Supreme Court commutes death penalty of Sushil Sharma in Tandoor Murder Case

The Supreme Court has commuted the death penalty of Sushil Sharma convicted in the infamous Tandoor Murder case.In July 1995, Sharma, a former Delhi Youth Congress President, was convicted for murdering his wife Naina Sahni and attempting to burn her body by stuffing it inside a restaurant tandoor.The Apex Court said Sharma shot dead Naina Sahni suspecting her fidelity, but it was not...

Cooperative Banks not under the purview of RTI: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has held that cooperative banks registered under the Kerala Cooperative Societies Act will not fall within the definition of Public Authority as defined under Section 2(h) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.Senior Counsel K Padmanabhan  Nair, appearing for the societies, submitted that, “The societies are autonomous bodies and merely because the officers functioning...

Talwars using delay tactics: CBI tells Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has been told by CBI that Rajesh and NupurTalwar, accused of the murder of their daughter Aarushi, are using all possible tactic to delay the trial in a bid to ensure that the judge retires before completing the trial and pronouncing the verdict.The Apex Court has been approached by Talwars' in connection with the concurrent decisions of the Trial Court and the Allahabad...

Modesty of a woman has to be strongly guarded and Courts should not show any leniency to the offenders: SC

The Supreme Court held that with the social condition prevailing in the society, the modesty of a woman has to be strongly guarded and the Courts should not show any leniency to the offenders even if the offender is a minor.The appellant Ajahar Ali was found guilty for the offence punishable under Section 354 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) by a Magistrate Court after a prolonged trial...

PIL filed in SC to enhance retirement age of Judges

The Apex Court will today hear a PIL [Writ Petition (Civil) 773/2013] seeking to enhance the retirement age of Judges of the Constitutional Courts and Trial Courts.The grounds taken by the petitioner include; the huge number of cases pending and increase in the health index and life span of the people. According to the Petitioner, "With the changes in social and financial set-up as well...

Radia Tapes not restricted to 2G Scam alone says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday observed that the tapped conversations of former corporate lobbyist Niira Radia with influential people has revealed that they were not restricted to 2G spectrum alone and "throw light on different" spheres including, recruitment of members in Railway Board.The Apex Court which perused the confidential reports of the 10-member committee observed that on the aspect...

Kashmi Recruitment Case: NIA Special Court awards life imprisonment for 13

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Kochi yesterday awarded life imprisonment to 13 convicts including south Indian commander of Lakshar-e-Taiba, Thadiynatavide Nazeer (pictured) in the infamous Kashmir recruitment case. Among the 13 convicts, Sarfaraz Nawaz, Abdul Jabbar and Sabir P Buhari will have to undergo double life imprisonment.Three youngsters were shot down in...

Election Commission to introduce “None of the Above”(NOTA) option in upcoming Assembly Elections

The stage is all set for the assembly polls in 5 states i.e. Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan, Mizoram and Delhi. Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath  told the media, "As per the direction of the Apex Court to the Election Commission to provide ‘None Of The Above’ (NOTA) option on the ballot paper and EVM’s, the Election Commission is working out details and steps...

For the kind attention of BCI: Law firms are advertising through Google Ads

Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules stipulate that an advocate shall not solicit work or advertise in any manner. Furtherthe BCI rules mandate that any promotion in the form of circulars, advertisements, touts, personal communications, interviews, etc should not be done. Relevant rules can be accessed here.The above mentioned rule does not stand in the way of lawyers from having websites of...

Rajya Sabha TV and Shyam Benegal to come up with series on Indian Constitution

Veteran film director Shyam Benegal is all set with his 10 part mini-series called “Samvidhaan “to illustrate the story of the making of the Indian constitution.Issuing a press release, Benegal said, “The Constituent Assembly of India sat for two years, 11 months and 17 days to debate on and draft our Constitution. By the time this mini-series is over, we would have taken a little less...

Fodder Scam Update: Laloo Prasad sentenced to five years in Jail

Former Central Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief, Laloo Prasad Yadav has been sentenced to five years in the fodder scam. Yadav has also been slapped a fine of Rs 25 Lakh. Yadav faces immediate disqualification as a Lok Sabha member. As per the Supreme Court order in Lily Thomas case, an MP or legislator will stand disqualified immediately if convicted by a court for crimes with...

Government sanction is mandatory to investigate a public servant, rules SC

In a judgment having far reaching consequences, the Supreme Court held that a Magistrate cannot order investigation against a public servant in a corruption complaint if there is no sanction given by the government. The decision will have an impact on many investigations pending in the country and most of them will become invalidated because none of the investigations are started with...