Latest Court News | Top Court News Headlines Today | Today India news | Breaking Court News Today | English Court News Headlines - TheDailyGuardian

Man Seeks Legal Action Against Wife’s Family for Giving ‘Undemanded Dowry’

November 9, 2024, 11:56 am

In an unusual incident, a man sought criminal proceedings against his wife’s family, claiming they had given him dowry without his request. However, his plea was dismissed by the court, and he failed to reverse this decision on appeal.

Additional Sessions Judge Navjeet Budhiraja presided over the man’s revision plea against a July 2022 magisterial court ruling, which had dismissed his request for an FIR against his in-laws, including his wife’s parents and brother, alleging they had given him dowry. Notably, the man is currently facing a case of cruelty filed by his wife’s family.

During the October 5 order, Judge Budhiraja noted that the in-laws had already filed an FIR against him under Section 498A of the IPC, concerning alleged cruelty toward his wife. The court emphasized that “until the evidence is led by both the parties during the trial, the aspect of whether dowry was demanded or not cannot be effectively adjudicated upon.” It further observed that the man’s claim of not demanding dowry, despite receiving Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 46,500 in his account, appeared self-serving at this stage.

The magistrate’s observations also highlighted that the wife’s family had reportedly admitted, while filing their own FIR, to paying dowry to the man, which the court noted is a violation under the Dowry Prohibition Act. As per Section 3 of this Act, penalties apply for both giving and receiving dowry.

Judge Budhiraja further cited the magistrate’s findings, which indicated that the man’s repeated claims of not demanding dowry lacked evidence and seemed to be an “attempt to hoodwink this court.” Additionally, the magistrate pointed out that Kumar had not disclosed serious allegations made against him by his in-laws about his persistent dowry demands.

The court concluded that the magistrate had “suitably addressed” the issues raised in the complaint, and found no grounds to overturn the initial dismissal order, noting no legal flaw in the magistrate’s decision.

Court Drama: Doctor Admits Guilt in Ketamine Distribution Case Linked to Matthew Perry’s Overdose

August 31, 2024, 4:48 am

Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, from San Diego, made his first appearance in a federal court in Los Angeles on Friday after reaching a plea agreement in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry. Chavez agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine, a surgical anaesthetic and will cooperate with prosecutors in their ongoing investigation. He is the third person to plead guilty in the case following Perry’s fatal overdose last year.

Chavez’s plea deal requires him to assist prosecutors in their efforts to pursue other individuals involved, including Dr Salvador Plasencia, who is charged with illegally selling ketamine to Perry, and Jasveen Sangha, accused of providing the lethal dose of the drug. Both Plasencia and Sangha have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.

During the court hearing, Chavez acknowledged his rights and agreed to several restrictions, including turning over his passport and medical license. He could face up to 10 years in prison when sentenced.

Chavez admitted to obtaining ketamine through fraudulent means from his former clinic and a wholesale distributor. The case involves allegations that the doctors exploited Perry’s history of addiction by providing him with dangerous amounts of ketamine, which contributed to his death.

Perry, found dead on October 28, had been using ketamine as an off-label treatment for depression. Chavez’s plea deal also involves his cooperation with authorities investigating how the drug was distributed and used in Perry’s case.

Plasencia, charged with seven counts of ketamine distribution and two related to falsified records, and Sangha are scheduled to appear in court next week. Prosecutors are seeking to combine their trials, which may be postponed to next year.

Pavel Durov to Appear in Court Following Arrest in Paris

August 29, 2024, 2:31 am

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, was reportedly headed to court in Paris following the conclusion of his initial arrest period. He was detained at Le Bourget airport in Paris on Saturday on suspicion of not taking adequate measures to address illicit content on Telegram, a messaging platform with around 900 million users. The company has denied these allegations, emphasizing its commitment to user privacy and safety.

Durov, who is 39 years old and originally from Russia, faced this legal action as French authorities continue to scrutinize the operations of major social media platforms regarding their handling of illegal content. The outcome of his court appearance could have significant implications for Telegram’s operations in France and potentially influence regulatory approaches towards social media platforms in Europe.

Court Orders Release of Kashmiri Separatist Leader Shabir Shah After 7 Years in Custody

August 27, 2024, 9:56 pm

A Delhi Court has ordered the release of Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah in a money laundering case linked to terror funding. The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Dheeraj Mor of Patiala House Courts, who noted that Shah had already served the maximum sentence of seven years as prescribed under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Shah has been in continuous custody since July 26, 2017, with the court acknowledging that over seven years had elapsed since his detention.

This development marks a significant moment in the case, as Shah’s prolonged incarceration had been closely watched by observers and supporters alike. The decision to release him is based on the legal parameters of the PMLA, with the court recognizing that the time Shah had already spent in custody exceeded the statutory sentence for the offense.

Court Grants CBI 15 More Days, Adjourns Kejriwal Case to August 27

August 12, 2024, 4:13 pm

On Monday, the Rouse Avenue Court granted the CBI an additional 15 days to obtain the required sanctions to prosecute individuals in the alleged excise scam case involving Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The special court adjourned the hearing on the CBI’s chargesheet against Kejriwal to August 27.

The adjournment followed the special public prosecutor’s update that the CBI anticipates receiving the necessary sanctions from the government to proceed with the prosecution of some accused named in the chargesheet. The CBI filed its final and fifth chargesheet on July 28, naming Kejriwal and five others—Sarath Chandra Reddy, Durgesh Pathak, Vinod Chauhan, Ashish Mathur, and Amit Arora—as alleged masterminds of the scheme.

The CBI has indicated that its investigation is complete. On August 8, the court extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody until August 20 following his video conference appearance.

Additionally, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging his arrest by the CBI and requested bail. The Delhi High Court had previously dismissed his petition against the arrest, advising him to seek bail from the trial court. The High Court noted that the police acted cautiously due to Kejriwal’s position, conducting extensive investigations across India to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.

Kejriwal, in his plea to the Delhi High Court, claimed that as the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party and the sitting Chief Minister, he is being unfairly targeted and harassed for extraneous reasons.

Akhilesh Yadav Appeals To Court For Ayodhya Rape Victim’s Safety

August 4, 2024, 2:04 pm

On Sunday, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav called on the court to ensure the safety of the Ayodhya rape victim, highlighting the sensitivity and gravity of the case. In a post on X, Akhilesh emphasized the need for the government to provide the best medical care for the victim and ensure her protection. He urged the Honorable Court to take suo motu cognizance of the situation and oversee the victim’s safety given the serious nature of the case.

Akhilesh also criticized attempts to politicize such incidents, asserting that these efforts should not succeed. He supported Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad’s call for DNA testing in the case involving the gang rape of a minor girl. Akhilesh stated that DNA tests on the accused are essential for delivering justice, emphasizing that justice should not be served through allegations or political maneuvering. He insisted that if the DNA tests confirm guilt, the perpetrators should be fully punished, but if proven false, the government officials involved should also face consequences.

Earlier, the Ayodhya district administration had taken action against Samajwadi Party leader Moeed Khan, the primary suspect in the rape case, by demolishing his “illegally constructed” bakery. SDM Ashok Kumar reported that the bakery was sealed and demolished after it was found to be illegal. Additionally, a boundary wall built on a pond was also deemed illegal and demolished.

This action followed allegations that Khan and his house help had raped and blackmailed a 12-year-old girl who worked as a daily wage laborer at Khan’s home. Khan was arrested on Thursday for raping the girl over a period of two months and for allegedly threatening the victim’s family to settle the case.

Espionage Trial Of US Reporter Evan Gershkovich Nears Conclusion In Russia

July 19, 2024, 4:17 pm

The expedited espionage trial of Evan Gershkovich, a US reporter for The Wall Street Journal, is reaching its final stages in Russia on Friday. The case has been widely condemned by Washington as a sham.

Gershkovich, 32, is the first Western journalist in Russia to face spying charges since the Soviet era. He was detained in March 2023 while on a reporting trip to Yekaterinburg in the Urals and has since spent nearly 16 months in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo prison. If found guilty by a closed military court, he could face up to 20 years in a penal colony.

The latest hearing was set to begin at 10:30 a.m. local time at Sverdlovsk Regional Court in Yekaterinburg. A court spokesperson informed AFP that the defense and prosecution were expected to deliver their closing arguments, with a verdict potentially being announced as early as Friday or at a later date.

Gershkovich’s case has progressed rapidly, with only two closed-door hearings since the first in late June. The second hearing, held Thursday, was moved up almost a month at the request of Gershkovich’s defense team. Similar cases in Russia typically drag on for weeks or months between hearings.

Washington believes Gershkovich’s arrest is a strategic move by Russia to use him as a “bargaining chip” to secure the release of Russians convicted abroad. Tensions between the two countries remain high due to Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine.

Russia maintains a policy of not exchanging prisoners internationally unless they have been convicted. Both Moscow and Washington have expressed openness to a potential exchange involving Gershkovich, but details and timelines remain undisclosed. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed ongoing talks between US and Russian special services regarding possible prisoner exchanges but did not specify any individuals.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted at a desire to secure the release of Vadim Krasikov, a Russian convicted in Germany for the assassination of a Chechen separatist commander, an act German judges attributed to Russian authorities.

Other US nationals detained in Russia include dual US-Russian citizens Alsu Kurmasheva and ballerina Ksenia Karelina, as well as former US Marine Paul Whelan, serving a 16-year sentence for spying. Additionally, a Moscow court recently sentenced former US paratrooper Michael Travis Leake to 13 years in prison on drug dealing charges.

The Kremlin has provided no public evidence for the spying allegations against Gershkovich, claiming only that he was caught “red-handed” spying on a tank factory in the Urals region and was working for the CIA. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has refuted these claims, stating, “Evan has never been employed by the United States government. Evan is not a spy.”

A United Nations working group recently declared Gershkovich’s detention “arbitrary” and called for his immediate release. Gershkovich, a US-born son of Soviet emigres raised in New Jersey, had been reporting from Russia since 2017 and chose to remain even after Moscow’s Ukraine offensive.

While in prison, Gershkovich has communicated with friends and family through hand-written letters, maintaining his sense of humor and optimism. At his first trial hearing on June 26, he greeted journalists with a smile and appeared cheerful despite his head being fully shaven.

The Wall Street Journal has denounced the accusations against Gershkovich as bogus, asserting that he was simply doing his job and had never worked for the US government. The White House has urged US citizens still in Russia to “depart immediately” due to the risk of wrongful arrest.

Guatemalan Court Sentences Former Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Amid International Outcry

July 9, 2024, 6:27 pm

In a contentious ruling on Monday, a Guatemalan court sentenced Virginia Laparra to five years in prison. A former anti-corruption prosecutor, alongside a hefty fine, drawing sharp criticism from international bodies and rights groups.

Laparra, 44, was found guilty of disclosing confidential information, a charge stemming from her tenure as head of a regional office of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity in Quetzaltenango. Despite the conviction, the judge, Moises de Leon, allowed Laparra to remain under house arrest if she pays a nominal fee of 64 US cents per day of her sentence, totaling $1,168. Additionally, Laparra has been barred from holding public office for the next decade.

This verdict follows Laparra’s previous incarceration, during which she spent two years in detention and was later sentenced to four years for abuse of authority in a separate case widely condemned as politically motivated. Her release to house arrest in December 2022, after serving nearly half of her jail term, had sparked international outcry and accusations of judicial misconduct.

The United States, United Nations, and Amnesty International have all decried Laparra’s sentencing as a severe blow to Guatemala’s judicial independence and the fight against corruption. Amnesty International labeled Laparra a “prisoner of conscience,” emphasizing her persecution as part of broader efforts to suppress anti-corruption advocates in the country.

In a statement, the US State Department’s assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, Brian Nichols, condemned the ruling as part of a series of “egregious attacks” on the rule of law in Guatemala. He urged Guatemalan judicial authorities to cease targeting human rights defenders and ensure fair treatment for justice operators.

Guatemala, which scored poorly on Transparency International’s 2023 corruption perception index, has faced ongoing scrutiny over the politicization of its judicial system under Attorney General Consuelo Porras. Porras, sanctioned by the United States for allegedly undermining democracy, has faced calls for removal by President Bernardo Arevalo, elected on an anti-graft platform.

President Arevalo’s proposed legal reforms, aimed at reshaping the judiciary, have sparked further controversy amid concerns about safeguarding the rule of law and protecting human rights in Guatemala.

The sentencing of Virginia Laparra underscores the precarious state of justice and anti-corruption efforts in Guatemala, prompting renewed international calls for reforms and respect for judicial independence.

600 Lawyers come together and write to the CJI claiming political groups trying to “Defame Law”

March 28, 2024, 2:32 pm

A collective of legal professionals, among them senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, have communicated to the Chief Justice of India, asserting that a particular interest group is endeavoring to exert influence on the judiciary and tarnish the reputation of courts using unsubstantiated arguments and entrenched political motives. Their communication, dated March 26 and addressed to CJI DY Chandrachud, highlights the apparent exertion of pressure in political cases, particularly those concerning allegations of corruption against political figures.

The letter, circulated by official sources, indirectly targets a subset of lawyers who purportedly defend politicians by day and seek to sway judges through media channels at night. The group accused this faction of fabricating narratives about a supposedly superior past era of the judiciary, contrasting it unfavorably with current circumstances, with the aim of influencing court decisions for political advantage. The letter, titled “Judiciary Under Threat-Safeguarding Judiciary from Political and Professional Pressure,” was reportedly endorsed by approximately 600 lawyers, including Adish Aggarwala, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, Hitesh Jain, Ujjwala Pawar, Uday Holla, and Swarupama Chaturvedi.

Although the lawyers behind the letter refrain from citing specific cases, their concerns emerge amid ongoing high-profile corruption trials involving opposition figures. Opposition parties have accused the central government of engaging in political vendettas, a claim rejected by the ruling BJP. Notable lawyers within these opposition ranks have united against the recent arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to Delhi’s excise policy.These lawyers accuse critics of insinuating that courts in the past were more susceptible to influence, thereby eroding public trust in the judiciary. They condemn such behavior as detrimental to the judiciary’s integrity and assert that concocting theories of “bench fixing” and comparing Indian courts to those lacking rule of law constitute disrespectful attacks on the judiciary’s honor.

Furthermore, they criticize these critics for adopting a selective approach, praising decisions they agree with while disparaging and disregarding those they disagree with. The letter alleges attempts to influence the selection of judges and spread misinformation on social media to sway their decisions. Questioning the timing of these actions amid impending elections, the lawyers recall similar incidents in 2018-2019 and urge the Supreme Court to take decisive action to safeguard the judiciary from such alleged assaults. They emphasize the importance of the CJI’s leadership during these challenging times, urging against maintaining a passive stance that could inadvertently empower those seeking to undermine the judiciary.

Kejrival to appear in Rouse Avenue Court today

March 28, 2024, 1:43 pm

Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is set to appear before the Rouse Avenue Court following the conclusion of his Enforcement Directorate custody on Thursday. Additionally, the Delhi High Court will hear a PIL seeking Kejriwal’s removal from his position as chief minister of the government of NCT of Delhi.

Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita, stated that her husband, currently in ED custody over an alleged excise scam, intends to disclose details regarding the case in court on March 28. The ED arrested Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to the excise policy. The High Court’s notice to the ED, issued on a petition filed by Kejriwal, questions the legality and potential political motivation behind his arrest.

The court scheduled the matter for April 3 and emphasized that any release order would constitute bail. Meanwhile, AAP supporters are expected to escalate protests in the capital, with the INDIA bloc planning a joint rally on March 31 in objection to the arrest.

Kejriwal moves Sessions Court to challenge ED summons

March 14, 2024, 11:58 am

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has lodged a challenge in the Sessions Court against the summons issued by an Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in response to complaints from the Enforcement Directorate regarding his alleged non-compliance with summons related to the Delhi liquor policy money laundering case.

The matter is set to be heard by Special Judge Rakesh Syal this afternoon. Last week, the magistrate acknowledged the Enforcement Directorate’s second complaint and issued fresh summons for Kejriwal to appear in court on March 16, 2024. This follows a previous complaint where Kejriwal appeared virtually before the court, citing scheduling conflicts due to confidence and budget sessions.

Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta represented Kejriwal and requested an exemption, promising his physical presence on the next court date. The magistrate granted the exemption for the current hearing and scheduled Kejriwal’s physical appearance for March 16, 2024.

Despite the assertion by Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj that the ED’s summons are unlawful, Kejriwal opted to participate virtually to avoid potential illegal arrest, aiming to address the ED’s questions while safeguarding against any ulterior motives.

Court acquits former JNU student leader from rape charges

July 26, 2023, 5:57 pm

A Delhi court has acquitted a former student leader at Jawahar Lal campus of raping another student at the campus dormitory.

The acquitted accused was the Delhi unit president of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), and a rape case was brought against him in 2016 at police station Vasant Kunj North in response to a student complaint.

On July 21, Additional Session Judge Pawan Kumar acquitted accused Anmol Ratan of rape and other accusations, giving him the benefit of the doubt and finding the prosecutrix’s testimony lacking in quality and reason.

Judicial remand for suspended IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan till 25 May: PMLA court

May 16, 2023, 4:25 pm

Suspended Jharkhand cadre IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged land scam case, has been sent to judicial remand till 25 May.
On Tuesday, a special PMLA court in Ranchi sent Ranjan into custody. Ranjan was arrested by the ED in a case related to illegally grabbing and selling land in Ranchi on 6 May.

After being arrested, Ranjan, the Director of the Social Welfare Department, Jharkhand, has been suspended by the Jharkhand government.

The Enforcement Directorate has made significant progress in the land scam case, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals.

These accused individuals have been presented in court and subsequently sentenced to judicial custody.

The ED has uncovered an alleged nexus involved in this case, which is accused of fraudulent practices, including the sale of multiple plots through document forgery. Shockingly, even the legitimate owners of the plots are unaware that their properties have been sold, according to sources from the ED.

HC asks media to block reports on conversion claim.

May 13, 2023, 5:33 am

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed certain media houses and social media platforms, including Twitter and Google, to block the links of news reports and videos claiming that a Muslim man allegedly forced a woman to convert to Islam. Justice Prathiba M Singh passed the order after considering that there was a severe threat which was evident from the comments made by

viewers on the news reports and videos available online.
The high court issued notice to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), Press Council of India (PCI), News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) and Google LLC, Twitter Inc.
It also issued notice to Sudarshan News chairman Suresh Chavhanke, Odisha Television Limited, Pittie Media LLP, Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited which is the owner of ‘The Organiser, Voice of the Nation’.
The high court asked the parties to respond to the petition filed by the man, who is also facing a rape case lodged by the woman, and listed it for further hearing on 24 May.
Petitioner Azmat Ali Khan, who claims to be a classical music teacher, sought removal of news items and videos published and circulated on online platforms regarding the FIR lodged against him on April 19 by the woman, a Delhi resident, accusing him of forcing to convert.
He submitted that the reports are in the form of fake news, threats and are severely jeopardising his life, reputation and safety. Advocate Rajiv Bajaj, appearing for the petitioner, contended that such publication and circulation are being carried out by giving a communal angle to the entire story and it was done to incite hatred in the communities involved. The court also issued notice to the Delhi Police and directed it to place on record a status report regarding the investigation carried out in the matter. It also asked the Delhi Police counsel to contact the complainant woman and inform her about the pendency of this petition.
During the hearing, advocate Mamta Jha, representing Google, said since the FIR has already been registered, the originators of the videos need to be enquired. Advocate T Singhdev, representing PCI, said that the petitioner’s email of May 9 consisting of the links of news reports will be looked into. He also told the court that the PCI has jurisdiction only over the print media. Advocate Nisha Bhambhani, appearing for NBDSA, said none of the respondent news channels are members of NBDA so its jurisdiction was not made out. The court made it clear that its direction for blocking the links is for all the respondents including the channels and social media platforms.

DGCA suspends pilot’s lice

IHC Rules: No arrest of Imran Khan in cases filed after 9 May

May 12, 2023, 4:41 pm

A division bench of the Islamabad High Court on Friday ordered not to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan in any case filed after 9 May, as per the media report.

The court also granted the former premier bail for two weeks in the Al-Qadir Trust case. The judgement came a day after the Pakistan Supreme Court termed his arrest from the IHC premises “invalid and unlawful”, Dawn reported.

Further, according to Dawn News, the Islamabad High Court, while granting a reprieve to the former prime minister, said Imran Khan should be granted bail if martial law, which is sanctioned by Article 245 of the country’s Constitution, has been enforced in the country for two weeks.

A division bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz heard the PTI chief’s bail plea in courtroom No. 3.
Dawn NewsTV reported that Imran’s lawyers had also filed four additional pleas urging the IHC to club all the cases against him and direct authorities to provide details of the cases registered against him.

Court acquits Sooraj Pancholi in Jiah Khan’s suicide case due to lack of evidence

April 28, 2023, 5:10 pm

A special CBI court on Friday (28 April) gave clean chit to actor Sooraj Pancholi on the charge of assisting Jiah Khan to commit suicide in 2013 due to lack of supporting evidence.

Judge A S Sayyed of the special CBI court in Mumbai pronounced Sooraj Pancholi ‘acquitted’ because there was insufficient evidence to support a conviction.

Jiah’s mother, Rabia Khan, responded to the verdict by saying that she would bring this matter to the High Court. “The accusation of aiding suicide has been dropped. But how did my child die? The High Court will be contacted in this case of murder, she stated.

Actress Jiah Khan, best known for her leading role in Amitabh Bachchan’s Nishabd, committed suicide on 3 June 2013, in her Juhu residence.

Actor Sooraj Pancholi was arrested on 11 June as a result of a six-page message written by the actor. Jiah wrote in the letter of the “trauma and abuse” she had experienced at the hands of her “lover”. Khan’s mother and other family members accused Sooraj of “not respecting Jiah” and “using foul language to hit her” after Khan died. Both Sooraj and his father, actor Aditya Pancholi, denied these charges.

Pancholi was charged under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code. The trial in the case started in 2019. The Central Bureau of Investigation examined 22 witnesses, including Khan’s mother, Rabia, and her sisters

Lakhimpur Kheri violence case : Ashish Mishra’s interim bail extented till July 11

April 24, 2023, 1:32 pm

In the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, the Supreme Court on Monday increased Ashish Mishra’s provisional bail and extended it through July 11.When the case was postponed, a panel of Justices Surya Kant and JK Maheshwari stated that the interim decision will remain in effect until July 11. In this case, the victim’s family’s attorney, Prashant Bhushan, pleaded for the high court to oversee daily proceedings in the trial court.

The trial court might be handling other similar matters, the court stated, therefore it might not be possible.But the Bhushan insisted by saying that such cases go on for twenty years and till that many witnesses related to the case died.The top court said that this is the reason they have kept the matter pending.On January 25, the top court granted interim bail for eight weeks to Ashish Mishra and imposed various conditions.

The Supreme Court directed Ashish Mishra that during the period of his interim bail of eight weeks, he shall not stay in the State of Uttar Pradesh or in the NCT of Delhi.
The top court also directed Ashish Mishra to inform to concerned court about his location.

The Supreme Court also clarified that any attempt by Ashish Mishra or his family to influence witnesses and try to delay the trial may lead to the cancellation of his bail. The court has also directed Mishra to mark his attendance at the concerned police station of his location.The court also extended the benefit of interim bail to the other four co-accused in the case by using his suo motu power.

Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra, moved Supreme Court challenging Allahabad High Court which denied bail to him in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.On July 26, 2022, the Allahabad High Court denied bail to Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra, in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.The bail was rejected by the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court.
The said order is challenged by Ashish Mishra in the Supreme Court filed through advocate on record T Mahipal.

2002 Naroda Gam riots: Gujarat court releases 67 accused

April 20, 2023, 6:42 pm

A special court in Gujarat on Thursday cleared all 67 accused including former BJP minister Maya Kodnani, in the 2002 Naroda Gam riots, which resulted in the deaths of 11 people.

The Ahmedabad-based court of S K Baxi, special judge for SIT cases, acquitted all the accused in one of the biggest post-Godhra riots cases which was investigated by a Supreme-Court appointed Special Investigation Team.

Those who acquitted in this case include Kodnani, former VHP leader Jaydeep Patel, and former Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi.

A total of 86 people were charged in the case, of which died while the case was still pending, while one was discharged earlier by the court.

Money laundering case: Delhi court takes cognizance of supplementary chargesheet

April 18, 2023, 2:29 pm

The Patiala House Court in Delhi took cognizance on Tuesday of a supplementary complaint (chargesheet) filed against three Tihar jail officials, Mahender Prasad Sundriyal, Sunder Bora, and Dharam Singh Meena, in the case of jailed businessman Sukesh Chandrasekar in a Rs 200 crore money laundering case.

Additional Meetings After taking cognizance of the chargesheet, Judge Shailendra Malik scheduled a hearing on 29 April. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed the court that the accused persons had received a copy of the chargesheet and other documents.
In addition, the agency informed the court that an investigation was underway.

The court requested that the ED update it on the status of the investigation and when it was expected to be completed after it had been ongoing for four years. “Accused are in jail, and what is the status of the investigation into those accused?” the court observed. They claim that the trial has been postponed.”

The accused were apprehended in February 2023.

Pendency in courts touching 5 crores: Law Minister Rijiju

April 8, 2023, 6:19 pm

Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju travelled to Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday to attend the inauguration of the first edition of the Indian Constitution in Dogri at the University of Jammu. Rijiju will also speak at the public outreach and mega legal awareness event.

Rijiju stated on Twitter, “On a two-day trip to Jammu and Kashmir, I arrived in Jammu.” “Thank you for the warm welcome, Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha Ji, Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh High Court Justice Kotiswer Singh, and Puisne Judge Justice Tashi Rabstang.”

He stated, “The pendency is touching 5 crores now, which is a concern. The virtual courts and regional bench can come up. I have committed to J&K that all the courts in J&K must have modern facilities. Rs 7,000 crore is the budget for E-Court. It will make courts paperless.”

He further stated, “It has been late, as in the constitution there has been a provision for choosing the state language. As Law Minister, I feel that it has been late. Our department has digitalized 65,000 words of legal glossary for common people that are used regularly.”

“We are cloud-sourcing. We have told the courts to work in our own language. That could be done in the Supreme Court in the future. We are trying to achieve that,” he added. He added, “In UP, 25 crore people aged 20 to 25 have to wait for a date in the high court, and it pains me. Many people die before they get justice.”

Pakistan court issues non-bailable arrest warrant for Imran Khan

March 29, 2023, 5:33 pm

As reported, Pakistan’s Islamabad court on Wednesday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan in the case of threatening a judge.

The Islamabad court’s civil judge announced the verdict, rejecting Khan’s petition seeking an exemption from today’s hearing. The case dates back to 20 August, 2022, when the PTI chairman condemned the police as well as the judiciary over the alleged custodial torture of Shahbaz Gill and announced that his party would file cases against the then-Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, the DIG, and Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry.

Meanwhile, today in the hearing, Khan’s lawyers requested to retain his bailable arrest warrant as he was facing security threats. “Imran Khan has security concerns; his life is in danger; and the Islamabad High Court has also issued notices for withdrawing security from him,” the PTI chief’s counsel said. At this point, the judge said that no one has appeared on behalf of the prosecution yet.

Earlier on Friday, the Islamabad district and sessions court converted the non-bailable arrest warrant, issued to PTI Chairman in the alleged threats to a judge case, into a bailable warrant. The court dismissed the former premier’s plea to extend the suspension of the said arrest warrant as it announced the verdict today.

Two Indian-Americans accused of stealing beer appear in court

March 19, 2023, 4:04 pm

Three people, including two Indian-Americans, were produced in court on Tuesday on charges of buying and selling stolen beer worth $20,000 in the US state of Ohio, according to local media reports. Ketan kumar Patel and Piyush kumar Patel, two local convenience store operators in Youngstown, Ohio, were indicted by a Mahoning County grand jury on charges of accepting stolen beer, as per a report.

According to prosecutors, Ronald Pezuolo, a 37-year-old employed by RL Lipton Distributors, stole and sold the beer between August and October last year, the report said. When operators at the distributor noticed the missing product, they contacted the police, after which a surveillance operation was launched to track down the beer.

Assistant Prosecutor Mike Yakovan said the estimated value of the stolen beer was approximately $20,000. The news channel WKBN-TV reported that Pezzuolo faces a charge of grand larceny, while Piyushkumar and Ketankumar face charges of receiving stolen property. A jury trial is set for 1 May, it added.

Dera chief Ram Rahim again granted parole for 40 days

January 21, 2023, 4:36 pm

On 40-day parole, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was released on Saturday. After completing the paperwork Ram Rahim was released on parole.

Meanwhile, in the rape and murder case, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief is serving a 20-year sentence in Rohtak’s Sunaria Jail.

“The Dera chief’s family have submitted an application to the jail authorities seeking month-long parole for Ram Rahim on his behalf but it will be decided by the court and commissioner for how many days he will get parole and where will he stay during this time,” Haryana Jail Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala.

Ahead of the Haryana panchayat election and Adampur Assembly bypoll Dera Sacha Sauda chief was earlier granted bail for a month on 17 June and in February also he was granted parole for three weeks.

Since 2017, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is incarcerated and serving a 20-year term for raping two women disciples at his ashram.

Moreover, in connection with former Dera manager Ranjit Singh’s murder case in 2007, CBI filed a charge sheet against six accused and charges were framed in 2008 an in 2021 Rahim and four others were convicted.

Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute; next hearing on 25 January

January 20, 2023, 6:58 pm

In the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute matter, while hearing the Hindu Sena Amin survey case on Friday the Mathura court said they will hear the case on 25 January.

Meanwhile, the case the of Hindu Sena Amin survey was heard by the court of Additional Civil Judge Senior Division III.

The argument was presented by both the parties in the court and the next day of the hearing is 25 January that has court fixed.

Earlier on the petition of Vishnu Gupta of Hindu Sena the court gave the notice and to the survey report of Shahi Idgah by Hindu Sena Amin Muslim party had objected.

Moreover, on the objection of the Muslim party, the court stayed the Amin survey in the last hearing. To all the parties the court issued notices.

However, on 8 December Hindu Sena National President Vishnu Gupta and Vice President Surjit Singh Yadav said that the land of Lord Krishna’s birthplace was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb by demolishing the temple.

Delhi Court reserves order on bail plea of accused Shankar Mishra

January 11, 2023, 3:34 pm

The accused Shankar Mishra, who had allegedly urinated on a co-passenger onboard an Air India flight between New York on 26 November the Patiala House Court on Wednesday reserved an order on Mishra’s bail plea. However, Delhi Police opposed the bail of accused Shankar Mishra.

Ankita murder: Uttarakhand court hears plea for narco, polygraph tests of accused today

January 5, 2023, 12:03 pm

A local court on Thursday will hear a petition seeking permission to conduct narco and polygraph tests of the accused in the Ankita Bhandari murder case.

Supreme Court to hear plea in Bihar’s Chhapra hooch tragedy

January 3, 2023, 1:26 pm

In the Bihar hooch tragedy in which 70 people lost their lives, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition on 9 January. After consuming spurious liquor in Chhapra, Bihar 70 people died.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud on Tuesday agreed to hear the case next Monday for an early hearing.

Meanwhile, seeking formulation of a national action plan to curb the manufacturing, trading, and sale of illicit liquor the plea was filed by Aryavarta Mahasabha Foundation through advocate Pawan Prakash Pathak.

The PIL also suggested adequately compensating the victims’ families because of the State government.

“Pass direction that the independent Special Investigation Team may be formed by the respondent and an independent probe be conducted in this hooch tragedy for effective steps as per law of the land,” the plea stated.

Moreover, the PIL said after consuming spurious liquor many people died in states like Gujrat, Punjab, and Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka in recent years.

However, on 31 December 2022, one accused was arrested from Dwarka and was identified as Ram Babu Mahto.

Court grants interim bail to 5 accused in the Delhi excise case.

January 3, 2023, 1:13 pm

The Rouse Avenue Court has granted interim bail to two former officials of the Excise Department, Kuldeep Singh and Narender Singh. Gautam Mootha, Arun Pillai and businessman Sameer Mahendru were granted bail as well. The court had also earlier granted bail to Vijay Nair and Abhishek Boinpally. The bail was granted at Rs. 50,000 personal bail bond.

Along with this the court also sought a response from the CBI concerning their regular bail plea and fixed the date as January 24, 2023, for the same. CBI meanwhile has filed a petition challenging the decision to grant bail to Vijay Nair and Abhishek Boinpally. The Petition argued that the trial court Judge had not only granted a concession of bail to the respondent accused in an extremely serious and wide-ranging economic offence, but that the discretion had been exercised at a very crucial stage of the investigation.

It is also submitted that the case was one of conspiracy and was sought to be carried out in an extremely convoluted manner with a clear purpose, that the investigation if any, did not reach the real culprits.

CBI moves vacation court in Anil Deshmukh corruption case

December 27, 2022, 2:26 pm

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) moves vacation court seeking extension of stay on the effect of the order granting bail to NCP leader Anil Deshmukh in a corruption case. The effect of the order had stayed till Tuesday for CBI to seek urgent relief from SC.