UAPA Amendment Bill Enabling Centre To Designate Individuals As Terrorists Passed By Lok Sabha [Read Bill]

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill 2019, which will enable the Central Government to notify an individual as 'terrorist'.Speaker Om Birla announced that the Bill was passed with 287 'yes' votes and 8 'no' votes. The voting took place after several opposition members staged a walk out demanding that the Bill be sent to a standing committee.As...

Kerala HC Judge Sparks Row With Brahmin Glorification Remarks

Justice Chitambaresh suggested deliberations on need for caste-based reservations.

Deadline To File Income Tax Returns Extended To August 31 [Read Order]

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the 'due date' for filing of Income Tax Returns from 31st July, 2019 to 31st August, 2019."The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) extends the 'due date' for filing of Income Tax Returns from 31st July, 2019 to 31st August, 2019 in respect of certain categories of taxpayers who were liable to file their Returns by 31.07.2019".Read Order ...

Lok Sabha Passes Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill [Read Bill]

After a day long discussion, the Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2019 to amend the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988.Speaker Om Birla declared the Bill passed based on a voice vote in the house.It is the same Bill which was passed by the Lok Sabha in April 2017. However, that Bill did not get clearance from the upper house and got lapsed with...

Two Former CICs Explain How Amendment To RTI Is Breaking Backbone Of Information Commissioners

The Union Government's plan to amend the Right to Information Act is mainly to alter the salary structure and tenure of Information Commissioners and weaken all the Information Commissioners and Commissions both at Centre and States. "The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019", has been passed by the Lok Sabha. This was earlier moved in the Rajya Sabha during the previous session of Parliament, but not pressed because of severe criticism. In the debate which then ensued, several ...

Bombay HC Quashes Process Issued Against Ratan Tata In Nusli Wadia's Defamation Case [Read Judgment]

The Bombay High Court on Monday allowed a petition filed by Ratan Tata and 10 others challenging process issued by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate against them in Nusli Wadia's complaint under Section 500 of the IPC (defamation) alleging that the petitioners had damaged his reputation.Division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice Bharati Dangre heard the criminal writ petition...

Breaking : Lok Sabha Passes RTI Amendment Bill [Read Bill]

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Right to Information (Amendment) Bill 2019 which seeks to amend the RTI Act 2005.Speaker Om Birla announced that the motion to vote on bill was passed with 218 'yes' votes as against 79 'no' votes. At present, the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners have a fixed term of five years. The amendment bill proposes to change the period...

When Myths Trump Scientific Temper - Revisiting 'Scopes Monkey Trial'

Which side the law should take in the battle between myths and scientific facts?

From Shah Bano to Shabana Bano: Divorced Muslim Women And Right To Claim Maintenance Under Section 125 CrPC

"She having chosen to move under the Code cannot be said to be debarred under law on the ground that she is a divorced Muslim lady."

NIA Amendment Raises Concerns Of Misuse Of Anti-Terror Laws

The history of Indian anti-terror laws is not confidence inspiring.

Ex CIC Sridhar Acharyulu Appeals To MPs: Fail NDA's Attempt To Backstab RTI

The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 will be a backstab to CIC and deathblow to RTI. It seriously undermines the autonomy of Information Commissions because it reduces the stature of Commissioners, which is now equivalent to Election Commissioner and Judge Supreme Court. Ever since it came into existence in 2005, the Information Commission had enough authority to issue directions to anybody including cabinet secretary, principal secretary, etc regarding disclosure of...

SC Agrees To Hear Plea Seeking Reforms On Shared Parenting Of Child In Divorce, Separation Cases

The Supreme Court Friday asked the Centre to respond to a plea seeking reforms on shared parenting of a child in cases of divorced or separated parents. A bench of Justices S A Bobde and B R Gavai issued notice to the Centre on the plea which has sought slew of directions to Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and family courts for implementation of shared parenting in cases of...