High Court adjourns Rathore bail plea till July 19

CHANDIGARH – The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of a bail plea filed by former Haryana police chief S P S Rathore till July 19.

Rathore filed the bail application in connection with new cases registered by Haryana Government against him.
The cases are under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation …. Source  : High Court adjourns Rathore bail plea till July 19.

Court rejects plea against Padma Bhushan for Chatwal

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Monday dismissed a plea challenging the Padma Bhushan awarded to NRI hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal, saying no rules were flouted in his selection.

A division bench of acting Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Mukta Gupta dismissed the petition by S.K. Shah, a freelance journalist, who claimed …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Tweets not sweet: Can spell trouble in divorce cases

NEW DELHI – Anu Sharma, 30, suspected that her husband was lying to her every time he cited urgent business tours to stay out of the house. One day she finally got proof in the form of a tweet. The next day, she filed for divorce, using the tweet as evidence.

When it comes to fighting … Original source on Gaea Times at : Tweets not sweet: Can spell trouble in divorce cases.

Dubai court rejects plea of British couple jailed for kissing

DUBAI – A Dubai court Sunday rejected a British couple’s appeal against their jail sentence for kissing in a restaurant in the city-state, the couple’s lawyer said.

Their arrest late last year followed a complaint from a UAE national. Many Emiratis say they fear their conservative culture is under threat from the thousands of foreigners who … Original source on Gaea Times at : Dubai court rejects plea of British couple jailed for kissing.

PoK Supreme Court Chief Justice deposed

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) Supreme Court’s Chief Justice, Riaz Akhtar Chaudhry, has been removed from his post.

According to a private television channel, senior judge Manzoorul Hassan Gilani has replaced Chaudhry, who was appointed the chief justice of the apex court during former President General Pervez Musharraf’s regime.
According to sources, PoK Prime Minister … Read more : PoK Supreme Court Chief Justice deposed.

Madras High Court rules out general amnesty for Nalini Sriharan

CHENNAI – The Madras High Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassin Nalini Sriharan, for her early release under a general amnesty scheme.

Sriharan had moved the High Court challenging the decision of the Tamil Nadu Government that had rejected her plea for premature release.
The Karunanidhi- led Dravida Munettra Kazhagam … Read more »»».

Khodorkovsky to take the stand for first time in yearlong politically driven trial

Khodorkovsky to speak in own defense
MOSCOW – Imprisoned former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky is in court and expected to testify for the first time since his second trial began more than a year ago.
He is charged with embezzling more than $25 billion worth of oil and laundering most of the proceeds, charges … Read more >>.

EU brings common visa code for Schengen zone travellers

BRUSSELS – Majority of European Union countries have put in place a common visa rule for their citizens travelling across the Schengen zone.

The new visa code implemented since Monday will provide visa to the citizens of 22 countries through common easy procedure, EU’s Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said.
The EU member states will now [..] Read the original article: here.

Nicollette Sheridan sues producer of ‘Housewives’ for assault, wrongful termination

Nicollette Sheridan sues producer of ‘Housewives’

LOS ANGELES – Nicollette Sheridan, the actress who played a divorced real estate agent in ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” is suing the show’s creator and producer.
In the lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Sheridan alleges that producer Marc Cherry hit her in the face on the Wisteria Lane set … Original article on : Nicollette Sheridan sues producer of ‘Housewives’ for assault, wrongful termination.

Odesnik tops Janowicz at clay court championships

Odesnik tops Janowicz
HOUSTON – Jerzy Janowicz was not happy to be facing American Wayne Odesnik at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships on Monday.

Odesnik, playing for the first time since pleading guilty to importing human growth hormone into Australia, beat the 19-year-old Janowicz of Poland 6-3, 6-4 in a first-round match.
Odesnik pleaded guilty late last …. Read the original article  : Odesnik tops Janowicz at clay court championships.

NYC judge orders disclosure of those who deleted or destroyed records in ‘HOPE’ artist case

Evidence ordered released in ‘HOPE’ artist case
NEW YORK – A judge says lawyers for artist Shepard Fairey must disclose the identities of anyone who deleted or destroyed records related to a copyright dispute over the Barack Obama “HOPE” image.
Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein ruled Monday in favor of The Associated Press in most of … Original source on Gaea Times at : NYC judge orders disclosure of those who deleted or destroyed records in ‘HOPE’ artist case.

San Francisco Giants’ ballpark Coca-Cola slide the target of personal injury lawsuits

SF Giants’ Coca-Cola slide the site of injuries

SAN FRANCISCO – The famous Coca-Cola bottle slide at the San Francisco Giants’ waterfront ballpark is becoming known for another reason: lawsuits.
The team, which starts its season Monday, is facing a $6 million suit by Chad Mello, who injured his left knee and ankle in July 2008 on … Read this article on Gaea Times at : San Francisco Giants’ ballpark Coca-Cola slide the target of personal injury lawsuits.

Court orders probe against two Gujarat IPS officers

GANDHINAGAR – The Gujarat High Court Monday ordered the state criminal investigation department (CID) to probe involvement of two Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in the alleged assault on senior lawyer Yatin Oza during a protest in 1998.

Also called into question by the high court is the “C” summary report filed by the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Court orders probe against two Gujarat IPS officers.

Mass. judge rules in favor of female golfer barred from playing men’s tournament

Court sides with woman in golf-discrimination case

BOSTON – An amateur golfer has won a federal discrimination lawsuit she filed after a Massachusetts municipal golf course barred her from playing in a men’s tournament.
Elaine Joyce sued the town of Dennis and others after she was told she couldn’t play in a 2007 men’s tournament at the [..] Read the original article: here.

Shoaib doesn’t want to tarnish other girl’s image: lawyer

NEW DELHI – Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik does not want to tarnish the image of the girl whom he had taken to be Ayesha Siddiqui by releasing her photographs in public, his lawyer said here Monday.

“Shoaib has specifically told me not to disclose the photographs of the girl as it will harm her image,” senior …. Original article  : Shoaib doesn’t want to tarnish other girl’s image: lawyer.

Supreme Court’s special team verifies malnutrition complaint in UP village

ALLAHABAD – A special team of the Supreme Court has verified reports of malnourishment in Ganne village of Uttar Pradesh’s Allahabad District.

The conditions have been found to be very poor, as the villagers have no employment and no source of income.
The committee has called for providing means of livelihood to the villagers.
“The budget of the … Read : Supreme Court’s special team verifies malnutrition complaint in UP village.

Nepal’s passport deal with India taken to court

KATHMANDU – The growing controversy in Nepal following the government’s decision to award a sensitive passport contract to an Indian company continued to snowball with two individuals now challenging the decision in court.

Lawyer Hem Mani Subedi and law student Nar Bahadur KC filed separate public interest litigation applications in Nepal’s Supreme Court Tuesday, asking it …. Source  : Nepal’s passport deal with India taken to court.

Court gives Tiwari time to reply in paternity suit

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Wednesday gave former Andhra Pradesh governor N.D. Tiwari a last chance for filing his response in a paternity suit filed by a 34-year-old man who claims the Congress leader is his biological father.

The court directed Tiwari, 86, to file a written reply to a plea by Rohit Shekhar …. Source  : Court gives Tiwari time to reply in paternity suit.

Nepal’s decision to give MRP printing contract to India challenged in court

KATHMANDU – A writ petition was filed before Nepal’s Supreme Court on Tuesday against a government decision to award the contract for the printing of Machine Readable Passports (MRP) to an Indian government-owned firm.

Advocate Hem Mani Subedi filed the petition, stating that the decision to award the contract to India without bidding was illegal.
He said …. Read the original article  : Nepal’s decision to give MRP printing contract to India challenged in court.

UAW sues GM, saying automaker owes union $450M for retiree health care as part of settlement

UAW sues GM over retiree health care payment

DETROIT – The United Auto Workers union has sued General Motors Corp., saying the automaker owes it $450 million for retiree health care.
In the lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court in Detroit, the UAW said that in 2007, GM agreed to pay $450 million to settle a UAW … Read more »».

375 gm of oil sparks 27-year legal ordeal

NEW DELHI – Twenty seven years after a grocer was held guilty of selling adulterated oil and set about to prove his innocence, the Supreme Court has rejected his plea in a case that exposes the huge backlog of cases in Indian courts.

A bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice Cyriac Joseph held Roorkee shopkeeper …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

KC and the Sunshine Band member Finch pleads not guilty in Ohio of having sex with teen boys

KC and Sunshine Band member pleads in Ohio case

NEWARK, Ohio – A music producer and member of KC and the Sunshine Band has pleaded not guilty in Ohio to charges he had sexual contact with teenage boys.
Richard R. Finch appeared in Licking County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday. He was arrested last month and faced … Read : KC and the Sunshine Band member Finch pleads not guilty in Ohio of having sex with teen boys.

NKorea sentences US man to 8 years’ hard labor for illegally entering country and hostile acts

NKorea sentences US man to 8 years of hard labor

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea says it has sentenced an American man to eight years’ hard labor for entering the country illegally and unspecified hostile acts.
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said in a brief dispatch Wednesday that Aijalon Mahli Gomes acknowledged his wrongdoing …. Source article  : NKorea sentences US man to 8 years’ hard labor for illegally entering country and hostile acts.

OJ Simpson’s acquittal suit acquired by Newseum for display with other trial items

Simpson acquittal suit goes to Newseum for display

LOS ANGELES – The suit, tie and shirt that O.J. Simpson wore on the day he was acquitted of murder have been acquired by the Newseum in Washington, D.C.
The clothing donation was announced Tuesday, ending a dispute involving the former football star, Fred Goldman, whose son was killed, … Original source on Gaea Times at : OJ Simpson’s acquittal suit acquired by Newseum for display with other trial items.

Correction: Britain-Pope story

Correction: Britain-Pope story
LONDON – In an April 4 story about lawyers examining papal immunity, The Associated Press erroneously described Liberia… Original source on Gaea Times at : Correction: Britain-Pope story.

Sudanese aid worker sues over ‘forced disappearance’ in Guantanamo case

Sudanese man sues after release from Guantanamo

SEATTLE – A Sudanese aid worker freed from Guantanamo Bay in 2007 sued U.S. government officials Wednesday over what he called his forced disappearance and torture.
Lawyers for Adel Hassan Hamad, 52, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Seattle seeking damages for ongoing physical and emotional problems and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sudanese aid worker sues over ‘forced disappearance’ in Guantanamo case.

France’s first lady dismisses rumors of infidelity in presidential couple as ‘insignificant’

French first lady dismisses rumors of infidelity

PARIS – Carla Bruni-Sarkozy on Wednesday dismissed as “insignificant” rumors of infidelity by her and her husband, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and brushed off theories that lies were planted in a plot to bring down the glamorous couple.
She said in an interview with Europe 1 radio that she and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : France’s first lady dismisses rumors of infidelity in presidential couple as ‘insignificant’.

Kyrgyzstan riots toll rises to 40 (Second Lead, changing dateline)

Moscow, April 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The toll in the riots in the Kyrgyz capital has risen to 40 Wednesday as clashes between protesters and the police continued, forcing the president to declare a state of emergency to quell the unrest.

Kyrgyz health ministry said 40 people were killed and some 400 injured in the clashes …. Source  : Kyrgyzstan riots toll rises to 40 (Second Lead, changing dateline).

Court asks cop why charge sheet in 1984 riots case missing

NEW DELHI – A city court Wednesday summoned the then Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajiv Ranjan April 17 to explain why one of the charge sheets is missing in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases in which Congress leader Sajjan Kumar is an accused.

The court asked as to why the charge sheet number 67/87 is …. Source article  : Court asks cop why charge sheet in 1984 riots case missing.

17 killed, over 140 injured in Kyrgyzstan riots

Bishkek, April 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti) At least 17 people were killed and more than 140 injured in the Kyrgyz capital Wednesday as protesters clashed with the police to demand the release of their detained leaders, officials said.

Most of the victims reportedly died of gunshot wounds.
Protesters were demanding the release of opposition leaders detained … Read more >>>.

New York court issues summons against Indian minister Kamal Nath

CHANDIGARH – A court in New York has issued summons to union minister Kamal Nath following a civil lawsuit filed there by Sikhs for Justice, a US-based human rights advocacy group.

The civil lawsuit under the Alien Tort Claims Act against Kamal Nath, union minister for roads, transport and highways, was filed for his role in …. Original article  : New York court issues summons against Indian minister Kamal Nath.

Minister assures legal aid for convicted Indians in UAE

NEW DELHI – Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi Wednesday assured Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal that all steps have been taken to provide legal aid to the 17 Indians on death row in Sharjah.

Badal had telephoned Ravi, who is undergoing Ayurvedic treatment in Thrissur, Kerala, and discussed the issue, V.N. Ajayan, the … Read more : Minister assures legal aid for convicted Indians in UAE.

Regulate sports federations, court tells government

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the central government why guidelines aimed at regulating the functioning of various sports federation in the country were not being followed.

A division bench of acting Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Mukta Gupta questioned the government as to why guidelines for conducting elections to these … Read : Regulate sports federations, court tells government.

Delay in taking cop’s statement in Scarlet case questioned

PANAJI – In the British teenager Scarlett Keeling’s case, Goa Police took nearly one month to record statements of policemen who were the first to reach Anjuna beach where her body was found Feb 18, 2008, a defence counsel said Wednesday.

Defence counsel Ryan Menezes said during the cross examination on day two of the trial …. Read the original article  : here.

Ensure minimum wages to Games workers, orders high court

NEW DELHI – Expressing concern over the plight of workers at Commonwealth Games construction sites in the capital, the Delhi High Court Wednesday told the government to ensure that they get the minimum wages.

The observation came on the report filed by a court-appointed committee which said that the rights of labourers were being violated at …. Source  : Ensure minimum wages to Games workers, orders high court.

Justice Dinakaran shifted to Sikkim High Court

NEW DELHI – Under scrutiny Karnataka High Court Chief Justice P D Dinakaran, was shifted to the Sikkim High Court in a late night decision by the Supreme Court collegium, consisting Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justices SH Kapadia, RV Raveendran and Dalveer …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Judge faults weigh-in at Gatti-Gamache Madison Square Garden boxing bout but awards no damages

NY judge faults boxing weigh-in, awards no damages

ALBANY, N.Y. – The New York State Athletic Commission failed to properly weigh boxer Arturo Gatti before he fought Joey Gamache at Madison Square Garden in 2000, but that didn’t cause Gamache’s career-ending knockout loss, a judge said.
Evidence shows a commission official let Gatti off the scale before …. Source  : Judge faults weigh-in at Gatti-Gamache Madison Square Garden boxing bout but awards no damages.

Trial of 1st suspect in NJ schoolyard murders revisits tragedy that changed a city

Triple-death trial revisits Newark’s turning point

NEWARK, N.J. – New Jersey’s largest city is about to relive a tragedy that became a turning point for it.
Jury selection is scheduled Friday in the trial of the first of six suspects in the slaying of three friends in a schoolyard in 2007.
Rodolfo Godinez (goh-DEE’-nez) has been held on … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Trial of 1st suspect in NJ schoolyard murders revisits tragedy that changed a city.

Cell phone company sues Neb. village for denying tower; attorney says residents don’t want it

Cell phone company sues Neb. village over tower

OMAHA, Neb. – A cell phone company has filed a lawsuit against the village of Doniphan over the denial of a permit to build a new tower.
NE Colorado Cellular Inc., which does business as Viaero Wireless, says in filings in U.S. District Court that it wants to improve …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Judge approves ‘final’ delay for Congress to approve $3.4B Indian lawsuit settlement

Judge OKs ‘final’ delay in $4.3B Indian lawsuit

WASHINGTON – A judge has granted more time for Congress to approve a $3.4 billion settlement against the government for swindling Indian tribes out of royalties for oil, gas and grazing leases.
U.S. District Judge James Robertson says the delay is the last he will approve. It’s the third … Read more >>>.

UP police baton charge protesting Kanpur lawyers

KANPUR – The Uttar Pradesh police baton-charged the protesting lawyers at the Kanpur district court premises here on Thursday.

The lawyers in return pelted stones at the police personnel and damaged two official vehicles of two judges.
“We have put our 11-point demand. (Action should be … Original source on Gaea Times at : UP police baton charge protesting Kanpur lawyers.

UN war crimes court rejects Karadzic’s attempt to halt trial, clearing war for first witness

UN judges reject Karadzic’s attempt to halt trial

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Judges at the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal on Thursday rejected former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic’s latest attempt to halt his genocide trial.
Karadzic asked Tuesday for his trial to be stopped, saying it was unfair for prosecutors to be allowed to use around 1,500 …. Original article  : UN war crimes court rejects Karadzic’s attempt to halt trial, clearing war for first witness.

NAACP drops lawsuit against Wells Fargo that alleged mortgage discrimination

NAACP drops mortgage lawsuit against Wells Fargo

NEW YORK – The NAACP is ending its lawsuit against Wells Fargo that alleged the bank was forcing blacks into subprime mortgages while whites with identical qualifications got lower rates.
The lawsuit, filed over a year ago, is among more than a dozen the National Association for the Advancement of …. Original article  : NAACP drops lawsuit against Wells Fargo that alleged mortgage discrimination.

Lawyer: witness takes responsibility in Orlando case against Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes

Lawyer: man takes responsibility in Holmes case

ORLANDO, Fla. – A witness has taken responsibility for tossing a glass at a woman at an Orlando nightclub, according to the lawyer for Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes who was first accused of attacking the woman.
An investigator tracked down the witness, who gave a sworn statement saying he …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Lawyer: witness takes responsibility in Orlando case against Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes.

NBA star Gilbert Arenas begins gun sentence in Md. jail, will head to halfway house

Arenas arrives at Md. jail to begin gun sentence

ROCKVILLE, Md. – NBA star Gilbert Arenas has arrived at a Maryland jail to begin his sentence for bringing guns into the Washington Wizards’ locker room.
Arthur Wallenstein, the corrections director for Montgomery County, said Arenas arrived at the Montgomery County Detention Center in the Washington suburb of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : NBA star Gilbert Arenas begins gun sentence in Md. jail, will head to halfway house.

Gilbert Arenas begins sentence in Md. jail, then heads to halfway house

Arenas begins sentence for DC gun violations

ROCKVILLE, Md. – Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas began serving his sentence Friday night for bringing guns into the team’s locker room.
According to Arthur Wallenstein, director of Montgomery County Corrections, Arenas arrived at the Montgomery County jail at 7:40 p.m. Arenas must spend two days there for medical screening …. Source  : Gilbert Arenas begins sentence in Md. jail, then heads to halfway house.

Anna Nicole Smith estate appeals ruling that gave her none of late husband’s oil fortune

Smith estate appeals ruling on oil fortune

SAN FRANCISCO – Lawyers for the estate of Anna Nicole Smith have appealed a ruling that gave her none of her late billionaire husband’s fortune.
The appeal filed Thursday seeks a full review by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and continues a case that has outlived …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Anna Nicole Smith estate appeals ruling that gave her none of late husband’s oil fortune.

Los Angeles chosen by US judicial panel to consolidate dozens of Toyota recall lawsuits

LA chosen by US panel for Toyota lawsuits
MIAMI – A judicial panel has chosen Los Angeles federal court to consolidate dozens of lawsuits filed in the aftermath of Toyota’s recall of millions of vehicles over sudden unexpected acceleration problems.

The decision Friday by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation affects more than 200 lawsuits against … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Los Angeles chosen by US judicial panel to consolidate dozens of Toyota recall lawsuits.

Gaming giant Activision countersues execs who helped produce blockbuster ‘Modern Warfare 2???

Activision countersues ‘Modern Warfare’ execs

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Two former studio heads overseeing last year’s blockbuster video game “Modern Warfare 2″ were fired for insubordination and trying to poach key employees from Activision, the gaming giant alleged in court filings.
Activision on Thursday countersued former Infinity Ward executives Jason West and Vince Zampella, who sued Activision …. Original source  : Gaming giant Activision countersues execs who helped produce blockbuster ‘Modern Warfare 2′.

Anna Nicole Smith estate appeals ruling that she gets none of late husband’s oil fortune

Anna Nicole estate appeals ruling on oil fortune

SAN FRANCISCO – Lawyers for the estate of Anna Nicole Smith are appealing a ruling that gave her none of her late billionaire husband’s fortune.
The appeal filed Thursday seeks a full review by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and continues a case that has …. Original article  : Anna Nicole Smith estate appeals ruling that she gets none of late husband’s oil fortune.

Ga. DA to announce decision Monday on whether to charge Roethlisberger over sex assault claims

Ga. DA to announce decision on Roethlisberger case

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – A district attorney in Georgia plans to announce Monday whether charges will be brought in a case of sexual assault accusations against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
District Attorney Fred Bright said in a statement Friday he has reviewed all the investigation reports and will hold …. Read the original article  : here.

From London, Israeli journalist wanted in military whistleblower case defends his reporting

Israeli writer defends his whistleblower articles

JERUSALEM – An Israeli journalist who fled to London to avoid questioning by authorities in a case involving the leak of secret military documents defended his reporting Friday, after an Israeli court lifted a months-long gag order on the story.
Uri Blau, an investigative reporter for the Haaretz daily, said his …. Source  : From London, Israeli journalist wanted in military whistleblower case defends his reporting.

Spain’s judge known for indicting Bin Laden, Pinochet appeals Civil War probe indictment

Spain: Judge appeals Civil War probe indictment

MADRID – A Spanish judge known for indicting Osama bin Laden and Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet lodged an appeal Saturday against his own indictment for abuse of power in initiating a probe into Spain’s Civil War atrocities.
Baltasar Garzon’s lawyer, Gonzalo Martinez-Fresneda, presented the appeal before the Supreme Court and …. Read the original article  : Spain’s judge known for indicting Bin Laden, Pinochet appeals Civil War probe indictment.

Hero who helped subdue would be shoe bomber becomes US citizen, ending immigration limbo

Hero who helped subdue shoe bomber becomes citizen
ATLANTA – Kwame James waited nearly 10 years to be sworn in as a U.S. citizen, a long time compared with the time he spent helping subdue would-be shoe bomber Richard Reid on a trans-Atlantic flight.
James, now 32, wore a gray pinstriped suit and blue tie …. Source  : Gaea News Network.