Non-Disclosure Of Criminal Antecedent In Recruitment Not Always Fatal, Courts Must Apply Mind To Avoid Arbitrariness: Supreme Court

In a candidate's challenge to his disqualification from recruitment process for the post of Constable, on account of furnishing of a false affidavit and non-disclosure of criminal case that resulted in his acquittal, the Supreme Court recently held that the decision of the employer in such cases (usually to cancel selection) shall not be mechanical and must take into consideration...

Bail Condition To Share Live Location Violates Privacy? Supreme Court Asks Google India To Explain Working Of Google PIN

The Supreme Court has issued notice to Google India Private to get information on the working of Google PIN in the context of conditions put in certain bail orders that the accused must share the live mobile location with the investigating officer throughout the period of bail.The Court is examining the issue whether such a condition infringes the right to privacy. The Court clarified that it...

Supreme Court Directs Animal Welfare Board To Decide The Issue Of Feral Dogs In Wildlife And Protected Areas

The Supreme Court has directed the Animal Welfare Board of India to decide a representation filed by the Bombay Natural History Society on framing guidelines with respect to the management of feral, free-ranging and domestic dogs in wildlife and protected areas. The Division bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Prasanna Bhalachandra Varale was hearing the writ petition that sought...

Will Publish Review Committee's Orders On Internet Shutdown: Jammu & Kashmir UT Tells Supreme Court

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday (February 23) agreed before the Supreme Court to publish the orders passed by the review committees regarding internet shutdown in the region, except for the internal deliberations. While recording the stand of the UT, the Court clarified that the internal deliberations of the committee need not be published. The review committee constituted...

Can High Court Quash POCSO Conviction Based On 'Consent' When Act Prescribes Minimum Sentence? Supreme Court Asks

The Supreme Court on Friday (February 23) questioned the remit of the high court to set aside a conviction under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, merely on the basis that the sexual intercourse was with 'consent', when a minimum punishment has been prescribed under the statute, in the absence of a constitutional mandate to do 'complete justice' that is enjoyed by...

Justice KM Joseph Criticises Supreme Court's 'Hindutva' Judgment, Says Court May Not Have Looked At Savarkar's Version Of 'Hindutva'

Former Supreme Court judge, Justice K M Joseph spoke about “Secularism Under the Indian Constitution” for a lecture session conducted by the Kerala High Court Advocates' Association (KHCAA).Analysing S R Bommai Case In the context of Secularism in the Indian Constitution, Justice Joseph mentioned that the most important aspect about secularism in India is the political one. He...

Supreme Court Records SOP Suggested By Union Govt To Support Poor Prisoners

Recently, in a significant order, the Supreme Court has recorded a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to implement the scheme for support to poor prisoners. The Union proposed this procedure while the Court was ascertaining compliance with the directions in the landmark decision of Satender Kumar Antil vs Central Bureau Of Investigation. In the 2022 judgment in Satender Kumar Antil,...

Justice KV Viswanathan Offers To Recuse From Case Against Madras Bar Association, Cites Links With MBA

In a set of cases against the Madras Bar Association ("MBA"), the Supreme Court today (February 23) asked the parties concerned to inform by next date of hearing if they have any objection to Justice KV Viswanathan hearing the matter, in light of the fact that he had attended an event at MBA after his elevation.The Bench of Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan was dealing with a...

Are SC Judgments On Bail Included In Curriculum Of Judicial Academies ? Supreme Court Asks High Courts

The Supreme Court has, recently (on February 13), directed the High Courts to inform whether the decisions taken in Siddharth v. State of UP, (2022) 1 SCC 676 and Satender Kumar Antil vs Central Bureau Of Investigation have been included in the curriculum of judicial academy. The Division Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and SVN Bhatti was hearing an application, filed in the main matter...

How Can State File Writ Petition Challenging ED Summonses To District Collectors? Supreme Court Asks Tamil Nadu

The Supreme Court on Friday (February 23) questioned the Tamil Nadu government's standing to file a writ petition before the Madras High Court challenging summonses issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the district collectors in connection with the alleged illegal sand mining- money laundering cases.A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal was hearing a special leave...

Justice Gavai's Bench Expresses Concerns About Possibility Of Conflicting Orders After CJI- Bench's Direction On Zoos Within Forests

Earlier this week, a Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice of India passed an interim order that zoos/safaris should not be allowed within forest areas without prior obtaining prior permission from the Court.However, another bench led by Justice BR Gavai had earlier reserved judgment on the very same issue. Today, Justice Gavai asked the Additional Solicitor General of India...

Supreme Court Asks Vedanta How Could It Operate Tuticorin Copper Plant Despite Expiry Of Its Hazardous Waste Authorisation

This week, the Supreme Court continued hearing Indian multinational mining company Vedanta's plea for reopening of its Sterlite copper plant in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi.On Wednesday and Thursday, a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra heard a special leave petition filed by Vedanta Limited against an August 2020 Madras High Court ruling dismissing...