New Aadhaar Bill introduced as money bill in Lok Sabha [Read the Bill]

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government on Thursday introduced the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016, in the Lok Sabha as a money bill, amidst opposition from Congress and the Biju Janata Dal.Read the Bill here The Bill seeks to provide statutory basis to Aadhaar, providing for “good governance, efficient, transparent,...

Tamil Nadu Judge serves memo on female Court staff for not washing innerwear

In an appalling revelation, a lower Court Judge in Erode has reportedly served a memo on a Court staff, demanding an explanation for not washing undergarments at his house, and for snapping at his wife in an arrogant tone.The memo, dated February 1, 2016 and signed by subordinate Judge D. Selvam of Sathyamangalam Court, states, “Please explain within 7 days why disciplinary action should not...

Himachal Pradesh HC asks State to ‘waive off’ farmer’s loan [Read Order]

High Court of Himachal Pradesh has asked the state to provide a mechanism to waive off the loans of farmer at least to the extent of Rs.50, 000. Division Bench comprising of Justices Rajiv Sharma and Sureshwar Thakur made this observation while hearing a petition filed by Bhartiya Govansh Rakshan Sanverdhan Parishad.Read the Order hereThe Court observed that the farmers in the state are...

Writ cannot be issued to Government to prefer a claim against a foreign Country in International Court of Justice: Kerala HC [Read Order]

A writ of Mandamus cannot be issued to the Union of India directing a foreign country to pay compensation before International Court of Justice , is the dictum laid down recently by the Kerala High Court in Margaret D’cruz v Union of India & others [W.A No:1271 of 2013] The petitioner's husband, Mr Wilfred D'Cruz, was employed as telex Operator in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) in a company...

Gujarat HC reproaches Sessions Judge for passing one liner orders [Read Order]

Gujarat High Court has reproached a Sessions Judge for passing one line orders without assigning any reasons. Justice A.J Desai also asked the Sessions judge not to decide any such application in future by one line orders.The court made this observation while disposing of a bail application of an accused who had applied for temporary bail on the ground to perform after death rituals of...

Supreme Court Summarizes Law On Mitakshara Joint Family Property, Prior To 2005 Amendment [Read Judgment]

Supreme Court, in Uttam vs. Saubhag Singh, has summarized the law governing the Mitakshara joint family property, prior to the amendment of 2005.Apex Court bench comprising of Justices Kurian Joseph and R.F. Nariman was hearing an appeal arising from a suit for partition, which was dismissed both by Trial Court and the High Court, holding that the date of the birth of the plaintiff in 1977...

State treating requirements of judiciary as non-sovereign private requirements rather than institutional essentials; Bombay HC

Courts cannot function in buildings meant for municipal markets: Bombay HC warns to stay Shivaji statue project if Mazgaon court building construction is not expedited. The buildings in which the Courts are housed are old and dilapidated. One cannot expect the Courts of law to function in buildings meant for municipal markets, the Bench said. Bombay High Court, expressed its displeasure...

High Court of Kerala directs stringent action against customized modification of vehicles [Read Judgment]

The High Court of Kerala in Francis M.C v State of Kerala and Others[W.P(C)No:7045/2016], has directed the State transport department and State police machinery to take stringent action against those persons who ply motor vehicles with customized modifications in violation of motor vehicle act/rules. The customized modifications pertain to the alteration of motor cycle parts like removal...

Undue leniency in awarding sentence needs to be avoided, says Supreme Court [Read Judgment]

Supreme Court, in State of M.P. vs. Udaibhan, has observed that undue leniency in awarding sentence needs to be avoided because it does not have the necessary effect of being a deterrent for the accused and does not re-assure the society that the offender has been properly dealt with.Apex Court Bench comprising of Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh was hearing the Appeal filed by...

Clarification about Changes made in the Tax Treatment for Recognised Provident Fund & National Pension System (NPS)

There seems to be some amount of lack of understanding about the changes made in the General Budget 2016-17 in the tax treatment for recognised Provident Fund & NPS.The following clarifications are given in this matter:-(i) The purpose of this reform of making the change in tax regime is to encourage more number of private sector employees to go for pension security after retirement...

Supreme Court says SEBI penal provisions lack clarity; Calls for comprehensive legislation [Read Judgment]

Supreme Court, in Securities and Exchange Board of India vs. Kishore R. Ajmera, has observed that the provisions in Securities and Exchange Board of India Act governing power of imposition of penalty lacks clarity. The Court also opined that a comprehensive legislation in this regard can bring more clarity and certainty.The Apex Court Bench comprising of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Prafulla C....

Former Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu takes over as NHRC Chairperson

Former CJI H.L. Dattu on Monday took charge as the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission. The NHRC post had been lying vacant since May 11 last year, when Mr. K.G. Balakrishnan demitted office after his five-year term. Justice Cyriac Joseph had been functioning as the acting chairperson since then.Born on the 3rd December, 1950 in Chikamagaluru district of Karnataka, Justice...