Page 45 - Supreme Court

SC refuses to hear plea challenging gag order in Dharamsthala case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to hear a petition challenging a sweeping gag order that restrained media houses from reporting on matters related to the brother of Dharamadhikari D Veerendra Heggade of Dharamsthala in Karnataka. The gag order pertained to reports on alleged murder of women in Dharmasthala in the state's Dakshina Kannada district. The plea, filed against an ex parte interim order of a local court, questioned the legality of the directive which directed as many as 390 media houses to remove nearly 9,000 links and stories related to the Dharamsthala burial case. A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and Joymalya Bagchi asked the petitioner as to why the high court had not been approached. You go the high court first, the CJI said. The gag order was reportedly passed in a defamation suit filed by Harshendra Kumar, Secretary of Sri Manjunathaswamy Temple institutions, who highlighted the spread of allegedly false and defamato

SC rejects Kalanithi Maran, KAL plea seeking ₹1,323 cr from SpiceJet

Delhi High court order's upheld in long-running dispute over transfer of shares to low-cost carrier's founder

After Kanwar Yatra rush, Haridwar battles waste; Delhi hit by noise, jams

Over 40 million Kanwariyas visited Haridwar as the city struggles with waste cleanup; Delhi sees over 350 complaints over DJ noise, traffic snarls during final days of the Kanwar Yatra

Cash row: Will constitute bench to hear Justice Varma's plea, says SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would constitute a bench to hear Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma's plea seeking to invalidate a report by an in-house inquiry panel, which found him guilty of misconduct in the cash discovery row. Justice Varma has also sought quashing of the May 8 recommendation by then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna urging Parliament to initiate impeachment against him. The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and Joymalya Bagchi. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who mentioned the matter for Justice Varma, said the plea was in respect of recommendation made by the then CJI for removal of Justice Varma. "We have raised some constitutional issues. I request your lordships to list it as early as possible," he said. The CJI said, "I will have to constitute a bench". He said it might not be proper for him to take up the matter as he was also a part of the ...

Cash discovery row: Justice Varma urges SC to accord urgent hearing on plea

Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court to accord urgent hearing on his plea seeking to invalidate a report by an in-house inquiry panel, which found him guilty of misconduct in the cash discovery row. "I will have to constitute a bench," Chief Justice B R Gavai told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who mentioned the matter for Varma. The CJI was heading a bench which also comprised Justices K Vinod Chandran and Joymalya Bagchi. Sibal requested the bench to list the matter as early as possible, saying they have raised some constitutional issues in the plea. Varma has also sought quashing of the May 8 recommendation by then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna urging Parliament to initiate impeachment against him. The three-judge panel headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu of the Punjab and Haryana High Court conducted the inquiry for 10 days, examined 55 witnesses and visited the scene of the accidental fire that started at around 11.35 pm o

SC declines plea seeking transfer of Waqf Act petition from Delhi HC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a plea seeking transfer of a petition challenging the 1995 Waqf Act from the Delhi High Court to the apex court. A bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai said that courts are increasingly being used for generating newspaper headlines rather than genuine legal redress. The bench, which also comprised Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria, made sharp remarks while hearing a transfer petition filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. The petition sought to move his challenge to various provisions of the Waqf Act from the Delhi High Court to the Supreme Court. "This issue is already pending before this court. Why do you want more petitions," the CJI asked at the outset. The bench noted that an earlier bench led by then CJI Sanjiv Khanna had already set a clear timeline for admitting such challenges. The court had also permitted fresh petitioners to file intervention applications in the ongoing batch of 11 petitions challenging .

Bet value doesn't qualify as income under I-T Act: Egaming firms to SC

Online gaming firms tell the Supreme Court that bet money placed by users in online real-money games should not be considered taxable income under the Income Tax Act

Supreme Court says it feels 'ashamed' over rising crimes against women

The petition seeks the creation of a National Sex Offenders Registry that should be accessible online to all women, enabling them to identify repeat sexual offenders and take necessary precautions

Maharashtra moves SC against acquittal of 7/11 train blasts convicts

A division bench of the high court (HC) on Monday overturned the conviction of all 12 accused, saying that cases against them had not been proven beyond a doubt

Will move SC with contempt plea against Karnataka on Mhadei issue: Goa CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday informed the legislative assembly that the state government will file a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against Karnataka for carrying out activities that are aimed at diverting the Mhadei river water. The CM also accused the neighbouring state of being involved in activities aimed at diverting the river water. The two adjoining coastal states are embroiled in a dispute over sharing the Mhadei river water. The BJP-ruled Goa has accused the Congress-governed Karnataka of planning to divert the river water by constructing two dams. The Mhadei river originates in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, and flows through Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra as it empties into the Arabian Sea at Panaji in Goa. The Centre had set up a tribunal which decided on sharing the river water between the three riparian states -- Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Goa and Karnataka along with Maharashtra have appealed against the tribunal's order on .

Assent to bills: SC seeks Centre, States' reply on Prez reference timeline

In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses of the Centre and all states on the Presidential reference raising constitutional issues on whether timelines could be imposed for dealing with bills passed by assembly. Observing that the issues raised in the presidential reference will affect the entire country, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai sought the replies in a week and fixed the reference for fixing timelines and other procedural details on July 29. "There are issues of interpretation of the Constitution. We have requested the Attorney General to assist us. Issue notice to the Union and all state governments. The Solicitor General will appear for the Union. All state governments be served through emails. List it on next Tuesday. Notice be also served to all standing counsel," ordered the bench which also comprised justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, PS Narasimha and AS Chandurkar. During a brief hearing, senio

SC refuses to stay QR code directive for eateries along Kanwar Yatra route

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the "QR" code directive for eateries along Kanwar Yatra route in UP, Uttarakhand and directed all hotel owners along the route to display their licences and registration certificates in line with the statutory requirements. A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh said it was not going into the other issues over display of names of the hotel or dhaba owner and the QR code, Tuesday being the last day of the Kanwar Yatra. "We are told that today is the last day of the yatra. In any case it is likely to come to an end in the near future. Therefore, at this stage we would only pass an order that all the respective hotel owners shall comply with the mandate of displaying the licence and the registration certificate as per the statutory requirements," the bench said. The top court was hearing a plea filed by academician Apoorvanand Jha and others. Senior advocate Abhishek M Singhvi, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that th

SC to hear plea against acquittal of 2006 Mumbai bomb blast case accused

Seeking an urgent listing of the matter, Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, mentioned it before a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai. The matter has been listed for Thursday

Have the right to 'verify citizenship', EC tells SC on Bihar roll revision

The Election Commission told the Supreme Court that it is legally bound to verify citizenship in Bihar's voter roll revision, citing constitutional and legal duty to ensure only citizens are included

Supreme Court declines to examine plea on milk used at Tirupati temple

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to examine a plea for a direction to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to ensure the milk used for the worship of Lord Venkatesh should be taken only from indigenous cows. A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh declined to pass any direction on the matter. "There are much more important issues than this. The true love for god lies in serving fellow living beings, and not in these things," the bench said. The top court was hearing a plea filed by Yuga Thulasi Foundation seeking directions to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to ensure only the milk of indigenous cows was used for the worship and bhog prasad (sacred food offering) of Lord Venkatesh. The counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that worship has to be conducted as per the Agamashastras (Hindu scriptures) and sought implementation of an existing resolution.

SC allows Adani Cementation to cut 158 mangrove trees in Raigad

The Supreme Court upheld the Bombay High Court's order permitting Adani Cementation to cut 158 mangrove trees for a jetty project in Raigad, aimed at reducing congestion and carbon emissions

Samajwadi Party misused power to occupy office space for ₹115: SC

The Supreme Court on Monday rapped the Samajwadi Party for "fraudulently occupying" office space for a paltry Rs 115 in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit, underlining a "clear misuse of political power". A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi told senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for the political party, that it was not a case of fraudulent allotment but a case of "fraudulent occupation using muscle power and misusing power". The top court was acting on the party's plea against Nagarpalika Parishad of Pilibhit's eviction order. Dave argued despite paying rent for the office space, the municipal authorities were adamant to evict his client. He said a suit seeking injunction on the eviction order had been filed. "You are a political party. You misused official position and political power to occupy the space. When action comes, you start remembering everything. Have you ever heard of office space in a municipal area for Rs 115 rent. This is a clear case of abuse of power

Centre suggests six cuts in 'Udaipur Files', SC extends stay on release

The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it has suggested six cuts in the movie "Udaipur Files - Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder". "In personal opinion any further action than what has been recommended by the competent authority will be infringing Article 19. I have gone through the order," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi. The top court asked Mehta to place the order on record. Senior advocate Gaurav Bhati, appearing for filmmakers, submitted the Centre was exercising its revisionary jurisdiction and recommended six cuts in film scenes and they have been complied with. Justice Kant told Bhatia that film producers would have to comply with the directions of cutting the scenes, unless they wished to challenge the order. Senior advocate Maneka Guruswamy, appearing for accused Mohd Javed, seeking the stay on the movie's release, said the interim stay should continue till the apex court decided the issue. The bench went

Supreme Court rejects BCCI, Riju Raveendran plea in Byju's settlement case

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld an order rejecting the appeals of the BCCI and Byju's co-founder Riju Raveendran seeking withdrawal of insolvency proceedings against his company. A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan dismissed the appeals filed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Raveendran challenging the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) verdict on April 17. BCCI and Raveendran had previously challenged an order of the Bengaluru bench of the National Company Law Tribunal, which on February 10 directed to place their settlement offer before the new Committee of Creditors (CoC), in which US-based Glas Trust, the trustee for lenders to which Byju's owes USD 1.2 billion, is a member. A two-member Chennai bench of the NCLAT comprising Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain and Jatindranath Swain upheld the directions passed by the NCLT and said the settlement proposal was filed after the formation of CoC, hence as the provisions of Section 12

SC protects Shreyas Talpade from arrest in Haryana marketing scam case

The Supreme Court on Monday granted protection from arrest to actor Shreyas Talpade in a case of cheating and breach of trust against a society. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and K V Viswanathan issued notice to Haryana Police and others on the actor's plea. Thirteen people, including actors and brand ambassadors Talpade and Alok Nath, were booked ont he complaint of 37-year-old Sonipat resident Vipul Antil. Antil alleged both the actors "promoted the Human Welfare Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, as brand ambassadors". Additional Commissioner of Police, Murthal, Sonipat, Ajeet Singh said the complaint was against a multi-marketing company under investigated. About the two actors, the ACP had said, "It has been alleged that they were its brand ambassadors and victims get lured to invest because of such personalities. They were named in the complaint. An FIR has been registered. Now, it will be investigated what was their role." The FIR was registered on January 22 under Secti