India: Police Still Using Lapsed Law To Curb Online Free Speech, IFF Says
The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), a campaign group, on Wednesday said police was still using Section 66A of the Indian IT Act that had been struck down in 2015 by the Supreme Court to curb online free speech. Section 66A was used to persecute and jail those who criticized political parties. But the apex court struck down the law after some high-profile cases elicited public uproar. The IFF in a statement said there were over 45 cases pending in several high courts. This medium understands that the National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB) has stopped publishing or collecting data which relates to Section 66A.
India: Ola And Uber Did Not Violate Any Competition Law – CCI
The Competition Commission of India on Wednesday gave a clean bill of health to the duo of Ola and Uber. The Commission in an order delivered on Wednesday ruled that the cab aggregators did not violate any competition laws. The cab aggregators had been criticized for colluding with drivers to impose unfair prices on passengers and also imposing a resale price maintenance system. But the CCI justified the actions of the cab aggregators and hence rejected both charges.
Saudi Arabia: 12 Shia Minority Prisoners May Be executed, Amnesty International Says
A Human Rights Watchdog, Amnesty International on Wednesday raised an alarm that the Saudi government may execute the 12 Shia minority who were accused of spying for Iran in 2016. Amnesty International further said that the case has been transferred to the Presidency of State Security government agency, a move they condemned in strong terms. In Saudi, Court proceedings are done in secret.
India: Diwali Day: Tamil Nadu Police Registers 1,500 Cases For Flouting SC Order On Firecrackers
The Tamil Nadu police command on Tuesday registered more than 1,500 cases of firecracker violations on the Diwali day Celebration. The violations were in flagrant disregard to the decision of the Supreme Court to allow only two hours for firecrackers to be lighted on Diwali. Recall that after the Supreme Court passed the order, the state government also announced a timing slot for firecrackers to be lighted in the state. The government approved between 6 am and 7 am and 7 pm and 8 pm. Despite the time schedule, several persons lighted firecrackers without complying with the time schedule.
India: Air Quality Index In Delhi Worsens After Diwali
Just after the Diwali celebration, on Wednesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi became worst. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the AQI of Delhi immediately after the Diwali celebration stood at 574, the worst quality so far recorded since the beginning of this year. Recall that in a bid to improve the city’s air quality, the Supreme Court had regulated the number of hours firecrackers can be lighted during the Diwali celebration and other festivals. The court had also approved the sale of only “green crackers,” owing to its harmful chemicals.
Saudi Arabia: Government Okays Law To Protect Victims, Witnesses, Informants
The Saudi Arabian government on Wednesday passed a law with a view to protecting victims, witnesses, and informants. This was revealed by the government’s spokesperson in a news bullet. According to the spokesman, the law would enable informants to report any information within their reach to law enforcement agencies without fear of being harmed or molested, as was the case in the past. “The law would also to a large extent fight corruption,” the Spokesperson added.
India: Double Jeopardy: SC Admits Petition On Assam Citizenship Row
A bench of the Supreme Court presided over by the Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi on Wednesday admitted a petition which sought to know whether or not a person has to prove citizenship once the state is in doubt, especially when the person has been declared an illegal migrant or a citizen by a Foreigners Tribunal in Assam. The petition was instituted by Swapan Dutta. The court has issued a notice regarding the petition and has sought the responses of both the Center and the Assam government. Dutta in his petition challenged the decision of a High Court which ruled that the Tribunal’s order is an opinion and it should not be obeyed.
India: Prosecuting A Suspect Under The IT Act And IPC Would Amount To Double Jeopardy, Bombay HC Rules
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday ruled that it would amount to double jeopardy if an alleged data theft suspect is prosecuted under the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code. The court gave the ruling after hearing a petition filed by two brothers challenging the FIR registered against them in 2017. The duo operates a pharmaceutical company. The court only allowed the persecution of the two brothers under the Information Technology Act
Luxembourg: Law Career: University Of Luxembourg Set The Pace, While Others Follow
If you are interested in studying law, one University that stands out among the rest is the University of Luxembourg. The school parades some of the best law lectures in the world. The school incorporates workplace requirements into their academic curriculum. Students are exposed to real-time legal practical. Indeed, the school is a place to be for intending law students.
.
India: Kerala HC Dismisses Suit Seeking To Limit Women Pilgrimage At The Ayyappa Temple To 21 Days
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday rejected a suit filed by M K Narayanan Potti, which sought to limit the women pilgrimage’s vow at the Sabarimala temple to 21 days. The petitioner had pleaded the court to issue a directive in this regard to the Chief priest of the temple. After the petitioner’s submission, the court advised him to approach the apex court with his grievances.
India: ‘Release The Seized Goods And Then Take Photograph Of It,’ Kerala High Court Orders GST
The Kerala High Court bench presided over by Justice A Muhamed Mustaque on Wednesday ordered the State Goods and Services Tax (GST) to release the goods seized by it and thus take photographs of the goods in order to identify the nature of the goods since the suit was about misclassification of goods. The case was brought before the court by a petitioner whose goods were seized by the Department. The petitioner pleaded the court to order a release of her goods to enable her to get a Bank Guarantee.
US: President Trump Fires Jeff Sessions Over Handling Of Justice Department’s Inquiry Into 2016 Election Brouhaha
The United States president, Donald Trump on Wednesday fired his Attorney General, Jeff Sessions over the latter’s handling of the 2016 election brouhaha, which alleged the interference of Russia. In his place, President Donald Trump appointed the AG’s chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker to act in an interim capacity. The action by the US President has triggered allegation by Democratic lawmakers that the president is attempting to derail the investigation.
US: Midterm Elections: California Voters Okay Animal Welfare Law
Voters in California came out en masse to cast their ballots in support of animal welfare law. According to those in the know, the new law would set minimum space requirements for farmed animals. The law would make it possible for breeding mother pigs to enjoy 24-square-feet of space by 2020. At the end of the elections, voters were happy with the development.
Canada: Free Legal Services To End Next Month Despite Saving Ontario $5 million a year
Free legal services run by Pro Bono Ontario will shut down by next month, according to news reports. The service has helped more than 25,400 unrepresented clients from wrongful dismissal case to know their rights. According to Scot, one of the founders of free legal services, funding has been a challenge to continue running the pro bono program. A study published on Wednesday revealed that the free legal services have saved Ontario’s justice system over $5 million annually.
UK: Top Tier Law Firm: Stone King Receives Recognition In 2019 Edition
A reputable law firm in the United Kingdom, Stone King on Wednesday received an award of recognition as the UK’s top tier law firm in the 2019 edition. Stone King was awarded for its excellence in charity teams and UK-wide education. The organizer of the award described Stone King as a pacesetter when it comes to charity and education. “Independent and States schools have benefited a lot from their expertise”, the organizers said.
UK: Chances Of Dating: Dutchman Seeks To Reduce His Age From 69 To 49
In a bid to improve his chances of dating, a Dutchman, Emile Ratelband, 69, on Wednesday filed a suit in a local court to reduce his age to 49. “If we can approach a law Court to change our name and gender, then I should be able to change my age to improve my dating chances,” Ratelband contended. The court was skeptical about the case. In UK’s law, there is no law backing the reduction of age.
