Patna High Court Introduces Hybrid Hearing Option Following Supreme Court Directive

In response to a directive from Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, the Patna High Court has implemented virtual and hybrid hearing options for counsels and parties involved in cases. A notice dated 10th October 2023 informed that counsels interested in the 'virtual hybrid hearing" of listed cases can now exercise this option through the official website of the Patna High Court.The...

When Notice Is Returned As ‘Unclaimed’, It Must Be Deemed Proper Service; 'Unclaimed' Same As 'Refusal': Supreme Court

The Supreme Court recently held that when notice is returned as ‘unclaimed’, it shall be deemed to be served on the addressee and considered proper service. The Apex Court also clarified that the word ‘refusal’ can be interpreted as synonymous to the word ‘unclaimed’.In matter at hand, notice issued to the respondent had returned with the remarks ‘unclaimed’. The Registry in...

'National Interest Can Be In Hearing The Matter Also': Supreme Court To Examine If Judgment Upholding ED's Powers Need Reconsideration

In a significant development, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court agreed to hear applications seeking reconsideration of the judgment in the 'Vijay Madanlal Chaudhary' which became controversial for strengthening the powers of the Directorate of Enforcement.A three-judge bench of Justices SK Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna and Bela M Trivedi on Wednesday (October 18) listed the matter for hearing...

Fake Birth Certificate Case | UP Court Sentences SP Leader Azam Khan, Wife, Son Abdullah To 7-Year Imprisonment

Samajwadi Party leader Mohammed Azam Khan, wife Tazeen Fatima and son Abdullah Azam Khan have been found guilty by a Court in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district in the fake birth certificate case. They have been sentenced to seven-seven years of imprisonment.An MP/MLA Court presided over by Magistrate Shobit Bansal convicted them under Sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery...

Delhi Court Stays Magistrate's Order Summoning Former Union Minister Shahnawaz Hussain In Rape Case

A Delhi Court yesterday stayed a magisterial court’s order taking cognizance of the offences of rape and criminal intimidation against BJP leader and former union minister Shahnawaz Hussain and summoning him in the case.Hussain was directed to appear before the ACMM court on October 20.Special Judge MK Nagpal of Rouse Avenue Courts stayed the operation of the order on the criminal...

Delhi Court Convicts Five In 2008 Journalist Soumya Vishwanathan Murder Case

A Delhi Court on Wednesday convicted five men in the murder case of journalist Soumya Vishwanathan, more than 15 years after she was killed in 2008. Additional Sessions Judge Ravindra Kumar Pandey of Saket Court observed that the prosecution had proved its case beyond any reasonable doubts. The court had reserved the judgment in the case on October 13. Four accused persons have been held...

'Unbecoming Of A Judicial Tribunal' : Supreme Court Issues Contempt Notice To NCLAT Members For Passing Judgment Defying SC Order

In an unprecedented development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday (October 18) issued notices to two members of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) to show cause for not initiating contempt proceedings against them for delivering a judgment in violation of a status quo order passed by the Supreme Court.A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising Justice...

Centre Appoints New Additional Solicitor General For Telangana And Karnataka

The Secretariat of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has notified new Additional Solicitor Generals for the States of Telangana and KarnatakaThe Centre has appointed B. Narasimha Sharma, Senior Counsel and Kuloor Arvind Kamath, Senior Counsel as the ASG for the States of Telangana and Karnataka respectively. Senior Counsel B. Narasimha is a senior panel member for the department of...

Surrogacy | Notification Barring Use Of Donor Gametes Prima Facie Violates Married Infertile Couples' Right To Parenthood: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has observed that the notification issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, barring use of donor gametes for an intending couple wanting to undergo surrogacy, prima facie violates the basic rights of a married infertile couple to parenthood by denying them access to legally and medically regulated procedures and services.“Further, the Impugned...

Wife Not Knowing Cooking, Seeking Assistance Of Husband's Employer To Patch Up Strained Marriage Not 'Cruelty': Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that wife seeking the help of her husband's employer for patching up their broken marital relationship and to bring him back to normal life after finding out his issues, or her not knowing cooking cannot be grounds sufficient to constitute 'cruelty'.The Division Bench made the above observations in an appeal by the husband against the decree of restitution...

Right To Contest Election Not A Fundamental Right: Madhya Pradesh High Court Refuses To Suspend Conviction Of Youth Congress Member

Dismissing an application for suspension of conviction filed by an aspiring election candidate in the Ratlam (Urban) constituency, the Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court observed that the power of suspension of conviction can only be exercised in the very ‘exceptional circumstances’.The court further observed that the appellant who claims to be an active member of the Youth...

Marriage Equality | 5 Reasons Why Supreme Court Didn't Include Same-Sex Unions Under Special Marriage Act

On October 17, 2023, a Supreme Court Constitution Bench unanimously held that it could not strike down or read down the provisions of the Special Marriage Act (SMA),1954 to include non-heterosexual unions within the ambit of 'marriage'. In doing so, the Supreme Court effectively denied legal recognition for queer marriages in India. Despite the Constitution bench having pronounced...