Courts This Week- A Weekly Round Of Important Legal Developments In The Country [Episode-14]

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Aarogya Setu : MHA Dilutes Mandatory Imposition; Says Employers On 'Best Effort Basis' Should Ensure Use Of App By Employees With 'Compatible Mobile Phones'

A notable feature of the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for the fourth phase of lockdown from May 18 to May 31 is the dilution of the mandatory condition for the use of 'Aarogya Setu', the contact tracing app developed by the National Informatics Centre in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.The directive in the guidelines issued on Sunday, May 17, states :"With a view...

Lockdown Phase 4 : Prohibited & Permissible Activities In Different Zones [Read MHA Guidelines]

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines regarding permissible and prohibited activities for different zones for the fourth phase of national lockdown from May 18 to May 31.Compared to the earlier guidelines, the scope of restrictions are much limited in the present set of guidelines.The MHA has listed 7 categories of activities, which are prohibited throughout the country,...

[Death Penalty] Sentencing Taken As A Formality; Trial Courts Need Training : Sr Adv Rebecca John

"Sentencing in trial courts is done in a super-fast manner based on an incorrect understanding of SC judgments"

Migrants Crisis - Ensure Uninterrupted Working Of Helpline Numbers; Nodal Officers Should Remain Easily Available : Delhi HC [Read Order]

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Delhi Government to ensure the uninterrupted working of the helpline numbers set up to enable the return of migrant workers to their native places."we direct the respondent No.1 to ensure the uninterrupted working of their helpline number so that people may approach the Nodal Officers through the helpline numbers. The very purpose of helpline...

Hooghly Net Shutdown : Calcutta HC Asks State To Explain Power Of District Magistrate To Suspend Internet And Its Justification [Read Order]

In a special sitting held on Saturday, the Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal Government to file affidavits explaining the jurisdiction of the District Magistrate to pass order for internet shutdown in Hooghly district, and also regarding the justifiability of the suspension."The State shall file two separate affidavits, one pertaining to jurisdiction of the District Magistrate to...

UP Govt Withdraws Controversial Notification For 12-hour Shift For Industrial Workers

The Uttar Pradesh Government on Friday revoked its notification relaxing certain labour law regulations concerning working hours, rest periods and overtime. Chief Secretary to the State informed that the notification stands withdrawn vide an order dated May 15, 2020. On May 8, 2020, the UP Government had issued a notification relaxing the provisions relating to working hours,...

'It's A Pity To See Migrant Labourers Walking' : Madras HC Seeks Action Taken Report From Centre & State On Migrants Relief [Read Order]

The Madras High Court on Friday suo moto directed the Central Government and the Government of Tamil Nadu to submit an action taken report on the measures taken to alleviate the sufferings of migrant workers amid the COVID-19 lockdown situation."It is a pity to see the migrant labourers walking for days together to reach their native places and in the process, some of them had lost their...

[Column] "Ethics And Moral Values In Legal Profession" : Justice S.Vaidyanathan

This Article aims to provide a brief about "Legal Profession", which is otherwise called as "Noble Profession", with a view to ensure maintenance of high standards in it. This is the only profession, where genuine practitioners are glorified with the title "Learned", which denotes possession of skills not only in Law, but, also in other areas and having deep knowledge in all fields. The word "learned" has such a significant quality, which is not given to any other professional. In India,...

[PNB Scam] Justice Thipsay Defends Legal Opinion Given In Nirav Modi's Case; Says 'No Offence Of Cheating Made Out As Per Chargesheet'

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday accused former Judge of the Bombay and Allahabad High Court Justice (retd) Abhay Thipsay of trying to save fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi from being extradited to India. Nirav Modi is currently undergoing extradition trial in the Punjab National Bank fraud case at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court. The issue got a political colour...

Look Before You Leap : Is There A Stay By SC On MHA Direction To Pay Full Wages To Workers Amid Lockdown?

The SC order is not a carte blanche for establishments to not pay full wages to their workers

Calcutta HC To Hold Special Sitting Tomorrow For Hearing Plea Against Hooghly Internet Shutdown [Read Petition]

A Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court will hold a special sitting tomorrow to hear a petition filed by Software Freedom Law Centre, challenging the Hooghly Internet Shutdown.Following eruption of communal violence in three areas of the Hooghly district on May 12, the concerned District Magistrate issued an order under Section 144 of CrPC, suspending internet services thereof...