TRAI releases Pre-Consultation Paper on Net Neutrality

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has released the new Pre-Consultation Paper on Net Neutrality Today. “During the last decade, the telecom industry in India has grown tremendously, both in terms of penetration as well as connectivity. Today, India is one of the fastest growing information and communication technologies markets in the world, fuelled largely by the cellular...

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code receives President's Assent [Read the Code]

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code received the President's assent on May 28 and was notified in the Gazette of India soon after. As listed down by PIB, the salient features of the law are as follows: Clear, coherent and speedy process for early identification of financial distress and resolution of companies and limited liability entities if the underlying business is found to be viable...

Change of surname does not change one's caste and does not disentitle from claiming reservation: Bombay HC [Read Judgment]

The Bombay High Court has held that a change of surname by a person does not change his caste and does not disentitle him from claiming reservation. Vacation Bench comprising of Justices Dr Shalini Phansalkar Joshi and B.R.Gavai allowed the writ petition which challenged the denial of benefit of reservation in post graduate admissionon the ground that the petitioner has changed his...

Fake Babas practise fraud, trap innocent followers, rob their hard earnings and lead a licentious life; Orissa HC [Read Judgment]

Orissa High Court has rejected the Bail Applications filed by self-styled God-man Sura Baba alias Surendra Nath Mishra and his son Trilochan Mishra in a Cheating and land grabbing Case.Rejecting the Application, Justice S.K.Sahoo stated that the facts of the case is a glaring example of how a so-called spiritual Guru created a pseudo belief in the disciple to cure his mentally retracted son...

Commercial Courts start functioning in Delhi, Mumbai, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat

Almost five months after the Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Act, 2015 received the President’s assent, Commercial Courts have reportedly begun functioning in Delhi, Mumbai, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.Introduction of Commercial Courts in India is being welcomed as a positive step for reducing the backlog of cases as well as ensuring...

High Courts Weekly Round-Up

Allahabad High CourtThe Allahabad High Court recently set aside the dismissal of a woman police constable from service for marrying her colleague, a married constable. “The petitioner has no knowledge regarding the second marriage of her husband at the time of solemnization of the marriage and at this belated stage, the punishment of dismissal from service is too harsh and disproportionate...

Statement of Accused can be used for corroboration of prosecution evidence. But it will not reduce the Burden of Prosecution to any extent; Allahabad HC [Read Judgment]

In a recent Judgment the Allahabad High Court has held that statements given by the accused persons under Section 313 of Code of Criminal Procedure can be used for the purpose of appreciation of evidence and can also be used for corroboration of the prosecution evidence; but the burden of the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt is not reduced to any extent.A Division...

JNU Row: Delhi HC stays disciplinary action against Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya

The Delhi High Court on Friday reportedly put on hold the disciplinary action taken by the Jawaharlal Nehru administration against its students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, till their appeals are decided by the University’s Appellate Authority. The two students have been accused of sedition in connection with an event organized in JNU against the hanging of Parliament attack...

Amnesty International calls for decriminalization of Adult sex work [Read report]

Amnesty International (AI) has come out with a policy statement on Wednesday calling for the decriminalization of sex workers based on a detailed study on sex workers in different countries. The policy statement defines ‘sex work’and other allied terminologies. According to the report. The term “sex work” is used to describe situations where adults who are engaging in commercial...

Kerala HC Stays NGT Ban on Registration of Diesel Vehicles; Ban on Old Vehicles to continue

High Court of Kerala has stayed the operation of the May 23rd Order of National Green Tribunal (NGT), Special Circuit Bench, Cochin prohibiting registration of new Diesel Vehicles above capacity of 2000 CC. But the NGT’s order banning the use of 10 Year old diesel vehicles in the corporation areas of the Kerala state will continueJustice PB Suresh Kumar has allowed the interim stay for...

There is no legal impediment in convicting a person on the sole testimony of a single witness; Delhi HC [Read Judgment]

The time-honoured principle is that evidence has to be weighed and not counted, said the Court.Delhi High Court while reversing the acquittal of an Accused for an Offence U/S 354 of Indian Penal Code has held that there is no legal impediment in convicting a person on the sole testimony of a single witness.“That is the logic of Section 134 of the Evidence Act, 1872. But if there are...

Ministry Of HRD Directs UGC To Amend Regulations Regarding Workload Of Teachers

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has reviewed the recent amendment to the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for the maintenance of standards in higher education) Regulations, 2010.Consequent on the review, the Ministry has issued a direction to the UGC, under Section 20(1) of the UGC...