Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi appears for Kerala bar owners; Case adjourned to July 28

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi today entered appearance for the Kerala bar owners in the appeal filed by them in the Supreme Court of India against the judgment passed by a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court order upholding the state government's liquor policy confining bar licenses only to five star hotels.He submitted that he had secured special permission from the Union Government...

Senior Counsel Arvind Datar says NJAC is ill-conceived, offends “Rule of Law”

With the both sides wrestling it out before the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, the Bench yesterday demanded to know the Centre’s stand on allegations of violation of the federal structure by certain provisions of the National Judicial Appointments Commission.The Court sought the Centre’s stand on the issue after senior counsel Arvind Dattar, representing Madras High...

Foundation of Media Professional challenges provisions penalizing criminal defamation in SC

Senior Journalist Manoj Mitta has filed a Writ Petition (Foundation for Media Professionals vs. Union of India) before the Supreme Court of India for and on behalf of  The Foundation of Media Professionals challenging sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 199(1) and 199(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 – penalizing criminal defamation - as being...

The Indian Press has to maintain secular credential while discharging public function; Kerala HC

The High Court of Kerala, considering a case (Inter Media Publishing Ltd vs. State of Kerala - WP(C).No. 10727 of 2013) where a Malayalam newspaper by name “Thejass” was denied Governmental advertisements on the ground of it propagating extremist ideology and thereby creating communal divisions in the Society at large, has in a pellucid judgment observed that the Indian Press has to...

Writs will not lie against the Judiciary acting on its judicial side, rules the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India in a recent judgment Riju Prasad Sarma etc. Vs. State of Assam & Ors.(CIVIL APPEAL NOS.3276-3278 OF 2013)  has laid down the law that the judiciary in India, acting on its judicial side cannot be considered as a State under Article 12 of the Constitution, and that only when the courts deal with their employees or act in other matters purely in...

SC against bringing NJAC under RTI; Fali S. Nariman says NJAC with Judges in majority and AG instead of Law Minister acceptable

The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court expressed its qualms against bringing judicial appointments made by the National Judicial Appointments Commission under the Right to Information Act. The Bench comprises of Justices J.S. Khehar, J. Chelameswar, Madan B. Lokur, Kurian Joseph and Adarsh Kumar Goel.The Bench said that even though transparency was a “laudable object”, it may not...

Supreme Court transfers all Cases related to VYAPAM to CBI

Supreme Court of India Today transferred all Cases relating to Vyapam Scam and related Deaths to CBI for investigation.There were four petitions pending before the Apex  Court including that of Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, whistle blower Anand Rai, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kumar Vishwas and an NGO. The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India H L. Dattu also issued notice to the Centre...

ISRO Espionage Case; Supreme Court issues notice on Nambi Narayanan’s Appeal [Read the SLP and Today's Order]

A two Judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India comprising of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Prafulla C. Pant has issued notice on Appeal filed by Ex-ISRO Scientist Nambi Narayanan. Mr.Narayanan has approached the Supreme Court seeking action against Mr. Siby Mathew (former DGP and present Chief Information Commissioner, Kerala), and two retired Superintendents of Police, K.K. Joshua and...

Delhi High Court revokes Government’s ban on UBER

Delhi High Court has revoked Delhi Government’s ban on Uber cabs, urging the authorities to issue guidelines instead, for the app-based cab services to abide to. The U.S. based Company can now operate in the capital city and reapply for a license."I don't know if there should be a complete ban. I have doubts about it. How can you (Delhi government) stall someone like this. You can grant...

Govt. assures SC on all possible measures to Block Porn Sites

The Union government on Wednesday told positively the Supreme Court of India that all possible measures would be taken to block porn sites, particularly those dealing with child pornography. The assurance has come after a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu expressed its unhappiness that things have not moved forward and the petitioner in the matter was making all kinds of submissions....

SC admits Appeal for further Compensation and Rehabilitation of Gujarat Riot Victims

Supreme Court of India today admitted an appeal [SLP (C) No; 12824/2012] filed by Gagan Sethi, of the Centre for Social Justice Ahmedabad, against the Judgment of Gujarat High Court in SCA No. 14664 of 2008 seeking further compensation & rehabilitation of the victims of the 2002 riots in Gujarat.A bench comprising of Justice Anil R Dave & Justice Kurien Joseph, admitted the Appeal...

NRI Voting Rights: SC grants two months to incorporate changes in the Bill

A three-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice H.L. Dattu, Justice A.K. Mishra and Justice Amitava Roy has granted two months time to the Government to incorporate the proposed changes in the bill to allow non-resident Indians (NRIs) to vote in Indian elections.The Government informed the Court that the bill has been placed before the cabinet for its consideration. The...