Month: March 2010

Kochi, March 30: Kerala High Court today dismissed a petition seeking to reduce the vacations of courts.

Dismissing a PIL by one Geroge of Ernakulam, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J Chalemeswar and Justice K Balakrishnan said whether working days of high courts should be increased or vacations reduced are all matters of policy, which had to be considered by authority including, the Centre, Supreme Court and the high courts.

The bench also said that by exercising constitutional powers, the court cannot issue directions to the rule making authority to frame or amend rules.

New Delhi, March 30: The Supreme Court has ruled that a citizen has no fundamental right to engage in the sale of liquor as government alone has the right to regulate the business in public interest.

A bench of Justices R V Raveendran and Surinder Singh Nijjar said the government also has the right to consider grant of licenses as per the rules in force and not at the time when the applications are made for running the business.

Kochi, March 30: A petitioner today approached the Kerala High Court seeking a change in the dress code of lawyers.

According to the petitioner, Vincent Panikulangara, a lawyer himself, it becomes very difficult for lawyers to wear the black coats when temperatures rise.

There are about 25,000 lawyers including 5,000 women, practising in various courts across the state. About 5,000 lawyers, including 1,000 women, practice in the High Court, where court halls are air-conditioned.

Guwahati, March 30: The North-east Frontier Railway today announced cancellation and rescheduling of trains in view of a shutdown called by some organisations in the Rabha Hasong area in lower Assam.

In view of the shutdown, running of trains in the Kamakhya-New Bongaigaon section via Goalpara town have been either cancelled or diverted via Rangiya, an official release said here.

While two pairs of passenger trains, Guwahati-New Bongaigaon passenger and the corresponding train will remain cancelled, the Danapur-Kamakhya Capital Express will be diverted via Rangiya.

Mumbai, March 30: The Bombay High Court today sought a reply from the state as to whether any inquiry has been initiated against police officers who allegedly handcuffed and chained a prisoner when he was being shifted to another jail.

Majid Akhtar Shaikh, an accused, has filed a petition alleging that when he and some others were taken from Taloja prison (Navi Mumbai) to Aurangabad prison last year, their hands were chained to chairs during the 7-hour journey.

Jaipur, March 30: Facing allegations that its police was selling unclaimed bodies, Rajasthan government on Tuesday admitted that 15 such bodies were given to private medical colleges and hospitals without following proper legal procedure in Sriganganagar, about 600 km from here.

It, however, maintained that there was no evidence of “selling” of these bodies. Seven police personnel, including four inspectors, have been chargesheeted departmentally in this connection. Three inspectors have also been chargesheeted.

New Delhi, March 30: Hours after Sania- Shoaib wedding news spread like wild fire, there are many a-heart on fire in India where the news has been nothing short of a setback for the scores of hopeful youngsters and has ruffled the feathers of the hawks of India-Pakistan ties.

While the news has evoked frenzied celebrations in Pakistan where crowds turned in huge numbers outside Shoaib Malik’s house, lighting crackers and dancing to the drum beats, in India the general mood is far from rosy.

New Delhi, March 30: Describing as “shocking” the death sentence to 17 Indians in UAE, government today said it will ensure all possible help to them, including legal assistance, to file an appeal in a higher court.

Indian Consulate has already sought access to these Indians, sentenced to death by Sharjah’s Shariah court for killing a Pakistani man and injuring three others in an alleged fight over illegal alcohol business.