Legal News – Newsletter for January 12, 2011

Film fest on disability begins Thursday

NEW DELHI – Aiming to bring together voices from across the world on issues pertaining to disability, the eighth edition of the We Care Film Festival will start in the capital Thursday, officials said.

With 67 entries from countries like US, Britain, Canada, Israel, Indonesia, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Australia and Nepal besides India, the festival …. Original source  : Film fest on disability begins Thursday.

Hajj corruption scandal: Pak SC cracks down on investigating agency

ISLAMABAD – Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Tuesday said the apex court would not let anyone hush up the Hajj corruption scandal.

Pulling up the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) over the way it was conducting the investigation, Chaudhry directed the government to remove FIA Director General Wasim Ahmed from the case.

According to The … Read : Hajj corruption scandal: Pak SC cracks down on investigating agency.

Seven years on, Kashmir still waits for information commission

JAMMU – Jammu and Kashmir was the first to enact the Right to Information (RTI) Act in 2004. But seven years down the line and despite Rs.8.3 million being spent on the required infrastructure in the past year, the State Information Commission is yet to be set up.

RTI activists in the state are …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Seven years on, Kashmir still waits for information commission.

State legislature in US passes death penalty repeal

WASHINGTON – The General Assembly in the US Midwestern state of Illinois voted to abolish the death penalty, but it was unclear whether the governor would sign the repeal.

The state Senate passed the measure 32-25 Tuesday after the House of Representatives had approved it last week.
Governor Pat Quinn, a Democrat, had previously expressed … Read more : State legislature in US passes death penalty repeal.

Father treks 14 km with daughter’s body tied to cycle

BHOPAL – In a shocking instance of absolute helplessness, a poor tribal farmer in Madhya Pradesh had to trek 14 kilometres with his teenage daughter’s body on a makeshift bier tied to his bicycle to get her autopsy done.

The local police in his village had told the farmer it was his responsibility to take … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Father treks 14 km with daughter’s body tied to cycle.

Media cannot be used to fight corporate battles: Tata

NEW DELHI – Tata group chairman Ratan Tata has questioned the “indiscriminate disclosure” of private conversations between corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and a host of others being justified under the right to free speech, saying the media cannot be used to fight corporate battles.

“The right to freedom of expression cannot be a euphemism for …. Source  : Media cannot be used to fight corporate battles: Tata.

Lalgarh violence: West Bengal Govt. asked to clarify its stand

KOLKATA – The Kolkata High Court, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) into the January 7 violence case in Lalgarh’s Netai village, on Tuesday asked the West Bengal Government to file an affidavit by Friday on whether or not there should be a Central Bureau if Investigation … Read : Lalgarh violence: West Bengal Govt. asked to clarify its stand.

Gujarat high court’s secular credentials questioned in PIL

GANDHINAGAR – A Gujarat High Court bench headed by Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya Tuesday refused to hear a public interest suit questioning the court’s secular credentials.

The bench of Chief Justice Mukhopadhaya and Justice K.M. Thaker said: “Let the matter be listed before another bench where the chief justice is not a member.” [..] Read the original article: here.

Gulf NRIs seek differential tax treatment

NEW DELHI – The proposed changes in the new direct tax code, which makes NRIs liable to pay tax if they stay in India for over 60 days a year, has led to some distress among the Indian diaspora in the Gulf region as they tend to spend a longer time in India due to … Read : Gulf NRIs seek differential tax treatment.

British Airways workers may strike on royal wedding day

LONDON – The royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton – likely to be a major tourist attraction to Britain this year – may be hampered with British Airways and metro union workers planning to launch a strike during that period.

The wedding is slated for April 29.
British Airways cabin crews and London …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : British Airways workers may strike on royal wedding day.