Legal News – Weekly Newsletter for November 15-22, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
NCPCR to recommend programmes for HIV/AIDS affected children
NEW DELHI – The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is preparing a comprehensive document recommending programmes to provide assistance to HIV/AIDS affected children.
The document includes suggestions like juvenile centres and providing legal and social support for children suffering from HIV/AIDS, NCPCR officials said.
We are formulating a comprehensive policy document. …. Source : NCPCR to recommend programmes for HIV/AIDS affected children.
Indian work visas, OCI cards in high demand in Canada
TORONTO – There is virtually a rush among NRIs in Canada to acquire the Overseas Citizenship of India (OIC). Also, the number of people, mostly white Canadians, seeking work visas for India is also going up rapidly.
Since 2006 when the OCI scheme was introduced, the number of Indo-Canadian seeking the OCI card has almost … Original source on Gaea Times at : Indian work visas, OCI cards in high demand in Canada.
Apex court grants interim relief to Amar Singh, Jaya Prada
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday granted interim relief to former Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh and actor-turned politician Jaya Prada from being expelled as MPs even if they defy their party’s whip in the house.
The apex court bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice Cyriac Joseph granted the relief while …. Source : Apex court grants interim relief to Amar Singh, Jaya Prada.
Supreme Court to hear 2G Spectrum case today
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court will on Monday hear a petition against A. Raja on his alleged involvement in the allocation of 2G Spectrum.
A bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly will hear the petition filed by NGO CPIL, which has alleged that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is … Read more >>>.
Foreigners in China can now buy only one home
BEIJING – Foreigners in China will now be allowed to buy only one apartment on the mainland under new rules announced by the government.
Overseas buyers must provide statements to show that they do not own other properties on the mainland, along with proof of at least one year’s employment in the country before home … Read more >>>.
Supreme Court asks Vodafone to deposit Rs.2,500 crore
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday asked telecom major Vodafone to deposit, within three weeks, Rs.2,500 crore as a component of its tax liability on its transaction with Hutchinson International Ltd. for acquiring its India operations Hutch Essar.
The apex court bench of Chief Justice S.H.Kapadia, Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice Swatanter Kumar asked … Read more >>.
Apex court gives relief to Amar Singh, Jaya Prada
NEW DELHI – Expelled Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and actress-turned-politician Jaya Prada Monday got relief from the Supreme Court which said they would not attract disqualification from parliament even if they defy the party whip while voting.
Amar Singh is a member of the Rajya Sabha and Jaya Prada is a member of … Read : Apex court gives relief to Amar Singh, Jaya Prada.
CAG report confirms charge against Raja, apex court told
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday was told that the allegation that former telecom minister A. Raja granted 2G spectrum licences in an arbitrary manner to favour certain companies stands vindicated by the final report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
The apex court bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice A.K. Ganguly … Read more >>.
Answer question on disability in 2011 census, urges campaign
NEW DELHI – Disability carries social stigma in India. But now a new campaign, ‘Badhate Kadam’, hopes to fight this stigma and urges people to answer a question on disability in the 2011 census.
The campaign has been organised by the National Trust, an autonomous body under the social justice and empowerment ministry. Into its …. Original article : Answer question on disability in 2011 census, urges campaign.
Yeddyurappa made party in lawmakers’ disqualification case
BANGALORE – The Karnataka High Court Monday rejected the plea of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa not to make him a party to a petition of five Independent lawmakers who have challenged their disqualification from the assembly.
A three-judge bench of Justice Mohan Shantanagoudar, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer and Justice A.S. Bopanna ruled that the …. Source article : Yeddyurappa made party in lawmakers’ disqualification case.
Suu Kyi’s party seeks legal status
YANGON – Myanmar democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) are seeking a judicial order to reinstate it as a legal political party, officials said Wednesday.
The NLD lost its status in May after refusing to register for the Nov 7 general election, the first in more than 20 …. Original article : Suu Kyi’s party seeks legal status.
Government asked to explain delay in taking decision on 2G spectrum allocation scam
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court has asked the Government to explain the delay in taking a decision on the issue of granting sanction to prosecute former Telecom Minister A. Raja in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.
A bench comprising justices G. S. Singhvi and A. K. Ganguly took the decision.
The bench was hearing on …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Government asked to explain delay in taking decision on 2G spectrum allocation scam.
Abandoned Gurkha veterans get first home in Nepal
KATHMANDU – Mostly abandoned by their families or left with no one to care for them, 26 octogenarians, who either served in the British Army or are the widows of ex-Gurkha soldiers, have begun a new life in Nepal, thanks to generous donors in the Britain who raised money to build the first old-age home …. Read the original article : Abandoned Gurkha veterans get first home in Nepal.
33 women protest in Chilean mine
SANTIAGO – A group of 33 women locked themselves up 900 metres underground in a coal mine in the southern Chilean town of Lota to protest the end of a social programme.
The women, who threatened to go on a hunger strike, Tuesday replicated the plight of 33 miners who were trapped 700 metres underground … Read more »».
Tibetan government-in-exile gets court notice on land deals
SHIMLA – The Himachal Pradesh High Court Tuesday issued notice to the Tibetan government-in-exile based in Dharamsala, the Government of India and the state government regarding permission granted to Tibetan refugees for purchase of land in the state.
While issuing the notice, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice V.K. Ahuja made …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Tibetan government-in-exile gets court notice on land deals.
Vedanta varsity land acquisition quashed, opposition guns for Patnaik
BHUBANESWAR – The Anil Agarwal-owned Vedanta Group suffered another setback Tuesday with the Orissa High Court quashing the process of land acquisition for its proposed university in Puri. The judgment prompted opposition parties to demand Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s resignation.
A division bench of Chief Justice V. Gopal Gouda and Justice B.P. Das delivered the …. Read the original article : Vedanta varsity land acquisition quashed, opposition guns for Patnaik.
Ela Bhatt honoured with Global Fairness Initiative Award
WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has presented the first Global Fairness Initiative Award to Ela Bhatt, founder of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) that has helped over a million women in India to move forward.
“She (Bhatt) has helped not only women in India but women in South Africa, in Pakistan, Afghanistan, … Original article on : Ela Bhatt honoured with Global Fairness Initiative Award.
Apex court frowns on PM’s silence over Raja (Second Lead)
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Tuesday took exception to the 15-month “silence” of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on former MP Subramanian Swamy’s plea seeking sanction to initiate proceedings against then telecom minister A. Raja over the 2G spectrum row.
The prime minister could have said that the material on record was insufficient and declined … Read more >>>.
Supreme Court frowns on PM’s silence over Raja
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Tuesday took exception to the 15-month “silence” of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on former MP Subramanian Swamy’s plea seeking sanction to initiate proceedings against then telecom minister A. Raja over the 2G spectrum row.
The prime minister could have said that the material on record was insufficient and declined …. Source article : Supreme Court frowns on PM’s silence over Raja.
Raja ignored PM on 2G, cost nation Rs.1.76 lakh crore: Auditor (Roundup)
NEW DELHI – In the most serious indictment on the 2G-spectrum scam, India’s official auditor Tuesday said former communications minister A. Raja even ignored Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s advice and allotted radio frequency to new telecom players at low prices, resulting in a huge revenue loss of Rs.1.76 lakh crore (nearly $40 billion) to the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Raja ignored PM on 2G, cost nation Rs.1.76 lakh crore: Auditor (Roundup).
Court gives ‘Bigg Boss’ reprieve till Monday
MUMBAI – The Bombay High Court Thursday stayed till Monday a central government order directing Colors TV to change the broadcast timings of its popular reality show “Bigg Boss”, the channel said.
The order of the information and broadcasting ministry has been stayed till Monday when Colors channel’s petition will be heard. Till then, “Bigg … Original article on : Court gives ‘Bigg Boss’ reprieve till Monday.
Rahul, Rakhi, Sudarshan – all dragged to Madhya Pradesh courts
BHOPAL – Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Digvijay Singh, former RSS chief K.S. Sudarshan and TV actress Rakhi Sawant have one thing in common. They have all been dragged to court in Madhya Pradesh.
Cases were filed against the two Congress leaders for comparing the Hindu rightwing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with the Students Islamic …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Rahul, Rakhi, Sudarshan – all dragged to Madhya Pradesh courts.
Controversy over purchasing of land by Tibetans in Himachal
DHARAMSALA – The Central Tibetan Administration has denied receiving any notice so far by the Himachal Pradesh High Court on the issue of purchase of land by Tibetans in the State.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court issued notices on Tuesday to Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala, the Government of India and the State government regarding … Original article on : Controversy over purchasing of land by Tibetans in Himachal.
Government gets till Saturday to file 2G spectrum affidavit (Second Lead)
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Thursday asked the solicitor general to file an affidavit by Saturday detailing the government’s action in response to the application seeking sanction to prosecute A. Raja, who recently quit as telecom minister.
Adjourning the hearing, the apex court bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and A.K. Ganguly also said it … Original source on Gaea Times at : Government gets till Saturday to file 2G spectrum affidavit (Second Lead).
Forensic expert tells court that pregnant Canadian Sikh woman was strangled, burned
Victoria (British Columbia, Canada), – The Supreme Court in the Canadian province of British Columbia has been told that by a forensic pathologist that a pregnant Canadian Sikh woman was strangled and burned before her body was deposited on a beach.
Dr. Charles Lee provided the testimony in B.C. Supreme Court on Wednesday at the second-degree …. Source article : Forensic expert tells court that pregnant Canadian Sikh woman was strangled, burned.
2G scam: Supreme Court asks govt. to file affidavit on PM’s behalf
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Thursday asked for an affidavit to be filed by Saturday on behalf of the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, which explains why he took close to a year to respond to a request for the prosecution of former Telecom Minister A Raja over 2G scam.
Delivering the order, the …. Original article on Gaea Times at : 2G scam: Supreme Court asks govt. to file affidavit on PM’s behalf.
2G scam: Government to respond in Supreme Court today
NEW DELHI – The Government will on Thursday respond to remarks by Supreme Court on the inaction and silence of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on a complaint seeking action against former Telecom Minister A. Raja over the 2G spectrum allocation.
Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium will address the Supreme Court’s queries related to Dr. Singh’s … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 2G scam: Government to respond in Supreme Court today.
White Britons to be a minority – in 50 years
LONDON – White Britons will become a minority in Britain by 2066, an expert has said.
David Coleman, professor of demography at Oxford University, said the decline in white population would be due to a record breaking immigration along with the departure of thousands of Britons to greener pastures.
The Sun quoted Coleman as saying … Read this article on Gaea Times at : White Britons to be a minority — in 50 years.
Solicitor general embroidering or stretching truth: Subramanian Swamy
NEW DELHI – Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy Wednesday alleged that Solicitor General Gopal Subramanian could have been misled by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on communications with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the 2G spectrum allocation issue.
The solicitor general has either been misled by the PM’s office or misinformed the court, Swamy told … Read more »»».
Court asks government for affidavit on action against Raja
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Thursday adjourned hearing on the 2G spectrum allotment case and asked the government to file an affidavit detailing the action in response to the application seeking sanction to prosecute A. Raja, who recently quit as telecom minister.
Adjourning the hearing, the apex court bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and … Original source on Gaea Times at : Court asks government for affidavit on action against Raja.
Iran’s HR boss justifies ’stoning’, calls UN censure “politicisation of human rights”
NEW YORK – Iran’s top human rights official has given a robust defence of his country’s right to engage in the stoning of criminals and imprison lawyers viewed as threatening the stability of the Islamic Republic, as he assailed the United Nations’ censure against Tehran for what it said was an accelerating crackdown on its … Read more >>.
Asylum seekers sew lips to protest detention
SYDNEY – Asylum seekers at Australia’s Christmas Island centre have sewn their lips shut in protest against their detention, a media report said Friday.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen confirmed that 10 out of 160 people engaged in a peaceful protest have sewn their lips, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Bowen warned the protesters their … Read more : Asylum seekers sew lips to protest detention.
Attorney General Vahanvati to represent PM in 2G spectrum case
NEW DELHI – Attorney General G. E Vahanvati will now represent Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in the 2G Spectrum allotment case before the Supreme Court.
Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium will now represent only the Department of telecommunications (DoT).
Vahanvati told reporters that the government has asked him to represent the Prime Minister in the case.
The Supreme … Read more >>.
No transfer of Ghaziabad provident fund case: Supreme Court
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Friday declined the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) plea for transferring the trial in Ghaziabad district court’s multi-crore provident fund (PF) scam case outside Uttar Pradesh.
Pronouncing the order, Justice D.K. Jain said it could not accept the CBI plea that the trial court judge would not be able …. Source article on Gaea Times at : No transfer of Ghaziabad provident fund case: Supreme Court.
Attorney general to appear for PM in Raja case
NEW DELHI – Attorney General G. Vahanvati will appear in the Supreme Court Tuesday for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to respond to the apex court’s question on why he did not give sanction to launch criminal proceedings against the now disgraced and former minister A. Raja, informed sources said Friday.
Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium will … Original source on Gaea Times at : Attorney general to appear for PM in Raja case.
George Clooney honoured for humanitarian work
LONDON – Hollywood actor George Clooney was honoured for his philanthropic works at a function in New York.
The “Up In The Air” star attended the Ripple of Hope Awards at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan, where he was felicitated for his humanitarian work in Sudan.
Also present at the occasion was Clooneys father, Nick, …. Source article : George Clooney honoured for humanitarian work.
Apex court quashes adulteration case against Pepsi
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Thursday set aside a Kerala High court judgment and quashed the prosecution of Pepsico India Holding Private Limited based on complaints alleging presence of pesticide residue in its soft drink.
The apex court bench of Justice Altamas Kabir, Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice Deepak Verma allowed the appeal …. Read the original article : Apex court quashes adulteration case against Pepsi.
Court refuses to interfere in Ahmedabad demolition drive
GANDHINAGAR – The Gujarat High Court Thursday refused to interfere in a sealing and demolition drive by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation against illegal constructions but offered relief for some buildings that faced action.
The high court bench of Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi came down heavily on officials of the state government …. Read the original article : Court refuses to interfere in Ahmedabad demolition drive.
Larger bench may take up Punjab Sikhs’ minority status case
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Thursday indicated that it may refer to the constitution bench the question whether Sikhs in Punjab enjoy minority status in respect of setting up educational institutions and availing related benefits.
The apex court bench of Justice B. Sudershan Reddy and Justice S.S. Nijjar said this while hearing the petitions …. Source article : Larger bench may take up Punjab Sikhs’ minority status case.
Nobel peace award unlikely to be given at December ceremony
OSLO – Chances are slim that the Nobel Peace Prize would be presented at the December ceremony as neither its winner nor a member of his family would be able to attend, the head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee said Thursday.
Chinese activist Liu Xiaobo, a writer and one of China’s leading dissidents, was sentenced … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Nobel peace award unlikely to be given at December ceremony.
Every letter from Swamy dealt with: PMO affidavit
NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) filed an affidavit in the apex court Saturday saying a letter written by former MP Subramanian Swamy to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in October 2009 acknowledged that he was aware of the steps being taken on his seeking sanction to prosecute then communications minister A. Raja in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Every letter from Swamy dealt with: PMO affidavit.
Attorney General files affidavit on PM’s behalf in Supreme Court
NEW DELHI – Attorney General G. E. Vahanvati filed an affidavit on behalf of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the Supreme Court today to explain why he took close to a year to respond to a request for the prosecution of former Telecom Minister A Raja over the 2G scam.
The 10-page affidavit reads that there … Read more »».
PMO files affidavit in apex court
NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Saturday filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court giving details of the letters it received from former MP Subramanian Swamy seeking sanction to prosecute A. Raja over the 2G spectrum controversy, and its response to those letters.
The 10-page affidavit also gave details of the steps … Read : PMO files affidavit in apex court.
Assam’s Bodo tribals ramp demand for separate state
KOKRAJHAR – Assam may be heading for a fresh phase of turmoil with tribal Bodo political and militant groups joining hands to ramp the demand for a separate Bodoland state.
“A separate Bodoland is a genuine demand for getting the political, social and cultural rights of the Bodo people,” Assam Agriculture Minister and senior Bodoland …. Read the original article : here.
Attorney General to file PM’s affidavit in Supreme Court today
NEW DELHI – Attorney General G. E. Vahanvati will file an affidavit on behalf of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the Supreme Court today to explain why he took close to a year to respond to a request for the prosecution of former Telecom Minister A. Raja over the 2G scam.
Delivering the order, the court …. Source article : Attorney General to file PM’s affidavit in Supreme Court today.
Supreme Court proved courts’ power to fight corruption: Krishna Iyer (Interview)
NEW DELHI – Corruption in India is above even god and the Supreme Court has proved that courts continue to support people’s fight against it, former Supreme Court judge and rights activist V.R. Krishna Iyer has said.
The recent remarks by the apex court about Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s “inaction and silence” over the spectrum …. Original article : Supreme Court proved courts’ power to fight corruption: Krishna Iyer (Interview).
Managements free to fix hours of work, rules Supreme Court
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court said that courts must exercise restraint and refrain from interfering with functions of the managements that involve administrative decisions including fixing of the working hours.
“In our opinion, fixing of hours of work, provided they do not violate any statutory provision or statutory rule, are really management functions and …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Managements free to fix hours of work, rules Supreme Court.
Three-member team to oversee Prasar Bharti functioning: Apex court
NEW DELHI – The day-to-day functioning of public broadcaster Prasar Bharti would be carried out by a three-member committee comprising its chief executive officer and two other officers, in accordance with a Delhi High Court order, the Supreme Court ruled Friday.
The directive of the apex court bench of Justice R.V. Raveendran and Justice A.K. …. Read the original article : Three-member team to oversee Prasar Bharti functioning: Apex court.
Karnataka mining firms to seek apex court stay on ban order
BANGALORE – About 40 mining firms in the state will appeal in the Supreme Court for staying the judgment of the Karnataka High Court upholding the state ban on export of iron ore, an industry representative said Friday.
“We are keeping all options open. We will expeditiously explore approaching the Supreme Court for a …. Source : Karnataka mining firms to seek apex court stay on ban order.
Supreme Court rejects CBI plea to transfer UP PF scam trial to Delhi
NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plea for transferring the trial of a case involving fraudulent withdrawal of provident fund of Ghaziabad court staff from Uttar Pradesh to a Delhi Court.
It has been reported that the names of some judicial officers and sitting …. Source : Supreme Court rejects CBI plea to transfer UP PF scam trial to Delhi.
Sean Connery, wife to deposit multi-million dollar bond
LONDON – Veteran actor Sean Connery and his wife Micheline Roquebrune are among 26 people who have been ordered by a Spanish court to deposit a combined bond of $82 million as part of an ongoing property fraud and money laundering probe.
The probe stems from the sale in 1998 of Casa Malibu, a …. Read the original article : here.
Protestors try to stop Arundhati at meet
BHUBANESWAR – Eleven activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were arrested Sunday for trying to prevent writer-activist Arundhati Roy from attending a meeting here, police said.
Roy was invited to the event organised by human rights groups and tribal organisations.
“We arrested 11 ABVP protestors,” Deputy Commissioner of Police H.K. Lal told IANS.
… Read : Protestors try to stop Arundhati at meet.
Empty chair protest at Nobel peace prize ceremony
LONDON – A Chinese dissident in the US plans to send a message by placing “two empty chairs on the stage” during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony for jailed pro-democracy Chinese activist Liu Xiaobo.
Yang Jianli, a Chinese veteran of the Tiananmen protests of 1989, is acting as a go between in the preparations for … Original source on Gaea Times at : Empty chair protest at Nobel peace prize ceremony.
Mizoram tribal refugees resist repatriation from Tripura
AGARTALA – The Mizoram government is going ahead with its programme to relocate Reang tribals, who fled to neighbouring Tripura after ethnic clashes 13 years ago, an official said Saturday, but the tribals continued to resist the move.
Over 41,600 Reang tribals, locally called Bru, have been living in six camps in north Tripura’s Kanchanpur …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Mizoram tribal refugees resist repatriation from Tripura.
Tractors seized, power cut off, say Vidharbha farmers
NAGPUR – Even as Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan decided to accord top priority to Vidarbha, which has one of the highest incidence of farmers suicides in the country, authorities have seized tractors and cut off power supplies of debt-ridden farmers, that too on the eve of harvesting season, a farmers’ group said Saturday.
…. Original article : Tractors seized, power cut off, say Vidharbha farmers.
PM seeks to clear airwaves on 2G spectrum scam (Intro Roundup)
NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dealt suitably with every letter to him for sanction to prosecute then communications minister A. Raja on the alleged second generation (2G) spectrum scam, the Supreme Court was informed Saturday in an affidavit, and sought to set the record straight on a political storm that threatened to envelop … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : PM seeks to clear airwaves on 2G spectrum scam (Intro Roundup).
Mizoram tribals protest repatriation
AGARTALA – The Tripura government is going ahead with its programme to relocate Reang tribals, who settled in the state after ethnic clashes in Mizoram, an official said Saturday, but the tribals continued to protest the move.
Over 41,600 Reang tribals, locally called Bru, have been living in six camps in north Tripura’s Kanchanpur sub-division … Read more >>>.
Every letter of Swamy dealt with, PMO says in affidavit (Third Lead)
NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister’s Office Saturday told the Supreme Court that every communication received from Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy was duly responded to in action, and the decision to grant prosecution of then telecom minister A. Raja could not have been taken without carefully examining the evidence collected by the CBI.