Delhi HC reserves order on PIL seeking CBI probe into Justice Markandey Katju's charge

A Delhi High Court bench comprising of Justice G. Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw, on Wednesday reportedly reserved its order on the PIL which demanded a CBI investigation into the allegations made by Press Council of India Chairman Markandey Katju. Katju had alleged that three former Chief Justices of India made "improper compromises" to save a "tainted" judge of the Madras High...

High Court Bans Animal Sacrifices in Temples in Himachal Pradesh

“Sacrifice causes immense pain and suffering to the innocent animals. The innocent animals cannot be permitted to be sacrificed to appease the god/deity in a barbaric manner. Compassion is the basic tenet in all religions. The practice of animal sacrifice is a social evil and is required to be curbed.” with these words, the Himachal Pradesh High Court today banned the sacrifice of animals...

Prosthetics for veterans: Delhi HC seeks reply from Centre

In a public interest litigation by Disabled War Veterans (India) regarding modern prosthetics not being provided to armed forces personnel though the same is given to government employees, the Delhi High Court on tuesday sought a reply from the Centre.The association in their petition have asked for empanelment of quality prosthetics manufacturers, "to enable all disabled armed forces...

File reply to plea on fresh FIR: Supreme Court tells Mayawati in DA case

The bench headed by Chief Justice Lodha gave three weeks time to BSP President to file reply to a plea seeking direction to Central Bureau of Investigation to lodge a fresh FIR in a disproportionate case against her.The case was then adjourned for five weeks with the respondent allowed to file a rejoinder to the reply.The petition seeking registration of a case against the former Chief...

Competition Commission of India fines 14 car-makers with Rs.2,554 for anti-competition behaviour

In an unprecedented decision, the Competition Commission of India has charged a penalty of Rs 2,545 crore on 14 car makers for infringing trade norms in the spare parts and after services market, in a 215 page order. The ones penalised include Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Honda Siel Cars India, Volkswagen India, Fiat India Automobiles, BMW India, Ford India, General Motors India, Hindustan...

Immunity Plea of top Aditya Birla Exec Rejected

The Income Tax Settlement Commission (ITSC) has rejected a plea for immunity of prosecution of Income Tax Department of a top executive of the Aditya Birla group following the discovery of Rs 25 crore unaccounted cash during a raid conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Income Tax Department in October 2013.The Settlement Commission is part of the government's...

SIT on Black money submits first report

The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money gave its first report to the court on Wednesday and found large scale tax evasions by importers and exporters. The sealed cover report submitted to a bench of Justices H L Dattu, Ranjana P Desai and Madan B Lokur identified a number of instances of over-invoicing in power plant machinery and equipment imports. In one...

Sexual Harassment Charges: Mumbai Sessions Court Judge suspended after preliminary enquiry found prima facie evidence

A Mumbai Sessions Court Judge M.T. Gaikwad has been suspended on charges of sexual harassment of a staff member, after a preliminary inquiry found prima facie evidence against him. The accused is a Judge of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act Court.The female staff member had filed a complaint with the Registrar a month ago, following which an inquiry was conducted by a...

Bombay High Court orders CCTVs in Police Stations to monitor custodial deaths

A Bombay High Court Bench comprising of Justice V.M. Kanade and Justice P.D. Kode on Wednesday ordered installation of CCTV cameras in Police Stations, with a compliance report to be filed within four weeks.The Bench reportedly directed magisterial inquiry against the police officials accused in a custodial death case. It also said that custodial death cases should be treated on...

27335 Appeals and Complaints are pending in the Central Information Commission

As on 30.07.2014, the total number of RTI applications pending in the Central Information Commission is 174. Besides this, as on 31.07.2014, 27335 appeals and complaints are pending in the Commission.  State-wise data is not centrally maintained.   During the year 2011 there were five Information Commissioners (IC) apart from one Chief Information Commissioner in the Central...

A Magistrate not become functus officio to proceed on a Protest Complaint just because he accepted a refer report from the police on the same matter; SC [Read the Judgment]

A two Judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India Today held that having accepted the final report the learned Magistrate had not become "functus officio" and was denuded of all power to proceed in the matter. In Rakesh and another vs. State of UP the Supreme Court [Crl. Appeal 1412/2014] examined the question "whether a Magistrate after accepting a negative final ...

New Motor Vehicles Act is coming

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is working on a proposal to replace the “Motor Vehicles Act, 1988”. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, the Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Shri Krishanpal Gurjar said the new Act which will inter alia facilitate technological intervention and information technology based systems to ensure efficient and safe...