Page 1752 - Law Crime
Teesta Setalvad, husband questioned by Gujarat police
Social activist Teesta Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand today appeared before the city Crime Branch to record their statements in a case of alleged misappropriation of funds received by her NGO from the Union HRD Ministry between 2010 and 2013. Setalvad and Anand were questioned by police officials for almost six hours at the Crime Branch headquarter here, said Assistant Commissioner of Police C N Rajput. The couple also submitted some documents as demanded by the Crime Branch for the purpose of probe, he said. "We recorded their statements today. While they have submitted some documents, they assured that remaining documents will be given later. We may call them again if needed," said Rajput. When asked if the Crime Branch would probe Congress leader Kapil Sibal's role in the case (as he was the Union HRD minister at the relevant time), Rajput said they have not found any involvement of the Congress leader so far. Yesterday, the Bombay High Court, while allowing ...
IT notice: No relief to firm linked to Robert Vadra, SC rejects plea
The Supreme Court today refused to grant relief to a hospitality firm linked to Robert Vadra, rejecting its plea challenging an Income Tax notice to it for re-assessment of its profits from land deals in Haryana and Rajasthan for 2010-11. The apex court rejected the appeal filed by Delhi-based firm, Sky Light Hospitality LLP, which has challenged the Delhi High Court's February order dismissing its plea against the I-T notice. "Sorry. Dismissed," a bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said while refusing to interfere with the high court verdict. The high court had also asked the firm associated with Vadra, the son-in-law of former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, to join the proceedings before the assessing officer. During the hearing, the apex court did not agree with the contention of the company's lawyer that the notice was sent by the IT department to wrong entity -- Sky Light Hospitality Pvt Ltd -- instead of Sky Light Hospitality LLP. "They (I-T) have to issue ...
Sazia Ilmi tenders apology to lawyer Amit Sibal in defamation case
BJP leader Shazia Ilmi today tendered an apology to senior advocate Amit Sibal, son of former union minster Kapil Sibal, in a 2013 criminal defamation case filed by him for her remarks when she was a member of the Aam Aadmi Party. The move came after co-accused -- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia -- moved a joint application with the complainant on March 19 seeking to settle the matter since apologies by both the AAP leaders were accepted by him. In a joint application moved by Ilmi and Sibal, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal was today informed that the apology tendered by the BJP leader, who was an AAP member when the alleged statements were made in a press conference, was accepted by Amit Sibal. In his statement recorded before the court, the complainant submitted that Ilmi has tendered an apology through advocate Nishant saying that the allegations made by her were unfounded and she regretted making them and apologised for the .
AP Govt to implead in SC/ST Act case: Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced that the state government will implead in the Scheduled Castes-Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act case before the Supreme Court.The Chief Minister announced this while speaking state assembly on the Supreme Court's guidelines on SC/ST Act."The Andhra Pradesh government will implead in the SC/ST Act case in before the Supreme Court and fight for the cause of Dalits," CM Naidu said.He urged the apex court and Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to dilute the SC/ST Act.Naidu said, "Andhra Pradesh government appeals the Supreme Court, government of India and the Prime Minister not to change the Act that dilutes its spirit. I appeal to the Centre to protect the rights of Dalits as per the spirit of the Constitution."The Supreme Court had, on March 20, introduced the provision of anticipatory bail in the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act while directing that there would be no automatic arrest on any complaint .
Guj HC issues notice to govt on Hardik's discharge plea in sedition case
The Patidar quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel today approached the Gujarat High Court against a lower court decision rejecting his discharge application in a sedition case filed against him by the crime branch of Ahmedabad police in 2015. Justice Z K Saiyad, after admitting Patel's plea, issued a notice to the Gujarat government and kept the matter for further hearing on May 8. A case of sedition was registered against Patel and others by the crime branch following violence during an agitation in August, 2015 demanding OBC reservation benefits for the Patidar community. He has been accused of inciting violence with intention to dislodge the government after a rally addressed by him turned violent in August 2015. At least 13 people had died in the violence. In February this year, the city sessions court judge Dilip Mahida had rejected his discharge application, thereby allowing framing of charges against him in the sedition case. The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader is
Ayodhya dispute: SC to resume hearing on April 27
The Supreme court will resume hearing on the ongoing Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi case, a century-old matter of a tussle between Hindus and Muslims, on April 27.The three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said that they will take a decision to transfer the case to a five-judge bench, only after hearing the arguments from both the sides.The apex court is hearing 13 appeals filed against the 2010 judgment of the Allahabad High Court that that mandated a three-way division of the disputed site in Ayodhya.The top court earlier dismissed all 32 intervention petitions, including applications of Shyam Benegal, Aparna Sen and Teesta Setalvad, in the case.During the previous hearing, a bench, comprising of Chief Justice, Justices Ashok Bhushan and Abdul Nazeer, had directed the registry not to entertain any intervention application in the Ayodhya case.The top court also rejected the intervention plea of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian ..
Virbhadra Singh PMLA case: HC seeks businessman's reply on ED plea
The Delhi High Court today sought the response of a businessman on a plea by ED challenging bail granted to him in connection with a multi-crore money laundering case involving former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh. Justice Anu Malhotra asked the ED's counsel what was wrong with the trial court's bail order and what was the evidence against the accused and listed the matter for further hearing on May 31. Vakamulla Chandrasekhar, the director/promoter of Tarini Group of Companies, was granted bail by a trial court in March 9, noting that no purpose would be served by keeping him in further custody. During the hearing, advocate Nitesh Rana appearing for ED, argued that it was a case of economic offence which has to be kept at a higher pedestal and the allegation against the accused were of serious nature. He contended that Chandrasekhar had helped Singh in laundering crores of rupeesand said the probe agency's investigation was still in progress. Chandrasekhar was ...
Plea against Pranab Mukherjee's book: Judge recuses herself
A Delhi High Court judge today recused herself from hearing a suit seeking deletion of some references to the 1992 demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya from former President Pranab Mukherjee's 2016 book on the ground that they have hurt Hindu sentiments. Without citing any reason, Justice Pratibha M Singh in an order said "subject to the orders of the acting Chief Justice, list this matter before another bench." A group of lawyers and a social worker had moved the plea against the book 'Turbulent Years 1980-1996'. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, appearing for the plaintiffs, told reporters that "at 3:15 PM, the judge had called him in her chamber and said that she is recusing herself from the matter without assigning any reason." The matter, which was initially set to be heard on July 30, is now going to be placed before another bench on April 9. The judge, who had heard the matter during the first half of the day and orally issued notice to Mukherjee, passed a written order few hours .
Mumbai woman assaulted in train
A woman was molested and assaulted by a man in a moving suburban train bound for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus late last night, police said on Friday.
Salman spends restless night in Jodhpur jail
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, convicted in a 1998 poaching case, spent a restless night in Jodhpur Central Jail's barrack number 2 and is being given no-frill meals with no concessions for his star status, a jail official said today. Quadi no 106, who will have to spend another day in jail after a sessions court reserved its decision on his bail plea till tomorrow, was given sprouts and milk for breakfast after a late night, said Deputy Inspector General (jails) Vikram Singh. The star was given Hindi newspapers by the jail administration in the morning on his request. Salman met his lawyers and bodyguard Shera before the bail hearing in the district and sessions court. Later, actor Preity Zinta, who has acted with him in several films, also visited him in jail. Salman's blood pressure was high when he entered the jail yesterday, after a trial court sentenced him to five years in prison for killing two blackbucks 20 years ago. However, it stabilised later. The actor was visibly ...
Man kills brother in Jharkhand over property
A man killed his brother and injured a relative before attempting suicide in Jharkhand's Dhanbad city on Friday over a property dispute.
ED attaches Rs 462 cr property in slum redevelopment scam
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached a Rs 462 crore worth property of Pyramid Developers as part of its ongoing probe in an alleged multi-crore scam and named Congress MLA Baba Siddique, an official said on Friday.
Law should be same for all: Mika Singh
Singer Mika Singh has sided with superstar Salman Khan, who has been sentenced to a five-year jail term for blackbuck poaching in 1998. He said laws in the country should be same for everybody.
Jacob Zuma's corruption case postponed
The corruption case against former South African President Jacob Zuma was postponed to June 8, the Durban High Court announced on Friday.
ED attaches flats worth Rs 462 cr in Mumbai in slum rehab fraud case
The Enforcement Directorate today said it has attached 33 flats worth Rs 462 crore in connection with its money laundering case probe relating to alleged violation of the slum rehabilitation scheme in the Bandra area of Mumbai. The central probe agency said the attached flats belonged to Ms Pyramid Developers and the case related to alleged use of "fake documents for fraudulent availment of extra FSI (floor space index) under the SRA (slum rehabilitation authority) scheme". The agency had registered a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in March last year and had conducted searches at multiple locations of the firm and those belonging to Congress leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique. The ED had taken cognisance of a Mumbai police FIR for filing the case under the PMLA. "The FIR reveals that the suspect persons have defrauded the state (government) by preparing false ration cards, photo passes, shop and establishment licences and submitted
Regulate CJI's role as master of roster: Shanti Bhushan tells SC
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Shanti Bhushan on Friday approached the Supreme Court seeking to regulate the power of Chief Justice of India (CJI).In his petition, Shanti Bhushan is seeking a check on the powers of the CJI, who is the 'master of the roster' and allocates hearing of cases to different courts."The petition raises a very fundamental issue going to the root of the functioning of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and as such is very critical to the interpretation of the Constitution of India and the Rule of Law in India," stated Bhushan in his petition."The Chief Justice of India could not have heard this case himself quite apart from exercising his power as master of roster in allocating a bench to hear this case and constituting a Constitution Bench that finally pronounced the order declaring the Chief Justice of India as master of roster. The principle of master of roster cannot be applicable to a case where the Chief Justice of India is himself involved," Bhushan ...
Vietnam gives harsh jail terms to 6 for advocating democracy
Six human rights activists were sentenced to harsh prison terms in Vietnam after being convicted of attempting to overthrow the government by advocating a multiparty democracy. Prominent human rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai received the most severe penalty of 15 years in prison and five years of house arrest at the one-day trial Thursday, said his lawyer Nguyen Van Mieng. The others received sentences from seven to 12 years. They were charged with affiliating with a group called Brotherhood for Democracy, whose purpose was to change the leadership of the Communist Party and build a multiparty system. "The sentences are too harsh to the defendants," Mieng said. "They fought for human rights, they fought for the rights of multi-party system ... which are recognized achievements of mankind, but the court sees it as serious (threat) to the regime." Five of the defendants including Dai maintained they were innocent because what they did was right, Mieng said. One defendant confessed to the ..
ACB registers case against junior civil judge
Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today registered a case against a junior civil judge for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 60,000 from two advocates and raided his residence here. The I-Additional Junior Civil Judge S Madhu allegedly took the bribe to acquit clients of the advocates. The ACB said the case was filed following a directive from the Hyderabad High Court. An ACB release said they registered a case of criminal misconduct under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Madhu yesterday and took up investigation. After obtaining a warrant from the anti-corruption court, the agency conducted a search at the residence of the judge this morning, it said. The junior judge accepted Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000 from the two advocates on different occasions for doing the favours, the release added.
Probe ordered into sexual harassment of student by prof at J-K varsity
The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a probe into alleged sexual harassment of a girl student by a professor of a university in Rajouri district, an official said. A girl student had on Wednesday complained against a professor for allegedly sexually harassing her. "An enquiry has been initiated into a very serious complaint of sexual harassment against the professor filed by girl students of Baba Ghulam Shah University," Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said. The DC issued a notice to the vice chancellor of the BGSB University with regard to initiation of probe into it. The officer said, "A prima facie case has been made, based on the evidence presented in the form a Compact Disc (CD) with recorded conversations apart from written complaint received through registered speed post." The complaint is mainly against Prof Shah, however, there are also serious allegations made against the VC and registrar of the university for allegedly shielding the accused by not acting
Court to pronounce decision on Salman's bail on Saturday
Bollywood actor Salman Khan will spend another night in a prison here after a court on Friday decided to reserve its order on his bail plea until Saturday.