• NATIONAL NEWS

Second Conviction Under NDPS Act Need Not be a Death Penalty: Bombay HC

Bombay HC has held that section 31(a) providing for death penalty is voilative of Art 21 of the constitution and it would be at the discretion of special Judge whether to award death penalty for a second conviction under NDPS Act

SC Seeks the Centre Stand Over the Immunity Enjoyed by Army/ Para Mlitary Personnel

The Apex court has asked the center to furnish its stand on the immunity granted to the army/ para mlitary personnel from criminal proceedings by virtue of controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act applicable to the disturbed areas of the country.

Tax Exemption on Interest Earned on Postal Saving Account Capped at Rs.3,500

CBDT has withdrawn the blanket exemption enjoyed by the postal saving scheme and exemption will be now available only on interest earned upto Rs. 3,500 in case of individual accounts and Rs.7,000 in case of joint accounts from the current fiscal year onward.

Service tax on Rail freight deferred by six months

On account of high inflation, the government has decided to defer the service tax levy on transport of goods by rail till first day of January, 2012.

Companies (Accounting Standards) (Amendment) Rules, 2011 - Notify Indian Accounting Standard

Central Government has notified the Indian Accounting Standard (Ind AS) prescribing the accounting treatment for inventories. These standard deals with the determination of cost and its subsequent recognition as an expense, including any write-down to net realisable value.

CBDT instructions regarding interest to be paid in respect of PPF (HUF) accounts

CBDT has decided that interest at PPF rate would be paid on those PPF (HUF) accounts, which had attained the maturity after 13-5-2005 but closed by the subscribers before 7-12-2010.

RBI releases Mid-Quarter Monetary Policy Review: June 2011

RBI has released the mid-quarter monetary policy review increasing the repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from 7.25 per cent to 7.5 per cent with immediate effect.

Lokpal Panel may send two Separate Drafts on Lokpal Bill to Cabinet

Govt and civil society members hit a logjam with each side sticking to their stand on the structure and scope of the Lokpal bill. It is most likely that both the sides may send their separate versions of the Lokpal bill to Cabinet.

No service be banned merely on the grounds that it cannot be monitored: Cyber Law Panel

Cyber law panel examining the security threats regarding 15 forms of communications has recommended that central monitoring system be made capable of intercepting any form of communication service offered within the country instead of banning them merely because they cannot be monitored.

Apex Court has appointed panel to look into new Tamilnadu's uniform school syllabus

An expert panel has been appointed by the Supreme Court to review whether State's school syllabus should include Ex-Chief Minister Karunanidhi's eulogy and poems by his daughter Kanimojhi. The panel will have to take the decision in three weeks.

Wife refuses to honour settlement terms to get separate from her husband: Contempt notice issued

The Delhi High Court has issued a contempt notice against wife who entered into settlement with her husband by way of compensation, however later refused to abide by settlement terms. The settlement was arrived at in the proceedings to quash FIR registered by her under Domestic Violence Act.

Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Bill 2011 passed by the West Bengal Assembly

The Assembly has passed the Bill proposing to revoke lease agreement with TATA Motors and also to return land to unwilling farmers of Singur.

Judgment reserved by Madras HC in 'The Hindu Case' challenging CLB ruling on Board Resolutions

The Petition was filed by Head of the Hindu Group to challenge the CLB ruling holding that key resolutions approved by the Board of Directors and the majority shareholders on personnel and structural changes cannot be implemented.

Board after cancelling certificate of registration, could initiate proceedings under Chapter VIA: SAT

SAT has held that proceedings under section 12A read with the enquiry regulations framed by the Board is one set of actions which the Board can initiate and proceedings under Chapter VIA of the Act which are independent could be initiated for imposing a monetary penalty.

Proposed Takeover Code likely to get SEBI nod soon

The proposed Takeover code pending approval by SEBI since long is likely to get go ahead by SEBI in its next meeting schedule for June 30th.

Duty Entitlement Pass Book Scheme extended by three months

The validity of DEPB Scheme, which is a reimbursement of basic and special Customs duty paid by an Exporter on an Imported Input used in the export product, has been extended by three months i.e. till September 30th.

Judges or adjudicators can refer and rely upon decision not cited at the time of hearing: Del HC

Delhi HC has held that it is not unusual or abnormal for Judges or adjudicators to refer and rely upon judgments/decisions after making their own research.

• INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Kenya selects 5 appointees to serve on first Supreme Court

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of Kenya on Wednesday selected five appointees to serve on the nation's first Supreme Court. After taking a week to interview 25 candidates, the JSC panel selected one woman and four men to present to Kenyan President for appointment.

New York Assembly again passes same-sex marriage bill, stalls in Senate

The New York State Assembly passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, but the fate of the bill is uncertain as it moves to the State Senate. The Assembly has passed same-sex marriage bills before both in 2007 and then twice in 2009. The bill would enable same-sex couples to be married across the state and provide them with equal marriage rights to heterosexual couples. Though New York has yet to legalize same-sex marriage it does recognize such marriages performed in other states.

Supreme Court rules judges cannot impose or lengthen prison terms for rehabilitation

The US Supreme Court ruled in Tapia v. United States that a federal sentencing law does not permit sentencing judges to impose or lengthen prison terms for the purpose of fostering the defendant's rehabilitation. The opinion of the court by Justice Elena Kagan held that 18 USC § 3582(a) does not authorize a sentencing judge to impose a sentence in order for a defendant to take part in a rehabilitation program since the provision "recognizes that imprisonment is not an appropriate means of promoting correction and rehabilitation."

Apple to pay Nokia royalties in settlement of patent disputes

Finnish telecommunications company Nokia announced that it has entered into an agreement with Apple, settling all patent disputes between the parties and directing Apple to pay royalties to Nokia for the term of the agreement. Both companies agreed to withdraw all complaints filed with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) and end 46 ongoing patent infringement disputes in various countries around the world.