Legal News – Weekly Newsletter for December 13-20, 2010

Centre didn’t prevent NREGA fund diversion: Apex court

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday pulled up the central government for doing nothing to prevent the diversion by the states of funds allocated under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).

“This is a very serious issue,” said an apex court bench headed by Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia while hearing a public suit by …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Centre didn’t prevent NREGA fund diversion: Apex court.

Now, Wikileaks suffering its own ‘financial’ leaks

LONDON – Whistle blowing web site Wikileaks is now facing questions over its finances, as lawyers for its alleged main source, Private Bradley Manning, said they had not seen a penny of tens of thousands of dollars raised by the site to help pay for his defence and promised to them three months ago.

According to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Now, Wikileaks suffering its own ‘financial’ leaks.

Supreme Court clears MCI’s common medical entrance test

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Monday permitted the Medical Council of India (MCI) to conduct a common test for undergraduate medical courses even as it decides on pending cases against the council.

An apex court bench headed by Justice R.V. Ravindran said the central government did not need the court’s approval for framing … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Supreme Court clears MCI’s common medical entrance test.

Mayawati flays ‘anti-Dalit’ temple ritual in Karnataka

LUCKNOW – Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has slammed an age-old temple ritual in Karnataka where people, the majority of them Dalits, roll over plantain leaves with leftovers of meals eaten by Brahmins, believing this will cure them of skin ailments.

Called the ‘urulu seve’ (roll over ritual), the … Read more : Mayawati flays ‘anti-Dalit’ temple ritual in Karnataka.

Aligarh to impose ’steep’ fine on rickshaw users

LUCKNOW – Residents of Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district who remain seated on a cycle-rickshaw while going up a steep incline will now be fined Rs.500, an official said Tuesday.

I have issued the circular on humanitarian grounds. I think its inhumane to force the rickshaw-puller to cycle up an ascent with commuters sitting in …. Original article  : Aligarh to impose ’steep’ fine on rickshaw users.

Ayodhya verdict: Sunni Waqf Board files appeal before Supreme Court

NEW DELHI – The Sunni Central Waqf Board on Tuesday filed a petition before the Supreme Court, challenging a Allahabad High Court judgment in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suits.

Advocate Zafaryab Jilani, who is appearing for the board, said the petition …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

US bride-to-be suing runaway groom for 100K dlrs

MELBOURNE – A US bride-to-be has filed a 100,000-dollar lawsuit against her ex-fiance who dumped her four days before their wedding.

Dominique A. Buttitta and Vito V. Salerno were supposed to get married in the spring after being together for three years, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : US bride-to-be suing runaway groom for 100K dlrs.

Deshmukh invites Supreme Court censure

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Tuesday pulled up former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh for interfering in the enforcement of a law to regulate private money lending in the state.

Deshmukh is currently union minister for heavy industries.
“The chief minister has no business to interfere in the functioning of the 1946 Act to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Sohrabuddin case: CBI plea against Amit Shah bail in Supreme Court

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court will on Tuesday take up the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) plea to cancel the bail of former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah in connection with the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.

In its status report, the CBI had indicted Shah and the Gujarat police.

The CBI also said that with …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Sunni Waqf Board to move Supreme Court against Ayodhya verdict

NEW DELHI – The Sunni Central Waqf Board is expected to file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, challenging the Allahabad High Court verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suits.

Advocate Zafaryab Jilani, who appeared for the Board in the High Court, confirmed that they were moving the Supreme … Original article on : Sunni Waqf Board to move Supreme Court against Ayodhya verdict.

Supreme Court rebukes Vilasrao Deshmukh

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Tuesday pulled up former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh for interfering in the enforcement of law to regulate private money lending in the state.

“The chief minister has no business to interfere with the functioning of the 1946 act regulating money lending in the state,” the apex court bench … Read : Supreme Court rebukes Vilasrao Deshmukh.

835 await execution in Iraqi prisons

Baghdad, Dec 14 (IANS/AKI) More than 800 people in Iraq are on death row awaiting execution, said Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani.

Speaking at a press conference on anti-terrorism measures Monday, Bolani said Iraqi courts have sentenced 14,500 people accused of terror crimes. Those who aren’t sentenced to die have been given life sentences, he … Read more »».

Berman DeValerio Has Announced Securities Class Action Against RINO International Corporation

SAN FRANCISCO (GaeaTimes.com) — The law firm named Berman DeValerio has allegedly filed a securities fraud lawsuit today on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired the common stock of RINO International Corporation (”RINO” or the “Company”) from July 13, 2009 to …. Original article  : Berman DeValerio Has Announced Securities Class Action Against RINO International Corporation.

Judge finds Obama healthcare plan unconstitutional

WASHINGTON – A federal judge Monday tossed out a key provision of President Barack Obama’s health care plan that requires people to have insurance.

Judge Henry Hudson of the US District Court in Richmond, Virgina, found the mandate for all citizens to carry health insurance violated the US Constitution’s limits on Congress’ ability to regulate … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Judge finds Obama healthcare plan unconstitutional.

Supreme Court stays counsel’s suspension

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Wednesday stayed the Madras High Court order suspending senior counsel R.K. Chandramohan from the membership of the Tamil Nadu Bar Council and as its chairman.

The apex court bench headed by D.K. Jain stayed the order on the mentioning of the petition by senior counsel Mukul Rohtagi.
Chandramohan allegedly …. Source  : Supreme Court stays counsel’s suspension.

Don’t remove night shelters, apex court tells states

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Wednesday asked state governments not to remove any night shelters for the homeless till the biting cold abates.

The court said that the night shelters should be retained till the end of February.
The apex court bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma said the state governments …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

US Air Force internal computers block WikiLeaks websites

WASHINGTON – US Air Force personnel who try to view leaked WikiLeaks diplomatic cables or stories about them are finding the websites blocked by management, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the Journal reported late Tuesday that
Air Force users who try to view the websites of the New …. Read the original article  : US Air Force internal computers block WikiLeaks websites.

Raja phone call case: ‘It is a judicial matter’, says Moily

BANGALORE – Union Law and Justice Minister M. Veerappa Moily commenting on the fresh controversy that former Telecom Minister A Raja had tried to influence a Madras High Court judge in a criminal case on Tuesday said it is a judicial … Read : Raja phone call case: ‘It is a judicial matter’, says Moily.

Julian Assange freed on bail in Britain

LONDON – WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was Tuesday freed on bail by a court in London after a week in custody pending extradition proceedings to Sweden, a judge ruled.

A number of human rights campaigners and celebrities put up a cash sum of 200,000 pounds ($315,000) to secure bail for the 39-year-old Australian.
Assange was …. Source  : Julian Assange freed on bail in Britain.

Court paves way for Rajasthan Royals to bid in IPL auction

MUMBAI – The Bombay High Court Tuesday upheld a stay order on the termination of Rajasthan Royals contract by the Board of Cricket Control of India, granted by an independent arbitrator, and dismissed the cricket governing bodys appeal against it.

The ruling by Justice S.J. Vazifdar now paves the way for Rajasthan Royals to take …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Court paves way for Rajasthan Royals to bid in IPL auction.

15 percent calls to consumer helpline linked to telecom

NEW DELHI – The telecom sector accounted for over 15 percent of the total complaints received by the national consumer helpline (NCH) during November, the ministry of consumers affairs said Tuesday.

“The major problems reported by the callers included excess billing, network problem, non-refund of security deposits and delay in resolving problems,” said the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

26/11 case: Bombay High Court dismisses Kasab’s juvenile plea

MUMBAI – The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, to order an enquiry to determine whether he was a juvenile even as prosecution sought confirmation of death penalty awarded to him.

The [..] Read the original article: here.

SC slams Maharashtra Govt. for shielding MLA’s money-lending father

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday slammed former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh for preventing police from registering a criminal case against Congress MLA Dilipkumar Sanandas’s father Gokulchand Sananda, a private money-lender, and also imposed a fine …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

JD-S moves court against land deals probe panel

BANGALORE – The Janata Dal-Secular has moved the high court for axing the one-man panel set up by Karnataka’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to probe land scams.

The JD-S has appealed to the court to direct the government to allow the Lok Ayukta (ombudsman) to conduct the probe into the scams which allegedly involve …. Read the original article  : here.

Kerala girls to make documentary on gender issues

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The Kerala government has joined hands with film-maker Sanjiv Sivan to bring together 25 girls who will make a documentary video Girls Unlimited. The film will be based on their experiences as girls and the impact of gender issues on them.

These girls will be divided into five groups and each group will …. Source article  : Kerala girls to make documentary on gender issues.

Graft case: Virbhadra exempted from personal appearance

SHIMLA – A special court here Thursday granted union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife exemption from personal appearance in a corruption case.

Appearing in the court of special judge B.L. Soni for the first time since the chargesheet was filed against them by Himachal Pradesh’s vigilance and anti-corruption bureau Oct 1, Virbhadra Singh … Read : Graft case: Virbhadra exempted from personal appearance.

Eight million kids go hungry in Pakistan

KARACHI – Eight million children in Pakistan are facing food shortages and 23 million kids are deprived of basic education, an official said here.

An adviser to the Sindh chief minister, Sharmila Farooqi, said eight million children went hungry and about 3.5 million children were compelled to do labour.
Speaking at a presentation on child …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Eight million kids go hungry in Pakistan.

Orissa gets show cause notice from apex court

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Thursday asked Orissa why a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe should not be ordered into the alleged diversion of central funds.

The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia issued show cause notice to the state over the issue related to the centrally-sponsored National Rural Employment …. Read the original article  : here.

Supreme Court to monitor probe into 2G spectrum scam

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Thursday announced that it will monitor the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) ’s inquiry into the 2G scam.

A bench comprising Jjustices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly said the probe will also cover the events of 2001, when the NDA Government was in the power.

The … Original source on Gaea Times at : Supreme Court to monitor probe into 2G spectrum scam.

Supreme Court verdict on monitoring of 2G scam probe

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court will on Thursday decide on who will monitor the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe on the 2G spectrum scam case.

A bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly had reserved the judgement on December …. Original source  : Supreme Court verdict on monitoring of 2G scam probe.

DDA suspends officer for razing night shelters

NEW DELHI – The Delhi Development Authority Wednesday suspended an executive engineer for non-compliance of directions regarding two night shelter which were razed.

Executive Engineer Arif Ali was suspended for razing two fully functional night shelters without notice, putting the Delhi government and the civic authority in a tight spot in a court case related …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : DDA suspends officer for razing night shelters.

Assange judge makes history by allowing tweeting from court

LONDON – The judge in the bail hearing for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was Wednesday reported to have scored a legal first by giving official permission for tweeting from the court.

Chief magistrate Howard Riddle, dressed in judge’s robe and wig, broke with centuries of legal history when he said that tweeting could go ahead, … Original article on : Assange judge makes history by allowing tweeting from court.

Night shelters should stay till cold abates: Apex court

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Wednesday directed state governments not to remove any night shelters for the homeless till the biting cold abates.

The court said the night shelters should be retained till the end of February.
The apex court bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice Deepak Verma said the state governments … Read more »»».

Orissa moves apex court on proposed Vedanta university

BHUBANESWAR – Orissa Wednesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the state high court’s order quashing land acquisition for the proposed Vedanta University in Puri.

“Today (Wednesday) the state government has filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court,” Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patro informed the state assembly.
The Orissa High Court Nov 16 … Read more »».

US murderer executed using animal drug

WASHINGTON – A convicted murderer was executed in the US state of Oklahoma with a drug cocktail that included a sedative used to put down animals, media reports said.

Authorities were allowed by a court to substitute in the three-drug cocktail used for executions in Oklahoma the sedative pentobarbital for sodium thiopental due to a …. Read the original article  : US murderer executed using animal drug.

High court tells Madhya Pradesh to build night shelters

BHOPAL – Taking a cue from the Supreme Court, the Madhya Pradesh High Court Thursday directed the state government to immediately take measures to construct night shelters for the homeless urban poor.

The bench of Chief Justice S.R. Alam and Justice Alok Aradhe directed that the state government must immediately take measures to construct night … Read this article on Gaea Times at : High court tells Madhya Pradesh to build night shelters.

Advanced HIV treatment is free for all, apex court told

NEW DELHI – The government Thursday told the Supreme Court that it will provide free the second line of treatment to all the HIV patients even if their initial treatment was done in private hospitals.

The National AIDS Control Organisation’s (NACO) decision is a significant departure from its earlier stand that the second line … Read more : Advanced HIV treatment is free for all, apex court told.

Vilasrao Deshmukh refutes opposition demand for resignation

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI – Union Heavy Industries Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Thursday rejected an opposition demand for his resignation after the Supreme Court slammed him for abusing his position and preventing police from registering a criminal case against Congress MLA Dilipkumar Sanandas’s father Gokulchand Sananda during his tenure … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Vilasrao Deshmukh refutes opposition demand for resignation.

Apex court to monitor expanded CBI probe into spectrum scam (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – Pointing out to wrongdoings in the grant of licences for second generation spectrum, the Supreme Court Thursday expanded the scope of the CBI probe and said it will monitor it too.

The apex court bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice A.K. Ganguly said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should also … Original article on : Apex court to monitor expanded CBI probe into spectrum scam (Roundup).

Court for continuing graft probe against Mumbai Congress chief

MUMBAI – Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh Thursday suffered a setback after the Bombay High Court reviewed the status of investigations by three investigating agencies into corruption allegations against him and directed them to continue their probe.

Singh, a legislator representing Kalina constituency, has been under a cloud for allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to his …. Original source  : Court for continuing graft probe against Mumbai Congress chief.

Insensitive, callous to demolish night shelters: Apex court

NEW DELHI – Pulling up the authorities, the Supreme Court Thursday said it was the responsibility of the central and state governments to ensure that no deaths occurred due to lack of night shelters and asked that two shelters pulled down in this biting winter be restored within three days.

The apex court bench of … Read more : Insensitive, callous to demolish night shelters: Apex court.

Evidence of wrongdoings in 2G spectrum grant: Supreme Court (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Thursday said there was prima facie evidence of wrongdoings in the grant of licences for 2G spectrum in 2008 and those for dual-use technology to some telecom operators prior to Oct 19, 2007.

The apex court bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice A.K. Ganguly allowed the plea of …. Read the original article  : here.

Razing night shelters in peak winter insensitive: Apex court

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Thursday said it was “insensitive and callous” on the part of the authorities to demolish night shelters meant for the homeless urban poor when the severity of the winter is increasing.

The apex court bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice Deepak Verma said this when it was told … Original article on : Razing night shelters in peak winter insensitive: Apex court.

Scope of CBI’s spectrum probe expanded: Bhushan

NEW DELHI – Senior counsel Prashant Bhushan Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court order expanding the scope of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the 2G spectrum scam.

He said that now the CBI will probe the spectrum muddle in its entirety starting from 2001.
The probe will cover the role of officials … Original source on Gaea Times at : Scope of CBI’s spectrum probe expanded: Bhushan.

Supreme Court orders end to Nepal PM poll fiasco

KATHMANDU – As Nepal’s parliament sits Sunday after a month’s hiatus, the futile exercises that failed to elect a new prime minister even after 16 rounds of vote would have to end, the republic’s apex court ordered.

Nepal’s biggest ruling party, the Nepali Congress (NC), which has blocked the formation of a new government even … Original article on : Supreme Court orders end to Nepal PM poll fiasco.

WikiLeaks vindicates our stand on torture: Kashmir separatists

SRINAGAR – Kashmiri separatist leaders Saturday said the WikiLeaks cable disclosures on torture of detainees in Kashmir vindicated their stand on rights violations, while the mainstream political parties continued their blame game.

There is nothing new in these disclosures. Indian forces are resorting to inhuman and brutal torture to crush the sentiments of the people …. Original article  : WikiLeaks vindicates our stand on torture: Kashmir separatists.

Sterlite Industries accused of unlawful deforestation in Chhattisgarh

NEW DELHI – A subsidiary of the Vedanta mining group in India has been accused of clearing forest land allegedly in violation of Supreme Court orders.

According to the BBC, Sterlite Industries has been accused of cutting down trees while constructing a new power plant in Chhattisgarh. However, the company has denied that they have cleared …. Source  : Sterlite Industries accused of unlawful deforestation in Chhattisgarh.

NHRC chief visits Kerala’s pesticide affected areas

NEW DELHI – National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chief K.G. Balakrishnan Saturday visited the areas in Kerala affected by the spraying of the pesticide endosulfan and met the victims.

“There have been several representations of NGOs and victims who had come to the commission to seek help from the severe impact of endosulfan usage. The …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : NHRC chief visits Kerala’s pesticide affected areas.

ABF Lost Lawsuit Against Rival YRC

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com) A lawsuit that tried to block a recent labor concession agreement between struggling LTL carrier YRC Worldwide and the Teamsters was thrown out by a federal judge.
The lawsuit, brought on by rival ABF Freight System, was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright because, teh judge ruled, ABF did not …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ABF Lost Lawsuit Against Rival YRC.

India denies condoning torture after WikiLeaks expose (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – India Friday denied condoning custodial torture saying any “aberrations” of human rights violations were dealt with firmly and under legal mechanisms. This followed the latest WikiLeaks expose on the alleged abuse of detainees in Jammu and Kashmir.

“If and when an aberration occurs, it is promptly and firmly dealt with under existing … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : India denies condoning torture after WikiLeaks expose (Roundup).

Raja was impolite to PM: Supreme Court

NEW DELHI – A Supreme Court verdict directing court monitoring of the CBI probe into the 2G spectrum scam has revealed the impolite language that sacked communictions minister A. Raja had used in a communication to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Raja, in his November 2, 2007 communication, had rejected Manmohan Singh’s suggestion to auction 2G …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Raja was impolite to PM: Supreme Court.

India, Pakistano lawyers come together for peace

NEW DELHI – To encourage people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan, the legal fraternities of both countries will come together to create a common platform for cooperation.

The initiative has been taken by students and alumni of premier law schools in India and Pakistan, and a five-day visit to Pakistan from Dec 22 is … Read this article on Gaea Times at : India, Pakistano lawyers come together for peace.

Campaigners seek High Court’s help to save Sherlock Holmes creator’s home

LONDON – Campaigners, who are against plans to redevelop the former home of Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, have sought the help of the High Court.

The late Scottish physician and author had written some of his most famous works at Undershaw in Hindhead, Surrey, including ‘The Hound Of The Baskervilles’, the Scotsman reported.

But …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Campaigners seek High Court’s help to save Sherlock Holmes creator’s home.

Commercial disputes with foreign nation flood Chinese courts

BEIJING – The US is among the five nations that have the most civil and commercial disputes with China, a senior official of the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) said. A total of 13,191 foreign-related cases went before the courts during the first 11 months of the year, a year-on-year increase of 15 percent.

Liu Guixiang, …. Source  : Commercial disputes with foreign nation flood Chinese courts.

New Nepal constitution may guarantee right to strike

KATHMANDU – The eight major trade unions in Nepal, including those close to the ruling parties and the opposition Maoists, have recommended to lawmakers drafting the new constitution that the right to strike be included as a fundamental right.

The earlier constitutions did not guarantee it as a fundamental right and the interim constitution allows …. Original source  : New Nepal constitution may guarantee right to strike.

Russian police detain 2,100 to prevent ethnic clash

Moscow, Dec 19 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian police have detained more than 2,100 protesters in and around Moscow to prevent clash between ultra-nationalists and migrants.

About 1,300 people, many of them with non-lethal weapons, knives and baseball bats were detained in Moscow. Other 800 people were detained across Moscow region, local police spokesman Yevgeny Gildeev said …. Original article  : Russian police detain 2,100 to prevent ethnic clash.

Raja phone call case: ‘I don’t want to play a blame game’, says Justice Reghupathi

CHENNAI – Madras High Court Justice R. Reghupathi reiterating his previous claim that in his letter to Senior Supreme Court Judge, Justice H L Gokhale, he had specifically named former Telecom Minister A Raja, alleging that he had tried to influence him in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Raja phone call case: ‘I don’t want to play a blame game’, says Justice Reghupathi.

NHRC to raise issue of harmful effect of pesticide in Kerala (Lead, Changing dateline)

KASARGODE – National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chief K.G. Balakrishnan Saturday said that he will take up with the central government the seriousness of the impact of the use of pesticide endosulfan in Kerala villages.

“The matter is serious and would be brought to the attention of the centre. Just like the way in which …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : NHRC to raise issue of harmful effect of pesticide in Kerala (Lead, Changing dateline).