Page 263 - Law Crime
Sexual harassment allegations against CJI be dealt with as per procedure: SCAORA
The Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association (SCAORA) on Monday expressed "deep reservation" against "procedural impropriety" shown by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi in dealing with sexual harassment allegations against him and said the charges should be dealt with as per established procedure. In a resolution passed on Monday, the top court lawyers' body said, "The allegation of the ex-employee of the Supreme Court have to be dealt with as per the established procedure of law and law must be applied in each and every case uniformly". The SCAORA said that it strongly disapproves the manner in which the complaint was dealt with and seeks enquiry and action in the matter. It sought appointment of a committee headed by full court of the apex court to impartially investigate and inquire into the allegations. "It is therefore resolved that the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association strongly disapproves the manner in which the complaint was dealt with and seeks enquiry and action in .
Lokpal to work from Delhi's 5-star luxury hotel
The country's first Lokpal, the anti-corruption ombudsman, will work from a five-star luxury hotel in Delhi, officials said Monday. The Lokpal chairperson, all of its eight members and support staff are being allocated space in the hotel premises, they said. "The office of Lokpal will work from 'The Ashok' hotel in Chanakyapuri here," the officials said, adding that it would act as its temporary office. President Ram Nath Kovind had on March 23 administered the oath of office to Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose as the chairperson of Lokpal. The Lokpal's eight members were administered the oath by Justice Ghose on March 27. Former chief justices of different high courts, Justices Dilip B Bhosale, Pradip Kumar Mohanty, Abhilasha Kumari and Ajay Kumar Tripathi, took oath as judicial members of the Lokpal. Former first woman chief of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Archana Ramasundaram, ex-Maharashtra chief secretary Dinesh Kumar Jain, former IRS officer Mahender Singh and Gujarat cadre ex-IAS ...
Delhi court directs CBI to give closure report documents of missing JNU student's case to mother
A Delhi court on Monday directed the CBI to give copies of all statements and documents related to the closure report of probe into missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed's case to his mother within two weeks. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Naveen Kumar Kashyap directed the probe agency to supply the documents in physical or electronic form and asked the investigating officer of the case to appear before it in person on May 7. The court's order came while hearing a protest petition filed by Ahmed's mother, Fatima Nafees, against the Central Bureau of Investigation's closure report in the case. The lawyer appearing argued that she has not been supplied statement of witnesses.
Pre-poll violence rocks Odisha: EC magistrate, Cong chief, BJD
A BJD candidate was arrested for allegedly assaulting an EC magistrate, while OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik and another BJD nominee were among 11 persons injured as a series of violence rocked Odisha on Sunday, officials said. Bombs were also hurled at a BJP assembly candidate's car though none was injured, police said Monday. The violence started around an hour before the campaign for the third phase of polls ended on Sunday afternoon. Puri Collector cum District Election Officer J P Das alleged that sitting MLA and BJD's assembly candidate Pradeep Maharathy attacked the magistrate of an election flying squad at Pipili. After receiving a complaint about the distribution of money and liquor in violation of the Model Code of Conduct, the EC teams reached Maharathy's farmhouse around 11.30 pm. "As soon as we reached there, Pradeep Maharathy started hurling abuses and later attacked me and my team," claimed Rabinarayan Patra, the injured magistrate who is now admitted at
Rahul Gandhi expresses regret before SC for his remark
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday expressed regret before the Supreme Court over his remark 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' in connection with the apex court order on the admissibility of three documents in the Rafale fighter jet deal.He said that his statements were "used and misused" by the political opponents and that he "gave the statements in the heat of the political campaigning".The Congress chief made the submission in his response to a contempt plea filed by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi regarding his statement over the Supreme Court's order in the Rafale deal.The contempt petition accused Gandhi of misquoting the apex court's order by saying that the court accepted that 'chowkidar' (a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi), is a "chor' (thief).On April 15, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had sought an explanation from Gandhi on or before April 22 on the plea. It posted the matter for hearing on April 23.The Congress president while speaking to the ...
Sting operation fallout: Cong MP seeking re-election booked
A case has been registered against the Congress's Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency candidate M K Raghavan in connection with a bribe allegation against him that surfaced in a sting operation, visuals of which were telecast by a television channel recently, police said on Monday. Raghavan, who has denied the allegation claiming that the video was doctored, had been charged under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), they added. The two-time MP is aiming for a hat-trick from the Kozhikode constituency in the polls on Tuesday. A Hindi news channel had, on April 3, aired visuals purportedly showing Raghavan negotiating a bribe for land acquisition in the city for setting up a hotel. In the video, the Congress MP had also allegedly stated that an amount of around Rs 20 crore was required for election campaign. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala had also lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), the state Chief ..
Saradha Scam: SC adjourns hearing in CBI plea seeking to arrest ex-Kolkata top cop
The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned hearing in the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) plea seeking permission to arrest ex-Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar.A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Deepak Gupta posted the matter for hearing on April 30.Last week, the former Kolkata Police Commissioner had filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that the agency was allegedly acting at the behest of two BJP leaders Mukul Roy and Kailash Vijayavargiya."The sudden inexplicable turn by the CBI in pointing out problems with the investigation and targeting the alleged contemnor (Rajeev Kumar) seems to be borne out of a larger conspiracy between two senior leaders Mukul Roy and Kailash Vijayvargiya of the BJP the ruling party at the centre," Kumar stated in his affidavit.Kumar submitted affidavit after the bench had asked Kumar to file his response over CBI's plea seeking custodial interrogation and ...
AgustaWestland Case: Sushen Mohan Gupta sent to judicial custody till May 3
A Special CBI court on Monday extended the judicial custody of AgustaWestland deal alleged middlemen Sushen Mohan Gupta till May 3.Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar extended the judicial custody of Gupta after he appeared before the court.Gupta, who was arrested on March 26, is currently lodged in Tihar jail. On April 8, he was sent to judicial custody till April 20.Earlier, Gupta had filed a bail plea before a Special CBI court on April 6. However, his petition was rejected by the court last week.In his bail plea, Gupta had submitted that throughout the investigation he has fully cooperated with the investigation agencies and has complied with all directions given by them adding that he has neither been accused of evading the law nor has he interfered with the investigation in any manner.He had also said that he in the past always cooperated with the investigation and undertakes to further cooperate in the future as well.
Delhi court sends to District Judge complaint against Rahul Gandhi for remarks against PM Modi
A Delhi court Monday sent to District Judge the complaint seeking direction to the police to register an FIR against Congress President Rahul Gandhi for making allegedly seditious remarks in 2016 against Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of hiding behind the blood of soldiers and cashing in on their sacrifice. Metropolitan Magistrate Preeti Parewa said that since the accused was a sitting MP, the court was not empowered to take up the matter and was sending back the case to District Judge for allocating it before the designated court. The complaint has referred to the Congress leader's speech delivered at a public meeting here where he had said PM Modi was hiding behind the blood of soldiers and exploiting their sacrifices. On October 6, 2016, Rahul, while addressing the meeting after completion of his 'Kisan Yatra' in Uttar Pradesh, had said: "You (Modi) are hiding behind the blood of soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir and those who carried out the surgical strikes for India. You .
Allegations of sexual harassment: Supreme Court employees welfare association supports CJI
The Supreme Court Employees Welfare Association Monday came out in support of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, against whom allegations of sexual harassment have been levelled. The association, in one-page resolution, said it strongly condemns the "false, fabricated and baseless allegations" against the CJI which is aimed at maligning the institution of judiciary. "The Supreme Court Employees Welfare Association on behalf of all the employees strongly condemns the false, fabricated and baseless allegations against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi," it said. "Such unscrupulous allegations are aimed at maligning the institution. The association re-affirms its pledge to work vigorously to strengthen this august institution. In this hour of time, the entire staff is united and stand firmly with the Chief Justice of India to defeat the malicious attempt of external forces to target the Indian judiciary," the resolution said. Allegations of sexual harassment had cropped up ...
Ghosn hit with fresh charge in Japan, files for bail
Japanese authorities Monday hit former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn with a fresh charge of aggravated breach of trust, the fourth formal indictment against the auto sector tycoon who immediately filed for bail. The Tokyo District Court confirmed that prosecutors had filed the new indictment and hours later said that Ghosn's crack legal team had filed a request for the executive to be released on bail. The 65-year-old strenuously denies all allegations against him and insists they have been cooked up in a "plot" by Nissan executives wary of his plans to bring the Japanese car giant closer to its French partner Renault. According to the formal charge sheet, Ghosn is accused of funnelling millions in Nissan funds to a dealership in the Middle East and syphoned off around five million dollars for his personal use. The transfers were made "with the purpose of benefiting himself by receiving part of the money," alleged prosecutors. Nissan itself said it had filed a criminal complaint against ...
Anger as Malaysian cleared of murdering Indonesian maid
A Malaysian woman has reportedly been cleared of murdering her Indonesian maid, who was allegedly tortured and forced to sleep outside with a dog, with activists Monday criticising the "shocking" decision. Adelina Sau died in February last year after being found outside her employer's home on the northern Malaysian island of Penang, with her head and face swollen and covered in wounds. Many Indonesian maids work in more affluent Malaysia and tales of abuse are common, but the horrific nature of Sau's case generated headlines and sparked diplomatic tensions between the neighbours. Her employer, S. Ambika, was charged with murder -- an offence that carries a mandatory death sentence in Malaysia -- shortly after the 21-year-old was rescued and died in hospital. But the High Court in Penang dropped the murder charge against her last week, local media reported, without saying why. Prominent Malaysian human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen called the decision "shocking and unacceptable". "This ...
RJD unhappy over ban on meeting Lalu Prasad
Gautam Sagar Rana, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President in Jharkhand, on Monday expressed unhappiness over a ban on meeting party chief Lalu Prasad at a hospital here.
Truck carrying cash catches fire in Anantnag district
A truck carrying currency notes caught fire on Monday in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
SC refuses to intervene in plea seeking cancellation of plan to construct Jayalalithaa's memorial
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to intervene in a plea seeking cancellation of the plan to construct a memorial of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa at Marina beach in Chennai.A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that the petition was devoid of merits.The bench also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, was hearing the plea filed by advocate M L Ravi who said that the late All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader was a "criminal" and therefore, her memorial should not be constructed.The petitioner had knocked the doors of the apex court after a division bench of the Madras High Court comprising Justices M Sathyanarayanan and P Rajamanickam turned down his plea.Popularly known as 'Amma', Jayalalithaa was taken to Chennai's Apollo hospital on September 22, 2016, where she was treated for 75 days before she breathed her last on December 5.Following her death, allegations of foul play began to do the rounds and state
Smriti issued notice in 2013 defamation case
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam's appeal for quashing a defamation case filed against him by Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani in 2013.
SC issues notice to Smriti Irani on Sanjay Nirupam's plea
The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani on a plea by Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam seeking quashing of a criminal defamation complaint against him.A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi agreed to examine the plea filed by Nirupam and issued a notice to Irani seeking her response into the matter.The apex court's decision comes after Nirupam's appeal against Delhi High Court's December 20, 2018 order in which it had refused to quash summons issued against him.Earlier, Irani had filed a complaint against Nirupam for allegedly defaming her during a debate on a private television news channel and the court had framed charges against the Congress leader for using derogatory and indecent language against the Union Textiles Minister.Irani had alleged in her complaint that Nirupam had questioned her credentials to analyse poll results given her background as a television actress. On Irani's complaint, the court had put Nirupam on trial under ..
Australian man in possession of satellite phone arrested at Jaipur Airport
Customs officials on Monday arrested an Australian national in possession of a satellite phone from the international airport here."Customs officials arrested the man during a routine check-up at the airport," said Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul Jain.The accused has been identified as Scott Paul."The inquiry into the matter is underway at Sanganer Police station in Jaipur," SP Jain further said.
Congress to take action against Anupam Sharma
After the arrest of Uttarakhand Congress General Secretary Anupam Sharma in an alleged robbery case last week, the party is all set to take action against him, an official said here on Monday.
Pragya Singh Thakur was booked under false case, says Amit Shah
BJP national president Amit Shah on Monday defended BJP candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur who is an accused in 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, saying that a false case was registered against her and others.Speaking at a press conference here, Shah said, "I want to say that a false case alleging Hindu terror was registered against Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and others. When the court started the proceedings of the case, it was found to be false."Shah said that Aseemanand who was falsely implicated in the Malegaon blast case is now acquitted. He questioned, "Why the accused arrested earlier in Samjhauta Express blast case of 2007, have been released."Thakur, who is a BJP candidate from Bhopal, is among the seven accused facing trial in the Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured when a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra's Malegaon on September 29, 2008.The BJP president also alleged, "When Batla House encounter took place ...