Justice A.K. Mishra recuses himself from hearing challenge to anticipatory bail granted to Secretary of Calcutta HC Bar Association

Justice Arun Kumar Mishra today recused himself from hearing a petition seeking stay of the anticipatory bail granted to Secretary of Calcutta High Court Bar Association, in the case levying allegations of rape against the leader.Justice Mishra reasoned that being on the administrative side of the High Court had given him access to some complaints in the case. “When a judge is in knowhow...

Petition in Bombay HC for 30% reservation of women advocates in Bar Council and Bar Associations; HC seeks response

A Division Bench of Bombay High Court on Friday reportedly sought a response from the Bar Council of India and the Bar Association of Maharashtra and Goa, on a petition demanding that Bar Councils have a 30% reservation for women advocates.The petition, filed by the Bombay Lawyers Association, has now been posted for further hearing next month, by the Bench comprising Justice Abhay Oka...

Kerala HC closes proceedings against actor Mohan Lal in Elephant Tusk Case [Read Order]

The Kerala High Court has decided to close all proceedings against cine actor, Mr Mohan Lal booked for unauthorized possession of four elephant tusks in his custody.The case of four tusks, were revealed during an income tax raid held at the actor’s residence in Kochi on 22nd July 2011.Matter was reported to division range officer, Malayatoor Range division , wherein a search was conducted...

High Courts Weekly Round-Up

Allahabad High CourtAllahabad High Court dismissed a PIL against forthcoming sesquicentennial celebrations. The Division Bench said that it is a ceremony of keeping in remembrance the achievements in the field of law and dispensation of justice in the past 150 years. Bombay High CourtBombay High Court held that possessing/transporting Gutka and Pan Masala articles would not attract offence...

Maneka Gandhi tells Rajya Sabha that marital rape cannot be criminalised in Indian context

The Woman and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Thursday told Rajya Sabha that ‘the concept of marital rape can’t be applied to India’. She added that a country like India is not ready for the change due to factors like poverty, illiteracy and religious beliefs.“It is considered that the concept of marital rape, as understood internationally, cannot be suitably applied in...

Issue Cheques only in the name of claimant victims: Madras HC cautions Motor Accident Tribunals [Read Judgment]

Madras High Court has directed all the Motor Vehicle Claims Tribunals to issue ‘Crossed Account Payee’ cheques favouring only the claimant victims and not in the name of anyone else. Justice Vaidyanathan said that appropriate action will be initiated against the erring officials, if any violation is brought to its notice in future.The Judge made this observation in a Judgment disposing of...

Indian American Sujit Choudhry resigns as Dean of Berkeley Law School, California after being sued for sexual harassment

Mr. Sujit Choudhry, Dean of Berkeley Law School in California resigned on Thursday, after he was sued at the Alameda County Superior Court by his Executive Assistant for sexual harassment. A University spokesman was quoted as saying that Mr. Choudhry, the first ever PIO to head a law school in America, will remain a member of the school’s faculty “at present”, under the University of California’s tenure policy.Earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Choudhry had announced that he would be taking an...

NGT issues notice on petition on ban of microbeads in body care and cosmetic products [Read Petition]

The National Green Tribunal on Friday issued a notice on a petition demanding a complete ban on the usage of microbeads and microplastics in the manufacture, import and sale of various cosmetic and personal care products.The petition, filed by Mr. Ashwini Kumar also demands that penalties be imposed on the companies causing environmental pollution by dealing in cosmetic and personal care...

Madras HC makes singing of national anthem mandatory in all schools in state [Read Order]

Madras High Court has made singing of national anthem mandatory for all the schools in the state, including the private schools.This order was passed by the First Bench comprising of the Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M.M.Sundresh in a PIL filed by one Mr. N.Selvathirumal, an Ex-serviceman who approached this Court aggrieved by the non-singing of the National Anthem in...

The Private Bill to decriminalise homosexuality voted against again in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha had voted against the introduction of a private member’s Bill brought by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to decriminalise homosexuality. This is the second time the Bill got rejected in Parliament as he had introduced a similar bill in December.Shashi Tharoor slammed the ruling BJP for “religious bigotry”, as the Bill seeks to amend the "colonial era" section 377 of the IPC...

Allahabad HC dismisses PIL against its sesquicentennial celebrations; requests legal fraternity to make it a ‘memorable success’ [Read Order]

Allahabad High Court has dismissed a PIL against forthcoming sesquicentennial celebrations. Division Bench comprising of Justices Attau Rahman Masoodi and Amreshwar Pratap Sahi said that it is a ceremony of keeping in remembrance the achievements in the field of law and dispensation of justice in the past 150 years.According to the petitioner, the calculation of 150 years is founded on...

Kerala HC closes Contempt Proceedings against Minister KC Joseph accepting unconditional apology

High Court of Kerala on Friday ended contempt of court proceedings against minister KC Joseph by accepting his unconditional apology.A division bench comprising Justices Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Sunil Thomas said the court is taking a lenient view even though a more responsible behaviour is expected from Joseph, being a politician, lawyer, and a cabinet minister so as to maintain...