SC recalls selection of Justice Virendra Singh as UP Lokayukta; appoints Justice Sanjay Misra to the post [Read Judgment]

Recalling its December 16 order appointing former Allahabad High Court judge Justice Virendra Siingh as the Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta finding it “somewhat inaccurate”, the Supreme Court today made a new appointment and slammed the state government for creating a confusion by not placing the state Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud’s opposition to the choice of Singh in time before it passed...

Allahabad HC upholds addition of words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ to Preamble to the Constitution of India [Read Judgment]

A Division Bench of Allahabad High Court recently dismissed a challenge to the addition of the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ to the Preamble of Constitution of the Country and re-emphasized on the secular nature our country.Terming the contention as baseless, the Bench comprising Justice Anant Kumar and Justice Dinesh Maheshwari observed, “We may yet further point out that...

Supreme court directs CBI to conduct de novo investigation in Raju Pal murder case [Read Judgment]

If the investigation is neither effective nor purposeful nor objective nor fair, it would be the solemn obligation of the courts, if considered necessary, to order further investigation or reinvestigation as the case may be, to discover the truth so as to prevent miscarriage of the justice, said the Bench while asking CBI to investigate the case.Supreme Court, on Friday last week, in Pooja...

SC notice to Centre, State Governor on imposition of President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh [Read Order]

The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre and Arunachal Pradesh Governor J P Rajkhowa on a petition challenging the imposition of President’s rule in the state on the ground that there was a failure of constitutional machinery.A five judge constitution bench headed by Justice J S Khehar has asked both the parties to file their resposes by 4pm Friday explaining the circumstances...

Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 enforced with effect from January 26, 2016

The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 has been notified to be enforced with effect from January 26, 2016.The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2015 was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 4, 2015 and by the Rajya Sabha on December 21, 2015. The amendment act received President’s assent...

President's Rule imposed in Arunachal Pradesh today

President of India has signed a Proclamation under Article 356(1) of the Constitution, imposing President’s Rule in relation to the State of Arunachal Pradesh and keeping the Legislative Assembly of the State in suspended animation with effect from January 26, 2016.Taking cognisance of the constitutional breakdown that has taken place in the State of Arunachal Pradesh as reported by...

Supreme Court clears names of 35 candidates for High Court Judgeship

Supreme Court Collegium has approved the appointment of over 35 candidates as High Court Judges, reported Economic Times.The Apex Court, headed by Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur has approved appointments to the High Courts of Madras, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Allahabad, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. The Law Ministry has reportedly started working on the procedure of appointment of...

Kerala HC refuses to stay Vigilance Court order against Former Kerala Excise Minister

In yet another setback to Government of Kerala, Kerala High Court today refused to stay the Vigilance Court order which had ordered Vigilance& Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to lodge case against K Babu. First Bench of the High Court comprising of Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice A.M. Shafique said the order of Vigilance Court can be challenged in appropriate...

Division Bench has no Supervisory Jurisdiction over Single Bench of High Court: Patna HC (DB) [Read Judgment]

A single Judge or a single Bench of a High Court is not a court subordinate to the Division Bench of the High Court and, therefore, the power of superintendence, which is vested in a High Court by Article 227, is not exercisable against order or decision of its own single Bench, the Court held.Patna High Court has held that Division Bench of a High Court cannot exercise its power...

Bombay HC exonerates Two Senior Advocates from Allegations of Misrepresenting facts; Issues Contempt notices against Advocates who made the allegations [Read Judgment]

Bombay High Court on Friday vindicated two Senior Advocates. and a host of other lawyers from accusations of conspiring with the client and defrauding the High Court.Justice A.K. Menon instead issued show cause notice for criminal contempt against Advocates Kuldip Pawar and Nilesh Ojha and their client Mr. Prasad Arvind Sant, the makers of these allegations.Issuing the notices, the...

Supreme court weekly Round Up-3 (Jan 18-22)

JudgmentsSection 6 Dowry Prohibition Act explainedSupreme Court on Tuesday held that giving of dowry and the traditional presents at or about the time of wedding does not in any way raise a presumption that such a property was thereby entrusted and put under the dominion of the parents-in-law of the bride or other close relations so as to attract ingredients of Section 6 of the Dowry...

Delhi HC quashes Sanction to prosecute IRS Officer in Two 18 yr Old Cases, says CBI investigation smacks of intentional mischief

Quashing the Sanction Order to prosecute IRS officer Ashok Kumar Aggarwal in two 18-year old cases relating to alleged framing of a businessman in a FERA case and graft, the Delhi High Court has slammed CBI for misdirecting the investigation and withholding the material evidence against him. The Court also issued guidelines relating to grant of sanction to prosecute public Servants....