UNHRC unequivocally condemns internet blocking and disruptions [Read Resolution]

The United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday passed a resolution condemning countries that prevent or disrupt access to the internet.According to the resolution, individuals’ online and offline rights, such as “freedom of expression” and choice of media deserve the same protections. The UN Council denounced “unequivocally measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to...

Gujarat HC stays CIC order requiring Gujarat University to provide details on PM Modi’s degree

The Gujarat High Court has stayed Chief Information Commission's order which had required the Gujarat University to provide more details about Post Graduation Degree of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The interim order of stay was passed by division bench of the High Court comprising of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice VM Pancholi, in a petition by Gujarat University. The court has...

India abstains from voting on UN Independent Expert to check discrimination on sexual preferences

India on Friday abstained from voting on the appointment of a United Nations watchdog against discrimination based on sexual preferences. The ongoing Supreme Court hearing against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, that criminalizes homosexual acts, was cited as the reason for avoiding taking a stand on the issue.“The issue of LGBT rights in India is a matter being considered by the...

Bombay HC dismisses Reliance Industries’ plea in logo infringement case against Concord Enviro Systems [Read Judgment]

The Bombay High Court, has dismissed a plea of Reliance Industries seeking injunction against Concord Enviro Systems Pvt. Ltd from using a ‘deceptively similar’ logo.Justice S.J. Kathawalla dismissed the plea with costs, observing that the rival logos are absolutely dissimilar and there is no question of any confusion.The Concord Enviro Systems submitted before the Court that...

SC notice to CBI, SEBI on plea seeking seizure of P Notes

Supreme Court today issued notices to CBI, SEBI, RBI and the Finance Ministry for a direction to seize entire investments and gains made through participatory notes in India.The PIL was filed by advocate M.L. Sharma, who had already filed a PIL on Panama black money revelations, has filed this fresh application. On May 9, the SC had issued notice to the Centre and the CBI for an...

SC extends time for completing BCI ‘Verification’ Process by three months [Read Order]

The Supreme Court of India has allowed Bar Council of India three more months  for completing   “verification” Process of Advocates under Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules 2015, by three months.A Division Bench comprising of Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghosh and Amitava Roy also will hear the petition challenging the Rules after four weeks and meanwhile the Stay...

Arbitration proceedings not barred under Section 69(3) of the Partnership Act: SC [Read Judgment]

Arbitral Proceedings will not come under the expression “other proceedings” of Section 69(3) of the Partnership Act, the Court held.The Supreme Court in M/s Umesh Goel vs.Himachal Pradesh Cooperative Group Housing Society Ltd. has held that the expression “other proceedings” in Section 69(3) of the Partnership Act does not include Arbitration Proceedings and the ban imposed under...

CIC reiterates recommendation to introduce special ‘RTI stamps’ for payment of RTI fees

The Chief Information Commission has again recommended introduction of Special RTI stamps for payment of RTI fees.In a letter to Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, the Commission said that the newly constituted committee constituted by postal department, may favourably consider the commission's recommendation to introduce of RTI Stamp.The commission had earlier...

NIA Special Court rejects Bail Application of Sadhvi Pragya Thakur in 2008 Malegaon blasts Case

The Special NIA Court in Mumbai Today has dismissed the Bail Application filed by Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts Case in which eight persons were killed and more than 100 people were injured.Last month the National Investigation Agency had filed a supplementary charge sheet exonerating Sadhvi Pragya and five others from the charges under the Maharashtra Control...

Merely because a Person has been named in the Suicide note, it cannot be said that he abetted the Suicide: Madras HC [Read Judgment]

Merely because a person has been so named in the suicide note we are not to immediately jump to the conclusion that he is an offender under section 306 I.P.C, the Court said.Merely because someone who committed suicide, had written in his/her suicide note that a person is responsible for her death, can that person be convicted under Section 306 of Indian Penal Code for abetment of Suicide?...

Madras HC “Disciplinary Rules” Fallout: Lawyers to boycott courts indefinitely

Reiterating their demand of unconditional withdrawal of new “Disciplinary” rules notified by the High Court, the Madras High Court Advocates’ Association, in an Extra Ordinary General Body meeting held today, has resolved to abstain from all Courts and Tribunals from tomorrow.The meeting presided by the Vice President of the Madras High Court Advocates’ Association also has...

Patna HC (FB) upholds Bihar Govt. Notification extending Protection of sanction to police officers [Read Judgment]

The Patna High Court in Ram Rekha Pandey vs. State of Bihar has upheld a notification of Bihar Government, issued in 1980, extending the protection of Sanction to police officers of the state charged with the maintenance of public order. Full Bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice I. A. Ansari, Justices Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Navaniti Prasad Singh referring to Apex Court decision in...