Legal News – Weekly Newsletter for January 3-10, 2011

Talks resume between Gujjars, Rajasthan government

JAIPUR – Talks between the agitating Gujjar community and the Rajasthan government resumed Monday after the first round remained inconclusive even as the community’s agitation for five percent reservation in government jobs entered the 15th day, disrupting some train services.

The talks between the 51-member Gujjar delegation sent by the community and the state government’s … Original source on Gaea Times at : Talks resume between Gujjars, Rajasthan government.

Nepal’s red health workers ask India to free Binayak Sen

KATHMANDU – Condemning an Indian court verdict sentencing renowned rights activist Binayak Sen to life imprisonment on sedition charges, nine health organisations affiliated to the opposition Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) have asked India to free the physician, who has devoted his life to the welfare of tribals.

All the nine organisations under … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Nepal’s red health workers ask India to free Binayak Sen.

Supreme Court bans sale of ‘gutkha’, ‘pan masala’ in plastic pouches

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a ban on the sale of tobacco products like ‘gutkha’ and ‘pan masala’ in plastic pouches from March 2011, while asking the government to carry out a survey on the ill … Original source on Gaea Times at : Supreme Court bans sale of ‘gutkha’, ‘pan masala’ in plastic pouches.

Protests planned in US against Dhaka’s war crimes trial

DHAKA – The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami plans to stage protests in the US, Britain and some Middle East nations against the impending trial of its top brass accused of war crimes during the 1971 freedom movement.

The party plans to use its supporters and “other like-minded organizations” in these countries, The Daily Star said Sunday.
The …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Gujjars agree for talks, to send 51-member delegation

JAIPUR – After a gap of 13 days, the agitating Gujjars Sunday finally decided to send a 51-member delegation to hold talks with the Rajasthan government in Jaipur. The talks are expected to start late Sunday evening.

The proposed direct talks have been stalled after the protestors put in fresh demands before the meeting could … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gujjars agree for talks, to send 51-member delegation.

Nariman applauds Iyer for seeking ex-CJI’s probe

KOCHI – Retired Supreme Court judge V.R. Krishna Iyer has been applauded by veteran lawyer Fali S. Nariman for demanding a probe into allegations of corruption against former chief justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan.

In a letter to Iyer, Nariman wrote: “As always, you are the hero of 2010. Your prompt and pithily devastating remarks … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Nariman applauds Iyer for seeking ex-CJI’s probe.

Break silence, face probe, Iyer tells ex-CJI

KOCHI – Retired Supreme Court judge V.R. Krishna Iyer Tuesday dared former chief justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan to break his silence over allegations of wealth amassment by his relatives and suggested that he face a judicial probe.

Also, the Kerala government’s home department Tuesday launched proceedings for a vigilance probe against Balakrishnan’s son-in-law P.V. … Read more : Break silence, face probe, Iyer tells ex-CJI.

Gujjar leader Bainsla to meet Ashok Gehlot

JAIPUR – Colonel (retd) K.S. Bainsla, leader of Rajasthan’s agitating Gujjar community, will Tuesday hold talks with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, even as the community’s stir for five percent reservation in government jobs entered its 16th day, disrupting some train services.

Bainsla left Piloo Ka Pura near Bayana in Bharatpur district and is expected … Read more >>.

Russia to protect kids from harmful information

MOSCOW – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a law that aims at protecting the country’s children from receiving any “destructive, harmful and vicious” information.

The law also prohibits any release of information on underage children which causes “fear, terror and panic, justifying abuse and unlawful behaviour”, Xinhua reported citing Russia’s RosBusinessConsulting (RBC) news agency.
… Read : Russia to protect kids from harmful information.

US regrets Russia’s arrest of protesters

WASHINGTON – The US has criticised Russia for arresting dozens of political protesters and urged Moscow to do more to embrace freedom of expression.

“We regret that these arrests have taken place both in Moscow and St Petersburg,” State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Monday.
Russian authorities arrested more than 120 people who were calling … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : US regrets Russia’s arrest of protesters.

Court asks Tata Sky, others to pay tax to Gujarat

GANDHINAGAR – The Gujarat High Court has asked TataSky and other direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV service providers to deposit entertainment tax for July-September 2010 quarter with the state government.

In the directions made available Monday, the bench comprising Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi directed TataSky Limited, Dish TV India Limited, Bharat Business …. Original source  : Court asks Tata Sky, others to pay tax to Gujarat.

Remove Bangladeshi migrants from Assam electoral rolls: BJP

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday urged the Election Commission to delete the names of illegal migrants from Bangladesh from the voters list in Assam and prepare a corrected list ahead of this years assembly polls in the state.

BJP general secretary Vijay Goel, who led a delegation of party leaders …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

80 percent of food adulteration accused walk free in Gujarat

GANDHINAGAR – Over 80 percent of accused in food adulteration cases in Gujarat in the last five years were acquitted due to the state government’s laxity and delay in prosecuting them, according to official data made available Monday.

The data forms part of details furnished by the state government to the Gujarat High Court on …. Read the original article  : here.

Bofors scam returns to haunt the Congress

NEW DELHI – The Bofors ghost is out again to haunt the Congress-led government as an Income Tax tribunal has ruled that Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi and his partner Win Chadha received a commission of over Rs.412 million in the Rs.15 billion Howitzer gun deal in 1987. The opposition BJP has demanded that the “fraud” …. Original source  : Bofors scam returns to haunt the Congress.

Main observations of tax tribunal on Bofors case

NEW DELHI – Following are the main observations by an Income Tax Tribunal on matter pertaining to a taxation case slapped on a heir to one of the co-accused who allegedly received kickbacks in the 155mm Bofors Howitzer guns sale to India in 1986.

– An amount of 242.062 million Swedish kroners (Rs.412.5 million) was …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Main observations of tax tribunal on Bofors case.

In Britain, you can be fined 1000 pounds for putting up posters

LONDON – A pet owner in Britain has been warned by an environmental agency that he could be fined after he nailed missing cat posters in his neighbourhood trees.

Mike Harding’s seven-year-old cat Wookie got lost and he appealed to the public to help in finding his beloved pet.
The driving instructor from Bedford put … Read : In Britain, you can be fined 1000 pounds for putting up posters.

Gujjars again talk to Rajasthan government

JAIPUR – A 36-member Gujjar team began another round of talks Wednesday with the Rajasthan government even as the community continued to block rail tracks for the 17th day demanding job quotas.

The delegation, led by retired army colonel K.S. Bainsla, opened negotiations with a three-member ministerial committee in a bid to end a dragging …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Gujjars again talk to Rajasthan government.

McCartney urges Manmohan to celebrate vegetarianism

NEW DELHI – Beatles legend Paul McCartney, who is a PETA activist, has written to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to chose a date to annually celebrate vegetarianism.

The singer has suggested that the meat-free day could be Jan 12, the foundation day of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, said … Read : McCartney urges Manmohan to celebrate vegetarianism.

Prosecutor details allegations against Jackson’s doctor

LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles prosecutor outlined the case against Michael Jackson’s doctor for the first time, detailing a list of troubling actions by Conrad Murray that allegedly caused the June 2009 death of the king of pop.

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren Tuesday levelled the litany of charges on the first day of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Prosecutor details allegations against Jackson’s doctor.

Asian aid ship reaches Gaza crossing

CAIRO – A ship carrying aid from Asia for the Gaza Strip was allowed to dock in Egypt’s el-Arish port Tuesday, after nearly three days of waiting for permission, organisers of the relief effort said.

“Asia2Gaza paid $10,000 to Egypt and finally was allowed to dock the aid ship in el-Arish,” said the group on … Original article on : Asian aid ship reaches Gaza crossing.

Settle corruption cases speedily, Himachal courts told

SHIMLA – Himachal Pradesh High Court’s Chief Justice Kurian Joseph has directed all the session judges in the state to dispose of corruption cases on a priority basis, an official statement said Tuesday.

In a missive to the session judges, Justice Joseph has directed them to dispose of corruption cases prior to 2008 by June …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Settle corruption cases speedily, Himachal courts told.

Gujjar talks drag, to continue Wednesday

JAIPUR – The meeting between Gujjar leader Colonel (retd) K.S. Bainsla and Rajasthan government representatives Tuesday once again remained inconclusive. However, both the parties have agreed to meet again Wednesday morning.

The community’s stir for five percent reservation in government jobs entered its 16th day Tuesday and disruption of some train services continued.
…. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Gujjar talks drag, to continue Wednesday.

If Binayak convicted wrongly, it’ll be corrected legally: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI – Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday said if rights activist Binayak Sen had been convicted wrongly for his Maoists links then it would be corrected through legal ways.

“If he is wrongly convicted, it will be corrected in lawful ways,” Chidambaram said, adding that the doctor-activist has been convicted by a court of …. Source article  : If Binayak convicted wrongly, it’ll be corrected legally: Chidambaram.

Indians top list of non-Arab foreigners in Kuwait

DUBAI – People of Indian origin top the list of non-Arab foreigners living in Kuwait, official statistics show.

According to figures released by the Immigration General Administration, around 600,000 Indians lived in Kuwait till Nov 30, 2009, the Gulf News reported Tuesday.
Around 233,000 Indians – including 157,000 men and 76,000 women – worked as … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Indians top list of non-Arab foreigners in Kuwait.

Gujarat official invites court rap for loud ringtone

GANDHINAGAR – The Gujarat High Court has ordered disciplinary action against a bureaucrat after his mobile phone rang inside the court room and disturbed proceedings, a court statement said Tuesday.

A single judge bench of Justice R.R. Tripathi ordered the settlement commissioner to initiate action against D.P. Jethva, a city survey superintendent in Surat city. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gujarat official invites court rap for loud ringtone.

Court upholds CBI plea in Bofors case

NEW DELHI – Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vinod Yadav Thursday upheld the CBI plea that the tax notice served on Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi was not linked with the criminal aspect of the Bofors kickbacks scam.

The magistrate dismissed an application asking the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the central government to state whether there …. Original article  : Court upholds CBI plea in Bofors case.

CBI plea on Bofors case upheld

NEW DELHI – Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vinod Yadav Thursday upheld the CBI plea that the tax notice served on Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi was not linked with the criminal aspect of the Bofors kickbacks scam.

The magistrate dismissed an application asking the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the central government to state whether there …. Source article  : CBI plea on Bofors case upheld.

No change in CBI plan to withdraw Bofors case, court told

NEW DELHI – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Thursday told a court that despite the income tax tribunal ruling that kickbacks had indeed been paid in the Bofors deal, there was no change in its stand to close cases against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, one of the alleged recipients of the bribe.

CBI’s lawyer, … Read more >>>.

Drop sedition case against Binayak Sen: Human Rights Watch

NEW YORK – The Indian government should drop sedition cases against rights activists Binayak Sen, Arundhati Roy, and others, the Human Rights Watch said Thursday.

The international body has also urged the Indian parliament to repeal the colonial-era sedition law, as it has been used by the authorities to “silence peaceful political dissent”.
The [..] Read the original article: here.

Balakrishnan’s son-in-law quits Youth Congress, ready for probe (Night lead)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KOCHI – Former chief justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan’s son-in-law P.V. Srinijin Wednesday quit the Youth Congress over allegations of amassing illegal wealth and said he was ready to face any probe, even as a court accepted a plea against Balakrishnan’s kin over alleged financial irregularities.

The Youth Congress had earlier announced it would probe … Read more : Balakrishnan’s son-in-law quits Youth Congress, ready for probe (Night lead).

Gujjars end quota agitation

JAIPUR – The Gujjar community in Rajasthan late Wednesday called off their 17-day-old agitation for reservation in government jobs and said they had reached an agreement with the state government after several rounds of talks.

“We have called off the agitation. We have reached an agreement,” said Roop Singh, spokesperson of the Gujjar Aarakshan Sangarsh …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Gujjars end quota agitation.

Gujjars call off quota stir

JAIPUR – The Gujjar community in Rajasthan late Wednesday called off their 17-day-old agitation for reservation in government jobs and said they had reached an agreement with the state government.

“We have called off the agitation. We have reached an agreement,” said Roop Singh, spokesperson of the Gujjar Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti that has been spearheading …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Gujjars call off quota stir.

Gujjars reach agreement with Rajasthan government

JAIPUR – An agreement has been reached during talks between the agitating Gujjar community and the Rajasthan government over the community’s demand for five percent reservation in government jobs, Gujjar sources said Wednesday.

A 36-member Gujjar team was in talks here with the state government even as the community continued to block rail tracks … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gujjars reach agreement with Rajasthan government.

Iyer now attacks CPI-M

KOCHI – Former Supreme Court judge V.R. Krishna Iyer, who has attacked relatives of former chief justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan for allegedly amassing wealth, Wednesday questioned the silence of the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on the issue.

Iyer told reporters here: “I think it is their (CPI-M’s) duty to speak on … Read : Iyer now attacks CPI-M.

BJP slams CBI stance in Bofors case

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday said that the CBI had “shamelessly” favoured withdrawal of the case against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi despite an income tax tribunals order that kickbacks were paid in the Bofors gun deal and charged the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of not being serious in tackling corruption. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : BJP slams CBI stance in Bofors case.

CPI-M flays apex court on ban on roadside meetings

NEW DELHI – The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Friday described as “highly unfortunate” the Supreme Court decision to uphold a ban on public meetings and rallies on roadsides in Kerala.

“It is highly unfortunate the Supreme Court had upheld the judgement of the Kerala High Court,” the CPI-M said in a statement here, a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : CPI-M flays apex court on ban on roadside meetings.

6,500 tourists availed visa on arrival in 2010

NEW DELHI – As many as 6,549 tourists from five countries visited India in 2010 by availing the visa on arrival scheme, the tourism ministry said Friday.

The visa on arrival scheme was introduced Jan 1, 2010 for citizens of five countries – Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore.
According to a ministry statement, … Read more »»».

Abu Dhabi bans dogs in public places

Abu Dhabi, Jan 6 (IANS/WAM) Entry of dogs has been banned in most public places in Abu Dhabi, including beaches, swimming pools, parks, shopping centres and restaurants.

The Abu Dhabi Municipality said this was part of an effort to maintain public health and the urban aesthetic appearance of the city.
The municipality called on all … Read more »»».

India urged to repeal sedition law

NEW YORK – The Indian parliament should repeal the colonial-era sedition law which it said was employed to silence peaceful political dissent, Human Rights Watch said Thursday.

And the Indian government should drop sedition cases against prominent activists such as Binayak Sen, Arundhati Roy and others, the US-based body said.
In two recent cases, in …. Source  : India urged to repeal sedition law.

Sex-change man cannot be registered as woman: Malaysian court

KUALA LUMPUR – A high court in Malaysia has dismissed the application of a 35-year-old man, who underwent a sex-change operation more than four years ago, to change the gender status on his MyKad, the national identity card.

The court ruled that it was not ready to declare the applicant a woman “because his new …. Original article  : Sex-change man cannot be registered as woman: Malaysian court.

US court orders Twitter to hand over WikiLeaks documents

WASHINGTON – A court in the US has ordered information network Twitter to hand over documents connected to WikiLeaks to the US Justice Department, CNN reported Saturday.

The documents relate to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and US Army private Bradley Manning, who is under arrest on suspicion of leaking information to the whistleblowing website, the …. Read the original article  : US court orders Twitter to hand over WikiLeaks documents.

Supreme Court panel vetoes mining by Reddy brothers

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) Friday recommended the cancellation of the mining leases of Reddy brothers in the Bellary reserved forest area, saying they were engaged in illegal mining.

The CEC recommended to the forest bench of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia, Justice Aftab Alam and Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan to …. Source article  : Supreme Court panel vetoes mining by Reddy brothers.

Security forces cannot solve every problem in Chhattisgarh: Court

NEW DELHI – The apex court Friday observed that sending security forces to Maoist-affected Chhattisgarh for dealing with every problem would not lead to a solution.

The court also wondered if there was no solution to the problem by which tribals displaced due to the Salwa Judum civil milita movement in the state could return …. Source  : Security forces cannot solve every problem in Chhattisgarh: Court.

High Court seeks records in Binayak Sen conviction

BILASPUR – A division bench of the Chhattisgarh High Court Friday sought case records of a trial court that awarded life imprisonment to rights activist Binayak Sen and set Jan 24 to hear his bail plea.

“Records of the trial court is called for by the division bench of the high court while admitting criminal … Read this article on Gaea Times at : High Court seeks records in Binayak Sen conviction.

Sibal says $40 bn spectrum loss estimate ‘utterly erroneous’ (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – Communications Minister Kapil Sibal Friday said the methodology adopted by the official auditor was “utterly erroneous” while arriving at the estimate of Rs.1.76 lakh crore ($40 billion) as the loss in awarding telecom airwaves in 2008.

Sibal also slammed the opposition for disrupting the entire winter session of parliament and spreading what …. Source  : Sibal says $40 bn spectrum loss estimate ‘utterly erroneous’ (Roundup).

Apex court turns down Assam’s plea to reduce compensation

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Friday declined the Assam government’s plea seeking reduction in the amount of compensation to be paid to those killed by security forces in violence orchestrated by the separatists from 1998 to 2001.

“We are not inclined to reduce the compensation awarded to the victims by the Justice K.N. Saikia … Read more >>>.

Kozhikode bar panel asks Balakrishnan to step down, face probe

KOZHIKODE – The Kozhikode Bar Association Friday passed a resolution asking National Human Rights Commission chief and former chief justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan to step down from his post and face a probe into allegations of corruption against him.

The resolution, passed with more than 100 members supporting it and just two members not … Read : Kozhikode bar panel asks Balakrishnan to step down, face probe.

Gujarat lawyer’s 25,000 kites to highlight human rights

GANDHINAGAR – An Ahmedabad-based lawyer has prepared about 25,000 kites to distribute in various cities of Gujarat to create awareness among people about human rights.

Advocate Rajendra Shukla, who is attached with an NGO, Yogkshem Foundation, said Friday that the kites would be distributed among the poor and in slums to create rights …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Court accepts Swamy’s complaint against Raja

NEW DELHI – A complaint against former communications minister Andimuthu Raja filed by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy was Friday accepted by a court here, calling it “maintainable”.

“I am of the opinion that the complaint as such is maintainable,” Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Judge Pradeep Chaddah said.
Subramanian Swamy, who moved …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Court accepts Swamy’s complaint against Raja.

New age art celebrates 50 years of the pill

NEW DELHI – In the age of fast love, multiple relationships and early maturity, the ‘pill’ or the oral contraceptive has become the woman’s most intimate friend. And a first-of its kind art project, featuring works by leading contemporary Indian and international artists will celebrate 50 years of the pill in the capital.

The exposition …. Source  : New age art celebrates 50 years of the pill.

WikiLeaks demands Google, Facebook unseal US subpoenas

LONDON – WikiLeaks has demanded that Google and Facebook reveal the contents of any US subpoenas they may have received, a media report said Saturday.

The demand came after it emerged that a US court had ordered Twitter to hand over details of accounts on the micro-blogging site by five people associated with the group, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

India asks Gulf countries to end sponsorship regime

NEW DELHI – India has initiated active diplomatic process with the Gulf countries to get the sponsorship regulations – the main reason behind violations of human rights in the region – abolished, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said Saturday.

“We have signed labour agreements with most of the Gulf countries. They have promised … Read more »»».

Prashan Bhushan attacks Sibal

NEW DELHI – In a blistering attack on Communications Minister Kapil Sibal for saying that the audit report on auction of second generation (2G) telecom spectrum was erroneous, senior Supreme Court counsel Prashant Bhushan Saturday said that it amounted to largely giving a clean chit to his disgraced predecessor A. Raja.

DMK leader Raja had … Read more : Prashan Bhushan attacks Sibal.