Supreme Court Weekly Round-Up

SC stays age limit for law courses

Supreme Court stayed Bar Council of India’s (BCI) notification fixing age limit for law courses.Bar Council had restored Clause 28 of Legal Education Rules, 2008, stipulating the maximum age limit of 20 years for taking admission to the 5-year integrated law degree. 

Mere Name Of A Trust Can’t Be Taken As Determinative Of Its Character

The Supreme Court, in Senathi Na. VenkitasalapathiAyyer& Sons Private Trust vs. Indhumathi, observed that mere description or the name of a trust could not be taken as determinative of the character of the trust without examining the nature of the trust.

Judicial Functions Can’t Be Delegated

A judicial functioning has to be done in a judicial manner, observed the Supreme Court while holding that Section 33(2) of the Stamp Act does not empower the judge of the high court to direct the officer of the high court to enquire and to find out the nature and character of the document.

Proved Misconduct By Chartered Accountant While He Holds Certificate Of Practice Punishable

The Supreme Court opined that if a practicing chartered accountant commits misconduct while he holds the certificate of practice issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, he would be liable for punishment if the misconduct is proved.

General Criticism Of Corruption In Judiciary Can Be A Ground For Taking Action For Contempt

The Supreme Court bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, Justice J.S.Khehar, and justices Dr.D.Y.Chandrachud and Sanjay KishanKaul, held in a recent judgment that even if allegations of corruption were not aimed at any particular Court, the Contempt of Courts Act could be invoked, if the alleged contemptuous action is aimed at more than one court, or a large number of courts, all at once.

Claim For Compensation Before MACT Must Be Raised Within A Reasonable Time

The Supreme Court, in M/s. Purohit and Company vs. Khatoonbee, observed that though there is no limitation period to raise a claim for compensation before a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, it should be done within a reasonable time.

Permission To Woman To Abort 26-Week Foetus With Down Syndrome Refused

The Supreme Court on Tuesday did not allow a woman to abort her 26-week foetus set to be born with ‘down syndrome noting that there is no danger to the life of the mother or the foetus. 

30 Days Imprisonment In Acid Attack Case: HC Slammed, Convict’s Sentence; Victim’s Compensation Enhanced

The Supreme Court on Monday set aside Hyderabad High Court’s order that reduced the sentence imposed on a convict in an acid attack case to the period already undergone. A division bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice R Banumati allowed the appeal filed by the victim in the case.

Lifer Awarded To Man Who Killed Pregnant Daughter For Marrying Lower Caste Man

Enhancing the sentence of 10-year imprisonment awarded by the Karnataka High Court to an accused in an honour killing case to life imprisonment, the Supreme Court  convicted Gandi Doddabasappa for ‘murdering’ his daughter for marrying into a lower caste.

Notice To Maharashtra Govt On Plea By Bar Dancers Challenging New Law

The supreme court on Thursday issued notice to the Maharashtra government on a petition filed by women dancers, waitresses, singers and other performers working in bars and hotels in state under the umbrella of ‘Bharatiya Bar girls Union challenging the constitutional validity of a 2016 state law imposing various restrictions on dance bars. 

Stray Dogs: Culling Only In Accordance With Law; No Indiscriminate Killing

The Supreme Court on Friday said there cannot be indiscriminate killing of stray canines and any culling should only be in accordance with law. “When did this court say dogs have a bigger fundamental rights than human being? We are only on one aspect that culling should only be in accordance with law”, Justice Dipak Misra, heading a bench told Sabu Stephen, one of the petitioner who favoured elimination of dogs.

SC Asks Punjab To Enforce SYL Canal Decree

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a stern warning to Punjab and said its November 10, 2016 verdict allowing construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal in Haryana and Punjab has to be implemented in toto.

Deposit Rs 5092.6 Cr To Remain Out Of Jail: SC To Roy

The Sahara Group was on Tuesday directed by the Supreme Court to deposit Rs 5092.6 crore by April 7 in the SEBI-Sahara account to keep its chief Subrata Roy out of jail and said the amount will be refunded to the investors.

Urgent Hearing Of Plea Against Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act Refused

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to hear on an urgent basis a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act prohibiting abortion of foetus above 20 weeks.

BCI Verification: Universities Directed To Verify Law Degrees Without Charging Fee

The Supreme Court on Wednesday, directed all universities to verify certificates of law degree holders without charging a fee.

Make Provision For Online, Real Time, Continuous Monitoring System To Display Emission Levels : SC To States

The Supreme Court directed every state to make provision for “online, real time, continuous monitoring system” to display emission levels, in the public domain, on the portal of the State Pollution Control Board concerned, within six months.

SC Pulls Up Centre For Non-Compliance Of 22-Yr-Old Order On Environment Studies

Chief Justice of India JS Khehar slammed the Central government in a sarcastic manner, saying the government will never do anything as it has set up a committee to see whether court’s directions are complied or not by the states. It is a wonderful idea to implement our directions, the Supreme Court said.

Notice To Centre, CBSE On Plea To Include Urdu In NEET

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to Centre, Medical Council of India, Delhi Council of India and CBSE on a plea seeking inclusion of Urdu language in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), meant for admissions in MBBS and BDS courses.

Appoint Two NHRC Members By April 30 : SC To Centre

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the government to fill up two vacant posts of members in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) latest by April 30. A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justices D Y Chandrachud and S K Kaul, which had given four weeks for this purpose on January 23, extended it again after the Centre said there was difficulty in appointing NHRC members due to the ongoing elections in some states.