Bhushan seeks Appointment of Commissioners to monitor the drought relief, to ensure compliance with the SC’s imminent judgment in the Swaraj Abhiyan Case

The hearing in the case of Swaraj Abhiyan v Union of India concluded today in the Supreme Court with the bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and NV Ramana reserving its judgment.Over the last four moths, the Court held 15 hearings, lasting nearly 40 hours, in this case. Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav was present in the hearing throughout, and made significant...

Drinking water Top Priority; Bombay HC asks state to cut water supply to Liquor Industries [Read Order]

The Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court, taking into account the acute drought faced in the state has directed the State Government to authorise a 50 percent water cut for liquor industries, breweries and distilleries in the area with immediate effect and a further 10 per cent cut from May 10.Division Bench comprising of Justices Sangitrao S. Patil and S.S. Shinde issued these...

Right of women to have the choice of dress based on religious injunctions is a fundamental Right; Kerala HC allows Muslim Girls to wear Hijab for AIPMT [Read Judgment]

High Court of Kerala has Today granted permission for Muslim Girls to wear Hijab for the All India Pre-Medical Test-[AIPMT] 2016 on the condition that they should be present at the examination hall half an hour before the exam for frisking if necessary.Allowing the Petition filed by Amnah Bint Basheer a candidate for All India Pre-Medical Entrance Test 2016 scheduled on 01.05.2016...

AG asks SC to dismiss National Courts of Appeal PIL but CJI proposes debate

Repeatedly asking the Supreme Court to dismiss the PIL for setting up National Courts of Appeal, the Modi government today said it will only “add to lawyers pockets” and will not in any way help reduce pendency nor serve any other purpose which will benefit the judiciary.But a three judge bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur insisted that a debate be held on it and asked...

#Sabarimala; How is menstruation linked to purity ? SC asks Devaswom Board

The Supreme Court bench hearing the contentious Sabarimala entry case today asked several pointed questions to the temple management –Devaswom Board-- when it said that the ban on entry of females aged between 10 and 50 years was because they cannot maintain purity for 41 days on account of menstruationHow can periods be linked to purity”, a three-judge bench headed by Justice Dipak...

Exclusive; Commercial courts cannot work the way you propose: CJI to PM

“Today a corporate litigant is required to stand, jostle, rub shoulders with may be a pickpocket or some thief or petty offender. Commercial court concept was that we provide a kind of environment which a corporate client may feel comfortable in. I think if we go on setting up commercial courts without providing the necessary infrastructure and the environment it requires it won’t serve...

SC collegium to decide on revised MoP next week: CJI

Chief Justice T S Thakur today said the Supreme Court collegium will respond next week to government on the revised memorandum of procedure for appointment of judges to the apex court and the high courtsThakur said the document, prepared by the government to enhance transparency will be sent back to the Centre next week with the comments of the SC collegium.He said External Affairs...

Supreme Court Weekly Round-Up

Pre Deposits refundableThe Supreme Court in Axis bank vs. SBS Organics PrivateLimited held that the partial deposit before the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT) as a pre-condition for considering the appeal on merits in terms of Section 18 of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act), is neither a secured...

CJI Thakur breaks down at CMs and CJs Conference; PM proposes a Closed Door Session [Update-3]

“Judges’ strength has been put in cold storage for past three decades. You cannot blame the judiciary alone for the high number of pending cases. In some petitions, we have to dispose ourselves in extremely stressful conditions. I request your Government to address the issue”, said an emotional Chief Justice of India today at CJ-CM Conference in presence of PM Narendra Modi.Blaming...

Seven interesting things about Keshvananda Bharati case – The legend lives on!

43 years ago on this very date, 13 eminent judges of the Supreme Court assembled to pronounce the judgment on retirement day for Chief Justice Sikri in Keshvananda Bharati after having heard legal luminaries like Palkhivala, Daphtary, Chagla, Seervai, & Niren De among others for 68 days (or 66 days as few contend). All 13 judges pronounced their separate judgments. By a majority of 7:6, or...

Breaking; Allahabad HC quashes IIT BHU decision to sack Magsaysay Awardee Prof. Sandeep Pandey alleging Activities against National Interest [Read Order]

Allahabad High Court has quashed the resolution of Banaras Hindu University terminating the contract of Magsaysay award winner Prof. Sandeep Pandey as Visiting Professor alleging activities against National Interest.Allowing the Petition preferred by him, a Division Bench comprising of Justices Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and V.K. Shukla said that the decision by the University to terminate...

Human Rights Commission orders not merely recommendatory; State duty bound to comply it; Allahabad High Court [Read Order]

In a recent decision in State of U.P vs. NHRC, the Allahabad High Court has held that the State is duty bound to comply with the orders of Human Right Commissions, in the absence of it being set aside.This significant observation was made by Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court Dr. Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud on a petition by the State Government challenging...