INDIA- Bombay High Court says the release of water for Kumbh Mela 2015 was illegal
The Bombay High Court believes that the release of water from the Gangapur dam during Kumbh Mela in 2015 was illegal according to the 2003 state water policy. A bench comprising of Justices A S Oka and M S Sonak suggested that government should incorporate a scientific approach to the Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan and River Rejuvenation Programmes. This comes after economist H M Desarda had raised concerns on water scarcity in the state at the time.
INDIA – Students urged to pay back scholarships by Law College
Protest broke out on Tuesday after The ILS Law College demanded fifth-year students pay the institute the Rs 4625 scholarship they receive directly from the government. The college denies allegations from the 150-odd students, claiming that the institute has given them until Thursday to pay the fee and threatened to reject their examination forms if they failed to do so. The students refuse to pay the fee unless instructed to do so by the social welfare department, and although The College insists that the matter will not interfere in exam proceedings, they are still adamant on the being paid.
INDIA- Was death row prisoner allowed a phone call from within prison?
The Bombay High Court has asked Yerwada prison authorities whether death row convict, Faisal Shaikh, was allowed a phone call to his mother from within prison. Shaikh was found guilty of conspiracy in the 2006 serial train bombings. After The Court denied Shaikh’s plea for emergency parole, it stated that it was surprised to note that the application to a phone call with his mother was still pending as of January 14. The court also noted that due to the nature of the request “immediate consideration of the application is mandatory.”
AMERICA- New York governor signs ‘red flag’ gun bill into law
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed the Red Flag or Extreme Risk Protection Order Bill, which allows courts to temporarily seize firearms from those who show “red flags”, such as violent behavior, or suspicion of threat to oneself or others. The bill also gives consent to school officials to seek preemptive measures through the court. Cuomo stated that “The Red Flag Bill will save lives and doesn’t infringe on anybody’s rights and it is common sense.”
INDIA- Petitioner claims Alleged violation in Haj panel appointment
Petitioner Maulana Habib Rizvi Mohammed Hussain has claimed alleged violation in the appointment of new State Haj Committee members. Maulana Hussain contended that the government’s appointment did not include MP’s and MLA’s while the Muslim community has 2 MPs, 10 MLAs and 4 legislative council members; a violation of the Haj Committee Act of 2002. The Act states that the Haj Committee be comprised of three members from Muslim MPs and MLAs, three from councillors, three from Muslim theology and legal expertise, and among the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to total 16 members.
INDIA- New Committee appointed, but no information found on it in most Police stations
A change in personnel in a Committee tasked with implementing a check system that would prevent sexual harassment in the UT police workplace was found to be poorly documented in most police stations according to Head Constable of UT police, Jajit Singh. After it was noted that most of the previous members of the Committee had either been transferred or promoted, a new Committee was formed on 14th February. Unfortunately most police stations were unaware of the changes in personnel with some police stations still having the list old members plucked on notice boards.
AMERICA- Texas woman seeks to ban legal prostitution in Nevada
Rebekah Charleston, a woman who claims that she was forced into prostitution at a brothel in Nevada, has filed a lawsuit that would criminalize the operation of brothels under a state law that prohibits the transportation of women across state lines for prostitution. She also wants the state to deposit $2 million into a fund that would assist people looking to exit sex-trade with mental health services, job training and tattoo removal.
INDIA – No violence in Kashmiri since airstrike
On Wednesday the Supreme Court noted that there has been no case of violence against the people of Kashmiri since the airstrike on 22 February after the suicide bombing in Pulawama. After reports that they were being targeted after the bombing, the top court took the necessary action in ensuring the safety of the Kashmiris, especially the students. Some right-wing activists have resorted to violent threats and forced landlords to evict students, with hundreds fleeing cities like Dehradun and Ambala.
INDIA- Delhi High Court moves to speed up trial of Soumya Vishwanathan murder case
On Wednesday the Delhi High Court ordered the trial court to expedite the murder trial of TV journalist Soumya Vishwanathan. In south Delhi on September 30 2008 Soumya was found shot dead in her car on her way home from work. The court blames the initial delay on an absence of witnesses on the fixed court date. The High Court has appointed a senior police officer to monitor prosecution witnesses, reports suggest. The statements of 42 witnesses have been recorded, the court said.
UNITED KINGDOM- Lawyers warn that Brexit could cause the biggest upset in employment law the UK has ever seen
A report filed by the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA) believes that without a new legislation, divergence from EU law will lead to weaker workers’ rights in the UK. Chair of the ELA’s Legislative and Policy Committee, Paul McFarlane, said that “The Court of Justice of the European Union has often interpreted directives in favour of workers bringing claims and has created some powerful and important case law in the process.”. Associate director at Croner, Paul Holcroft, believes that “clarity is needed to ensure that all parties understand the position of UK employment law going forwards.”.
INDIA- Sreesanth finds BCCI ban too harsh
S Srresanth claims he was tortured in police custody for his confession in the 2013 match-fixing scandal and says that he finds his lifetime ban imposed by the BCCI “completely unfair”. Sreesanth’s lawyers are fighting an on-going battle to have the ban lifted, noting that no other cricketer in the world has ever had a lifetime ban imposed on them that was not eventually overturned. His defense insists that he never received any money for his actions in the match between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab.
INDIA- Verdict in National Herald eviction case to be announced on Thursday
A plea by National Herald publisher AJL that challenged a single judge order to vacate the premises will like have it’s verdict by Thursday. During earlier disputes AJL insisted that transfer of the company’s majority shares to Young India (YI) would not make Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi owners of the Herald Building. The transfer of 99 percent stake from AJL to YI practically led to a ‘virtual’ sale of the Herald building, the Centre argued.
CANADA- Payday loan law aims to strengthen consumer protections in British Columbia
Amendments to Business Practices and the Consumer Protection Act will offer more safeguards for people who are forced to seek high-cost loan services and prevent them from falling into vicious cycles of debt. Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth, says that the amendments will set limits to borrowing costs, prohibit certain charges and fees and also restrict the use of borrowers’ personal information. In its throne speech, the New Democrat government says that it plans to tighten noose on unfair payday loan practices.
INDIA – Jammu and Kashmir Governor keeps order
Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik reviewed the law and order situation in Kashmir after the Indian airstrike against the JeM camp in Kashmir. The governor praised people for keeping their calm, after deploying the necessary forces to take appropriate measures to maintain order. He also asked the public not to believe any rumours they come across online, and informed them that he would, if necessary, communicate directly with them through television and radio among other means.
CANADA- Toronto Health Official looks to ban cannabis-infused candy and vape flavours
In an attempt to protect the youth, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen De Villa proposes a ban on all cannabis products that could appeal to underage individuals. Although Cannabis officially became legal in Canada on October 17 2018, not all cannabis products were legalized. Edibles, extracts and topicals, known as “additional cannabis products” are awaiting approval and according to the federal government, these additional products can expect to become legal on the one-year anniversary of legalization.
INDIA – Law students lift College curfew
The students of Government Law College followed in the footsteps of their counterparts at CET College by succeeding in their attempts to force the institute to revise the curfew on the ladies’ hostel and the times of the college library. Extensions on the hostel entry time, and the library closing time was granted by the directorate of collegiate. Students will likely benefit from these revisions as some have complained about having only 30 minutes of access to the library after class.
INDIA – Tweaks in bankruptcy law means no more backing out for successful bidders
The Indian government is adjusting the Insolvent and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) to prevent bidders backing out on successful bids due to superficial reasons. This comes shortly after a recent case of Liberty House backing out of it’s commitment to buy Amtek Motors. It is likely that a new policy will require successful bidders to deposit a percentage of the bid after a successful bid is made. If a successful bidder chooses to back out of the bid, their deposit will be forfeited and they could be “blacklisted”, according to media reports.
UNITED KINGDOM- New laws on coercive control could overturn murder conviction
In a case that will test new laws on domestic abuse and coercive control, Georgina Challen has started a landmark appeal to have her murder conviction overturned. Challen murdered her husband as a result of 40 years of coercive control. The court of appeal was told that the new information gathered on the nature of coercive control, which was not available for Challen’s trail in 2011, would persuade a jury to come to a significantly different verdict.
INDIA – Small offices better for new lawyers
“Small offices serve you better in learning the nuances of advocacy. In big offices, newcomers are reduced to shrubs.” reasoned noted lawyer Anand Parchure. Parchure addressed a group of young lawyers at the high court during a seminar on ‘Dos and dont’s for the first generation lawyers in the court”. The seasoned advocate encouraged students to attend court sessions, think independently, spend time their free time reading and apply their minds in cases rather than search them online. He told the young lawyers to be punctual and diligent and concluded by saying “Make sure the profession remains pious and pure.”
INDIA – Private Medical College has soon-to-be doctors but no patients.
On several occasions the Medical Council of India (MCI) raised concerns about RKDF Medical College but could not stop the private college from admitting dozens of students, 150 of which are in their final year of MBBS. After an inspection it was revealed that the institution falsified medical records and in fact had a huge shortage of patients. The inspection committee also reported that many sections of the hospital were empty and not in use. Officials in the Madhya Pradesh Directorate of Medical Education said the matter was out of their hands, and that it was up to the Medical Counsel of India to dismember such ‘large scale malpractices’.