Breaking ; Government notifies NJAC Act and 99th Constitution Amendment with immediate effect; question of maintainability of Writ Petitions rendered redundant[Updated]

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Constitution (Ninety-ninth Amendment) Act, 2014, the Central Government has notified the NJAC Act to come into force with immediate effect.As per the PIB release "The Government today notified the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014 and the Constitution (Ninety-ninth Amendment) Act, 2014 for bringing in...

SC grants 6 weeks time to Centre to develop modalities for NRI e-ballots

The Supreme Court has granted the Centre six weeks time to determine the intricacies of procedures involved in allowing proxy voting and e-ballots for NRIs during elections. This time has been provided to devise modalities for NRI e-ballots.The Court was hearing a petition filed by the Chairman of Pravasi Bharat, Mr. Nagender Chindam. Mr. Chindam was quoted as saying, “"To see our struggle...

Jurists Call NJAC “Fraud on Constitution” and a “Time Bomb” which can destroys the Basic Structure

The veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani has actively disapproved the setting up of the National Judicial Appointment Commission for the appointment of judges. The former law minister said it would pave the way for appointment of judges who are "pliable and favorable to government". Calling it a fraud on the Constitution, the celebrated lawyer stated that, “A litigant should not be part of a...

Higher pay scale, post retirement benefits for High Court Judges formed a part of agenda of Chief Justices’ Conference

In the recently held conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices, the higher Judiciary also demanded to double their salaries, perks and post retirement benefits to High Court Judges. They also demanded a liaison officer, in order to facilitate their medical appointments and conveyance facilities for the same.A note tabled at the conference reportedly says: “The rise in salaries of...

Govt seeks Law Commission’s view on decriminalization of defamation

The Central Government has reportedly sought a report from the Law Commission whether defamation should be decriminalized before responding to the Supreme Court which has asked it to file response in four weeks in a petition filed by Subramaniam Swamy. The Law Commission had held a consultation on the subject and a report dated 1/5/2014 on its website says "respondents overwhelmingly...

NLU Delhi’s Death Penalty Research Project raises 7 lakhs in 7 days for rehabilitation of Adambhai, one of the acquitted persons in the 2002 Akshardham terror case

In a display of unparalleled compassion, the Death Penalty Research Project, National Law University has successfully raised the target amount of Rs. 7 lakhs in 7 days, to help in rehabilitation of Adam Suleiman Ajmeri, one of the acquitted persons in the 2002 Akshardham terror case.Seeking support for Adambhai and his family, the campaign note had said, “Grim memories are woven...

Matrimonial Portals are not liable for online frauds: Bombay HC

While ruling on a case involving a woman divorcee being duped of paying Rs 2.93 lakhs by a prospective groom while waiting to get married for the second time, a division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice Anuja Prabhudessai of Bombay High Court held that a matrimonial website cannot be held responsible if a user is careless and negligent and is one of the common internet scams. The...

One more Judge joins the GLC Ernakulam "Classmates Bench" in High Court of Kerala

With the elevation of former Supreme Court Registrar Mr. B. Sudheendra Kumar, one more Judge is added to the famous “Classmates Bench" in the Kerala High Court. Justice Sudheendra Kumar became the 6th Judge appointed to the Kerala High Court from the 1979-82 LL.B Batch of Government Law College, Ernakulam.When they studied in the same class at Government Law College, Ernakulam, they...

SC directs the Central Government to Frame a Policy to curb Road Accidents

The Social Justice bench of the Supreme Court comprising of Justices Madan B Lokur and U U Lalit expressed concern over the issue of rising deaths due to road accidents. The bench gave orders and directed the Central Government to organise a meeting of Transport Secretaries of all states with the aim to frame a policy to control the menace of road accidents.In April 2014, the SC had termed...

SC stays hearing of Maya Kodnani’s Appeal in the Gujarat HC in the Naroda Patiya Riots Case

A three judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising of Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justices Madan B Lokur and M Y Eqbal stayed the hearing of former Gujarat Minister Maya Kodnani's appeal against her conviction in the 2002 Naroda Patiya riots case.The appeal was being heard by the Gujarat High Court (HC) on a day-to-day basis. Kodnani was given a sentence for life imprisonment along with...

SC Social Justice Bench orders private hospitals to provide free treatment and corrective surgery to acid attack survivors; orders Governments to provide 3 lakh financial relief to survivors

Social Justice Bench of the Supreme Court comprising of Justice M.B. Lokur and Justice U.U. Lalit has directed all private hospitals of the country to provide free treatment to acid attack victims. This would include medicines and expensive reconstruction surgeries.The Bench directed all State Governments and Union Territories as well as the Medical Council of India to "take up the matter...

SC refuses to entertain Prashant Bhushan’s PIL alleging abuse of office by Justice C.K. Prasad; says the aggrieved can file review or curative petition

The Supreme Court has dismissed the PIL filed by advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan, seeking registration of FIR against Justice C.K. Prasad (former Judge of Supreme Court and presently Chairperson of Press Council) alleging abuse of office and criminal misconduct. He has also sought his removal as the Chairperson of Press Council of India.Dismissing the Petition, the Bench, comprising...