CIC upholds PMO’s decision dismissing RTI Application for copy of Justice Bhattacharya’s letter on then CJI Altamas Kabir [Read Order]

Central Information Commission has recently upheld the decision of Prime Minister’s Office dismissing an RTI Application seeking certified copy of letter addressed by former Gujarat Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya, to Prime Minister, making certain allegations against the former Chief Justice of India, Justice Altamas Kabir.The Chief Information Commissioner Radha Krishna Mathur...

Petition for probe into default of Rs. 600 Cr by Dewa Projects; Kerala HC seeks report from RBI [Read Petition]

The Dewa Investors Association has filed a petition in Kerala High Court seeking a direction to the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Vigilance Commission to conduct a detailed investigation into the transaction relating to the availing of loan by Dewa Projects Private Ltd for launching a super luxury apartment project in Kochi. The petition has been admitted and notice issued to...

The burden of delivery of Rule of Law falls on the judges: Vice President Hamid Ansari

Addresses the Sesquicentennial Celebrations of the High Court of Judicature of Allahabad in Lucknow. The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that the burden of delivery of Rule of Law falls on the judges. He was addressing the Sesquicentennial Celebrations of the High Court of Judicature of Allahabad, in Lucknow today. The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Ram Naik, the...

Challenge against UK Sinha’s Appointment as SEBI Chairman; SC dismissed as infructuous [Read Order]

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a four-year old public interest litigation (PIL) that had challenged the appointment of U K Sinha as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and alleged irregularities in the selection process.In 2012, the petition was filed by a group of people including former IPS officer Julio Ribeiro. It challenged a change to SEBI rules by...

Book launch gives Senior Advocates an occasion to reflect on the Government-Collegium imbroglio

Advocate and author, Santosh Paul’s edited volume, ‘Appointing our Judges: Forging Independence and Accountability’, published by LexisNexis, was released by Justice Madan B Lokur at a well-attended function at Indian Law Institute, New Delhi on 11 April.Apart from Justice Lokur, other dignitaries who attended the function include Justices Kurian Joseph, and Gopal Gowda, Fali...

Nation pays tributes to Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, Father of Indian Constitution

Nation today paid rich tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar, principal architect of Indian Constitution, on his 125th birth anniversary. President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee led the nation in paying tributes at his statue in Parliament House lawns. Vice President Mohd Hamid Ansari, Union Ministers, leaders of political parties and people in large number also paid floral tributes to Babasaheb Bhim...

TN BJP leader murder: Supreme Court upholds Conviction of Six Accused [Read Judgment]

Conviction of six accused of murder of a BJP leader in Trichy by the Madras High Court has been upheld by the Supreme Court. Apex Court Bench comprising of Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Amitava Roy, however acquitted one accused who was convicted by the High court.Dr. Sridhar (deceased), who was BJP Town Secretary at Trichy, was killed in 1999. According to prosecution, there were a total...

Can a Private Party has the locus to file an appeal before Supreme Court invoking Article 136 of the Constitution of India?

A two Judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India Today held that it may not be possible to strictly enumerate as to who all will have locus to maintain an appeal before the Supreme Court invoking Article 136 of the Constitution of India, it depends upon the factual matrix of each case, as each case has its unique set of facts.The Bench comprising of  Justices V. Gopal Gowda and U.U. Lalit...

#Sabarimala: You cannot deny entry of Women based on Traditions which are against the Principles of the Constitution: SC

The Supreme Court today reiterated its opposition to the ban on entry of women into Kerala’s famous hill shrine of Sabarimala saying that denying the right to enter and pray cannot be justified on the basis of traditions which violated constitutional principle.The bench also for the time being did not agree to the demand for referring the entry ban issue to a five judge constitution bench....

Exclusive; National Court of Appeal: SC asks AG to examine Amicus K K Venugopal’s propositions [Read the questions framed]

The process initiated by the Supreme Court to deliberate on setting up National Courts of Appeal in cities like Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai to hear appeals from high courts took one step forward with the Chief justice-led bench asking Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to respond to eleven propositions submitted by amicus curiae K K Venugopal on the directions of the courtThe AG has been asked...

How to prevent allegations of favoritism in judicial exams? SC asks Delhi HC to reply to Bhushan’s suggestions [Read Order and Suggestions]

The Supreme Court bench hearing the case pertaining to alleged irregularities in Delhi Judicial Service (Mains) Exam 2014 today asked the Delhi High Court to respond to suggestions submitted by NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation to improve the exam system in the future and prevent allegations of favoritism. [READ ORDER]A Supreme Court-ordered re-evaluation of answer sheets of the...

SC Judges Retreat; CJAR requests for briefing of Judges by Human Rights Lawyers

In a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur, Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms has demanded that human rights organizations and lawyers be invited for the briefing of Judges to be conducted during the three day retreat organized in Madhya Pradesh. This is in view of reports according to which a closed-door session on national security and threats of global...