Legal News – Weekly Newsletter for November 1-8, 2010

We didn’t chose this life, say scavengers

NEW DELHI – Hundreds of manual scavengers from various parts of the country raised slogans against their suffering and indignity at a rally in the capital Sunday.

The Samajik Parivartan Yatra, a nation-wide rally organised by Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA), an organisation formed by former manual scavengers, culminated in a rally in the capital.
The … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : We didn’t chose this life, say scavengers.

Three-judge bench to hear Karnataka Independents’ case

BANGALORE – A three-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court will Tuesday hear the joint writ petition of the five Independent legislators disqualified from the state assembly Oct 11.

According to the court registrar’s office, Chief Justice J.S. Khehar has constituted the full bench with Justice Mohan Shantanagoudar, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer and Justice A.S. … Original article on : Three-judge bench to hear Karnataka Independents’ case.

Fairness is backbone of show cause notice, stresses Apex court

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court has said that a quasi-judicial authority acting in exercise of its statutory powers must act fairly and must act with an open mind while initiating a show cause proceeding.

Justice is rooted in confidence and justice is the goal of a quasi-judicial proceeding also,” said the apex court bench … Original source on Gaea Times at : Fairness is backbone of show cause notice, stresses Apex court.

Bangladeshi court orders arrest of former premier’s son

DHAKA – A Dhaka court Sunday issued an arrest order for an exiled son of Khaled Zia, Bangladesh’s former premier, in a money laundering case, court officials said.

Arafat Razhman has since 2008 been living in Thailand, where he is said to be receiving medical treatment. He was initially arrested in Bangladesh in 2007, as … Original source on Gaea Times at : Bangladeshi court orders arrest of former premier’s son.

Sohrabuddin case: Amit Shah heads for Mumbai on Supreme Court’s orders

AHMEDABAD – Former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah left for Mumbai on Sunday morning following a direction from the Supreme Court to be out of the State till November 15, when the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) plea seeking cancellation of his bail will be heard.

The CBI filed a petition in the apex court on …. Original article  : Sohrabuddin case: Amit Shah heads for Mumbai on Supreme Court’s orders.

Satyam case to be heard on daily basis from Nov 8

HYDERABAD – The special court here conducting trial in the Satyam scam Tuesday decided to hear the case daily from Nov 8 in view of the Supreme Court’s directive to complete the procedings by July next year.

The trial in the Rs.14,000 crore accounting fraud began Tuesday but the Central Bureau of …. Source article  : Satyam case to be heard on daily basis from Nov 8.

Lahore High Court postpones hearing of petition against Musharraf

LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) has postponed the hearing of a petition challenging Pervez Musharraf’s election as Pakistan President in 2007.

A division bench, comprising Justices Chaudhry Muhammad Tariq and Syed Akhlaq Ahmad, after hearing the petitioner, Muhammad Azhar Siddique, sent the case to the Chief Justice with a request to constitute a larger …. Read the original article  : Lahore High Court postpones hearing of petition against Musharraf.

Ayodhya verdict doesn’t condone demolition: Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI – Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said the Allahabad High Court judgment in the Ayodhya Ram Janambhoomi-Babri-Masjid title case in no way condoned the demolition of the mosque 18 years ago.

Addressing a meeting of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), which is being held after 13 years, Gandhi said: “It …. Original article  : Ayodhya verdict doesn’t condone demolition: Sonia Gandhi.

Karnataka crisis: High Court to hear independent MLAs’ case

BANGALORE – A full-bench of the Karnataka High Court will hear the disqualification case of five independent MLAs today.

The new Bench comprising Justice Mohan Shanthanagouder, Justice Abdul Nazir and Justice A S Bopanna will take up the case.

The rebel, along with eleven BJP MLAs, had been disqualified from the membership of the House by … Read more : Karnataka crisis: High Court to hear independent MLAs’ case.

Court rejects extradition of Danish national to India

COPENHAGEN – A Danish court Monday rejected a request by the country’s justice ministry to extradite a Danish national to India, where he is wanted in connection with a 1995 arms drop.

Niels Holck, who has used at least two aliases, has been wanted by India since 2002 over his alleged role in the drop [..] Read the original article: here.

Law to regulate hawking rights soon

NEW DELHI – The government Monday assured street vendors that it will soon frame laws to regulate hawking rights in five states including Delhi.

The assurance was given by P.K. Mohanty, head of the government’s city modernisation programme, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), when he met activists working for vendors’ community …. Source article  : Law to regulate hawking rights soon.

‘At 96, Justice Iyer continues to be a crusader’

NEW DELHI – Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, 96, is a crusader and his voice can be heard when freedom is in danger, justice is in jeopardy or probity in public life is in peril, said union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy.

Addressing a meeting organized Monday to celebrate the 96th birthday of … Read more »».

Gujarat lawyers don’t want courts to open on all Saturdays

GANDHINAGAR – Advocate groups have opposed the Gujarat High Court’s decision to make lower courts work on all Saturdays in a month from the new year to counter the mounting backlog of cases.

Like state government offices, lower courts, at present, observe a holiday on the second and the fourth Saturday of a month.
…. Source  : Gujarat lawyers don’t want courts to open on all Saturdays.

No legal action against Arundhati: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI – Home Minister P. Chidambaram Monday said no action according to law could be taken against author-activist Arundhati Roy for her alleged seditious speech on Kashmir last month.

“Section 124(A) (related to sedition) of the (Indian Penal Code) IPC is for deterrence and punishment. The spirit of the law and true interpretation …. Source article  : No legal action against Arundhati: Chidambaram.

Court backs government on phasing out Blueline buses

NEW DELHI – Delhi High Court Monday declined to restrain a government notification to phase out the capital’s Blueline buses notorious for their reckless drivers.

The direction was passed on a petition filed by a federation of Blueline buses challenging the Delhi governments Oct 27 notification ordering the phasing out of the last of the …. Read the original article  : Court backs government on phasing out Blueline buses.

Court upholds government ruling on tenure, age for sports officials

NEW DELHI – The chiefs of National Sports Federations (NSFs) received a jolt Tuesday with the Delhi High Court upholding the sports ministry’s guidelines restricting their tenure of office and fixing the upper age limit.

The court ruling makes it clear that all national sports bodies will have to follow a fixed tenure of maximum … Read more : Court upholds government ruling on tenure, age for sports officials.

Sports federation chiefs can’t be over 70 years: Court

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Tuesday directed the central government to implement its national sports policy under which the upper age limit for the heads of sports federations has been fixed at 70 years.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Deepak Misra gave the direction while turning down a plea of five … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sports federation chiefs can’t be over 70 years: Court.

Manipur’s ‘Iron Lady’ completes 10 years of hunger strike

IMPHAL – Manipur rights activist Irom Sharmila Tuesday completed 10 years of her hunger strike to protest alleged rights violations by security forces, but still refused to break the fast.

Sharmila, who earned the sobriquet ‘Iron Lady of Manipur’, launched an indefinite hunger strike Nov 2, 2000 after she was witness to the killing of …. Original source  : Manipur’s ‘Iron Lady’ completes 10 years of hunger strike.

British prisoners to get voting rights

LONDON – Breaking a 140-year-old convention, Britain has decided to change its law and allow prisoners to vote in the country’s general election, as ruled by a European court six years ago.

Around 70,000 prisoners will be given voting rights for the first time in 140 years after Prime Minister David Cameron conceded there was … Read : British prisoners to get voting rights.

Karnataka HC issues notice to Speaker on independent MLAs’ disqualification

BANGALORE – Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued notices to Speaker K.G. Bopaiah and other respondents on petitions filed by five independent MLAs challenging their disqualification from the Assembly and posted the matter for further hearing on November 8.

The notices were issued by a full bench comprising Justices Mohan Shantanagoudar, S. Abdul Nazeer … Read more : Karnataka HC issues notice to Speaker on independent MLAs’ disqualification.

1984 anti-Sikh riots: Canadian party seeks justice

TORONTO – Canadian opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), which is desperately trying to woo the Sikh community, Wednesday described the anti-Sikh riots following Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination as “the tragic pogroms of 1984 that targeted Sikh men, women and children”.

“The New Democratic Party of Canada stands in solidarity with the Sikh community, demands …. Source article  : 1984 anti-Sikh riots: Canadian party seeks justice.

Britain working to change arrest law, Hague says

JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH – The British government is working to change a law which has seen Israeli officials threatened with lawsuits in Britain, visiting British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in Ramallah Wednesday.

“We will soon be putting a proposal to change the law,” he told a joint news conference with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
But, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Games displaced 250,000 people in Delhi’

NEW DELHI – Around 250,000 people lost their homes due to evictions and demolitions conducted for security measure taken for the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG), a human rights organisation said here Wednesday.

“Most of the demolitions and forced evictions have been characterised by lack of notice and due process, large police presence, destruction of personal … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Games displaced 250,000 people in Delhi’.

Apex court cautions high courts on use of powers

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court has said that delays and laches is one of the important factors which a high court must bear in mind while exercising discretionary powers under Article 226 of constitution.

“In relation to land acquisition proceedings, the court should be loathe to encourage stale litigation as the same might hinder … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Apex court cautions high courts on use of powers.

Israel’s deputy PM cancels Britain trip to evade arrest

LONDON – Israel’s deputy prime minister Dan Meridor was forced to cancel his trip to Britain following warnings that he could be arrested for alleged war crimes, a media report said.

Meridor, who is also the Israeli minister for intelligence and atomic energy, pulled out of an event in London Monday after the British Foreign …. Original article  : Israel’s deputy PM cancels Britain trip to evade arrest.

Lok Sabha speaker pitches for land to tillers

ALLAHABAD – Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Wednesday said that the revolutionary target of land to the tillers should be pursued honestly to sustain the interests of farm labourers and increase the agricultural productivity of India.

Agricultural labourer is the real farmer. With their hard work, we are able to grow crops but they …. Source article  : Lok Sabha speaker pitches for land to tillers.

Female worker claims American Airlines staff grabbed her breasts

CHICAGO – An American Airlines staffer has filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming that co-workers, and even bosses, grabbed her breasts and made lewd comments.

Donna Montefusco had been hired in November 2006 as an assistant in American’s maintenance and engineering department, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

She alleges in the lawsuit that almost from the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Female worker claims American Airlines staff grabbed her breasts.

Food security will reduce maternal mortality: Expert

NEW DELHI – National Food Security Act can help bring down malnutrition and maternal mortality rates in the country, Biraj Patnaik, principal adviser to the Supreme Court commissioners on right to food, said Wednesday.

“Anaemia during pregnancy is one of the main reasons for maternal death, because that may cause haemorrhage. Food supplement which can …. Original source  : Food security will reduce maternal mortality: Expert.

Dhaka court questions repatriation of Pakistani war criminals

DHAKA – A Dhaka court has questioned the “Delhi Treaty” under which Bangladesh agreed to return 195 Pakistani soldiers who had surrendered in the 1971 war. It has asked the government as to why it could not be directed to bring these men back for trial.

The Pakistan Army personnel, who were prisoners of war … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Dhaka court questions repatriation of Pakistani war criminals.

Muslim sues Oklahoma state for banning Sharia law

WASHINGTON – Two days after Oklahoma voters approved a ballot measure banning state courts from considering Islamic Sharia law or international law while making a judgement, a local Muslim has filed a federal lawsuit saying the measure is unconstitutional.

The lawsuit against ballot measure, …. Source  : Muslim sues Oklahoma state for banning Sharia law.

Lawyers petition UN over jailed Nobel dissident

BEIJING – Lawyers have filed petitions urging the UN to press China to release Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo from prison and free his wife from house arrest, a report said Friday.

A team of international lawyers filed an “urgent action petition” with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Thursday, asking it to … Read : Lawyers petition UN over jailed Nobel dissident.

Land favours to Hooda aide irks court

CHANDIGARH – “Favouritism” shown by various agencies of the Haryana government to a senior state functionary has invited the wrath of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The high court, while quashing the “illegal release of land” to Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s principal adviser R.N. Prasher, has passed strictures against the Haryana government and … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Land favours to Hooda aide irks court.

‘Teesta Setalvad not worried about court probe’

AHMEDABAD – The Citizens for Justice and Peace, the Mumbai-based voluntary organization fighting for the 2002 Gujarat riot victims, stated Thursday that its secretary, Teesta Setalvad, was not worried about any “investigation” as they had nothing to fear.

The CJP was reacting to the special trial court hearing the post-Godhra Gulberg society … Read more : ‘Teesta Setalvad not worried about court probe’.

India Shining? Income grows, development doesn’t, says UNDP report

NEW DELHI – India ranks 119 among 169 countries on the human development index (HDI) but is among the top 10 nations in the world in terms of growth of income, the 2010 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report released Thursday shows.

HDI is a measure of development based on information such as life expectancy, … Read : India Shining? Income grows, development doesn’t, says UNDP report.

Repatriation of tribal refugees to Mizoram begins

AGARTALA/AIZAWL – The much-awaited repatriation of tribal refugees from Tripura to Mizoram has begun even as the uncertainty over the return of all migrants looms large, officials said Thursday.

Out of 41,600 tribal refugees, 175 refugees returned to their homes Wednesday afternoon and 90 people were repatriated Thursday.
“The Mizoram and Tripura governments and union …. Source  : Repatriation of tribal refugees to Mizoram begins.

Cabinet approves bill against sexual harassment at workplace

NEW DELHI – The union cabinet Thursday approved a bill to prevent sexual harassment at the workplace.

The Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill, 2010 which was formulated after extensive consultations between the ministries of women and child development and law along with several other stakeholders, defines sexual harassment and provides …. Source  : Cabinet approves bill against sexual harassment at workplace.

Obama visit a chance to promote human rights

NEW YORK – US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should put human rights at the heart of their discussions when they meet in New Delhi, Human Rights Watch has said.

The world’s largest democracies should make a commitment and encourage each other to protect human rights in their domestic and security …. Read the original article  : Obama visit a chance to promote human rights.

Pakistan court orders cases against MPs with fake degrees

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered the election commission to file cases against parliamentarians who hold fake degrees, a media report said.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry gave this ruling while hearing a plea filed by a former member of the national assembly, Amir Yar Awaran, against his disqualification … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pakistan court orders cases against MPs with fake degrees.

More women respected in Pakistan than India: report

NEW DELHI – Compared to India, a higher percentage of women in Pakistan feel they are treated with respect, says a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report.

According to the report, 81 percent women in Pakistan are treated with respect as compared to 79 percent in India. Even Bangladesh – with 86 percent – fares …. Original source  : More women respected in Pakistan than India: report.

Saudi Arabia bans smoking at airports

RIYADH – A ban on smoking inside Saudi airports will be enforced from Sunday, starting with King Abdul Aziz International Airport in the coastal city of Jeddah.

The ban will be enforced at other airports in the kingdom gradually, where culprits will pay a 200 Saudi riyal fine (around $53).
Special rooms for smoking will …. Read the original article  : Saudi Arabia bans smoking at airports.

Indian victims of Pan Am plane hijack seek Obama’s help

CHANDIGARH – Indian passengers of Pan Am World Airways flight 73, which was hijacked at Karachi en route from Mumbai to New York in September 1986, Saturday urged US President Barack Obama to re-look the case of compensation for them.

“President Obama extolled the courage and fortitude of the Indians during the Mumbai terror attack … Read more >>.

Restrictions on our language triggered Tibet protests: Dalai Lama

DHARAMSALA – China has imposed Mandarin as a medium of instruction in schools in Tibet, triggering demonstrations there, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said Saturday.

“Tibetan language is a very rich language, which can go along with the ancient Sanskrit language. Chinese authority has imposed Chinese language as a medium of instruction in Tibetan …. Original article  : Restrictions on our language triggered Tibet protests: Dalai Lama.

UK’s “Abu Ghraib” in dock over ‘brutal mistreatment’ of Iraqi prisoners

LONDON – Evidence of the alleged brutal mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners at a secret British military interrogation center, known as “the UK’s Abu Ghraib”, has emerged during high court proceedings brought by more than 200 former inmates on Friday.

According to the Guardian, the …. Source article  : UK’s “Abu Ghraib” in dock over ‘brutal mistreatment’ of Iraqi prisoners.