Legal News – Newsletter for November 22, 2010

Integrity rule also for judicial posts, government tells court

NEW DELHI – The central government Monday told the Supreme Court that if the criterion of impeccable honesty and integrity in appointments to higher positions has to be followed in every case then all judicial postings would come under scrutiny.

Impeccable honesty and integrity is a criterion for all appointments under the constitution, Attorney General …. Source article  : Integrity rule also for judicial posts, government tells court.

SC raps government, asks how CVC will function in light of criminal case

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Central Government if Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) P.J. Thomas could function effectively in view of various charges levelled against him.

“Without looking into the file, we are concerned that if a person is an accused in a criminal case how will he function as CVC,” a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : SC raps government, asks how CVC will function in light of criminal case.

Himachal villagers protest in Delhi against dam

NEW DELHI/SHIMLA – Around 100 villagers from Himachal Pradesh began a two-day protest in New Delhi Monday against the construction of a hydroelectric project in Sirmaur district that also aims at providing drinking water to Delhi. The project would displace hundreds of people, the protesters said.

The Rs.2,700 crore ($560 million) Renuka dam to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Himachal villagers protest in Delhi against dam.

Can Thomas be an effective CVC, asks Supreme Court

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday asked the central government if Central Vigilance Commissioner P.J. Thomas could function effectively in view of various charges hurled against him.

The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia wondered if a person who is an accused and facing a chargesheet could head a watchdog body.
… Read : Can Thomas be an effective CVC, asks Supreme Court.

US surgeon sues women following ‘Frankenstein’ boobs claim

LONDON – A US cosmetic surgeon has filed a lawsuit against a former patient for claiming in an online post that his botched surgery left her with ‘Frankenstein’ breasts.

Dr Jay Pensler has taken legal action against his former patient stating her comments about his work were destroying his reputation.

Chicago based Pensler decided to launch his … Read : US surgeon sues women following ‘Frankenstein’ boobs claim.

Ex-legislator alleges housing scam in Madhya Pradesh

BHOPAL – Former Madhya Pradesh lawmaker and Congress leader Prakash Raghuwansi Sunday alleged a scam in a scheme for allotting flats to MPs and legislators in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled state.

Sharing documents with reporters, he said under the scheme houses were mostly allotted to BJP leaders.
The Congress leader, who has moved the …. Read the original article  : Ex-legislator alleges housing scam in Madhya Pradesh.

‘Dalits still being targetted in Uttar Pradesh’

LUCKNOW – The National Commission for Scheduled Castes Sunday rejected the Uttar Pradesh government’s claims of bringing down incidents of violence against Dalits, terming them “baseless and misleading”.

The commission’s newly-appointed chairman P.L. Punia said the state government released figures of only the first six months of this year, and atrocities against Dalits had actually …. Read the original article  : ‘Dalits still being targetted in Uttar Pradesh’.

Sale of liquor near film festival venue opposed

PANAJI – Women’s rights groups in Goa are opposing the sale of liquor close to the venue of the 41st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here.

The IFFI, which gets underway Monday, is in the crosshairs of the Bailancho Saad, a women’s rights group, with the festival organisers allowing sale of liquor near the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sale of liquor near film festival venue opposed.

PPP demands suo moto in Saifur Rehman audio-tape issue

KARACHI – The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has demanded suo moto action by Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry against people involved in the Saifur Rehman audio-tape issue, Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Information and Archives, Sharmila … Read more : PPP demands suo moto in Saifur Rehman audio-tape issue.