Page 2 - Supreme Court

SC flags high exclusion in Bengal voter roll revision, denies relief

Top court notes high rejection rates in SIR exercise, declines interim relief on appeals, and asks appellate tribunals to frame procedures for handling cases uniformly

SC orders CBI probe into Arunachal contracts linked to Khandu family

Top court directs preliminary enquiry into alleged favouritism in public works contracts linked to CM Pema Khandu's relatives; asks CBI to submit report within 16 weeks

SC orders CBI probe into contracts to firms linked to Arunachal CM's kin

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the CBI to register a preliminary enquiry within two weeks into the award of contracts for public works in Arunachal Pradesh to firms allegedly owned by family members of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. A bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath said the enquiry and consequential investigation, if any, shall cover the award and execution of public works, contracts and work orders in the state for the period from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2025. The bench directed the CBI to file a status report before it in the matter within 16 weeks. "The CBI shall register a PE (preliminary enquiry) within two weeks from the date of the judgement and will proceed in accordance with law," Justice Nath said while pronouncing the order. The detailed order is awaited. The top court had on February 17 reserved its order in the matter. During the hearing in the matter, the apex court was told that government contracts and work orders worth around Rs 1,270 crore were .

Builder can't forfeit more than 10% of total price on payment default

The National Commission cited the Supreme Court's observation that in appropriate cases the consumer forum has the authority to decide whether the terms of an agreement are valid

Nine-judge SC bench to hear Sabarimala, religious freedom cases from Apr 7

A nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court is scheduled to commence from April 7 the final hearing on petitions relating to discrimination against women at religious places, including Sabarimala Temple, and on the ambit and scope of religious freedom practised by multiple faiths. According to the apex court's cause list of April 7, the nine-judge Constitution bench will comprise Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, Augustine George Masih, Prasanna B Varale, R Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi. In September 2018, a five-judge Constitution bench, by a 4:1 majority verdict, had lifted the ban that prevented women between the age of 10 and 50 from entering the Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala in Kerala and held that the centuries-old Hindu religious practice was illegal and unconstitutional. Later on November 14, 2019, another five-judge bench headed by the then CJI Ranjan Gogoi, by a majority of 3:2, referred the issue of ...

SC asks Centre if disabled military cadets can get 'ex-servicemen' status

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre if military cadets who become unfit due to disabilities sustained during training can be given ex-servicemen status, enabling them to avail reservation benefits in government and semi-government jobs. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan said a majority of the military cadets were below the age of 30 and would need employment. "During the course of submissions, one of the aspects that was discussed was as to whether the boarded-out cadets could also be considered as ex-servicemen or ex-military personnel for the purpose of having the benefit of reservation for such persons in various governmental and semi-government jobs and posts," the bench said. "Learned ASG to seek instructions on this aspect, so that the scope of the ex-military personnel could also include the boarded-out cadets, since a majority of them are in their 20s, 30s", it said. Additional Solicitor General N Venkataraman, appearing for the Union of India, said it

National Insurance Company CMD be made party in criminal case, orders SC

Supreme Court directs impleadment of National Insurance CMD in forged policy case, orders SIT probe and flags insurer's failure to act despite alleging fraud

Supreme Court asks Sebi to close case against Sandesaras or face action

The Supreme Court told market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Thursday to close proceedings against Sterling Biotech Limited (SBL) and its promoters, Chetan and Nitin Sandesara, or else it will be compelled to take a serious view of the matter. A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and A S Chandurkar told the SEBI's counsel that its order of November last year was very clear that all proceedings against the Sandesara brothers will be quashed if they deposit Rs 5,100 crore in the apex court registry. "We have said all proceedings, including that of SEBI, need to be quashed upon deposit of the money. If you are doing it, then it is alright, or we will be compelled to pass a detailed order on the issue," the bench told the counsel. The SEBI's counsel said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta is deliberating with the market regulator and sought a week's time to apprise the court of the developments. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing in the court for the Sandesa

SC expresses concern over intimidation of judicial officers in West Bengal

Supreme Court orders central forces and probe after judicial officers were allegedly confined during electoral roll revision in West Bengal, raising concerns over rule of law

SC cancels bail of Satinder Singh Bhasin in Grand Venice Mall 'scam' case

The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside the bail granted to businessman Satinder Singh Bhasin in connection with a multi-crore rupee alleged Grand Venice Mall scam in Greater Noida. A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and N K Singh directed Bhasin to surrender before the jail authorities within a week. "The petitioner has not complied with the conditions of bail imposed upon him vide order dated November 6, 2019. Resultantly, the bail granted to the petitioner is cancelled. The petitioner to surrender within one week from the date of this judgment," the bench said. The top court directed that Bhasin may apply for regular bail afresh after a period of twelve months, subject to fully complying with the orders passed in the insolvency proceedings. Insolvency proceedings were invoked against Bhasin's companies under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. "It is directed that the passport of the petitioner is not to be released by the Trial Court without the leave of this Court

SC slams Bengal govt over gherao of judicial officials, calls it calculated

The Supreme Court on Thursday took serious note of seven judicial officials engaged in SIR exercise being taken "hostage" in West Bengal's Malda district, terming it deplorable and seeking responses from the state home secretary, DGP and other officials for their "inaction". A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi permitted the Election Commission to seek either CBI or NIA probe into the unfortunate incident. It said the incident appears to be a "calculated" and "motivated move to demoralise judicial officers" and to stop the ongoing electoral process. Observing that the law and order machinery in the state has "broken down", the CJI came down hard on state officials for their delayed action in the issue. Seven judicial officials, including three women, were taken hostage by the anti-social elements at Malda district, the CJI said, adding that he himself had to monitor the situation till late night on Wednesday. The top court referred

SC to hear Anil Ambani's plea against 'fraud' tag by banks next week

Supreme Court to hear Anil Ambani's plea against fraud classification by banks over alleged ₹31,580 crore irregularities linked to ADAG entities

SC dismisses plea seeking details on Air India plane crash investigation

What is your "deep-rooted agenda", an irate Supreme Court asked a petitioner on Wednesday while dismissing his plea related to the preliminary investigation report on the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad last June. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi also refused to accept the petitioner's contention that authorities be directed to treat his plea as a representation. The petitioner had challenged a February 25 order of the Delhi High Court that rejected a PIL seeking that information on the "complete sequence of events" leading to the crash be included in the preliminary investigation report. "What is your deep-rooted agenda? As if we don't understand the motive. The people who lost their lives, their family members are not filing (petitions) but you are filing," an anguished CJI told the counsel appearing for the petitioner. On June 12 last year, Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft en route to London Gatwick, crashed

Vedanta tells SC its revised bid for bankrupt JAL tops Adani Group's offer

In a petition contesting the lenders' choice to approve Adani's bid, Vedanta argued that its updated proposal offered nearly ₹3,400 crore more in overall value

Bengal govt to clear DA arrears for 2016-19 in single instalment by Mar 31

The West Bengal government will pay the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears to serving employees, pensioners and family pensioners in a single instalment instead of the two tranches announced earlier, an official said on Saturday. The decision follows a Supreme Court order in February directing the state government to clear the DA arrears, after which the administration had announced that payments would begin in March. In a partial modification of its March 13 order, the state government has now decided to release the entire arrears for the period from January 2016 to December 2019 by March 31, the official said.

SC issues contempt notice to ASI chief over heritage sites of Delhi

Taking strong exception to the deliberate violation of its order, the Supreme Court has issued a contempt notice to the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India for failure to submit a response on the conservation status of 173 notified heritage sites in the national capital. A bench of justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N Kotiswar Singh directed the Director General of ASI to be personally present before it on the next date of hearing. "The court takes strong exception to the deliberate violation of the order of this court. Accordingly, notice is issued to the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India to showcause as to why the court may not initiate proceedings for contempt against him. He shall be personally present before the court on the next date of listing along with his show-cause," the bench said. The top court noted that the Department of Archaeology, Delhi government, has identified 19 monuments and inspected them, and with regard to the majority of

Supreme Court upholds state's right to withdraw power duty exemptions

Supreme Court overturns Bombay High Court rulings granting electricity duty relief to industries, affirming State's authority to modify fiscal exemptions

NHAI can't deny recompense citing financial burden: Supreme Court

Supreme Court refuses to limit 2019 Tarsem Singh ruling, saying constitutional guarantee of just compensation cannot be diluted due to financial burden

SC bins plea against MHA circular on Vande Mataram, terms it 'vague'

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea against a home ministry circular on singing of national song Vande Mataram at official events, saying that a directive was not mandatory. A bench consisting of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi termed the plea filed by one Muhammed Sayeed Noori as "premature" and based on "vague apprehension of discrimination". Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, appearing for Noori, said they respect every religion in the country, but if people are compelled to sing the song irrespective of their religion and faith, some may find it a compulsion to participate in the "social demonstration of loyalty". Justice Bagchi asked if the circular specified any penal consequences for not singing the national song or if any person had been removed from the congregation for not singing it. "Penalty is there in case of disruption," Hegde said, "While there may be no legal sanction, there is always a huge burden for ..

SC grants pension to women SSC officers of armed forces: Details here

The court's one-time relief ensures long-term financial security for officers who were denied permanent commission