'Sorry State Of Affairs': SC Issues Notice To Delhi,Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu & West Bengal Over COVID-19 Management

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Governments of NCT of Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu over management of COVID-19 situation.The bench observed that media reports "indicated a sorry state of affairs of care of Covid patients in Delhi and some other states".The Court directed that the Chief Secretaries of these states should take immediate note of state...

"Airlines Have Zero Revenue': Harish Salve On Plea Seeking Refund Of Air-tickets Booked During Lockdown, SC Seeks Centre's Stand

The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Central Government's stand in a plea seeking full refund for cancellation of air tickets due to the lockdown.A Bench comprising of Justices Ashok Bhushan, SK Kaul and MR Shah asked the Civil Aviation Ministry to discuss the modalities involved with all concerned airlines and respond to the Court.Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar...

Will There Be Interest On Interest For Payments Deferred Due To Moratorium, SC Asks RBI, Centre

The Supreme Court on Friday sought to know from the Union Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of India if deferment of payments on account of the 6-month loan moratorium will entail accrual of interest on interest."Whether the payment will impose interest on interest or not ", a bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, S K Kaul and M R Shah asked. The Court said that its query was on...

'Discriminates Against Hindus': Plea In SC Challenges Constitutionality Of Section 4 Of Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act [Read Petition]

The Supreme Court has been moved in a petition challenging the Constitutional validity of Section 4 of The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 on the touchstone of Articles 14, 15, 25, 26 and 29(1) of the Constitution of India and also on the argument that it violates the principles of secularism. Section 4(1) of the impugned Act states as under:- "It is hereby declared that...

SC Gives Option To Establishments And Workers To Negotiate On Full Payment Of Wages, Regardless Of MHA Order [Read Order]

The Supreme Court on Friday batted for negotiations between establishments and workers on the full payment of wages, regardless of the direction issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on March 29."No industry can survive without the workers. Thus employers and employee need to negotiate and settle among themselves. If they are not able to settle it among themselves, they need to approach...

SC Takes Suo Moto Cognizance On Reports Of Mishandling Of Covid- Affected Dead Bodies

The Supreme Court has taken suo moto cognizance on reports of alleged mishandling of Covid-19 affected dead Bodies.The case titled "In Re Proper Treatment Of COVID-19 Patients And Dignified Handling Of Dead Bodies In The Hospitals, Etc." is listed for hearing tomorrow at 10.30 AM before the bench of Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice MR Shah.Earlier, former Law Minister Senior Advocate Dr....

Have Telecom Companies Contributed To COVID-19 Relief, SC Judge Asks During AGR Case Hearing

During the hearing of the AGR case in the Supreme Court, Justice M R Shah asked if telecom companies have contributed to COVID-19 relief.Senior Advocate Arvind P Datar, appearin for Tata telecom, said that his client contributed Rs 1500 crores.Bharti Airtel contributed Rs 100 crores to PM CARES Fund, submitted Senior Advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi.Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal submitted...

[COVID19] SC Seeks Replies From States To Questionnaire On Measures Taken In Children Protection Homes

The Supreme Court on Thursday took note of 35 children testing positive for Coronavirus in a government-run shelter home in Royapurum, Chennai and sought a status report from the State Government of Tamil Nadu and Secretary regarding reasons for spread of the contagion and steps taken to control its further spread.A bench of A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, Krishna Murari and S Ravindra...

Senior Advocate Yatin Oza, GHCAA President, Moves SC Against Contempt Notice Issued By Gujarat HC

Senior Advocate and President of Gujarat High Court Advocates' Association Yatin Oza moves the Supreme Court against the suo moto criminal contempt notice issued against him by the Gujarat High Court for making "scurrilous remarks" against the HC and its Registry during a live press conference on Facebook. Oza has filed the petition a day after the Gujarat HC Bench comprising of...

Supreme Court Bar Association Urges Delhi CM To Set Up COVID-19 Testing Facilities Within SC Premises

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has written to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal requesting him to setup a COVID-19 testing facility within the premises of the Supreme Court.Such a setup, with appropriate equipment and test kits, will enable all those who use the Supreme Court to get themselves checked, urges the letter.Raising concerns about difficulties in accessing testing facilities in...

SC Imposes Cost Of Rs 5 Lac On PIL Seeking Ban On Coca Cola, Thums Up Etc [Read Order]

The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on a social worker who had filed a plea seeking ban & prohibition on the sale and use of Coca Cola, Thums up and other soft drinks citing health concerns on their consumption.A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Hemant Gupta & Ajay Rastogi imposed a cost of Rs. 5 Lakh on the petitioner, observing that the petitioner, "lacked...

20 Years Period To Clear AGR Dues Not Reasonable : SC On Centre's Plea To Allow Time For Telecos

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed telecom firms that owe AGR dues amounting to over Rupees 1.43 lakh crore, to file affidavits stipulating a reasonable time frame for effectuating payment.A bench of Justices Arun Mishra, S. Abdul Nazeer & MR Shah took up an application filed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), proposing a staggered payment spanning over 20 years, for...