promotions to Jharkhand State Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) were directed to be enquired into by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan passed the order, upon hearing Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who appeared for...

Medieval Tomb Illegally Occupied By Defence Colony Welfare Assn, Reports CBI; Supreme Court Appoints Expert To Inspect Damages

The Defence Colony Welfare Association (DCWA) of Delhi has illegally occupied Lodhi-era Shaikh Ali 'Gumti', a 500 years old tomb of archaeological importance, and made unauthorised alterations to it, stated the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a preliminary enquiry report submitted to the Supreme Court.Taking note of the report, the Court appointed an expert, Ms Swapna...