INDIA – Trial Courts Vacancies: SC Seeks Documentation From States, Union Territories, High Courts
On Thursday (October 24, 2019), the Supreme Court ordered all 24 High Courts and 36 States and Union Territories to send new status reports detailing the progress made since August in filling the vacancies of judicial officers in court and in the development of facilities such as courtrooms and residences for judges. The bench, comprising of Justices SA Bobde and SA Nazeer, asked senior advocates Shyam Divan, KV Vishwanathan, Vijay Hansaria and lawyer Gaurav Agrawal, who had been appointed amicus curiae to assist him in the mammoth task of monitoring developments, to inform the court on the “progress made by States in filling up judicial vacancies and infrastructure fronts.” Fixing the matter for further hearing on 6 November, the Amicus Curiae reported that it would be free to seek assistance from state governments and the Registrar Generals of all 24 High Courts in the preparation of the new status reports
INDIA – INX Media Case: Delhi HC Seeks ED’s Response On Chidambaram’s Bail Plea
The Delhi High Court has demanded the response of the Enforcement Directorate to a bail plea by senior Congressional member and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the INX media money-laundering case. Justice Suresh Kait informed the ED of the bail request and asked the Agency to file a reply within a week. The court decided the case for further hearing on 4 November. Chidambaram, aged 74 years, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the INX Media corruption case on Tuesday, is under ED custody, which ends on Thursday.
USA – U.S. Justice Dept. Examination Of The History Of Russia Probe Is Now Pursuing A Criminal Investigation
The U.S. Department of Justice’s analysis of the source of the Russian interference campaign in the 2016 U.S.A presidential election is now under criminal investigation, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The person who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity refused to say whether a grand jury had been convened in the case. The New York Times announced the development for the first time. U.S. Attorney General William Barr initiated a study earlier this year to investigate President Donald Trump’s claims that his campaign was unfairly infiltrated by U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials during the 2016 election. Trump, who calls Russia to investigate witch-hunting and conspiracy, says U.S. authorities have launched an investigation to weaken his chances of winning the White House, but he and his supporters have not provided evidence.
INDIA – Gujarat HC Notice To AMC Chief Secretary And Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Over A Contempt Plea
On Wednesday (October 23, 2019), the High Court of Gujarat issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner on a petition citing contempt of court for “little or no compliance” with the directions issued earlier in the context of a PIL on the state of roads and other municipal facilities in the city. The plea for contempt filed by Mustak Hussain Mehndi Hussain, a resident of Jamalpur, against Chief Secretary JN Singh and Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra, called upon the court to “punish” the respondents and to set up an independent technical advisory committee of AMC experts to control the design, development, performance, maintenance and management of the roads. The petitioner also requested the establishment of an independent committee of “reliable persons” to submit a status report on the status of the city’s civic facilities following the court’s previous orders. Notices are due on November 28.
INDIA – Supreme Court Stays HC’s Case Against The Election Commission For The Postponement Of The Karnataka By-Election
The SC stayed proceedings in the High Court of Karnataka against the decision of the Election Commission to postpone the by-elections to December. The Triple Judiciary, headed by Justice NV Ramana, also began hearing pleas from former congressmen and JDS MLAs to contest the by-elections needed by their disqualification. The bench, however, did not take action on a petition filed in the High Court by Dinesh Gundu Rao, Chairman of the Karnataka Congress, challenging the suspension of the Model Code of Conduct before the by-elections. Since EC had called a by-election, the disqualified MLAs had moved SC to challenge the Speaker’s decision to make them ineligible to contest them.
USA – US Universities Banning Medical Cannabis On Campus Are Facing Litigation
Colleges in the United States are becoming a frontline in the controversy between federal and state marijuana laws, as students who use medical cannabis are questioning decades-old campus drug policies. For places where medicinal cannabis is legal, students suspended for using cannabis bring their schools to trial. College officials say that they could lose federal funding for failing to comply with federal laws that define marijuana as an illegal drug with no accepted medical use. The cases have the potential to set legal precedents for the use of medical marijuana in universities. Furthermore, advocates say that schools should relax penalties so that students do not risk expulsion or suspension for the lawful use of medical cannabis.
INDIA – Punjab and Haryana HC Recruitment 2019: Official Notification Released for The Post Of Stenographer And Clerk, Check for more information on highcourtchd.gov.in.
Applicants seeking to start a career with the Judiciary in Punjab can apply for the positions of clerk and stenographer. A total of 10 vacancies have been advertised where 7 jobs are for the post office of the clerk and 3 vacancies for the post of stenographer. Interested applicants must send their applications on plain paper together with full bio-data, two recent passport size photographs, and certified copies of the testimonials in the District and Judge’s Office in Barnala, Punjab, before 5.00 p.m. on 06 November 2019. Clerk 07 (Seven) Max – 37 years and Min – 18 years – Must have a BA, B. Com, BSc degree From a well-known university. Stenographer 03 (Three) Max – 37 years and Min – 18 years – Must have a BA, B.Com, BSc degree from a renowned university. Must have learned the Punjabi language as a subject during matriculation. Computer proficiency is also required and Should pass the English Dictation (shorthand) exam at a speed of 80 words per minute and type the same on a computer at a rate of 20 words per minute.
CANADA – Nations Declaration on Indigenous Rights: B.C. Implement Law
British Columbia has become the first jurisdiction in Canada to introduce legislation to enforce the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, mandating the Government to bring its laws and policies into line with the values of the Declaration. The law does not set a timeline for achieving its goals, but the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation said the bill “is aimed at resolving racism and tension in our province and at promoting more social justice and fairness.” “Let’s make history,” said Scott Fraser to the legislature on Thursday. Fraser said that the law was based on a federal bill that died on the Order Paper of the Senate when the Parliament was adjourned for Monday’s election.
INDIA – Supreme Court Reiterated State Consumer Commission Cannot Set Aside Ex-Parte Order
The State Commissions and the District Consumer Forums don’t have the power to put away ex-parte orders, the Supreme Court reiterated the position while permitting an appeal to be lodged by the Judicial Representative of State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in West Bengal. An interesting fact about the order passed by the Court of Justice KM Joseph and the Court of Justice AS Bopanna is that it upheld the law passed by Samaresh Prasad Chowdhury (a member of the Judiciary of the Consumer Commission) in an appeal brought by himself against the High Court order that had set it aside. The bench has set aside the adverse observations made by the High Court of Calcutta against Chowdhury. When hearing a petition challenging an order passed by him, in which he refused to set aside an ex-parte order, the High Court made scathing remarks about the working of the Commission headed by him.
INDIA – The Supreme Court Asks The Government How Long The Restrictions In J&K Will Continue
On Thursday, The Supreme Court asked the Centre how long it intends to continue with the restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir following the repeal of Article 370. The court, which heard numerous petitions seeking relief and other issues in the valley, referred to the matter for 5th November. Appearing for the administration of Jammu and Kashmir, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that around 99% of the restrictions had been withdrawn and that the relaxation of the restrictions is being updated daily. The court also ordered the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir to expeditiously decide on the plea lodged by Asifa Mubeen, challenging the detention of her NRI husband.
UNITED KINGDOM – UK Labor Party seeking a compromise timetable for the Brexit law: McDonnell
Britain’s opposition Labor Party is focused on finding a consensus timeline to consider Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal in Parliament, but remains opposed to the divorce agreement, said finance chief John McDonnell on Thursday. Parliament rejected Johnson’s effort on Tuesday to speed up the legislation before the exit deadline of October 31, with critics arguing that it required more scrutiny than the government had given. This leaves Johnson with the option of accepting a longer timeframe that would mean that he would meet his deadline of October 31, but could see the Brexit delivered this year, or press for an early general election that would mean a long delay in the Brexit, but could give him a strong majority in the parliament which he currently lacks.
INDIA – IBHFL Moves The Plea In Delhi HC Requesting Revocation Of The Notice Released On The Fraud Investigation
Indiabulls Housing Finance Limited (IBHFL) moved a request to the High Court of Delhi on Thursday to withdraw the PIL notice seeking a survey of the mortgage lender. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for IBHFL, told the court that, when the petition notice was given, the shares of the company had fallen from 800 to 200. He argued that the main purpose of the PIL was to inflict damage to the company that had already been done. He said there was no case against the company that complained about cheating, fraud or default on demand. The Court has confirmed that it will consider the request with the key written petition on 29 November.
