UNHRHC report indicts LTTE for 2009 civil war, vouches for creation of a Hybrid Court

A 300-odd page report by UN Human Rights High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein has implicated the LTTE for killing Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese civilians, through indiscriminate suicide bombings and mine attacks, as well as assassinations of individuals including public officials, academics and dissenting Tamil political figures. In this way, the UN  rights organization has now...

Law Ministry suggests “major revamp” to the Bail System; Law Commission to submit report within 6 months

In an internal note to the Law Secretary, Law Minister Sadananda Gowda has reportedly acknowledged the need for a “major revamp” of the Bail system. Law Secretary P.K. Malhotra has referred the matter to the Law Commission, which advises the government on complex legal issues, and asked it to submit a report within six months.Mr. Gowda has said that “all is not well with the way...

UP Governor rejects mercy plea of Shabnam, who along with her lover who killed seven members of family, including a 10-month-old child

UP Governor Ram Naik has reportedly rejected the mercy petition of Shabnam, who along with her lover Saleem, had been convicted for killing seven members of Shabnam’s family including a 10-month-old baby in 2008.Shabnam and Saleem are lodged in Moradabad and Agra jails respectively. Shabnam had petitioned the Governor for mercy, owing to the future of her 6 year old son, Taj Mohammad....

Internet Ban during Patel quota agitation upheld by Gujarat HC [Read the Judgment]

The Gujarat High Court has upheld the ban on Mobile Internet imposed during the Patel quota agitation in the state. A Division bench of Justices Jayant Patel and N.V. Anjaria said “Rioting had taken place at various places and the State would be zealous to control the same by applying all modes available in law”.A Law student, had approached the High Court by filing a Public...

Court orders FIR against Mulayam for allegedly having threatened IG

A local court on Wednesday ordered the police to file a FIR against Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav for allegedly threatening an officer of the rank of Inspector General, and to probe the July 10th incident, which had triggered a massive row.Chief Judicial Magistrate Som Prabha, while accepting Thakur's application under 156(3) of the Indian Penal Code, directed the Station...

Madras HC orders interim stay on cancellation of Greenpeace's FCRA registration

The Madras High Court has provided temporary relief to NGO Greenpeace India as it ordered an interim stay for eight weeks on the cancellation of Greenpeace’s registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA). The court directed the organisation’s advocate to serve notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).The Madras HC was informed by the NGO of its intention to...

Govt. declares NSCN(K) as an unlawful organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention), Act 1967

The Government today decided to declare NSCN(K) as an unlawful organisation for a period of 5 years, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention), Act 1967. The decision was taken considering the continued hostility and violence on the part of the NSCN(K) against the Indian security personnel, from their bases in Myanmar.The Government of India has signed ceasefire on 27th April, 2015 with...

Dr. R.K. Pachauri allowed by Delhi Court to travel to Kazakhstan for presentation on climate change and sustainable development

Former TERI Director General R.K. Pachauri, who has been accused of sexual harassment, has been allowed by the Metropolitan Magistrate, Saket Court, to travel to Kazakhstan to give a presentation on climate change and sustainable development to the President and Cabinet Ministers.Granting the application, the Court said, “It is a matter of fat that applicant/accused is a permanent resident...

Delhi HC to hear plea challenging jurisdiction of NGT

The Delhi High Court on Monday, 14th September, 2015, agreed to hear a plea challenging the establishment and jurisdiction of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and also the rules for appointment of its Chairperson, Judicial and Expert Members.The NGT has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, which was passed by the Parliament and which came into force on...

Former CBI Special Director ML Sharma empowered to inquire against Ex-Director Ranjit Sinha

The Supreme Court yesterday formally empowered ex-CBI Special Director M L Sharma with the power to conduct inquiry against former Director Ranjit Sinha, accused of foiling probe in the coal block scam as the agency's chief."We make it clear that M L Sharma is entitled to summon any person in the inquiry," a special bench of Justices M B Lokur, Kurian Joseph and A K Sikri said and also...

Madras High Court demands declaration of HC as High Security Zone, security cover of CISF [Read Order]

Madras High Court on Monday directed the State Government to take action against the continued disruptions being witnessed within the Court premises and initiate declaration of the High Court as a High Security Zone. It has also demanded that the High Court, Principal Seat as well as the Madurai Bench should be brought under the security cover of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) or...

SC dismisses challenge to Advocate-on-Record system

A Division Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice A.R. Dave and Justice A.K. Goel today dismissed the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the advocates-on-record (AOR) system in the Supreme Court.The Petitioners were represented by Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi while Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra appeared for the Supreme Court. Mr. Dwivedi reportedly submitted...