National Court of Appeal: Matter referred to Constitution Bench [Read Judgment]

A three judge bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur today finally referred to a constitution bench, the hearing of a plea to set up National Courts of Appeal in cities like Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai to hear appeals from high courts.During extensive arguments earlier, amicus curiaes K K Venugopal and T R Andhyarujina had strongly supported the idea while Attorney General Mukul...

Breaking: SC restores Congress Government in Arunachal Pradesh [Read Judgment]

In one of the biggest blow to the Modi government, the Supreme Court today restored the Congress-led Nabam Tuki government.This was after the court termed as “illegal” and “violative of constitutional provisions” Governor J P Rajkhowa’s advancement of the Assembly session from its scheduled date of January 14, 2016 to December 16, 2015 in order to remove Speaker Nebam Rebia that...

SC notice to Centre, State on PIL seeking Minority Commission in J&K [Read Petition]

A bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur has issued notices to the Centre, National Commission for Minorities on a PIL which sought setting up of State Minority Commission in Jammu and Kashmir for proper identification of religious minorities like Hindus, Sikhs, Budhists and Christians and disbursement of benefits of central and state welfare schemes to them.“The petitioner is filing...

Ranjit Sinha tried to influence coal scam probe : SC panel

In a major setback to former CBI Director Ranjit Sinha, a Supreme Court appointed panel headed by former CBI Special Director ML Sharma told the apex court today that prima facie it seems that the ex-CBI Director did try to influence probe in coal scam.The special coal case bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur has reserved orders on the  future course of action against...

Sonia Gandhi continues to remain as a citizen of India: Allahabad HC dismisses petition challenging her election [Read Judgment]

The Allahabad High Court has dismissed an Election petition filed by a resident of Rae Bareli challenging the election of Sonia Gandhi to Lok Sabha. Justice Tarun Agarwala held that grant of citizenship to Sonia Gandhi cannot be challenged at this belated stage.The Petitioner Ramesh Singh challenged Mrs Gandhi's Election on the following Grounds(1) That She is not a citizen of India...

Appointment of HC Judges: Government forwards 78 names to Supreme Court Collegium

With the High Courts of the country functioning at around 55% of their total approved strength, the Centre has forwarded to the Supreme Court collegium names of 78 persons from State Judicial Services and the Bar, for appointment as Judges.The recommendations made by various State collegiums have reportedly been forwarded to the Apex Court collegium in two sets of 57 and...

SC to sit extra time to hear Nirbhaya case: victim’s parents made party

The special three Judge bench hearing the sensational Nirbhaya case in the Supreme Court headed by Justice Dipak Misra today asked the lawyers of accused and the prosecution to be ready with their arguments on July 18 and said it will even extend the working hours to 6PM on that day in the interest of a detailed hearing.Normally the court rises at 4pm. The bench also said it might hold...

RTI is a Powerful tool that Strengthens Democracy and Promotes good Governance: Vice President

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that RTI is a powerful tool that strengthens democracy and promotes good governance by enhancing the citizen’s ability to participate in the process. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the New Building of Uttar Pradesh Information Commission in Lucknow, today. The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Ram Naik, the Chief Minister...

SC notice to Centre on OROP plea; Jethmalani represents Ex-servicmen [Read Petition]

The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre on a petition filed by ex-servicemen which sought implementation of One Rank One Pension “as formulated by” the UPA-2 government saying the present government had diluted the policy.The petitioners are being represented by veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani and advocate Balaji Srinivasan.The bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra has sought...

Govt. directs stringent scrutiny of collegium recommendations, puts 44 appointments to Allahabad HC on hold

The Narendra Modi Government has reportedly directed the Intelligence Bureau to carry out a “more stringent” background check on all names recommended for elevation by the collegium. Hence, elevations to the High Courts of Allahabad, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, and Chennai are being “scrutinized more carefully” so that nobody of questionable integrity is appointed.The IB has further...

Lawyer files PIL in Delhi HC against Arbitrary Air Fares [Read Petition]

A Public Interest Litigation is filed in Delhi High Court by Advocate Amit Sahni seeking directions to the Government to control the Air Fare across the country thereby ensuring that the private companies could not fleece their customers arbitrarily.According to the Petitioner, there is no cap on charging of air fare by the private Airlines companies from its customers and many a times...

Prevent political Parties from using public places and funds for propagating its party symbols: Delhi HC tells ECI

The Delhi High Court has directed Election Commission of India (ECI) toconsider issuing appropriate direction / guideline within the meaning of Clause 16A (b) of the Symbols Order preventing recognised political party in power from using public places and public funds for propagating its reserve symbol and / or its leaders, so as to come in the way of conducting of free, fair and...