The Legal Chronicle
GNLU LSC Newsletter
Seventh Issue : 26th September- 12th October
BANKING LAW
RBI cuts repo rate by 50 bps
In a surprise act, RBI reduced repo rate by 50 bps. It has also lowered its GDP growth target to 7.4% and is focussing on bringing down inflation to 5% by end of financial year, 2017.
For more information, please visit:
CONSTITUTIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Supreme Court: Can't Interfere in Animal Sacrifice Tradition
A bench of Chief Justice H.L. Dattu and Justice Amitava Roy refused to order the government to ban animal sacrifice on a petition made by a Tamil Nadu-based NGO. The Bench said that such practices had been going on for time immemorial and there is a belief that sacrifice of animal brings rains and the court cannot interfere in such beliefs.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150929/jsp/nation/story_45168.jsp
Supreme court reiterates its stand on citizenship for Chakmas and Hajong community
SC held that the community of Chakmas and Hajong, who resettled in Arunachal Pradesh from the then East-Pakistan in the 60’s must be granted Indian citizenship as was promised by the then government.
For more information, please visit:
http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-chakmas-and-hajongs-are-indias-nowhere-people/SC refuses to intervene between Centre and State
SC dismissed a petition claiming the Supreme Court to order the Centre to fulfil its promises made to the State of Telangana. The bench said that a writ of mandamus cannot be issued to the government to make good its promises.
For more information, please visit:
The Supreme Court, in another petition also ruled that poll promises are not legally enforceable.
Haryana Govt Stays Panchayat elections till SC gives its decision
The Supreme Court put a stay on the The Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2015, which sets a minimum educational qualification for individuals contesting Panchayati Raj elections. It set minimum education qualification of Class X for General category, Class VIII for Women and Class V for Dalit candidates. The Haryana Govt. has put a halt to the elections till the court reached a conclusion.
For more information, please visit:
CRIMINAL LAW
Delhi HC: Child Sexual Abuse has become an Epidemic
Deciding on a case of child sexual abuse, the HC noted that children subjected to sexual abuse undergo deep mental agony which has far-reaching consequences. While refusing to grant relief to the accused, the bench noted that child sexual abuse was one of the most pervasive social problems in India.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/child-sexual-abuse-an-epidemic-hc/article7722727.ece
SC advises Courts to grant Bail Cautiously
The Supreme Court on quashing a bail order by Allahabad High Court, held that Courts must be cautious while granting bail to accused with a history of committed crimes.
For more information, please visit:
Sikkim HC directs Government to set up Dispensaries in Jail
Upholding the right of prisoners to sound health, the High Court ordered immediate provision of dispensary in jails in Sikkim, by the state government.
For more information, please visit:
Punishment Limited by Law, Says SC in Uphaar Case
The order of Justices A.R. Dave, Kurian Joseph and A.K. Goel, while explaining their reason for letting the accused Ansal Brothers for a meagre amount of 60 crores, said that though the punishment could have been harsher, but application of Section 304A, death by negligence, carried in itself only a punishment of maximum 2 years.
For more information, please visit:http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150924/jsp/nation/story_44218.jsp#.Vglv3Xqqqko
Punjab and Haryana HC seeks report on Dalit families of Bhagana village
The agitation by Dalit families against dominant upper caste in Hisar district of Haryana has reached an all time high. A report on status of Dalit families in the village of Bhagana has been sought by the HC to decide on this matter.
For more information, please visit:
Black money Compliance Window Ends
The 90 day window for declaration of black money assets is coming to an end tomorrow. Post this window, complete legal consequences of non-disclosure will apply, which includes tax and penalty of 120% and jail term upto 10 years
For more information, please visit:
Men’s Rights groups ask for a gender neutral Domestic Violence Act
Men’s Rights groups demanded for implementation of Law Commission Report on making family laws gender neutral and to make shared parenting mandatory.
For more information, please visit:
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
ITC Wins Trademarks Dispute against NTC Industries
ITC finally stakes its win in the trademark battle with regard to the packaging of their cigarette brand Gold Flake against NTC. The Bombay High Court bench apologising for the delay in reaching the conclusion of the case, decided the issue of trade on the basis of prospective buyers test. The bench held that NTC’s label was a slavish imitation of Gold Flake’s label.
For more information, please visit:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/NTC-infringed-on-ITCs-brands-HC/articleshow/49201739.cmsMicrosoft and Google settle Patent war
Technology giants Microsoft and Google have called an end to 18 patent infringement cases against each other reaching a compromise on an amount which was not released. These infringements include cases in both USA and Germany. However, the companies did not preclude on any future infringements but have agreed to collaborate on certain projects.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/30/us-microsoft-google-settlement-idUSKCN0RU2Y220150930
INTERNATIONAL
Nepal Constituent Assembly rejected proposal for Hindu nation in favour of secularism
The Nepalese constitution has finally declared its country as a secular one, despite many hindrances and lots of pressure from its citizens. This move was passed by the constituent assembly. It should be noted that Nepal had been a Hindu state for a long time.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34306362
http://blogs.wsj.com/briefly/2015/09/23/nepals-new-constitution-at-a-glance/Nepal becomes the First Asian country to recognise LGBT community
The New Constitution of Nepal enshrines in itself special rights for protection and recognition of people from the LGBT community, although same-sex marriages have not been made legal yet. Nepal is amongst very few countries who have made such a move, and especially first in Asia.
For more information, please visit:
PERSONAL LAWS
Bombay High Court: Unchaste Wife Not Entitled for Permanent Alimony
The Bombay High Court has released the husband of the obligation to pay alimony to his wife, who had conceived a child out of her adulterous relationship while she was still married to her husband. The court took this decision in accordance with Section 25, Hindu Marriage Act, which enables the court to do away with the alimony in case of the wife not being chaste.
For more information, please visit: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/HC-denies-alimony-to-adulterous-wife/articleshow/49144476.cms
Delhi HC upholds Gender Identity and Dignity
The High Court on 6th October, by ordering the police to safely escort a US-based transgender to the airport, secured the right to self-determination and dignity of transgender. The claimant in question got back his forcibly withheld travel documents from his parents subsequent to the ruling.
For more information, please visit:
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/shivy-gets-back-his-identity-documents/
Gujarat HC: Charge Muslims who wed off minor girls
Gujarat HC, in a case of abduction and rape of a minor muslim girl, who is married to the offender, laid emphasis on the minority status of the girl rather than the Muslim personal law, while ruling that marriage of any minor girl would be a crime.
For more information, please visit:
An opinion on this matter can be found at :
MISCELLANEOUS
Employee can File Winding-up Petition for Dues
MP High Court while deciding company petition filed by Singapore resident Jonathen Allen against Zoom Developers Pvt. Ltd, alleged to be one of country’s highest bank defaulters, has held that employees can move court to wind up a company in order to recover dues which include salary and emoluments.
For more information, please visit:
Supreme Court effectively shelves Gujarati film
A bench of Justices Anil R Dave and Adarsh K Goel has pushed away the release date of a Gujarati movie based on a true story of a homosexual prince. The Censor board had already cleared the movie in 2014. The SC granted a leave, which in ordinary case, can only be heard after 3-4 years which according to the appellant is too long and it kills the essence of the movie.
For more information, please visit:
Legal Services Committee
Legal Services Committee
3rd Floor, Administrative Block,
Gujarat National Law University, Attalika Avenue,
Knowledge Corridor, Koba, Gandhinagar - 382007 (Gujarat), INDIA.
Email: legalservice@gnlu.ac.in
Website: http://www.gnlu.ac.in/legalservicecommittee.php
Phone: 8128650876.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLegalServicesCommittee?fref=ts
Twitter: @Lscgnlu