Supreme Court Weekly Round Up

1. SC Stays Puri Rath Yatra & Related Activities Amid COVID-19 Threat: "Lord Jagannath Will No Forgive Us If We Allow It" [Odisha Vikash Parishad V. UOI & Ors.]The Supreme Court ordered that no Rath Yatra should held in the Lord Jagannath Temple in Odisha this year, on account of the pandemic situation. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India S A Bobde passed the order on a plea filed by Odisha Vikas Parishad seeking to stay the annual Lord Shri Jagannath's Rath Yatra in the state, which is scheduled to take place on 23 June. The Court also ordered that no secular or religious activity associated to the rath yatra will take place this year in Odisha.2. [Rising Number Of Covid Cases] SC Directs States/UTs To Constitute Expert Team For Inspection And Supervision Of Govt.Hospitals [In Re: Proper Treatment Of COVID-19 Patients & Dignified Handling Of Dead Bodies In Hospitals]The Supreme Court passed elaborate directions in its suo motu case regarding the lapses and shortcomings in providing medical care to COVID-19 in hospitals in various States, especially in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The Order passed by Bench comprising of Justices Ashok Bhushan, SK Kaul & MR Shah emphasises on the importance of supervision and monitoring of infrastructure and facilities being provided in Government hospitals, while also dealing with issues regarding testing and pricing of treatment among others. Also Read: 'You Are Shooting The Messengers': SC Pulls Up Delhi Govt Over Maltreatment Of Doctors3. SC Stays Telangana HC Direction To Conduct Mandatory COVID19 Testing On Dead Bodies [State of Telangana V. Prof. Vishweshwar Rao]The Supreme Court stayed the Telangana High Court Order passed on June 8 directing the state to conduct Covid19 sampling on dead bodies before they are released from government hospitals. A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, SK Kaul & MR Shah observed that the Telangana High Court passed a "premature" order.4. Suo Moto Extension Of Limitation Or Lockdown Will Not Affect Right Of Accused To Default Bail : SC [S.Kasi V. State Thr. Inspector, PS Madurai]The Supreme Court held that its suo motu order extending limitation and the lockdown restrictions of the government will not affect the right of an accused to seek default bail under Section 167(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Holding thus, a bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, M R Shah & V Ramasubramanian set aside the judgment of a single bench of the Madras High Court in S Kasi v State through the Inspector of Police, which had held the time to file chargesheet under Section 167(2) CrPC will also get extended on account of the SC order extending limitation and the lockdown restrictions.Also Read: Judicial Discipline Ordains That Coordinate Bench Cannot Take Contrary View; Can Only Refer To Larger Bench : SC5. [Sedition Cases] SC Grants Interim Protection From Arrest To Senior Journalist Vinod Dua [ Vinod Dua V. UOI & Anr.]In a special Sunday sitting, the Supreme Court granted interim Protection from arrest to Senior Journalist Vinod Dua in connection with an FIR registered by Himachal Police alleging Sedition. A bench comprising Justices U U Lalit, Mohan M Shantanagoudar & Vineet Saran issued notice to the Centre, Himachal Pradesh government and police. Journalist Vinod Dua was summoned by the Shimla Police in connection with a sedition charge levelled against him by local Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ajay Shyam.6. Direction To Transport Back Stranded Migrants In 15 Days Is Mandatory : SC [In re: Problems & Miseries of Migrant Workers]The Supreme Court on Friday clarified that its June 9 order for transportation of migrant workers to their hometowns within 15 days was mandatory. A Bench comprising of Justices Ashok Bhushan, SK Kaul & MR Shah made this clarification in the suo motu plea pertaining to the plight of migrant workers who had found themselves in dire straits due to the nation-wide Coronavirus-induced lockdown.7. Don't Demoralize Registry With Irresponsible Allegations, SC Tells Lawyer Who Complained Of Discrimination In Listing Cases [Reepak Kansal V. Secretary General, Supreme Court & Ors.]The Supreme Court took serious objections to the allegations raised by an who complained that the SC Registry was showing discrimination and undue preferences in the matter of listing of all cases. When the petitioner stated that the petition filed by him seeking "One Nation One Ration Card" was not given prompt listing, the bench pointed out that the petition had defects. The bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, Abdul Nazeer & M R Shah also expressed displeasure at the petitioner for citing Arnab Goswami's case as an example of 'preferential treatment'.8. AGR : SC Asks Telecos To Submit Financial Documents [In Re Mandar Deshpande & Connected matters]The Supreme Court on Thursday directed telecom companies to submit their financial documents while considering a plea by the Department of Telecommunications to allow them to settle the...

Supreme Court Weekly Round Up

Sanya Talwar

Week Commencing June 15 to June 21, 2020

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