CJI writes to PM on his non-participation in NJAC

Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu has categorically refused to participate in the National Judicial Appointments Commission through a letter addressed to PM Modi. "In response to the call from your office to attend the meeting to select two eminent persons, I have to say that it is neither appropriate nor desirable to attend the meeting or be part of the NHAC till the Supreme Court decides...

National Judicial Appointments Commission: two eminent persons to receive Rs. 10, 000 per sitting; travelling and daily allowance akin to SC Judges

The two eminent persons, to be a part of the National Judicial Appointments Commissions, brought to replace the old collegium system of appointment of Judges, will receive a fee of Rs. 10, 000 per sitting, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 60, 000 per month. Further, their allowances will be equal to that of a Supreme Court Judge.As per the notification of the National Judicial Appointments...

India or Bharat?: Supreme Court seeks response from the Centre and States

A Supreme Court bench comprising of Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu and Justice A.K. Mishra has issued notice to the Centre and all the States, seeking their response on whether the Republic should be addressed as ‘India’ or ‘Bharat’.A petition filed by Niranjan Bhatwal was heard by the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday. According to the petition, there is no historical evidence that...

SC directs State legal Service Authority lawyers to take up cases of prisoners who have completed half of the jail term which they would undergo in case of conviction

The Social Justice Bench of the Supreme Court comprising of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice U.U. Lalit has reportedly observed that poverty cannot be a ground for retaining a person in custody due to non-furnishing of bail amount. It hence directed the State legal Service Authority lawyers to file urgent applications before Courts across the country and secure release of these...

Bareilly boy would be tried only under IPC provisions and not section 66A: UP Police to SC

Uttar Pradesh Police has informed the Supreme Court that the prosecution of a Bareilly boy for allegedly posting objectionable comments on Facebook against senior SP leader Azam Khan only under Indian Penal Code and not under the controversial section 66A of the Information Technology Act which was quashed by the Supreme Court.State Government’s Counsel Gaurav Bhatia informed the...

Five lawyers and 14 Retired Chief Justices/Judges of High Courts designated as ‘Senior Advocates’ by SC

The full Court of the Supreme Court, in a meeting held on 23rd April, has designated 5 lawyers as senior advocates on Thursday. The list includes 2 female lawyers as well. The newly designated senior advocates are Subramonium Prasad, Sanjay Hegde, Rana Mukherjee, V. Mohana and Mahalakshmi Pawani.The Court also designated 14 retired Chief Justices/ Judges of High Courts as Senior Advocates,...

NJAC not to appoint any Fresh Judges till disposal of the Challenging Petitions; AG to SC

The Union of India today assured the Supreme Court that the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC ) shall not appoint fresh judges till its validity is authoritatively adjudicated upon by the 5 judge bench. Appearing for the UOI, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said that the NJAC shall be put in place by May 11 but it’s role shall be confined to deal only with cases of...

Breaking; Dishonour of Cheque Cases can only be filed before the Court within whose local jurisdiction the bank branch of the payee, where the payee presents the cheque for payment is situated; Cabinet approves Amendment to nullify Dashrath Rathod Judgment

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal to introduce the Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in Parliament. The amendments are focused on clarifying jurisdiction related issues for filing cases of offence committed under Section 138 the Negotiable Instruments Act,1881 (NI Act).The main amendment included in this is the...

FIR alleging rape can be quashed where accused and victim compromise and are happily married: Punjab and Haryana High Court

Justice Raj Mohan Singh of Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that FIR alleging rape, during subsistence of love affair between couples, can be quashed on the basis of compromise and subsequent marriage of the couple.The Court was hearing a petition for quashing of FIR alleging rape, filed in 2014 at Police Station City Sunam, District Sangrur on the basis of marriage between the accused...

There is no reason for Justice Khehar to recuse from hearing challenge to NJAC: Supreme Court

The five Judge Bench of the Supreme Court, while hearing the batch of petitions challenging the National Judicial Appointments Commission, has ruled out any necessity of recusal by Justice Khehar, as urged by the petitioners. The Bench comprised of Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, Justice J. Chelameswar, Justice M.B. Lokur, Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice A.K. Goel.The Bench acknowledged...

SC stays order of Uttarakhand High Court which had ordered compensation of 2 lakhs to victims of dog and monkey bites

A Supreme Court bench comprising of Chief Justice H.L. Dattu, Justice S.A. Bobde and Justice A.K. Mishra has stayed an order of the Uttarakhand High Court which had directed Nainital Municipal Corporation and the State Government to pay a compensation of Rs. 2 lakhs to all victims of simian and canine attacks.The Apex Court stayed only the directions relating to payment of compensation and...

Consumer Affairs Ministry moves Cabinet note for amendments in Consumer Protection Act

A Cabinet note has been moved by the Consumer Affairs Ministry for making amendments to the Consumer Protection Act and Bureau of Indian Standards. The new Bills, as informed by Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, have been sent to the Cabinet for consideration.The proposed amendments, among other things, seek to create a Consumer Protection Authority on the lines of the US...