Legal News – Newsletter for December 21, 2010

Swedish accusers may be victims in successful smear: Assange

LONDON – WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange claimed Tuesday that the sexual offences allegations against him in Sweden were a “very successful smear” – and he would not receive “natural justice” if he was extradited from Britain.

He suggested that the two women who made the allegations against him in Sweden were themselves “maybe victims” in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Swedish accusers may be victims in successful smear: Assange.

Dhaka parliamentary body wants laws common to all

DHAKA – A committee of Bangladesh’s parliament has recommended a common law to govern people of all faiths with regard to marriage registration, succession and the giving and taking of gifts.

The current laws on these cover only the majority Muslims.
The parliamentary standing committee on the law ministry Monday recommended enactment of a new …. Read the original article  : Dhaka parliamentary body wants laws common to all.

Supreme Court asserts its powers, overrules technicalities of law

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court has said that it holds vast powers under the constitution and an aggrieved person could not be rendered remediless on mere technicalities of law.

“A mere technicality cannot prevent the court from doing justice in exercise of its inherent power,” said the apex court bench of Justice P. Sathasivam … Original article on : Supreme Court asserts its powers, overrules technicalities of law.

Pay in dollars if plea is found frivolous, court tells NRI

GANDHINAGAR – The Gujarat High Court Monday told a non-resident Indian (NRI) petitioner to be ready to pay costs in dollars if his petition is dismissed on grounds of being a frivolous one.

The court was hearing a public interest petition (PIL) filed by Kolkata-based NGO People for Better Treatment (PBT) on the issue of …. Source article  : Pay in dollars if plea is found frivolous, court tells NRI.

Divorced women in dire straits: Survey

NEW DELHI – Approximately 80 percent of divorced or separated women in India live below the poverty line, with a monthly income of less than Rs.4,000, a survey said.

Conducted between October 2008 and September 2009, the survey to determine the economic rights and entitlements of divorced and separated women involved interviewing 405 women across …. Read the original article  : Divorced women in dire straits: Survey.

Haryana speaker asked to decide on defectors within 4 months

CHANDIGARH – The Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday directed the Haryana assembly speaker to decide within four months on the disqualification of five legislators who defected.

Justice Ajay Tiwari of the high court issued the directive to assembly Speaker Harmohinder Singh Chatha on the petition of the Haryana Janhit Congress …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Haryana speaker asked to decide on defectors within 4 months.

Anti-China protesters right to demonstrate upheld by court

HONG KONG – A Hong Kong court Monday threw out charges of unlawful assembly against six activists who demonstrated outside Beijing’s de facto embassy over the jailing of dissident Liu Xiaobo.

The activists were arrested Dec 25 last year for protesting at the Beijing Liaison Office over the jailing that day of Liu, who was … Original article on : Anti-China protesters right to demonstrate upheld by court.

Activists demonstrate against Punjab information commission

CHANDIGARH – Right to Information (RTI) activists Monday demonstrated outside the Punjab State Information Commission here to protest delays in giving details to applicants.

Carrying placards and banners against Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) R.I. Singh, the activists raised slogans against the commission.
The people who are running the State Information Commission are least bothered about … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Activists demonstrate against Punjab information commission.

Indians celebrate century of living in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR – It is celebration time for ethnic Indians, whose forefathers came to settle in Malaysia, as they complete a century of living in the northeastern state of Kelantan, bordering Thailand.

The ethnic Indian community chose for the celebrations the historic Batu Caves, a site 13 km from Kuala Lumpur that has one of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Indians celebrate century of living in Malaysia.