• NATIONAL NEWS

SC asks government to justify levy of toll on unfinished NHs

A Supreme Court bench of DK Jain and AR Dave has questioned the rationale of levying toll on unfinished NHs and asked the Union government to justify permission granted to contractors to charge high toll taxes on roads still being constructed or widened.

Aarushi murder case: Trial to begin from May11

Special CBI Court has referred the Aarushi murder case to sessions court while rejecting the Talwar's plea seeking to not to begin trial as they were yet to get all documents from CBI. Meanwhile, SC has refused to examine the special court order directing Talwar's to face trial.

SC directs Kerala Government to decide on marine jails within a week time

Supreme Court has directed the Kerala Government to consider within one week, the plea of two Italian marines arrested in connection with the killing of Indian fishermen seeking to be loged in judicial custody outside the jail premises.

Delhi HC questions state government on levy of surcharge on commuters

Delhi HC has asked the state government to explain why they had allowed autorickshaw owners/ drivers to levy a charge of 50 paise/ km on passengers.

SC Notices to Centre, States on Adulterated milk and Dairy products

The apex court has sought the response of the Centre and various state governments on a plea for checking sale of synthetic and adulterated milk and various other dairy products.

SC grants bail to Siddharth Behura, upholds bail to R K Chandolia: 2G case

The apex court has granted bail to former Telecom Secretary Siddharth Behura, arrested last year for his alleged role in the 2G case. Also, upheld the bail granted to former Telecom Minister A Raja's ex-Private Secretary R K Chandolia by the trial court.

A Raja moves Delhi court for bail: 2G case

Former Telecom Minister A. Raja, has moved a Delhi court seeking bail on the ground of parity saying all his co-accused have already secured it and the case against him is "false and fabricated".

Delhi High Court declares Air India pilots' strike illegal

Delhi HC has declared the Air India pilots' strike as illegal. Consequently, Air India has terminated the services of 10 more pilots today.

SC Directs Centre to Abolish Haj Subsidy within Ten Years

SC has directed the centre to reduce and gradually abolish subsidy provided for haj pilgrims and invest that amount for education and other measures for upliftment of Muslims.

PF Number Portability on Cards

EPFO is considering to shift to a portable unique account number that will provide multiple options to the employees to avail the benefit of transferring savings lying with employment provident fund organisation

Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2007 passed by Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha has passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2007 striving to levy stringent penalty for traffic violations and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Delhi HC stays Lokayukta order directing removal of Badarpur encroachments

Delhi HC has stayed the order of Delhi Lokayukta directing removal of encroachment in the Badarpur area on a batch petitions filed by shopkeepers of the area alleging that they would lose their livelihood.

Delhi HC Pulled up Government over Yamuna Enclosures

Delhi HC has pulled up the civic authorities for failure to build enclosures for immersion of idols and other items to ensure that river does not get choked. Court has already sought an explanation from Delhi Government and MCD as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them.

Bombay HC allows Navy to destroy INS Vindhyagiri

Bombay HC has granted permission to Indian Navy to destroy a naval ship which had been grounded in the city dockyard for over a year after its collision with MV Nordlake saying that it in the interest of the safety of life and property in the vicinity that the naval ship be disposed off.

Finance Bill, 2012 passed by Lok Sabha

Followed by the reply of Finance Minister to the debate on Finance Bill that changes mentioned during the debate will be given effect by issuing relevant Notifications in due course, Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill, 2012.

Clarification on the rate of tax applicable wherein invoices were raised before 1st April 2012

Clarification in case of the 8 specified services provided by individuals or proprietary firms or partnership firms, to which Rule 7 of Point of Taxation Rules 2011 is applicable and services on which tax is paid under reverse charge. 

RBI: Revisions to the Guidelines on Securitisation Transactions

With a view to developing an orderly and healthy securitisation market and ensuring greater alignment of the interests of the originators and the investors, RBI has released the guidelines on securitisation transactions containing stipulations regarding transfer of standard assets through direct assignment of cash flows. 

Bombay HC permits youth to undergo sex change surgery

Bombay HC gave its nod to youth to undergo sex change surgery saying that there is no law, which prohibits an adult from such decision pertaining to his life.

SC notice to Centre and state Governments on PIL seeking ban on use of plastic bags

SC has issued notice to Centre and state governments on PIL seeking ban on use of plastic bags in municipal areas which did not have a prompt garbage collection, segregation and disposal system while warning that it posed a threat more serious than the atom bomb for next generation.

Tax relief proposed for subsidiarisation of Indian branches of foreign banks

Finance minister has propose to provide tax neutrality for subsidiarisation of Indian branches of foreign banks while presenting amendments to the finance bill.

UP Governor approves draft ordinance quashing dalit quota in promotion

Uttar Pradesh governor has approved a draft ordinances quashing dalit quota in promotions of government employees by doing away with the S.3(7) and S.8(A) of the UP government employees seniority rules that brought the controversial caste-based quotas in promotions.

Bombay HC held John Abraham guilty of rash driving, released on probation

Bombay HC has refused to overturn the lower court order that held John Abraham guilty of rash driving saying that it is the responsibility of the driver to see to that vehicle is under his control at all time to avoid accidents. However, he has been released on probation.

Third CBI chargesheet filed in YS Jagan Mohan Reddy assets case

CBI has filed a third chargesheet in YS Jagan Mohan Reddy disproportionate assets case. The third chargesheet contains details of undue favours granted to Ramky Infra during former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajashekhar Reddy's regime.

SC reserves order on PIL against ex-CJI Balakrishnan

The Apex court has reserved its order on a plea against former chief justice of India for his alleged misconduct during his tenure as a judge of the apex court.

Proposed amendment to bail provisions in customs & excise laws and TDS on reality rolled back

The Finance minister has scrapped the proposed amendment in customs & excise law that has mandated grant of bail only after hearing the public prosecutor. Further, the proposed TDS on purchase of immovable property has been rolled back.

iGate drops Patni from the brand name

iGate corporation has dropped the name 'patni' from its brand name saying that 'patni' being a family name is difficult to protect in several of their markets.

Implementation of GAAR provisions deferred by one year

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has announced that the implementation of GAAR provisions has been deferred by one year and it will come into force from 2013-14. Further, annouced withdrawal of levy on all precious metals, branded or unbranded.

Passport information could be disclosed under RTI Act: CIC

CIC has held that the information provided by a person while applying for a passport could be disclosed under the right to information Act saying that it is in the fitness of things that the citizen's right to information is given greater primacy.

SC reserves order on a plea seeking CBI probe against B S Yeddyurappa

SC has reserved its order seeking CBI inquiry against former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa for nepotism, illegal land acquisition and favouring top mining companies. The order is likely to announced within a week time.

SC panel asks Kerala Government to reconsider its proposal to build a new dam: Mullaperiyar Dam Issue

SC appointed panel has asked the Kerala Government to reconsider its proposal to build a new dam while concluding that the structure is safe, The panel has also recommended that the water level at dam can now be raised by six feet.

Planning when to start a family cannot be treated as cruelty: Bombay HC

Bombay HC has uphold the family court order dismissing a man's divorce plea saying that planning when to start a family cannot be treated as cruelty, it is a mutual decision and a husband cannot insist

Government guidelines for checking delay in grant of sanction for prosecution

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions has released the Guidelines for checking delay in grant of sanction for prosecution directing all Ministries/Departments to ensure strict compliance with the procedure and timelines for sanctioning prosecution of public servants. 

Delhi HC Modifies State Government's Parole Norms

Delhi HC has modified the state government parole norms by removing certain section that made persons ineligible for relief merely on the basis of nature of crime committed saying that this differentiation cannot withstand judicial scrutiny.

Right given u/s. 96 to 98 and 100 to 106 of IPC is controlled by Section 99: SC

SC has held that to plea a right of private defence extending to voluntary causing of death, accused must show that there were circumstances giving rise to reasonable grounds for apprehending that either death or grievous hurt would be caused to him. 

SC reserves its verdict on media guidelines

SC has reserved its judgment on the issue of framing guidelines for reporting court proceedings subsequent to conclusion of hearings on the issue with some noted jurists terming the endeavour as "judicial over-reach" which will open the "flood gates" with a whole range of "complications".

SC order barring use of black films of any VLT percentage upon safety glasses enforceable from 04.05.2012

SC has held that use of films or any other material upon the windscreen or the side windows is impermissible in law. It is the Visual Light Transmission of safety glass without any additional material being pasted upon the safety glasses which must conform with manufacture specifications. 

No transfer of property to take effect unless a clear sale deed is executed

Pursuant to SC judgment (MANU/SC/1222/2011), in an order issued by Div. Comm, Delhi, it has been clarified to Registrar/Sub-Registrars that on the basis of GPA/Will/Agreement to sell, collectively or separately in respect of an immovable property, a conveyance cannot be executed. 

RBI Guidelines on Implementation of Basel III Capital Regulations in India

RBI has released the final guidelines on the implementation of Basel III capital regulations. These guidelines would become effective from January 1, 2013 in a phased manner. Accordingly, the Basel III capital ratios will be fully implemented as on March 31, 2018. 

Mayawati's Assets Case: SC Reserves Order

SC has reserved its order on a plea files by former Uttar Pradesh CM, Mayavati seeking quashing of criminal proceedings initiated against her in a case of disproportionate assets.

SC transfers to itself the case of Rajiv Gandhi killers

The Apex Court has decided to adjudicate itself the pleas of Rajiv Gandhi killers against their death penalty due to the eleven years delay in deciding their mercy petitions.

SC directs ND Tiwari to undergo DNA test in paternity suit

SC has directed ND Tiwari to provide blood sample for DNA Test in a paternity suit filed against him it was alleged by him that he should not be forced to give his blood sample.

TRAI Launches Telecom Consumers Complaint Monitoring System

To enhance the effectiveness of grievance redressal mechanism, TRAI has launched a facility to monitor complaints from telecom consumers that would help the them to access the website of their service provider's complaint monitoring portal to track current status of their complaints.

Court Fees (Delhi Amendment) Bill, 2011 Cleared by Delhi Cabinet

In order to rationalise court fees and their collection, Delhi state cabinet has cleared the Court Fees (Delhi Amendment) Bill, 2011 proposing to replace stamp papers of all denominations by an electronic stamping facility. The said bill is likely to be tabled in budget session.

Mutual Agreement bet India & Swiss Confederation for Liberal Interpretation of Identity Requirements

India and Swiss Confederation has signed a mutual agreement for liberal interpretation of identity requirements for providing information under DTAA to facilitate more information on those illegally stashing wealth in swiss accounts. [PIB attached]

Italy's Compromise with the families of two Indian fisherman shot dead illegitimate: SC

The Apex court has termed the compromise entered into by the Italian government and the kin of two Indian fishermen shot dead by its marine as illegitimate saying that the Italian government is playing with the Indian process of law.

• INTERNATIONAL NEWS

United States bill proposes to stop aid to Pakistan till it cuts terror links

A Congressional Committee in its budgetary proposals for the year 2013 has prohibited economic and security assistance to Pakistan unless the government of Pakistan is cooperating with the US on counter terrorism efforts and other issues.

Lower court orders suspension of elections in Egypt

A lower administrative court has ruled in favor of a lawsuit pleading that Egypt's presidential election to be suspended while ruling that the Supreme Elections Commission overstepped its mandate by calling on voters to head to the polls on May 23 to cast their ballots. However, as per legal experts the said order issued by a provincial court would probably be reversed, because the suit was based on a technicality.