Supreme Court issues notice to Centre, States on honour killings

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre and the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan on the honour killing issue.

Justices R M Lodha and A K Patnaik sought a response from these governments to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO ‘Shakti Vahini’ seeking stern …. Source  : Supreme Court issues notice to Centre, States on honour killings.

Jundullah chief Abdolmalek Rigi hanged in Iran

TEHRAN – Banned Iranian terror group Jundullah’s chief Abdolmalek Rigi, who was convicted of various charges by the country’s apex court of law, has been hanged.

According to Iran’s state television, Rigi was executed inside Evin prison in the presence of his family members.

“Abdolmalek Rigi was hanged at dawn today…he was convicted for many crimes like …. Source article  : Jundullah chief Abdolmalek Rigi hanged in Iran.

Bhopal Tragedy: GoM likely to seek Anderson’s extradition

NEW DELHI – The Group of Ministers on the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy is likely to recommend filing of a curative petition in the Supreme Court to fix criminal liability, seeking extradition of former Union Carbine chief Warren Anderson, apart from measures to clean up the disaster site.

The panel held four rounds of meetings [..] Read the original article: here.

Pelosi calls for peaceful future for Tibetan refugees

DHARAMSALA – US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi Sunday called for a “more secure, just and peaceful future” for Tibetan and other refugees around the world.

“In India and Nepal, there are approximately 70,000 Tibetan refugees who have escaped Chinese repression over the dangerous Himalayan mountain passes. There continues to be no resolution in sight … Read more »»».

Bank can close account for want of PAN card details: Court

NEW DELHI – A bank is justified in closing the account of a customer who fails to provide permanent account number (PAN) card details, Delhi’s top consumer court has said.

Refusing to grant any relief to the customer whose account was closed by the HDFC Bank for want of PAN card details, Delhi State Consumer Disputes … Original source on Gaea Times at : Bank can close account for want of PAN card details: Court.

Operators told to pay MCD in three days for mobile towers (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Tuesday asked cellular operators to pay half the enhanced fee for mobile towers to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs).

The vacation bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice A.K. Patnaik gave cellular operators three days time to comply with … Original article on : Operators told to pay MCD in three days for mobile towers (Second Lead).

US Supreme Court upholds law barring material support’ for terror groups

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a key provision of the Patriot Act that makes it a crime for humanitarian groups to provide material support, including expert advice, to any individual who could potentially be connected to government-designated terrorist groups.

The apex court passed a ruling to this effect by a six to … Read more »»».

Key prosecution witness to be back on stand at Blagojevich corruption trial for days

Key prosecution witness on stand at Blago trial

CHICAGO – A central figure in the case against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich may be on the stand all week.
Blagojevich’s last chief of staff, John Harris, is expected to testify again Tuesday after first climbing the witness stand Monday afternoon. Prosecutors say he could be there for at …. Original article  : Key prosecution witness to be back on stand at Blagojevich corruption trial for days.

Operators told to pay MCD for mobile towers

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Tuesday asked cellular operators to pay half the enhanced fee for mobile towers to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs).

The vacation bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice A.K. Patnaik gave cellular operators three days time to comply with … Read more »».

Brisbane SC to hear Justice John before deciding on Dr. Death’s fate

BRISBANE – The jury attached to the Brisbane Supreme Court will hear Justice John H Byrne’s summary of the manslaughter trial of controversial Indian origin surgeon Dr. Jayant Patel before deciding on the latter’s fate.

Justice John will begin the summing up the case before the jury this afternoon.

According to the Courier Mail, Dr. …. Original article  : Brisbane SC to hear Justice John before deciding on Dr. Death’s fate.

Cellular operators told to pay MCD

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Tuesday asked cellular operators to pay half the enhanced fee for mobile towers to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs).

The court, however, said that the civic agency would not encash the FDRs.
… Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Cellular operators told to pay MCD.

Judge considers bail for 4 accused of plotting to blow up NY synagogues, down military planes

Judge weighs bail for 4 accused in NY temple plot

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – A New York judge is considering bail for four men accused of plotting to down military planes and blow up synagogues with what they thought were an active missile and bombs.
Judge Colleen McMahon heard bail arguments Monday in White Plains, N.Y. There … Read : Judge considers bail for 4 accused of plotting to blow up NY synagogues, down military planes.

Kentucky con man receives 2 life sentences for killing Wisconsin couple in 1980

Ky. con man gets 2 life sentences for 1977 deaths

JEFFERSON, Wis. – Aging Kentucky con man Edward W. Edwards received his second pair of life sentences in two weeks on Monday.
Before sentencing, 77-year-old Edwards sat handcuffed in his wheelchair and made no comments to family members of the Wisconsin couple he admitted to killing 30 … Read : Kentucky con man receives 2 life sentences for killing Wisconsin couple in 1980.

AIADMK leaders call on President Patil to urge for Tamil to be the court’s language

NEW DELHI/ CHENNAI – A group of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) MLAs called on President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil here on Monday to urge for their demand to make Tamil as the official language of the Madras High court.

Leading the delegation M. … Read more >>.

Protect couple marrying against parents’ wish, court to police

NEW DELHI – Asking police to take immediate action on any complaint from them, Delhi High Court Monday came to the aid of a couple who got married against the wishes of their respective families and were getting threats from them.

The vacation bench of Justice S.N. Dhingra afforded the protection to Gaurav and Chanchal … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Protect couple marrying against parents’ wish, court to police.

US government appeals court defeat on drilling moratorium

WASHINGTON – The US government sought to keep its moratorium on offshore oil drilling in place, filing an appeal against an earlier court order to end the ban.

The government Wednesday also asked federal Judge Martin Feldman in New Orleans to put his order from Tuesday on hold or issue a temporary stay until the appeals …. Source article  : US government appeals court defeat on drilling moratorium.

Land gifted to Rajendra Prasad usurped by Congress?

RANCHI – India’s first president Rajendra Prasad would never have imagined that land gifted to him in 1940 for starting an educational institution would allegedly be grabbed by the very Congress party of which he had been a member. But that does seem to be the case.

And the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has now … Read : Land gifted to Rajendra Prasad usurped by Congress?.

Bhopal, nuke liability bill are separate issues:Anand Sharma

WASHINGTON – The 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy did not cast a shadow on the deliberations of the India-US CEOs Forum to enhance India-US business ties, according to Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma.

“The subject never came up,” he told reporters Wednesday. “It’s a matter which is sub judice back home. And it’s not a subject … Read : Bhopal, nuke liability bill are separate issues:Anand Sharma.

Lawyers for ousted Ill. Gov. Blagojevich seek FBI’s summaries of interviews with Obama

Blago lawyers seek summaries of Obama interviews

CHICAGO – Attorneys for ousted Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich want to see the FBI’s summaries of interviews agents conducted with President Barack Obama.
After court adjourned Wednesday, Blagojevich’s lawyers filed a motion asking for the summaries, saying the request was prompted by testimony from Blagojevich’s former chief of staff John … Read more >>>.

Judge orders Stanford, co-defendants to be tried separately in massive fraud case

Stanford, co-defendants to be tried separately

HOUSTON – A judge has granted a request to have jailed Texas financier R. Allen Stanford tried separately from his three co-defendants on charges that they bilked investors out of $7 billion in a massive Ponzi scheme.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner of Houston signed an order Wednesday granting the request …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Judge orders Stanford, co-defendants to be tried separately in massive fraud case.

Man asks court to throw out his conviction in Kirsten Dunst handbag heist in NYC

Man wants conviction tossed in Dunst handbag heist

NEW YORK – A man who says he was duped into helping take Kirsten Dunst’s designer purse from a New York City hotel suite is trying to get his burglary conviction tossed.
A lawyer for James Jimenez (JIH’-mehn-ehz) asked a judge Wednesday to overturn jurors’ guilty verdict in the …. Source  : Man asks court to throw out his conviction in Kirsten Dunst handbag heist in NYC.

Court grills Gujarat on civic polls

GANDHINAGAR – The Gujarat High Court Wednesday directed the state government to tell under which provisions of the constitution it was empowered to notify seats for municipal corporation wards.

The division bench of Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi sought answers from the state government and the state election commission in this … Original source on Gaea Times at : Court grills Gujarat on civic polls.

Court relief for British Airways

NEW DELHI – Providing relief to the British Airways (BA), the Supreme Court Wednesday said the airline could not be held guilty of indulging in unfair trade practices over alleged delay in delivery of cargo sent from India to Paraguay.

The court was hearing a matter related to alleged loss of a cargo consignment and delay … Read : Court relief for British Airways.

CII rallies behind Keshub Mahindra on Bhopal gas verdict

NEW DELHI – Industrialist Keshub Mahindra, found guilty of criminal laxity with six others in the Bhopal gas disaster, Wednesday found support from an apex chamber that wanted changes in the liabilities of non-executive directors in such incidents.

“The law regarding potential liability of non-executive and independent directors needs to undergo a change,” said a statement … Original article on : CII rallies behind Keshub Mahindra on Bhopal gas verdict.

Karnataka Lokayukta resigns

BANGALORE – Karnataka Lokayukta (Ombudsman) Santosh Hegde Wednesday resigned from the constitutional post, 14 months before his five-year term was to end.

“I have tendered my resignation letter to Governor H.R. Bhardwaj at Raj Bhavan,” Hegde told reporters here.
The resignation will be effective from Aug 31.
“The main reason for my resignation is the indifference … Read more »».

Emergency a sad period in Indian history: Kuldip Nayar (June 25 marks 35th anniversary of Emergency)

NEW DELHI – Calling the Emergency a “sad period in India’s history when we nearly lost independence”, noted journalist and civil rights activist Kuldip Nayar says “the Emergency still exists informally in the country in different forms as the rulers, with the full support of the bureaucracy, police and other sections, indulge in authoritarian …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Lawyers for Kan. doctor, wife plan to appeal conspiracy, fraud convictions in painkiller case

Kan. doc to appeal conviction in painkiller case

WICHITA, Kan. – Defense attorneys plan to seek the release of a Kansas doctor and his wife while they appeal their convictions on charges they conspired to profit from illegally prescribing painkillers to patients who later died.
Jurors found Dr. Stephen Schneider and his wife, Linda, guilty Thursday. Prosecutors … Original article on : Lawyers for Kan. doctor, wife plan to appeal conspiracy, fraud convictions in painkiller case.

Brewer asks Obama for border plan details on Arizona before visit from administration aides

Brewer asks Obama for Arizona border plan details
PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is telling President Barack Obama she’s anxious for details on how his administration’s plans to tighten border security will apply to Arizona.
Brewer tells Obama in a letter released Thursday that she’d like specifics on National Guard deployments and other steps [..] Read the original article: here.

Appeals court decision means Vikings Kevin and Pat Williams might get to play all season

Ruling in drug case could clear 2 Vikes to play

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Court of Appeals has rejected the NFL’s request to expedite its handling of the case of Minnesota Vikings Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, which means the defensive tackles may get to play the entire upcoming season.
The players are fighting a closely watched …. Original article  : Appeals court decision means Vikings Kevin and Pat Williams might get to play all season.

Gujarat tribunal chief appointed

GANDHINAGAR – A tribunal for taking up disputes related to public works contracts will soon become functional as its chairman has been appointed, the Gujarat High Court was informed by the state government Thursday.

The state government submitted that Judicial Officer K.M. Vin has been appointed chairman of the Gujarat Public Works Contract Arbitration Tribunal.
The … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Gujarat tribunal chief appointed.

Rape accused Karnataka ex-minister gets bail

BANGALORE – Former Karnataka minister H. Halappa, facing a charge of raping his friend’s wife, was Thursday given conditional bail by the high court.

Justice Subash Adi directed Halappa to provide a bond for Rs. 100,000, two sureties for the like sum and report to a police station once in a fortnight.
Halappa has been in …. Original article  : Rape accused Karnataka ex-minister gets bail.

33-year-long legal battle on wages ends

NEW DELHI – The curtains have finally come down on a 33-year-long legal battle, with the Supreme Court ruling in favour of a group of now-extinct railway coach attendants who wanted higher wages.

The legal battle was started by 5,000-odd attendants, tasked to assist passengers in trains, but only about 80 of them are alive today …. Source article  : 33-year-long legal battle on wages ends.

Papers being readied to seek Anderson’s extradition: Soni

NEW DELHI – The government is readying the necessary papers to seek the extradition from the US of then Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson, an accused in the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy case, it was announced here Thursday.

“Additional material for the extradition of Warren Anderson is being put together by the external affairs ministry and …. Read the original article  : here.

UN to investigate laws against HIV-infected people

GENEVA – The United Nations launched a commission Thursday to investigate punitive laws that harm global efforts to respond to the decades-old HIV epidemic.

The commission will “help restore the dignity of people and help us remove bad laws and save the lives of people,” the chief of the UN’s Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS, Michel Sidibe, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : UN to investigate laws against HIV-infected people.

Detained Tibetan’s wife details grim torture

KATHMANDU – As China refused to release a noted Tibetan environmentalist and businessman arrested allegedly on “trumped up” robbery charges, his wife has taken to blogging in a desperate bid to tell the world of the “hundreds of different cruel torture methods” inflicted on him and fellow prisoners.

“I just didn’t recognise him,” writes Dolkar Tso, …. Read the original article  : here.

Mohit Shah sworn-in Bombay High Court chief justice

MUMBAI – Justice Mohit Shah was sworn in as the new chief justice of the Bombay High Court here Saturday.

Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan administered the oath of office to the new chief justice at a function in Raj Bhavan.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Council Shivajirao … Read more »»».

Mohit Shah is new Bombay High Court chief justice

MUMBAI – Justice Mohit Shah was sworn in as the new chief justice of the Bombay High Court here Saturday.

Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan administered the oath of office to the new chief justice at a function in Raj Bhavan.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Council Shivajirao Deshmukh, … Read more : Mohit Shah is new Bombay High Court chief justice.

Kolkata HC lawyers demand stern action against errant policemen

KOLKATA – Advocates of Calcutta High Court Bar staged a demonstration to protest against uncivilised behaviour of certain policemen towards women lawyers and demanded intervention of the Chief Justice to initiate appropriate action.

Volunteers of Ganatantrik Nagar Samiti of Howrah also joined the agitating lawyers in their protest.

The lawyers claimed that around 200 policemen had forcefully …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Kolkata HC lawyers demand stern action against errant policemen.

Gandhi is hero for protesters at G-20 summit

TORONTO – As Toronto virtually went under lockdown before the G-20 summit beginning Saturday, anti-globalisation protesters marched through city streets to give the security forces a tough time. In one such anti-poverty protest, Mahatma Gandhi figured prominently.

As more than 200 protesters played hide and seek with security forces, one could read this message from …. Original source  : Gandhi is hero for protesters at G-20 summit.

NY judge urges other defendants, including building cleaners, to join 9/11 health settlement

NY judge: Others should join 9/11 responders’ deal

NEW YORK – The judge who approved the settlement for thousands of 9/11 first responders exposed to toxic World Trade Center dust wants other defendants to join it.
U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein released a statement Friday urging hundreds of other defendants to consider participating in the settlement. They …. Original source  : NY judge urges other defendants, including building cleaners, to join 9/11 health settlement.

Appeals court upholds decision against German Tennis Federation in lawsuit against ATP

Court rejects ATP appeal by German Tennis group

DOVER, Del. – A federal appeals court has rejected a challenge from the German Tennis Federation of a decision that cleared the way for the ATP Tour’s tournament restructuring.
A three-judge panel in Philadelphia on Friday affirmed a 2008 verdict by a federal jury in Delaware rejecting the federation’s … Read more : Appeals court upholds decision against German Tennis Federation in lawsuit against ATP.

Drugmaker Merck says it will fight $8 million compensatory damages verdict in Fosamax trial

Merck hit with $8 million verdict in Fosamax trial

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. – Drugmaker Merck & Co. was hit Friday with an $8 million jury verdict in the case of a Florida woman who says Merck’s osteoporosis drug destroyed her jaw bone – the company’s first loss of a Fosamax trial.
Merck attorney Paul Strain said the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Drugmaker Merck says it will fight $8 million compensatory damages verdict in Fosamax trial.

Riot accused gets more time to reply to lawyer’s charge

AHMEDABAD – A special court here Friday granted Babu Bajrangi, an alleged conspirator of the 2002 communal riots at Naroda Patiya, time till June 29 to file his reply to a lawyer’s plea seeking cancellation of his bail for threatening him.

Advocate R.A. Sheikh, who represents a few victims of the massacre case, alleged that …. Read the original article  : here.

Court appoints observer for IMA elections

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Friday appointed an observer to conduct the Indian Medical Association (IMA) elections.

The court also asked the IMA to restore the name of its former president K.K. Agarwal, which was removed from the list of central council members making him ineligible from contesting this year’s elections.
Hearing Agarwal’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Court appoints observer for IMA elections.

Nanavati panel’s stand June 30 on summoning Modi

GANDHINAGAR – The suspense on the stand of the Nanavati-Mehta judicial inquiry commission, probing the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat, on summoning Chief Minister Narendra Modi for questioning will continue till June 30.

The state government pleader Friday submitted a sealed cover to Gujarat High Court’s special bench of Chief Justice S.J.Mukhopadhyaya and Justice Akil … Read more »»».

Making Europe a destination for Indian workers: Vayalar Ravi

NEW DELHI – The problem of illegal migration, especially to the Gulf, is a priority for Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi who has even personally attended to distress calls from Indians abroad. He is also focussing on making Europe a destination for Indian workers.

A key initiative of his six-year-old ministry was the creation of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Making Europe a destination for Indian workers: Vayalar Ravi.

‘Proposed law against communal violence in negotiation stage’

NEW DELHI – A proposed law against communal violence, which the central government is reported to have drafted, is still in the negotiation stage, representatives of civil society said Saturday.

“I saw these articles (in the media) which said that the government had incorporated the bill. This bill has not been incorporated till now, the … Read more >>.

Kashmir rights panel chief to probe Sopore firing

SRINAGAR – The Jammu and Kashmir government Saturday appointed state human rights commission chief Justice (retd) Syed Bashir-ud-Din to conduct an enquiry into Friday’s firing incident in Sopore in which two youth were killed.

According to an official statement here, the commission will enquire into: “The causes of death of Shakeel Ahmad Ganai, son of Abdul … Read : Kashmir rights panel chief to probe Sopore firing.

Report: Britain to impose temporary cap on economic migrants from outside the European Union

Report: UK to impose temporary cap on migrants

LONDON – A newspaper is reporting that Britain’s new government intends to impose a temporary limit on the number of foreign workers from outside the European Union it allows into the country.
The Times said Home Secretary Theresa May will announce a maximum of 24,100 workers from outside the …. Original source  : Report: Britain to impose temporary cap on economic migrants from outside the European Union.

Kerala takes over golf course

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – After a nearly three-year-long legal battle, the Kerala government Saturday took over the Trivandrum Golf Club (TGC) and its 9-hole course situated in the heart of this capital city.

Armed with an interim Supreme Court judgment, Thiruvananthapuram Tahsildar Madhu Janardhanan led a team of revenue department officials to take possession of the club. The …. Original source  : Kerala takes over golf course.