Legal News – Weekly Newsletter for November 8-15, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Apex court asks for vigilance chief’s appointment details
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday directed the central government to place before it the file to indicate that it has followed all procedures of consultation in the appointment of P.J. Thomas as the central vigilance commissioner (CVC).
The apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia, also asked the central government whether …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Apex court asks for vigilance chief’s appointment details.
Myanmar democracy icon’s son seeks visa to visit mother
BANGKOK – The second son of Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi Monday sought a visa to enter Myanmar to visit his mother, who is under house arrest but may be released Sunday.
Suu Kyi, the country’s main opposition figure, is serving an 18-month sentence that is due to expire Nov 13.
“They are …. Source article : Myanmar democracy icon’s son seeks visa to visit mother.
India’s Rescue Foundation wins Taiwan award
TAIPEI – A Taiwan group announced Monday that it would present the 2010 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award to the Rescue Foundation, an Indian non-governmental organization (NGO) that frees teenage girls from forced prostitution.
“For many years, the Rescue Foundation has rescued many women in South Asia who were trafficked and forced into prostitution …. Source article : India’s Rescue Foundation wins Taiwan award.
Delhi to have new anti-begging law
NEW DELHI – The national capital, which has been using a 51-year-old law to deal with begging, is drafting a more “humane” legislation incorporating various welfare schemes, an official said.
Delhi, along with 17 other states, adopted the (Bombay) Prevention of Begging Act, 1959, which authorises police to detain anyone found begging on the streets.
… Read this article on Gaea Times at : Delhi to have new anti-begging law.
Apex court rejects Raju’s plea on surrender
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Tuesday rejected an application by former chairman of Satyam Computer Services Ltd B. Ramalinga Raju seeking four weeks to surrender before the trial court.
The Supreme Court had Oct 26 cancelled Raju’s bail and had directed him to surrender before the authorities on or before Nov 10.
Raju sought …. Source : Apex court rejects Raju’s plea on surrender.
ACHR condemns killing of 18 civilians in Assam by NDFB
NEW DELHI – The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) has strongly condemned the killing of 18 civilians and injuring of nine others in separate attacks allegedly by the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) in Assam on November 8, 2010 in retaliation against the killing of an NDFB cadre by the security forces in …. Source article : ACHR condemns killing of 18 civilians in Assam by NDFB.
Monica Bedi’s conviction upheld, sentence reduced
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Tuesday upheld the conviction of Bollywood actress Monica Bedi in a passport forgery case, but reduced the sentence to the imprisonment already undergone.
Bedi was caught in Portugal for travelling on a false passport to the name of Sana Malik Kamal. She was sentenced to five years of imprisonment …. Source : Monica Bedi’s conviction upheld, sentence reduced.
Delhi to host gay parade this month
NEW DELHI – Delhi is all set to host the third edition of the Gay Pride parade Nov 28, an organiser said Monday.
A celebration by gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders, the parade is expected to see around 2,000 people march from the Barakhamba Road to Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
The venue for the …. Read the original article : Delhi to host gay parade this month.
Apex court seeks vigilance chief’s posting details
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday told the government to place before it the file recording consultations between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P. Chidambaram and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj over the appointment of P.J. Thomas as the central vigilance commissioner (CVC).
“Please (also) bring the record showing …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Apex court raps four states for ignoring police reforms
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday directed the chief secretaries of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka to be present in the court Dec 6 to answer why these states have not implemented its directions for police reforms.
“We have issued notice in the first instance to following four states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Apex court raps four states for ignoring police reforms.
New twist in Karnataka Independents disqualification case
BANGALORE – The disqualification case of five Independent lawmakers of Karnataka Monday took a new turn with two of the five voters, on whose petition the five legislators lost the assembly membership, claiming they were forced to lodge the complaint.
The two voters Monday filed an affidavit in the Karnataka High Court, which is hearing …. Original source : New twist in Karnataka Independents disqualification case.
Chinese artist urges Cameron to raise human rights in Beijing
LONDON – Leading Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has urged British Prime Minister David Cameron to raise the question of human rights when he travels to China later Monday.
Writing in the Guardian newspaper , Weiwei, who was reported to have been placed under renewed house arrest, criticized global leaders for being “reluctant” to raise the …. Read the original article : Chinese artist urges Cameron to raise human rights in Beijing.
Supreme Court raps four states for ignoring police reforms
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday directed the chief secretaries of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal to be present in the court Dec 6 to answer why these states have not implemented its directions for police reforms.
Given in a September 2006 judgment, these directives involved setting up state security commissions, fixed tenures … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Supreme Court raps four states for ignoring police reforms.
Rajya Sabha panel holds Justice Sen guilty of corruption
NEW DELHI – A three-member committee formed by the Rajya Sabha to enquire into a impeachment motion against Calcutta High Court judge Soumitra Sen has held him guilty of corruption.
The panel, constituted by Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari, was headed by Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy and comprised Punjab and Haryana High …. Read the original article : here.
Jury will not see pics of sex statues in Prince of Brunei lawsuit
NEW YORK – A Manhattan judge has ruled that the jury will not get to see pictures of the life-size statues the Prince of Brunei had made of himself having sex with one of his fiancees.
The Manhattan Supreme Court judge, Ira Gammerman, who is presiding over the case of Prince Jefri Bolkiah, said the pictures …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Jury will not see pics of sex statues in Prince of Brunei lawsuit.
Hearing on Amit Shah’s bail adjourned
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Wednesday adjourned hearing on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) appeal seeking cancellation of bail to former Gujarat minister Amit Shah in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake shootout case.
Shah, former minister of state for home, was arrested by the CBI July 25 for his alleged involvement in the killing. … Original source on Gaea Times at : Hearing on Amit Shah’s bail adjourned.
Ramalinga Raju, five others surrender before trial court
HYDERABAD – B. Ramalinga Raju, the prime accused in the multi-crore Satyam accounting fraud, and five others surrendered before a trial court here Wednesday.
Ramalinga Raju, his brother B. Rama Raju, former Satyam CFO V. Srinivas and three other former employees of the IT firm — G. Ramakrishna, Venkatapathi Raju and Srisailam — surrendered before …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Ramalinga Raju, five others surrender before trial court.
Apex court reserves order on Amar Singh, Jaya Prada plea
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Wednesday reserved its order on a petition of former Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh and actor Jaya Prada, and said that as unattached members of the house they were not covered under the 10th Schedule of the constitution that provides for disqualification of members if they defy the … Read more : Apex court reserves order on Amar Singh, Jaya Prada plea.
‘Better implemention of laws needed to protect children’
NEW DELHI – Delhi Minister for Women and Child Development Kiran Walia Tuesday said that instead of new laws, better implementation of the existing ones was needed to protect children’s rights.
“More than laws, we need self-realisation and sensitisation on part of the institutions which have been assigned the authority to implement laws related to …. Read the original article : here.
Meeting Obama was memorable experience for woman panchayat leader (Second Lead)
NEW DELHI – The interaction may have lasted just a few minutes, but for Sharmi Bai, a panchayat leader from Rajasthan, interacting with US President Barack Obama at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai Sunday was a proud and memorable experience.
While language was a barrier, Sharmi Bai was nevertheless very excited to share with him …. Source : Meeting Obama was memorable experience for woman panchayat leader (Second Lead).
Satyam fraud case: Supreme Court rejects Ramalinga Raju’s plea
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the plea of former Satyam chairman B. Ramalinga Raju, seeking extension of tomorrow’s deadline for his surrender.
The apex court had earlier cancelled Raju’s bail and directed him to surrender by November 10.
However, Raju had moved an application seeking extension of this deadline to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Satyam fraud case: Supreme Court rejects Ramalinga Raju’s plea.
RTI yet to reach Orissa’s tribals, Dalits
BHUBANESWAR – They constitute some of the most neglected sections of Indian society, but Orissa’s tribals and Dalits may soon make use of a powerful tool to improve their lot — the Right to Information (RTI), which has so far not touched their lives.
The state information commission has intensified efforts to educate tribals and …. Source : RTI yet to reach Orissa’s tribals, Dalits.
2G Scam: Congress sends back channel message to DMK to remove Raja before court ruling
NEW DELHI/CHENNAI – The Congress is reported to have sent a back channel missive to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leadership in Tamil Nadu that it should remove Communication and Information Technology Minister A. Raja from the Union Cabinet before the Supreme Court rules on the 2G spectrum scam.
According to Congress sources, Raja …. Source article on Gaea Times at : 2G Scam: Congress sends back channel message to DMK to remove Raja before court ruling.
CBI has shielded Rathore, alleges Ruchika’s father
NEW DELHI – Reacting to the verdict of the Supreme Court that granted bail to former Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) SPS Rathore in the Ruchika molestation case, Ruchika’s father Anand Prakash on Thursday demanding an independent inquiry where no police officers are involved in the probe said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) … Original article on : CBI has shielded Rathore, alleges Ruchika’s father.
Australia revamps skilled migration test
MELBOURNE – Australia has drastically changed its skilled migration test to favour potential migrants with higher skills, experience and better command over the English language, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said Thursday.
“These changes to the points test are an important next step in the series of reforms to the skilled migration programme announced by …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Australia revamps skilled migration test.
Over 5,000 tourists from five countries avail visa on arrival
NEW DELHI – As many as 5,016 visitors from Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore availed of visa on arrival in India between January-October this year, officials said Thursday.
As a facilitative measure to attract more foreign tourists, a scheme of ‘Visa on Arrival’ (VoA) was launched this January for citizens of five countries …. Read the original article : Over 5,000 tourists from five countries avail visa on arrival.
Complainant opposes Rathore’s bail, seeks judicial probe
CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI – One of the main complainants in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case, Anand Prakash, Thursday said he was opposed to the bail granted to former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore and sought a judicial probe into the 1990 molestation case.
The apex court Thursday granted bail to S.P.S. Rathore, who is serving an … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Complainant opposes Rathore’s bail, seeks judicial probe.
Ruchika case: Apex court grants bail to Rathore (Second Lead)
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Thursday granted bail to former Haryana director general of police S.P.S. Rathore, who is serving an 18-month jail sentence in the 1990 Ruchika Girhotra molestation case.
The apex court bench of Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice B.S. Chauhan said Rathore would not leave the country without specific permission of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ruchika case: Apex court grants bail to Rathore (Second Lead).
Ruchika molestation case: Supreme Court grants bail to former Haryana DGP Rathore
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to former Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) SPS Rathore in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case.
The apex court took the decision keeping into account the closure report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the fact that he had already spent six months … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Ruchika molestation case: Supreme Court grants bail to former Haryana DGP Rathore.
Apex court grants bail to Rathore in molestation case
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Thursday granted bail to former Haryana director general of police S.P.S. Rathore, who is serving an 18-month jail sentence for molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra in 1990.
The apex court bench of Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice B.S. Chauhan said Rathore would not leave the country without specific permission of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Apex court grants bail to Rathore in molestation case.
Goa freedom fighters protest celebration of Portuguese arrival
PANAJI – Goan freedom fighters are up in arms again. They had once fought against Portuguese rule in the state and this time they are opposing grand plans to mark 500 years of the arrival of the colonisers.
More than 1,000 elderly freedom fighters have demanded that the state government boycott the celebration of the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Goa freedom fighters protest celebration of Portuguese arrival.
Ishrat case: Supreme Court rejects Gujarat Govt plea challenging SIT probe
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a Gujarat Government plea challenging the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Gujarat High Court to probe the “fake” encounter killing of Ishrat Jahan and three others.
An apex court bench comprising of justices B Sudershan Reddy and S S Nijjar rejected the …. Source article : Ishrat case: Supreme Court rejects Gujarat Govt plea challenging SIT probe.
US women sues former employers for ordering her ‘to hide too big boobs’
LONDON – A US woman has filed a lawsuit against her former employers for gender discrimination claiming she was ordered to hide her breasts because they were too large.
Amy-Erin Blakely claims she endured six years of harassment about the size of her chest at the Devereux Foundation, a children’s mental health organisation in Orlando, …. Source article on Gaea Times at : US women sues former employers for ordering her ‘to hide too big boobs’.
Ishrat Jahan case: apex court upholds special probe team
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Friday dismissed an appeal by the Gujarat government challenging the setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the killings of Ishrat Jahan and three others’ in a suspected fake shootout by the state police.
The Gujarat government had moved the Supreme Court challenging the state high … Read : Ishrat Jahan case: apex court upholds special probe team.
Court stops screening of Satyajit Ray’s ‘Sikkim’
KOLKATA – Within minutes of the first public screening of Satyajit Ray’s documentary “Sikkim” at the 16th Kolkata Film Festival, its remaining shows during the event were suspended following a direction by a Sikkim court, an official said.
An order by the district judge court of Gangtok has forced the festival authorities to suspend the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Court stops screening of Satyajit Ray’s ‘Sikkim’.
Topless Ukraine feminists protest Iranian woman’s death sentence
KIEV – A group of female protesters went topless in Ukraine Thursday at an event promoting Iranian culture, to demonstrate against the death sentence handed down to a woman in Iran for murder and adultery.
Five members of the Ukrainian group Femen tore off their clothing and shouted slogans against what they called court-sanctioned murder … Read more : Topless Ukraine feminists protest Iranian woman’s death sentence.
Eliminate beggary in humane manner, states told
NEW DELHI – All states have been asked to develop a data base on the extent of beggary and to eliminate it rapidly, but in a “humane” manner, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment D. Napolean said Thursday.
In a written reply, Napolean told the Rajya Sabha that union Minister for Social Justice … Read : Eliminate beggary in humane manner, states told.
2G spectrum allocation flawless, government tells apex court
NEW DELHI – The government Thursday told the Supreme Court that the department of telecommunication (DoT) acted in public interest and in pursuance of its policy decision while allocating 2G spectrum licences to telecom operators in 2008.
In an affidavit filed Thursday, the government opposed a plea of petitioner Centre for Public … Original source on Gaea Times at : 2G spectrum allocation flawless, government tells apex court.
No lapses in 2G spectrum allocation, apex court told
NEW DELHI – The central government Thursday told the Supreme Court that the department of telecommunication acted in public interest and on the basis of settled policy in the issuance of licences to telecom operators for 2G spectrum.
An affidavit filed by the government Thursday said no case was made out for an … Read more >>.
US Supreme Court keeps military gay ban in place
WASHINGTON – The US Supreme Court refused Friday to intervene in the legal battle aimed at ending the military’s policy banning gays from openly serving in the armed forces.
The Supreme Court rejected a request from the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay advocacy group, to overrule a previous court decision, effectively keeping the ban in …. Source article : US Supreme Court keeps military gay ban in place.
Pro-industry tribal groups move court for Vedanta project
BHUBANESWAR – At least eight pro-industry tribal groups Friday moved the Orissa High Court against the central environment ministry’s order disapproving the London-listed Vedanta’s refinery expansion in the state citing violations, a lawyer said.
The public suits were filed by residents of Kalahandi and Rayagada districts on behalf of their groups, lawyer Partha Mukherji told …. Source : Pro-industry tribal groups move court for Vedanta project.
Orissa to wait for apex court verdict on Polavaram
BHUBANESWAR – Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday said his government will wait for the Supreme Court verdict on the controversial Polavaram dam project, to be built by Andhra Pradesh on river Godavari, to chalk out its future course of action.
“We will wait for the judgment of the Supreme Court. Then we will see …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Orissa to wait for apex court verdict on Polavaram.
Ishrat Jahan case: Supreme Court upholds special probe
NEW DELHI – In a setback to the Gujarat government, the Supreme Court Friday rejected its petition challenging the setting up of a Special Investigating Team (SIT) by the state high court to investigate the killing of Ishrat Jahan and three others in an alleged fake shoot-out.
Rejecting the Gujarat government’s plea, an apex court …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Ishrat Jahan case: Supreme Court upholds special probe.
Aung San Suu Kyi to be set free – finally
LONDON – Pro-democracy leader, Nobel Laureate and India-educated Aung San Suu Kyi is to be set free, most probably Saturday, after Myanmar’s military junta Friday signed an order authorising her release.
BBC quoted reports from Myanmar as saying that the military had signed the release order. The development saw a sudden increase in police activity …. Source article : Aung San Suu Kyi to be set free — finally.
Delhi High Court dismisses N D Tiwari’s plea against fine in paternity suit
NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed veteran Congress leader and former Andhra Pradesh Governor N D Tiwari’s plea challenging imposition of Rs 75,000 as cost on him for seeking deletion of certain paragraphs from a paternity suit filed against him by a man, who is claiming to be his biological son.
A …. Source : Delhi High Court dismisses N D Tiwari’s plea against fine in paternity suit.
Facebook banned for hours in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH – The social networking website Facebook was restricted in Saudi Arabia for several hours Saturday, according to users.
Users of the widely-popular Facebook were only able to access the website around sundown.
According to a source at the Telecommunications Agency in Saudi Arabia, the site was restricted most of the day because it did … Original source on Gaea Times at : Facebook banned for hours in Saudi Arabia.
Nobel committee invites Suu Kyi to Oslo
OSLO – Norway’s Nobel committee Saturday invited Aung San Suu Kyi to Oslo to make a belated acceptance speech for the peace prize she won 19 years ago but did not pick up.
The Myanmar opposition icon was honoured in 1991 for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights, but was unable to travel …. Source : Nobel committee invites Suu Kyi to Oslo.
Apex court judge mourns inconsistency in judgments
LUCKNOW – Expressing concern over inconsistency in judgments, Supreme Court judge R.V. Raveendran said Saturday that such anomalies had led the common man to lose faith in the judicial system.
“People are afraid of courts because of various anomalies in the practice of laws and filing special leave petitions (SLP) before apex court is regarded … Read : Apex court judge mourns inconsistency in judgments.
Pak SC makes history by issuing notices to spymasters in missing persons case
ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Supreme Court made history on Friday by putting on notice the powerful spymasters of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) in abduction case of 11 citizens from the Adiala Jail, after …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Colors dragged to court for vulgarity, ‘fake’ wedding on ‘Bigg Boss’
BHOPAL – A civil court here has served notice to the chief executive officer (CEO) of Colors TV channel for showing vulgar content on reality show “Big Boss” and cheating the audience by organising the wedding of an already married couple.
“The court of class two judge Suresh Srivastava served notice to the CEO of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Colors dragged to court for vulgarity, ‘fake’ wedding on ‘Bigg Boss’.
Plan to settle all pending cases within three years: Moily
AGARTALA – The central government has taken initiatives to dispose of all pending cases in various courts across the country within three years, union Law and Justice Minister M. Veerappa Moily said here Saturday.
“The union government, besides taking steps for judicial reforms, is also modernising court administration across the country with the latest …. Original source : Plan to settle all pending cases within three years: Moily.