Legal News – Newsletter for January 20, 2011

Cabinet discusses black money issue after apex court rap

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh raised the issue of black money during a cabinet meeting here Thursday, a day after the Supreme Court queried why the government cannot name those involved in this $1.5-trillion “national plunder”.

The discussion came against the backdrop of the apex court coming down heavily on the government’s reluctance … Read more >>.

Sabarimala stampede: ‘Consider cancelling pilgrimage through Pullmedu’, says court

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Unimpressed by the reports submitted before it on the Sabarimala stampede, the Kerala High Court has said if the government cannot take basic safety precautions, it should consider cancelling the pilgrimage through the tricky narrow stretch, where 102 pilgrims lost their lives at Pullmedu in Idukki district last Friday.

Kerala Director General of Police …. Read the original article  : here.

Afghan good in transit pilfered in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – A large number of containers carrying Afghan trade goods have been pilfered inside Pakistan without crossing the border, causing a loss of approximately 19 billion to 37 billion rupees to the national exchequer during the last four years, Pakistan’s Supreme Court has been informed.

On Wednesday, the Federal Tax Ombudsman submitted a comprehensive report … Original article on : Afghan good in transit pilfered in Pakistan.

Australian to sue Delhi CWG for unpaid bills

SYDNEY – An Australian company is suing the Delhi Commonwealth Games Organising Committee over unpaid bills, said an official who has given his lawyers the names of other businesses that may want to join the legal action.

ABC.net.au reported that the Australian company that was behind the opening and closing ceremonies is now taking … Read more : Australian to sue Delhi CWG for unpaid bills.

Court refuses to take up plea on NDMC

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Wednesday refused to entertain a petition seeking amendment to the law dealing with nomination of two members to the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), saying it cannot take up the work of the legislature.

“We cannot legislate and recast the existing law and cannot allow the prayer seeking …. Original source  : Court refuses to take up plea on NDMC.

Rights panel concerned over farmers’ suicides in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR/NEW DELHI – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Wednesday expressed concern over the increasing cases of starvation deaths and farmers’ suicides in Orissa and gave a list of recommendations to the state government for the overall improvement in the human rights situation.

“The commission has received complaints of starvation deaths and farmers’ suicides in …. Source article  : Rights panel concerned over farmers’ suicides in Orissa.

Orissa asked to improve human rights situation

NEW DELHI – After taking up all the pending cases in a two-day sitting in Orissa Jan 18-19, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has given a list of recommendations to the state government for the overall improvement in the human rights situation.

According to a statement Wednesday, the commission took up a total of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Orissa asked to improve human rights situation.

‘Northeast women playing key role in peace process’

NEW DELHI – Having suffered pain and injustice for decades, women of the northeastern region of the country are coming together to act as interlocutors between various groups and thus play a key role in the peace process, experts said at a conference here Wednesday.

Titled ‘Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace’, the conclave saw …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Price rise: Court issues notice to Sonia Gandhi

CHANDIGARH – Congress president and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi was Wednesday issued notice by a local court on a petition filed by a city-based NGO over the issue of price rise. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Price rise: Court issues notice to Sonia Gandhi.

Swiss whistleblower banker on trial

GENEVA – A former top Swiss private banking executive turned WikiLeaks collaborator appeared in a Zurich court Wednesday on charges of violating Switzerland’s secrecy laws.

Rudolf Elmer, a former Julius Baer Bank executive, is alleged to have divulged information about clients and the bank in violation of bank privacy and corporate secrecy laws.
The Zurich-based … Original article on : Swiss whistleblower banker on trial.