NGT orders Delta Group to pay environmental compensation of 100 crores; Adani Group to pay 5 Crores [Read Judgment]

In an interesting and landmark judgment, National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench at New Delhi, in case titled Samir Mehta v Union of India ordered Delta group (including its Panama based holding company & 2 Qatar based subsidiaries)today to pay a compensation of Rs 100 Crores &the Adani Group to pay 5 crores to the Government of India through Ministry of Shipping.The bench...

Public authority not bound to collect and furnish information which is not required to be maintained by it: CIC [Read Order]

The Central Information Commission has observed that a Public Authority has no obligation upon to collect/collate information which is not required by its law, rules or regulations to be maintained by it.In the instant case, an RTI application was filed before the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), Rajya Sabha Secretariat seeking information/historical documents on two points...

Judges and Lawyers should update themselves with the latest trends of Law: Madras HC [Read Order]

Law and judge- made law (case-law) must undergo change in tune with the change in Society. Otherwise, it will be a dull subject, the Court said.While setting aside an order of Sessions Judge who had refused to order further investigation upon application by de facto complainant, the Madras High Court observed that Judges and Lawyers should update themselves with the latest trend of law.The...

SC strikes down retrospective effect of S.19(20) TN VAT Act [Read Judgment]

The Supreme Court, in JAYAM & CO. VS. ASSISTANT COMNMISSIONER & ANR has struck down retrospective effect given to sub-section (20) of Section 19, of the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax Act, 2006.Partly allowing the Appeal against Madras High Court judgment which had dismissed the Challenge against sub-section (20) of Section 19, of the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax Act, 2006, and...

Eminent Law professor Dr. VS Mani passes away

Eminent Law professor Dr. Venkateshwara Subramaniam Mani, has passed away today.Prof. Mani, who has been an expert in the field of public international law, was the founder Director of Gujarat National Law University and the Seedling School of Law and Governance, Jaipur National University, Rajasthan.He had appeared before the International Court of Justice as agent and counsel on...

Conviction for Minor Offences should not be used to disregard one’s right to public employment: Delhi HC [Read Judgment]

The Delhi High Court reversing an order of disqualification from Central Armed Police Force on the basis of a history of brush with the penal law ruled that honourable acquittals and petty misdemeanours should not be negatively considered in appraising a candidate’s capabilities for a job. The judgement delivers important insights on how nature and motive of criminality is important...

Follow judgment which said access to answer sheets under RTI is a right: SC to CBSE

The Supreme Court has ordered the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to “scrupulously” follow its 2011 judgment which had ruled that students have fundamental and legal right of having access to answer sheets under Right to Information Act, 2005.The Court was hearing an application under Section 12 of the Contempt of Court Act, filed by two law students, Mr. Kumar Shanu and Mr....

One Stop Centres starts functioning in Delhi Courts to provide legal aid to victims of sexual offences

One Stop Centres, a dedicated comfortable area located within court premises where victims of sexual offences can come for appropriate legal help and advice, have been operationalized in Delhi Courts.One Stop Centres has been established in order to facilitate the best humane, psychological and medical treatment to the victims of crime both during investigation, trial and even thereafter....

High Courts Weekly Round-Up

Allahabad High CourtThe Allahabad High Court held that Courts cannot impose upon the State a particular policy for imparting any form of religious instruction or education about religion and it is for the Parliament or the concerned legislative assembly that has the competence to do so. Bombay High CourtIn a strong worded Judgment, Justice GS Patel of Bombay High Court has denounced...

Systemic Corruption and growing population hinders India’s development: NHRC Head Justice H.L. Dattu

Deep seated organized political and systemic corruption and growing population are major hindrance to the development of the country, said former Chief Justice of India and National Human Rights Commission Chairperson, Justice H.L. Dattu.Justice Dattu was inaugurating a two day National Seminar on 'Good governance, development and human rights', organized by the Commission in collaboration...

Old age and long distance travel not valid grounds for transfer of Case: Madras HC [Read Order]

It is quite natural he has to undergo some agony. It will be unavoidable one, the Court said.Whether old age of the accused and long distance travel difficulty, can be a ground to transfer a criminal case? Madras High Court, in a recent order, observed that such concerns are not a valid ground for transferring a case.The accused, in a corruption case, had sought transfer of Trial from a...

It is appropriate for Govt. to sensitize people about pre-marital counseling: Madras High Court [Read Order]

The High Court of Madras recently emphasized on the importance of pre-marital examinations and observed that it is for the Centre and the States to sensitize people about the importance of the same.“If pre-marital examinations are done, many problems due to medical issues, failure of marriages due to fraud, non-disclosure of health problems etc., could be averted. Therefore, it is...