Bengaluru, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) A suspected terrorist and accused in the Bengaluru's 2008 Madiwala bomb blast case died on Friday due to hart attack before the court could pronounce its judgment in the long-pending case.

It can be noted that the 2008 Bengaluru serial bomb blasts were a series of seven coordinated low-intensity improvised explosive device explosions that struck the city, including a fatal blast at the Madiwala police checkpost bus stand on Hosur Road.

The attacks tragically killed two people -- including a woman at the Madiwala bus shelter -- and injured several others.

The deceased, suspected terrorist 60-year-old Abdul Khader, was lodged in judicial custody at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru since 2010 in connection with the blast case.

According to prison authorities, Khader's health suddenly deteriorated on Friday, following which he was being rushed to the Jayadeva Hospital for treatment.

However, he reportedly suffered a heart attack on the way to the hospital and died before medical assistance could be provided.

Prison officials said Khader had complained of health issues, prompting authorities to immediately shift him to the hospital.

After his death, the body was sent to Victoria Hospital for post-mortem examination. His family members have been informed about the incident.

The trial against Khader was in its final stages, and the court was expected to pronounce its verdict in the case within the next few days. However, the accused passed away before the court judgment could be delivered.

A native of Virajpet in Madikeri district, Abdul Khader was facing charges in connection with the 2008 serial bomb blast case in Bengaluru. He had been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as part of the investigation into the explosions.

The Madiwala blast was among a series of explosions that rocked Bengaluru in 2008, triggering extensive investigations by security agencies.

On July 25, 2008, multiple crude timer devices exploded within a 30-minute window. One of the primary sites was the Madiwala checkpost, and the injured were treated at the nearby St. John's Hospital.

Investigators determined the bombings were orchestrated allegedly by the banned extremist outfit SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The Karnataka Police and the NIA registered multiple FIRs and arrested dozens of suspects over the years.

Several key individuals, including alleged handlers in Pakistan, were identified.

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a significant move to restore the proceeds of crime to their rightful claimants, a Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) here has ordered the restitution of properties valued at Rs 8.41 crore to victims of money laundering and other legitimate claimants in a case involving the Ajmera Group and its associates, which is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), an official statement said on Friday.

The ED had initiated its investigation based on multiple FIRs registered against the Managing Directors of the Ajmera Group, Bengaluru, under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

According to the allegations, entities associated with the group collected investments from members of the public by promising high returns. However, they allegedly cheated investors by neither paying the promised returns nor refunding the principal amounts invested.

The ED's investigation revealed that substantial sums of money were diverted to the bank accounts of the group's directors and other related individuals. These funds were subsequently used to purchase various properties in their names.

During the investigation, the ED issued a Provisional Attachment Order, attaching multiple assets belonging to various individuals connected to the case.

A prosecution complaint was also filed before the Special PMLA Court.

Considering the objective of the PMLA to restore the proceeds of crime to bona fide and legitimate claimants and victims of money laundering offences, the ED submitted a no-objection application before the Special Court seeking the release of the attached properties in favour of the genuine claimants and victims.

Accepting the ED's submission, the Special PMLA Court ordered the release of the attached immovable properties to the bona fide claimants and victims of the offence. The restitution of these properties to the rightful claimants marks a significant step towards ensuring that the proceeds of crime are returned to those who suffered losses.

The Enforcement Directorate stated that it remains committed to combating financial crimes and ensuring justice for victims of such offences.

Over 1,000 investors were allegedly duped by the Ajmera investment firm after being promised high rates of interest. The firm illegally collected Rs 256.06 crore and siphoned the funds, leaving Rs 72.9 crore unpaid. The ED provisionally attached assets and properties worth Rs 8.41 crore.

Based on a charge sheet filed by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru police, the ED carried out further investigations.

The ED probe revealed that the accused had opened the partnership firms and accepted deposits from the general public without obtaining any licence/permission from the authorities — SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) and RBI (Reserve Bank of India) — and without registering the business entity as an NBFC (Non-Bank Financial Corporation).

Source: IANS

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Kochi, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Kerala High Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the probe into a series of child deaths reported in Palakkad district over the past 13 years, expressing concern over irregularities in the manner in which at least one of the cases was investigated.

Source: IANS

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Patna, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) Trouble appears to be mounting for Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, after a civil court in Bettiah ordered him to appear in connection with a defamation case filed by BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal.

The case pertains to allegations that Prashant Kishor made statements intended to tarnish the public image and reputation of the four-time Member of Parliament.

The court has initiated further proceedings based on affidavits and witness testimony presented before it.

According to the defamation suit filed by Sanjay Jaiswal, attempts were allegedly made to malign his reputation through public speeches, press conferences, social media platforms, and digital broadcasts associated with Jan Suraaj.

During the hearing, a witness submitted a sworn statement before the court, claiming that he became aware of the allegations against the MP through media reports and public events addressed by Prashant Kishor.

The witness described Dr Sanjay Jaiswal as belonging to a respected political and social family.

The statement further noted that Jaiswal has served as a Member of Parliament four times and currently holds the responsibility of Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha.

Several members of his family are doctors and are regarded positively within society, the witness said.

According to the witness, on August 26, 2025, while travelling to Bettiah, he encountered a traffic jam near Kuriya Kothi, where a public meeting addressed by Prashant Kishor was underway.

The witness alleged that during the speech, Kishor referred to Sanjay Jaiswal as a petty politician and accused him of influencing the alignment of the Cantonment overbridge project for the benefit of his petrol pump.

The witness claimed that such remarks were intended to damage the MP’s public reputation.

The complaint further states that during a press conference held on September 13, 2025, Sanjay Jaiswal was allegedly described as an oil thief and accused of involvement in irregularities related to Municipal Corporation fuel bills.

Similar allegations were reportedly repeated on September 19, 2025, through the official Jan Suraaj YouTube channel and other media platforms.

Documents related to a news channel were also submitted before the court as evidence in support of the complaint.

Advocate Chandrika Kushwaha, representing Sanjay Jaiswal, stated that the court questioned the witness during the hearing regarding his familiarity with both parties.

“The witness informed the court that he knows MP Sanjay Jaiswal as the representative of his constituency and recognises Prashant Kishor as the leader of Jan Suraaj,” Kushwaha said.

She further stated that the court considered it necessary to hear the response of the other party before proceeding further.

“Deeming it necessary to hear the other side involved in the matter, the court has summoned Prashant Kishor to present his position. A reply on behalf of Prashant Kishor will be submitted during the next hearing, after which further proceedings will take place,” the advocate added.

The matter is now expected to proceed further following Prashant Kishor’s appearance or response before the court.

Source: IANS

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Kochi, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Kerala High Court on Friday reopened a crucial chapter in the 2017 actress assault case, directing the state to respond to a plea by the survivor-actress seeking a fresh court-monitored investigation into the alleged unauthorised access of the memory card and pen drive containing visuals of the sexual assault.

A bench of Justice C.S. Dias, observing that the survivor had established a strong prima facie case, ordered that the memory card and pen drive be transferred from the Ernakulam District and Sessions Court to the Registrar General of the High Court for safe custody until further orders.

The court directed that the exhibits be sent in a sealed cover through a messenger, ensuring that the digital evidence remains protected while the plea is being considered.

The survivor had first approached the high court in 2022, alleging that the memory card containing the assault visuals had been accessed without authorisation while it was in the custody of the trial court.

The high court had then ordered a fact-finding inquiry by the trial court.

However, the survivor later raised objections to the manner in which the inquiry was conducted, alleging that the probe was neither fair nor comprehensive.

In April 2024, the high court directed that copies of the statements recorded during the inquiry be handed over to the survivor while keeping open the question of a separate investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

In her latest petition, the survivor cited forensic findings that reportedly showed that the memory card was accessed on three occasions: January 9, 2018, December 13, 2018, and July 19, 2021, when it was under the custody of the trial court.

She argued that the possibility of copying or transferring the visuals could not be ruled out, amounting to a grave violation of her privacy, dignity, and right to justice.

The plea comes months after the trial court verdict in the high-profile case, which ended with actor Dileep being acquitted and six others convicted.

The state’s appeal against the verdict is pending before the high court.

The actress has sought an SIT probe involving forensic experts to investigate how the digital evidence was accessed, copied or transmitted.

The matter will return before the court a month after the state files its counter-affidavit.

The case had earlier seen two judges recuse themselves from this fresh petition, adding another layer of controversy to one of Kerala’s most closely watched criminal cases.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) Troubles continue to deepen for former Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister and senior Congress leader Mahesh Joshi in the alleged Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) corruption case.

In a significant setback on Friday, the Rajasthan High Court dismissed a petition challenging the legality of his arrest, refusing to grant any relief and effectively ensuring that the former Minister remains in judicial custody.

The court judgment came from a division bench comprising Justice Umashankar Vyas and Justice Ashok Kumar Jain, which rejected a habeas corpus petition filed by Joshi's son, Rohit Joshi, questioning the Anti-Corruption Bureau's (ACB) actions during the arrest.

Representing the petitioner, advocates Aman Agarwal and Neha Goyal said that the ACB had violated provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) while arresting Mahesh Joshi from his Jaipur residence on May 7.

They contended that family members were not provided timely written information regarding the grounds of arrest, a mandatory requirement under the new criminal procedure law.

The petition sought Joshi's immediate release, claiming that procedural lapses rendered the arrest illegal.

However, the state government strongly contested the allegations.

Advocate General Rajendra Prasad and Additional Advocate General Rajesh Chaudhary said that the arrest was carried out lawfully and transparently.

The state government said that Mahesh Joshi's family members were present during the arrest and were fully aware of the reasons for his detention.

According to the state, investigating officers also kept Rohit Joshi informed through telephone updates while the former Minister was being taken to the ACB headquarters and later produced before the special court.

Accepting the state's submissions, the High Court dismissed the petition, endorsing the findings of the lower special court that had earlier upheld the validity of the arrest.

The case stems from alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission during the Ashok Gehlot government in 2021.

Investigators allege that private firms, including SHri Shyam Tubewell and Shri Ganpati Tubewell, secured PHED contracts worth nearly Rs 960 crore by submitting forged experience certificates purportedly issued by public sector undertaking IRCON.

The ACB claims that the companies, in collusion with senior PHED officials and other accused persons, obtained lucrative contracts based on fraudulent documents.

Investigations by the ACB and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have also pointed to alleged payment of bribes and commissions for clearing tenders and overlooking procedural violations.

Mahesh Joshi is facing scrutiny from both the ACB and the ED.

While the ACB is probing alleged corruption in the awarding of JJM contracts, the ED is conducting a parallel money-laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The High Court's refusal to interfere with the arrest is being viewed as a major legal setback for the former Minister and a significant development in one of Rajasthan's most high-profile corruption investigations.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Central government informed the Supreme Court on Friday that a policy is being discussed for private students of CBSE outside India whose results could not be declared due to the West Asia conflict.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the Supreme Court to put off the hearing till June 22, as the government is currently looking into some of the questions raised in the petition filed by students living in the Gulf.

He said that a policy will soon be introduced for private students in West Asia whose CBSE results could not be declared due to the ongoing war. The government is considering formulating a policy for students impacted by similar situations.

In March, the CBSE had cancelled the Class 12 board examinations for students studying in several West Asian countries in view of the regional crisis.

In its sixth circular issued since March 1, the board clarified that even the examination papers that had earlier been postponed would stand cancelled.

According to the circular released on March 15, the examinations scheduled from March 16 to April 10, 2026, for CBSE-affiliated schools located in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were cancelled.

Overall, more than 4.37 million students had registered for CBSE board examinations this year. Of these, around 2.51 million students appeared for Class 10 examinations, while nearly 1.86 million candidates were enrolled for the Class 12 board exams.

Students living in Gulf countries had filed a petition in the Supreme Court raising the issue of CBSE not declaring Class 12 results, while exams for students in several Gulf countries were cancelled due to the security situation in the region.

On June 8, the apex court issued notice to the CBSE and its Regional Officer in Dubai on a plea filed by a Class 12 student from Saudi Arabia seeking the declaration of his result, which continues to remain withheld despite a special assessment scheme framed for students affected by examination cancellations in West Asian countries.

A bench of Justices Manmohan and Vijay Bishnoi had issued notice to the CBSE and its Regional Officer, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

During the previous hearing, counsel appearing for the CBSE informed the apex court that the assessment of the petitioner student, Pransu Jigarkumar Patel, was required to be carried out by the school concerned. Since the petitioner appeared as a private candidate, no such assessment record was available.

The writ petition, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution by Patel, contended that the non-declaration of his result had jeopardised his higher education prospects and deprived him of admission opportunities.

Source: IANS

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Srinagar, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) on Friday executed a proclamation order issued by the court against four top terrorists, including the chief commander of the proscribed terror outfit, Hizbul Mujahideen.

Source: IANS

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Ranchi, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) A special CBI court on Friday heard a protest petition filed by the father of deceased school student Vinay Mahto, challenging the closure report submitted by the agency in the high-profile case.

Partial arguments were held during the hearing, following which the court fixed a date next week for further proceedings.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Khushboo Kataruka raised questions over the CBI’s closure report and contested its findings.

The case dates back nearly a decade. Vinay Mahto, a 12-year-old Class 7 student of Sapphire International School in Ranchi, was brutally murdered on the night of February 4-5 in 2016, inside the school hostel premises.

His blood-soaked body was found the next morning near the corridor of the teachers’ staff quarters on the campus located along Ranchi-Khunti Road.

In the immediate aftermath, Ranchi police termed the incident an ‘honour killing’. As per the police theory, Vinay had developed an inclination towards the daughter of a Hindi teacher at the school, Naseeya Hussain. Enraged by this, the teacher’s son, a Class 11 student, allegedly attacked Vinay with the intent to kill and later threw him from the first floor.

The police had arrested four persons in the case -- the teacher Naseeya Hussain, her husband Mohammad Arif, and their two minor children -- and sent them to jail.

However, in July 2018, the Juvenile Justice Board acquitted both minors due to lack of evidence, following which a district court ordered a fresh hearing in the matter.

Alleging serious lapses in the police probe, including destruction of forensic evidence, Vinay’s father approached the Jharkhand High Court, which handed over the case to the CBI in July 2022.

The case took a new turn last month when the CBI submitted its closure report in court, rejecting the murder and criminal conspiracy angles and terming Vinay’s death an accident.

Dissatisfied with the findings, Vinay’s father, Manbahal Mahto, has challenged the CBI’s conclusions through the protest petition, which is now under consideration before the court.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a major setback to Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan, the Supreme Court on Friday declined to interfere with the Returning Officer's decision rejecting her nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections from Madhya Pradesh over the alleged non-disclosure of a criminal case in Telangana.

The court observed that once a Returning Officer rejects a nomination paper, the statutory remedy available to an aggrieved candidate is to approach the Election Commission. The court, therefore, refused to grant relief and left it open for Natarajan to approach the poll panel.

Appearing for Natarajan, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the rejection of the nomination was legally unsustainable as the alleged case cited against her did not meet the disclosure requirements prescribed under the election law.

Singhvi contended that the Representation of the People Act and Form 26 of the nomination affidavit require disclosure only in cases where charges have been framed by a competent court or where a court has taken cognisance of an offence. In the present matter, he submitted, neither condition had been satisfied.

Referring to the Telangana case that formed the basis for the rejection, Singhvi told the court that it was merely a private complaint in which no cognisance had been taken by any court. He further argued that the incident referred to in the complaint allegedly took place nearly three years before Natarajan was appointed as the Congress in-charge for Telangana, making any attempt to link her to the matter legally untenable.

However, the Supreme Court held that the challenge essentially pertained to the Returning Officer's decision and that the appropriate course available under the election law framework was to approach the Election Commission.

"The petitioner is free to approach the Election Commission again," the court observed while disposing of the plea.

The development comes amid a politically charged contest for the Rajya Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh, where the rejection of Natarajan's nomination had triggered a sharp confrontation between the Congress and the BJP, with the opposition party alleging procedural irregularities and misuse of electoral processes.

The three BJP candidates were declared elected unopposed after the deadline for withdrawal of candidatures ended on Thursday.

Source: IANS

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Bhopal, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) As the CBI probe continues into the death of actress Twisha Sharma, her father has filed a complaint in the Madhya Pradesh High Court demanding an inquiry into the role of some lawyers associated with the Legal Aid Defence Counsel scheme.

Twisha Sharma’s father, Navnidhi Sharma, has filed the complaint with the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority and the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s Chief Justice Vivek Rusia.

He has demanded an inquiry into the conduct of certain lawyers associated with the legal aid system and an official.

The complaint alleged that some lawyers appointed under the legal aid framework to assist the economically disadvantaged appeared to be favouring the accused. It highlights that these appointments were made during Giribala Singh’s tenure as District and Sessions Judge in Bhopal.

Sharma submitted a photograph with the complaint showing Shreyas Saxena, an assistant advocate with the Legal Aid Defence Counsel scheme, allegedly dancing at Samarth Singh’s wedding.

The complaint further claims Saxena was present in court alongside the accused’s private counsel during the anticipatory bail plea hearing on May 15.

The complainant (Twisha Sharma’s father) also names Reena Verma, Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel.

Sharma questioned why legal aid lawyers took an active role when the accused already had private counsel. Additionally, questions have been raised about an unidentified individual seen at the beauty parlour and later at the wedding ceremony.

The complaint demands clarification of the person’s identity and role in the sequence of events.

Advocate Ankur Pandey, representing Twisha Sharma’s family in the court, told IANS that the matter has been placed before the authorities. “We have forwarded the complaint to the concerned authorities and are awaiting action on the matter,” Pandey said on Friday.

The complaint seeks an independent inquiry into the role of legal aid lawyers, their alleged links with the accused, and scrutiny of legal representation during the anticipatory bail hearing.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the death of actress Twisha Sharma is continuing. The judicial remand of former District and Sessions Judge Giribala Singh and her son, Samarth Singh, is set to end on June 16. The agency will produce both before the court on that date, when it will decide whether to seek an extension of judicial custody or request police remand for further questioning.

The CBI had earlier informed the court that it would seek remand as needed. However, no remand has been sought in the past ten days since (June 2) the two were lodged in Bhopal Central Jail.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Supreme Court is set to hear on Friday a plea by Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan challenging the rejection of her nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha election from Madhya Pradesh.

A vacation Bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Atul S. Chandurkar on Thursday assured an early hearing on Friday after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Natarajan, sought urgent listing of the matter.

During the mentioning, Singhvi contended that Thursday was the last date for withdrawal of nominations and argued that if the matter was not heard urgently, the petitioner would have to wait for six years to seek effective relief.

The senior counsel also urged the apex court to stay the declaration of the election result pending adjudication of the dispute.

However, the Justice Mishra-led Bench declined to pass any interim order at this stage and said that the matter would be taken up for hearing on Friday.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing on behalf of the Returning Officer, and senior advocate D.S. Naidu, appearing for the Election Commission, opposed the plea for urgent intervention.

The Congress leader has moved the apex court against the rejection of her nomination papers by the Returning Officer following objections raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to the objection, Natarajan allegedly failed to disclose details of a case pending before a Telangana court in the affidavit filed along with her nomination papers.

The BJP's objection was based on a petition filed by former corporate executive A. Srilatha before the Fourth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Hyderabad. The petition alleged that Natarajan had extended political patronage to Kumbham Shivakumar Reddy, against whom Srilatha had levelled allegations, including molestation and criminal intimidation.

Natarajan has denied the allegations, describing them as part of a "political conspiracy", and has opposed Srilatha’s petition before a Hyderabad court.

Earlier, the Congress leader had alleged that the Returning Officers were "compromised" and acting at the behest of the government. The Congress leader, who was the party’s lone Rajya Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh, claimed that efforts were being made to “subvert democracy” through the rejection of her nomination. She had also launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Centre, alleging that the Returning Officers were functioning as "spokespersons" of the ruling dispensation rather than as independent constitutional authorities.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Supreme Court has held that courts dealing with child custody and visitation disputes must guard against subjecting children to repeated psychological evaluations, cautioning that such processes can lead to "secondary victimisation" and "re-traumatisation", particularly in cases involving allegations of sexual abuse.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh on Thursday modified Bombay High Court orders that had first substituted the appointment of a single independent expert with a "panel of experts" and subsequently constituted a four-member panel to evaluate the child for facilitating reconnection with her father.

The dispute arose amid ongoing custody proceedings between the estranged parents and pending criminal proceedings under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, in which the father faces allegations of sexually abusing the child when the family was residing in the United States.

The father has, however, denied the allegations.

In its order, the Supreme Court said the present case extended beyond an ordinary custody dispute and raised important questions concerning judicially directed psychological evaluation of a child, who is also an alleged victim of sexual abuse.

"The issue, therefore, is not merely one concerning custody or visitation rights, but concerns the manner in which the justice delivery system must respond to and engage with a child victim while balancing welfare, dignity, psychological safety and procedural fairness," the Justice Karol-led bench said.

Stressing that the welfare of the child remains the paramount consideration, the apex court emphasised that judicial procedures themselves must conform to standards of sensitivity, minimum intrusion and psychological safety.

"The justice delivery system cannot treat the child as a mere evidentiary object subjected to repeated forensic or psychological scrutiny at the instance of contesting litigants. The psychological integrity of the child constitutes an independent and paramount consideration which courts are duty-bound to preserve," the Justice Karol-led bench said.

The apex court noted that the child had already experienced trauma due to the breakdown of the family and was undergoing therapeutic treatment.

In such circumstances, it said, any court-directed process exposing the child to multiple evaluators must be carefully scrutinised.

"Where a child who is already undergoing certain trauma because of the rupture in the family and deprived of undivided love, affection and care from both the parents, and when there is also allegation of sexual abuse by her own father, if she is going to be subjected to further investigation at the hands of psychologists as proposed to be done by the impugned orders, we must seriously examine as to whether such a course of action by virtue of the judicial orders may lead to 'secondary victimisation' and 're-traumatisation'," the apex court order said.

At the same time, the apex court rejected the mother's contention that courts can never seek expert psychological assistance where POCSO allegations are pending.

Holding that expert intervention may be appropriate in certain cases, the Justice Karol-led bench said that such intervention must satisfy the requirements of "demonstrable necessity, minimum intrusion, institutional neutrality, proportionality, and paramount consideration of the psychological well-being of the child".

Modifying the Bombay High Court orders, the Supreme Court directed the Family Court to first appoint a psychologist to assess the mental and psychological condition of both parents, particularly the mother who presently has custody of the child.

The psychologist will also interact with the child's treating psychologist and submit a report, based on which the Family Court will decide whether any further psychological assessment of the child is warranted.

If such an assessment is required, it must be conducted by a single independent child psychologist in consultation with the treating psychologist and with the minimum possible interaction.

The apex court also directed the Family Court to remain alert to concerns regarding possible parental alienation and false memory creation, while ensuring that the child is not exposed to any influence that could adversely affect her relationship with either parent.

The Justice Karol-led bench reiterated that in all proceedings involving children, especially those who are alleged victims under the POCSO Act, "the paramount consideration shall always remain the welfare, emotional security, dignity and psychological well-being of the child."

The matter has been remitted to the Family Court for fresh consideration in light of the directions issued by the apex court.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) Party-hopping in the political arena is a phenomenon witnessed since long where various reasons make political leaders exit one organisation for another, yet most today will fail to match the frequency of transit by two names from Haryana who were said to have influenced the coinage of "Aya Ram, Gaya Ram".

It was the late 1960s, much before the anti-defection laws came into being, when some legislators from the state, such as Hira Nand Arya and Gaya Lal, executed their political somersaults.

The phrase -- meaning "he comes, he goes" -- entered India's political lexicon in 1967, reflecting the rampant culture of defection that destabilised Haryana's politics.

The story begins with Gaya Lal, an MLA from Hodal, who switched allegiance from Congress to the Samyukta Vidhayak Dal (SVD), to return within nine hours, and defect again soon after. His rapid shifts became symbolic of the opportunistic party-hopping that plagued the State Legislature.

In this story of defections, MLA Hira Nand Arya defected five times, two others four times, three thrice, and 34, at least once.

The incident finds mention in "Land of the Gods: The Story of Haryana" by Arjun Singh Kadian, as well as "The Power of the Ballot: Travail and Triumph in the Elections" by Anil Maheshwari and Vipul Maheshwari, among other books.

It was Haryana's first Assembly elections in February 1967, where the Congress secured a majority under Chief Minister Bhagwat Dayal Sharma.

However, factional rivalries soon erupted.

Rao Birender Singh, a powerful leader from the Ahirwal belt, was said to be the contender that Indira Gandhi was keen on. He became the Assembly Speaker and, allegedly with Devi Lal's support, orchestrated defections that toppled Sharma's government.

By March 1967, Rao Birender Singh was sworn in as Chief Minister under the SVD banner. It is said that the phrase origin lies with Rao Birender Singh presenting Gaya Lal before the press, declaring "Gaya Lal is Aaya Ram now".

It was much later that Lok Sabha agreed to the setting up of a committee under then Home Minister Y.B. Chavan to look into the issue of defections.

According to the committee, defection was the voluntary giving up of allegiance towards a political party on whose symbol the legislator was elected, except when it was done at the direction of the party.

It was the 52nd Amendment of the Indian Constitution in 1985, moved by the then Rajiv Gandhi government, that introduced the Anti-Defection Law through the Tenth Schedule to prevent political defections and ensure stability in governance.

It ensured that legislators could be disqualified if they defected from their party after being elected, aiming to prevent the kind of rapid party-switching seen in Haryana.

The law applied to both Parliament and state Assemblies, where an MP or MLA would lose a seat if they voluntarily gave up party membership or disobeyed the party whip in crucial votes.

However, a merger clause allowed at least two-thirds of a party's legislators to defect together.

The Speaker or Chairman of the House was empowered to decide on disqualification petitions.

In 2003, a Constitution Amendment Bill was introduced in Parliament by the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government to address some of the issues in the law.

The 91st Amendment Act, 2003, limited the size of the Council of Ministers and strengthened the Anti-Defection Law to ensure stable and accountable governance in India.

The law reduced the frequency of "Aya Ram, Gaya Ram" style defections, but critics argue it also curtailed Legislative independence, forcing MPs and MLAs to toe the party line.

Recent cases in states like Maharashtra and West Bengal show that the anti-defection law remains central to political battles and related switches.

Source: IANS

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Guwahati, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Siddhartha Sarma, one of the accused in the sensational Zubeen Garg death case and former manager of the late Assamese singer, on Thursday approached the Gauhati High Court challenging a Fast Track Court order and seeking the reopening of his firm, Mahabir Aqua, along with the defreezing of bank accounts linked to the establishment.

Legal sources said that Sarma filed a petition before the High Court contesting the findings of the Fast Track Court and seeking relief on multiple counts related to the ongoing criminal proceedings.

In his plea, the accused requested the court to allow the reopening of Mahabir Aqua, a business entity that has remained shut following the investigation into the case.

He also sought directions for the release of bank accounts that were frozen by investigating agencies during the course of the probe.

Sarma's petition further urged the High Court to take into consideration findings and reports submitted by Singapore authorities regarding the death of celebrated singer Zubeen Garg.

The application reportedly argued that the conclusions of the foreign investigation should be examined as part of the judicial proceedings underway in Assam.

The development comes a week after the Gauhati High Court declined to entertain Sarma's bail plea.

On June 4, a bench of Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia did not accept the bail application for hearing, resulting in no substantive proceedings on the matter.

Sarma had moved the High Court after a Fast Track Court rejected his bail application, citing the gravity of the allegations and the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The case pertains to the death of Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg, who died on September 19 last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore, a day before he was scheduled to perform at an event organised under the North East International Festival (NEIF) banner.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam CID subsequently investigated the matter and filed a chargesheet naming seven accused persons, including Sarma.

While the Singapore Police concluded that there was no evidence of foul play, Assam investigators have continued with criminal proceedings based on evidence gathered during their probe.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Supreme Court on Thursday held that a municipal authority cannot be saddled with liability under the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) for injuries caused by the fall of a tree branch on a stationary autorickshaw during heavy rain, ruling that such an incident do not arise out of the "use of a motor vehicle" in the manner contemplated under the law.

However, a bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh, invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to ensure "complete justice", enhanced compensation payable to the injured claimant from Rs 17.10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.

The apex court was hearing an appeal filed by the Commissioner, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), challenging a Karnataka High Court judgment which had apportioned liability for compensation among the municipal corporation, the insurer of the autorickshaw, and the Horticulture Department of the Karnataka government.

The case arose from an incident on June 23, 2007, when respondent K.K. Umesh Kumar was travelling in an autorickshaw from Queens Road to Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Due to heavy rain, the vehicle was stopped by the roadside. While it was stationed under a tree, a branch detached and fell on the autorickshaw, causing serious injuries to the passenger.

A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal had dismissed the compensation claim, treating the incident as a natural calamity.

After multiple rounds of litigation, the Karnataka High Court awarded compensation of Rs 17.10 lakh and directed that 25 per cent be paid by the BBMP, 50 per cent by the insurer of the autorickshaw, and the remaining 25 per cent by the state Horticulture Department.

Examining the concept of "Act of God" and the liability of public authorities, the Supreme Court observed that municipal corporations are under a duty to maintain roadside trees and ensure periodic upkeep.

"A tree has been on the side of the road for many years. Because it is part of the city, the Municipal Corporation does have a duty to ensure that those trees are looked after, from the point of view of not only keeping the trees hale and healthy but also that periodic maintenance thereof is undertaken to ensure that unfortunate incidents such as these do not happen," the Justice Karol-led Bench said.

At the same time, the top court cautioned against imposing unrealistic standards on civic authorities.

"It would be unrealistic to expect that authorities of the Corporation can maintain a constant vigil over each tree/shrub," the judgment said.

Turning to the legal question under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Supreme Court held that although the expression "arising out of the use of motor vehicles" has received a liberal interpretation in previous judgments, the present case stood on a different footing.

"In other words, the motor vehicle itself does not play an active role in the accident. It is not part of the proximate cause of the accident. For that reason, a claim under Section 166 specifically may not be appropriate," the apex court held.

It observed that if the respondent had been standing under the tree as a pedestrian rather than sitting inside the autorickshaw, the outcome would have been no different, demonstrating the absence of a sufficient causal connection between the vehicle and the accident.

"The unfortunate falling of a branch was within contemplation of neither any authority nor even the driver of the autorickshaw. In these circumstances, it would be unfair to fasten the liability upon the appellant (Corporation) under the MVA," it observed.

Despite settling the legal issue in favour of the municipal corporation, the Supreme Court said it could not ignore the severe condition of the injured claimant, who suffered permanent paraplegia with bladder and bowel incontinence.

"A person who has suffered such life-altering grievous injuries, being left in lurch, without any money to sustain himself, does not appeal to the conscience of justice," it remarked.

Observing that the compensation awarded by the Karnataka High Court was inadequate and based on a "somewhat technical approach", the apex court enhanced the compensation to Rs 25 lakh along with interest from the date of filing of the claim petition.

Exercising its extraordinary powers under Article 142, the Supreme Court directed that the existing apportionment of liability among the BBMP, the insurer and the Horticulture Department would remain undisturbed and ordered all parties to deposit the compensation amount within four weeks.

"It is within our domain, as the final Court of the country, to ensure the law, as implemented, especially in cases like these, is humane and in accordance with the salutary principles of the Constitution," the judgment said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Thursday admitted a plea filed by the State Bank of India (SBI) and initiated personal insolvency resolution proceedings against industrialist Anil Ambani in his capacity as a personal guarantor for loans extended to Reliance Communications (RCOM) and Reliance Infratel Ltd (RITL).

A bench of Judicial Member Sushil Mahadeorao Kochey and Technical Member Prabhat Kumar passed the order while admitting the SBI's application filed under Section 95 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

The Mumbai Bench-I of the NCLT also declared a moratorium on all debts of the personal guarantor and directed Resolution Professional Prashant Jain to issue a public notice inviting claims from creditors.

Reacting to the decision, a spokesperson for Ambani said that the order, once available, will be reviewed by his legal team and challenged through appropriate legal remedies, as advised.

The SBI had moved the NCLT seeking initiation of insolvency proceedings against Ambani over an alleged default of Rs 853.25 crore arising from personal guarantees furnished for credit facilities extended to RCOM and RITL.

According to SBI, Ambani had executed a personal guarantee deed on September 23, 2016, in respect of loan facilities of Rs 565 crore granted to RCOM and Rs 635 crore granted to RITL. The lender invoked the guarantee on January 31, 2019, after defaults by the borrower companies and subsequently approached the NCLT in March 2020 after no repayment was received.

During the proceedings, Ambani challenged the insolvency action, contending that the guarantee stood discharged following approval of the resolution plan for RCOM and that no enforceable liability survived against him.

He also argued that the guarantee was invalid because it was executed after the loan accounts had allegedly become non-performing assets (NPAs).

Rejecting these contentions, the NCLT held that the Resolution Professional's report recommending admission of the insolvency application was valid and that the issues raised by Ambani could not undermine the existence of debt and default.

"We do not find any merit in the contention of the Personal Guarantor that he executed a guarantee on 23.09.2016 in favour of applicant creditor, when the principal borrower was already in default on 26.8.2016," the tribunal said.

It further observed that no money had yet been realised by the SBI under the approved resolution plans of RCOM and RITL and that the debt continued to remain unpaid.

Admitting the SBI's petition, the NCLT ordered that the insolvency resolution process against Ambani be commenced and that the moratorium would remain in force for 180 days or until an order is passed on a repayment plan, whichever is earlier. During this period, all pending legal proceedings in respect of the debt will remain stayed, and Ambani will be barred from transferring, alienating, encumbering or disposing of his assets.

The NCLT also directed Jain to issue a public notice inviting claims from creditors and carry out the insolvency resolution process in accordance with the provisions of the IBC.

In a statement, Ambai's spokesman said that the "Order dated 11 June 2026, passed by the NCLT, Mumbai, relates to a disputed personal guarantee allegedly extended by Mr Ambani to the State Bank of India in 2016 — that is, ten years ago — even before the promulgation of personal insolvency laws".

"The underlying facility had been availed by Reliance Communications for the repayment of its borrowings from Chinese lenders, and Mr Ambani derived no personal benefit from the said funds. The Order, once available, will be reviewed by Mr Ambani’s legal team and challenged through appropriate legal remedies, as advised. Mr Ambani remains confident of vindicating his position before the appropriate forums," the spokesman added.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) A single-judge vacation bench of the Calcutta High Court has refused to pass any interim protective order on the decision of the new West Bengal Assembly Speaker, Rathindra Bose, to accept expelled Trinamool Congress legislator Ritabrata Banerjee as the leader of the majority bloc of the Trinamool Congress in the House and also as the official Leader of the Opposition (LoP).

A petition was filed earlier this week challenging the Speaker's decision. The matter came up for hearing before the single-judge vacation bench of Justice Krishna Rao on Thursday, and at the end of the hearing, the bench refused to accept the petitioner's plea for an interim protective order on the Speaker's decision.

Instead, the single-judge vacation bench said that the relevant order in the matter should first be placed before the court and advised all parties connected to the petition to approach the court only after the Speaker's order is furnished before the bench.

However, during the hearing, the single-judge bench raised the question of whether a legislator — in this case Ritabrata Banerjee — who had been expelled from the party could be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition without the formal consent of the political party concerned.

Currently, the Trinamool Congress has 80 legislators in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly. Among them, 60 legislators — a figure which Ritabrata Banerjee claimed had increased to 65 by June 1 — support the new bloc led by him. On the other hand, 20 legislators remain with the old bloc, continuing their allegiance to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew and the party's General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee.

A Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe is already underway over alleged mismatches in the signatures of certain Trinamool Congress legislators in the crucial resolution submitted to the Speaker's office nominating Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of the Opposition, Asima Patra and Nayna Bandopadhyay as the two deputy leaders of the Opposition, and Firhad Hakim as the Chief Whip of the Trinamool Congress legislative party in the West Bengal Assembly.

The alleged mismatches were brought to the attention of the Speaker's office by Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, following which the CID probe was initiated.

The Trinamool Congress immediately suspended Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha. Soon afterwards, 60 legislators led by Ritabrata Banerjee revolted and submitted a fresh resolution claiming to be the majority bloc in the Trinamool Congress legislative party.

The Speaker accepted the fresh resolution, and Ritabrata Banerjee was officially recognised as the Leader of the Opposition.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the operation of an Allahabad High Court judgment that had made adverse observations against Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Sanjay Prasad and directed that a copy of the judgment be sent to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for consideration in relation to his future assignments.

A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Atul S. Chandurkar passed the interim order while hearing a special leave petition (SLP) filed by Sanjay Prasad challenging the June 3 judgment of the Allahabad High Court in a habeas corpus matter concerning the recovery of a minor girl.

Granting permission to file the SLP, the apex court issued notice to the respondents and directed that the matter be listed after ten weeks.

"Issue notice, returnable in ten weeks," the Justice Mishra-led Bench ordered, adding: "In the meanwhile, directions issued by the High Court under the impugned order, shall remain stayed."

The SLP before the top court arose from an Allahabad High Court judgment delivered by a single-judge Bench of Justice Vinod Diwakar while disposing of a habeas corpus petition filed by the mother of a minor girl who had allegedly gone missing in June 2025.

While recording that the girl had ultimately been recovered and restored to her parents, the Allahabad High Court made extensive observations regarding the functioning of the Home Department and the conduct of senior officials.

Referring to Sanjay Prasad, the order said that "the conduct of Shri Sanjay Prasad, IAS (DR 1995), Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Government of Uttar Pradesh, in the present matter" could not be overlooked.

Consequently, Justice Diwakar directed the Registrar (Compliance) of the Allahabad High Court to transmit a certified copy of the judgment, along with the earlier Subhash Chandra v. State of U.P. ruling, to the Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the cadre controlling authority for IAS officers, "for their record, reference, and such consideration as may be deemed appropriate in the context of the assessment of the said officer's suitability for future assignments by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)".

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a landmark judgment recognising the economic and social value of unpaid domestic work, the Supreme Court on Thursday described homemakers as "nation builders" and directed that a separate compensation component titled "loss of domestic care" be awarded in motor accident cases involving their death.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh enhanced compensation payable to the family of a woman who died in a road accident in Haryana in 2001, raising it from Rs 8.43 lakh to Rs 62.77 lakh, and laid down guidelines for assessing compensation in cases involving homemakers.

Allowing an appeal filed by the legal heirs of the deceased woman, the apex court held that the contribution of a homemaker extends far beyond conventional monetary measures and has long been undervalued in compensation jurisprudence.

Observing that the role of a homemaker is foundational to families and society, the top court remarked: "The ‘homemakers’, to put it directly, actually are the 'nation builders' and they ought to be recognised as such."

The case arose from a motor accident on November 25, 2001, in which a woman lost her life while travelling from Sirsa to Fatehabad. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal had awarded Rs 2.42 lakh in compensation in 2003, which was later enhanced by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to Rs 8.43 lakh in December 2024.

Still dissatisfied, the claimants approached the Supreme Court seeking further enhancement.

In its order, the Justice Karol-led Bench recorded that assessing the contribution of homemakers solely through notional income figures often results in inadequate compensation.

"To measure the contributions of a homemaker and mother... in strictly monetary terms is a task of considerable difficulty," the apex court said.

Noting that compensation calculations based on historically low notional income figures "grossly undervalue" the role of homemakers, the apex court introduced a new compensation head called “loss of domestic care”.

Under the judgment, a composite sum of Rs 30,000 per month will be treated as the basic minimum monthly income of a homemaker for compensation purposes, where she has no independent monetary earnings. The amount will be revised upward by 10 per cent every three years.

"This amount of Rs 30,000, i.e., loss of domestic care, is to be taken as a ‘stand-in’ (basic minimum monthly income) for monthly income in those cases where the homemaker does not have an input into the house, in strictly conventional, monetary terms," the Supreme Court held.

Applying the principle to the present case, the apex court recalculated compensation by treating Rs 30,000 as the deceased homemaker’s monthly contribution and enhanced the total compensation payable to Rs 62.77 lakh.

Apart from the issue of compensation, the judgment expressed concern over delays in the disposal of motor accident claims. Examining over a hundred motor accident compensation appeals decided by the Supreme Court, the Justice Karol-led Bench found that the average pendency in High Courts was approximately eight years, while claims remained pending before tribunals for about six years on average.

"The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, to state the obvious, is a beneficial legislation aimed at providing just and fair compensation. Both of these salutary values are denuded by long pendency,” the apex court said.

The bench requested Chief Justices of all High Courts to prioritise listing long-pending motor accident claim appeals and consider increasing the number of benches handling such matters where necessary. It also directed that claim petitions should be accompanied by relevant documents such as proof of age, income records, disability certificates, and medical bills to minimise delays caused by repeated adjournments.

A copy of the judgment has been directed to be sent to all High Courts for compliance and circulation among Motor Accident Claims Tribunals.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Supreme Court agreed to hear tomorrow a plea filed by Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan challenging the rejection of her nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha election from Madhya Pradesh.

A vacation Bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Atul S. Chandurkar on Thursday assured an early hearing on Friday after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Natarajan, sought urgent listing of the matter.

During the mentioning, Singhvi contended that Thursday was the last date for withdrawal of nominations and argued that if the matter was not heard urgently, the petitioner would have to wait for six years to seek effective relief.

The senior counsel also urged the apex court to stay the declaration of the election result pending adjudication of the dispute.

However, the Justice Mishra-led Bench declined to pass any interim order at this stage and said that the matter would be taken up for hearing on Friday.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing on behalf of the Returning Officer, and senior advocate D.S. Naidu, appearing for the Election Commission, opposed the plea for urgent intervention.

The Congress leader has moved the apex court against the rejection of her nomination papers by the Returning Officer following objections raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to the objection, Natarajan allegedly failed to disclose details of a case pending before a Telangana court in the affidavit filed along with her nomination papers.

The BJP's objection was based on a petition filed by former corporate executive A. Srilatha before the Fourth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Hyderabad. The petition alleged that Natarajan had extended political patronage to Kumbham Shivakumar Reddy, against whom Srilatha had levelled allegations, including molestation and criminal intimidation.

Natarajan has denied the allegations, describing them as part of a "political conspiracy", and has opposed Srilatha’s petition before a Hyderabad court.

Earlier, the Congress leader had alleged that the Returning Officers were "compromised" and acting at the behest of the government. The Congress leader, who was the party’s lone Rajya Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh, claimed that efforts were being made to “subvert democracy” through the rejection of her nomination. She had also launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Centre, alleging that the Returning Officers were functioning as "spokespersons" of the ruling dispensation rather than as independent constitutional authorities.

Source: IANS

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Kochi, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The functioning of the Kerala State Waqf Board has come under judicial scrutiny after BJP state vice-president Shone George approached the Kerala High Court, alleging that the Board is operating in violation of the amended Waqf law and that all decisions taken by it could be legally questioned.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by George contends that the state government has failed to appoint the mandatory non-Muslim members to the Board as required under the 2025 amendment to the Waqf Act, making its present constitution invalid.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V.M. Syam Kumar on Thursday sought the response of the state government and granted time to file its reply.

The matter has been posted for further hearing after two weeks.

The petition is based on Section 14(1) of the United Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995, after its amendment came into force on April 8, 2025.

The amended provision mandates the inclusion of at least two non-Muslim members in State Waqf Boards, excluding ex-officio members.

George’s petition argues that the Kerala government, through a Government Order dated February 4, 2026, appointed nine members to the Board, all of them Muslims, while stating that the remaining two members would be appointed later.

The petitioner contends that a promise of future compliance cannot justify the Board’s present functioning and that the mandatory statutory requirement has been bypassed.

“The Board has been constituted contrary to the provisions of the statute and therefore lacks jurisdiction,” the plea states, arguing that all administrative, supervisory and quasi-judicial decisions taken by the Board could be treated as void.

The petition points out that the Waqf Board has wide powers, including supervision of Waqf properties, settlement of management schemes, and appointment or removal of administrators.

According to George, a Board that is not legally constituted cannot exercise such authority.

The plea also raises concerns over the continuing Munambam Waqf land dispute, involving more than 600 families, alleging that the functioning of the Board without the mandated composition has contributed to public unrest.

George has sought a declaration that the Kerala Waqf Board is functioning in violation of the amended law and that decisions taken by the Board in its present form are null and void.

He has also sought directions to the state government to immediately appoint the required two non-Muslim members.

The Supreme Court, while examining challenges to the 2025 Waqf Amendment Act, had not stayed this specific requirement but placed an upper limit of three non-Muslim members in State Waqf Boards.

The High Court’s response to the petition is now keenly awaited, as the case could have wider implications for Waqf administration and ongoing disputes linked to Waqf properties in Kerala.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Supreme Court judge, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, on Thursday recused himself from hearing Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea challenging a Delhi court order framing charges against her in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar.

A bench of Justices P.K. Mishra and Atul S. Chandurkar was hearing the matter when Justice Mishra informed the parties that he would not be able to hear the case due to his son's appearance on behalf of the government in a connected matter.

"In one of the connected matters, my son had appeared on behalf of the government. The case must therefore be placed before a different Bench," he observed, directing that it be listed before another bench of which he is not a member.

The matter has now been posted for hearing on June 25.

In her special leave petition (SLP) filed before the Supreme Court, Jacqueline has challenged a Delhi High Court order refusing to quash the ED’s prosecution complaint and the trial court’s decision to frame charges against her under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Earlier this month, the actor pleaded not guilty before a Delhi court in the money laundering case and expressed her willingness to face trial.

Appearing before the Patiala House Court on June 3, Jacqueline denied the charges framed against her under the PMLA and opted to contest the case on merits.

The trial court also framed money laundering charges against Chandrashekhar, his wife Leena Maria Paul and 14 others, all of whom pleaded not guilty and sought trial.

The matter is currently listed before the trial court for further proceedings on July 16.

The development came weeks after Jacqueline withdrew her application seeking to become an approver in the case. The ED had opposed the plea, contending that her conduct during the investigation was "not satisfactory" and that she had failed to make a "full and true disclosure" in statements recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA.

The anti-money laundering agency has alleged that Jacqueline remained in regular contact with Chandrashekhar even after becoming aware of his criminal background and did not fully cooperate with the investigation into the alleged proceeds of crime.

According to the probe agency, Chandrashekhar arranged luxury gifts, valuables, and other benefits for Jacqueline using proceeds of crime generated through the alleged money-laundering activities.

The ED has accused Jacqueline of receiving luxury gifts worth around Rs 7 crore from Chandrashekhar. However, the actor has consistently maintained that she had no knowledge of his alleged criminal activities or the source of the money used for those gifts. The money laundering case stems from allegations that Chandrashekhar cheated the wives of former Ranbaxy promoters Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh of nearly Rs 200 crore.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has sought a detailed report on the status of demolition of alleged illegal constructions at properties linked to Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, officials said on Thursday.

The Administrator and Commissioner of KMC have sought a report in the next five days from the building department with regard to the final status of the demolition of illegal construction at Banerjee's residence.

The Commissioner of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has already received the necessary instructions in this regard from the state Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Department. After the instructions came, KMC Commissioner Smita Pandey has now sought a report from the building and the assessment departments.

It is learned that notices have been issued to 17 to 21 properties under Section 400 (1) of the Kolkata Municipal Building Act. The Commissioner wanted to know what action the Building Department had taken in this connection.

According to sources, after receiving this report, the municipal Commissioner will order the demolition of the illegal part of Abhishek Banerjee's property. The Calcutta High Court has already given final approval to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in this regard.

The High Court, in its order, had said that any illegal structure will be demolished. To implement this order, the municipal Commissioner summoned the officials of the building and the assessment departments to her house last week. The municipal Commissioner asked for all the reports on the final status within five days.

In addition, she informed the officials that no more time will be given to Abhishek Banerjee. This time, strict action will be taken. The municipal Commissioner said that there should be no delay in implementing the decision, as the order has been received from the court.

The KMC recently issued demolition notices to Abhishek Banerjee about the illegal constructions

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) A single-judge vacation bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Thursday, directed Trinamool Congress general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee to appear before the CID by 6 p.m. and join the investigation.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a startling turn of events, four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member and senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, on Thursday, refrained from appearing on behalf of the party's general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee in the Calcutta High Court in a case.

A petition by Abhishek Banerjee challenges the summons to him by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police in the legislators’ signature mismatch case and also seeks interim protection from coercive police action, including arrest.

On Thursday, Abhishek Banerjee was represented by advocate Ayan Bhattacharya at the single-judge vacation bench of Justice Kaushik Chanda.

Kalyan Banerjee told media persons that his decision to refrain from representing Abhishek Banerjee not just in this particular case but in any other cases has been prompted by the latter’s arrogant behaviour towards him.

He also said that Abhishek Banerjee had not got over his arrogant nature despite being the main architect of Trinamool Congress’ landslide defeat in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly polls.

“I have decided to refrain from any legal matters concerning Abhishek Banerjee. His continuing arrogance is unimaginable. Yesterday, I raised his matter at the bench of Justice Chanda and pleaded for an urgent hearing. Accordingly, Thursday was fixed as the date of hearing. But last night, he called up my son and said that some other advocate, who is much junior to me in the legal profession, will represent him at the hearing on Thursday,” Banerjee told media persons.

It is learnt that Kalyan Banerjee’s son, Shirshanya Banerjee, also a practising advocate, as well as his other junior, will also not remain associated with any legal matter concerning Abhishek Banerjee.

Kalyan Banerjee also said he would give an ultimatum to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to choose between Abhishek Banerjee and others who are still loyal to her.

“I have been in the legal profession for the last 45 years. I will not tolerate Abhishek Banerjee’s arrogance. So, I will tell Mamata Banerjee to choose between Abhishek and us. He is solely responsible for the current pathetic condition of Trinamool Congress. But still he is equally arrogant as he was before,” said Kalyan Banerjee.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Gangster Vainket Garg has been successfully extradited from Georgia to India on Thursday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced.

The CBI, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Haryana Police, brought back Garg on Thursday, officials said.

Garg, a known gangster, was wanted in several cases registered by the Haryana Police for offences relating to murder, attempt to murder, extortion, organised crime and use of illegal firearms, according to the CBI.

"The subject was arrested during the course of investigation; however, after being granted bail by the Court, he absconded and fled from India to evade legal proceedings," officials said.

Investigators said that at the request of the Haryana Police, NCB-New Delhi got a Red Notice published against Garg through INTERPOL channels.

"After the subject was geo-located and arrested by the Georgian authorities, an extradition request was submitted to them. Following due legal process, the Georgian authorities granted the extradition of the subject to India, the CBI said.

In coordination with the local authorities, the Haryana Police's escort team visited Georgia, where they took the accused into custody. The Haryana Police team, along with Garg, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday.

"The CBI, as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, coordinates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in India through BHARATPOL for assistance via INTERPOL channels," officials said.

Investigators further mentioned that over 160 wanted criminals have been successfully brought back to India in the last few years through coordination between different agencies.

The CBI also said that it has successfully secured the deportation of Red Notice subject Ganesh Balaso Kale from Thailand to India.

According to the officials, Kale was wanted in connection with cybercrime fraud, in which victims were lured with the offer of online part-time jobs. They were asked to make certain deposits as monetary investments and were later defrauded.

Investigators said that the accused used to operate a network of cyber financial criminals by involving various unsuspecting persons in the scam.

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Three months after the mysterious death of six-year-old Vennila in Bengaluru's Kadugodi area, shocking details have emerged during the police investigation, leading to the registration of a murder case against the child's mother and her alleged live-in partner.

The police investigations have revealed horrifying details of brutality against the child by the accused persons.

According to police, Vennila was allegedly murdered by her mother, Priyanka P., and her lover, Mohan J. Mahaningappa, who reportedly believed the child was coming in the way of their relationship and privacy.

The incident was initially reported on March 25 at a villa in Seegehalli under the limits of the Kadugodi police station. At the time, an unnatural death case was registered, and an investigation was launched. However, suspicions raised by the child's father, Praveen Basappa, prompted a deeper probe into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Police investigations have revealed that Mohan allegedly assaulted Vennila after she asked for a different flavour of ice cream. He is accused of punching the child in the abdomen with a closed fist. Unable to bear the pain, the child began crying loudly. Investigators allege that Mohan then strangled her to death.

Police further claimed that after the murder, Priyanka and Mohan spent nearly 12 hours with the child's body and drove around the city in their car before reporting the death.

According to the complaint filed by Praveen, he and Priyanka were married in 2007 and have two daughters. He alleged that Priyanka rekindled a relationship with her college friend Mohan in late 2025 and later began living with him in Bengaluru after seeking a divorce.

While their elder daughter continued to stay with Praveen in Davanagere, Vennila was living with Priyanka. Police sources said Mohan had also left his wife and children for Priyanka and had purchased the villa where Priyanka and Vennila were residing.

Investigators believe Vennila was frequently subjected to abuse, as Mohan reportedly considered her an obstacle to his relationship with Priyanka. Both accused are alleged to have mistreated the child on multiple occasions.

Praveen stated in his complaint that he received information about Vennila's death from Priyanka's brother on March 25. When he sought details about the incident, Priyanka allegedly gave contradictory explanations. On one occasion, she claimed the child had eaten biryani the previous night. On another, she said Vennila had been given ice cream and was later left sleeping inside an air-conditioned car while she and Mohan attended a birthday celebration.

Suspicious of the varying accounts, Praveen obtained the post-mortem report and shared it with a relative, a paediatric specialist based in the United Kingdom. The doctor reportedly expressed concerns about the circumstances of the death, prompting Praveen to approach the police with allegations that his daughter may have been assaulted and suffocated.

In his complaint, Praveen further alleged that Priyanka and Mohan planned to start a new life together and were exploring options to have a child through IVF. He claimed that Vennila had become an obstacle to their plans and accused the pair of murdering her and attempting to destroy evidence.

Following the complaint and subsequent investigation, the police registered a murder case against Priyanka and Mohan. Investigators are awaiting the forensic science laboratory (FSL) report and other expert opinions. Further investigation is in progress.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday said that it has successfully secured the deportation of Red Notice subject Ganesh Balaso Kale from Thailand to India.

The deportation process was carried out in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Embassy of India in Bangkok.

According to the officials, Kale is wanted in connection with cybercrime fraud, in which victims were lured by the offer of online part-time jobs. They were asked to make certain deposits as monetary investments and were later defrauded.

Investigators said that the accused used to operate a network of cyber financial criminals by involving various unsuspecting persons in the scam. "He used to lure individuals by promising interest/commission in exchange for allowing the use of their bank accounts for the transfer of illicit funds and subsequently utilised such accounts to cheat multiple innocent victims," the officials said.

"The subject also allegedly instructed co-accused persons to arrange mobile phones and procure fake SIM cards to facilitate the commission of offences," the CBI officials added.

Based on the Interpol Red Notice, the accused was located in Thailand. He was detained by the Thai Authorities on May 24 in Bangkok. Following due legal proceedings and close coordination between Indian and Thai authorities, the accused was successfully deported to India.

Officials announced that a Red Corner Notice for Kale was issued in May. He was successfully located, apprehended, and returned to India within about 20 days of the notice.

On Thursday, the accused arrived at Mumbai Airport, where he was taken into custody by the Maharashtra Police's Cyber Cell.

"The CBI, as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, coordinates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in India through BHARATPOL for assistance via INTERPOL channels," officials said.

Investigators said that over 160 wanted criminals have been successfully brought back to India in the last few years through coordination between different agencies.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) A Delhi court is scheduled to pronounce on Thursday its verdict in the 2020 Delhi riots Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma murder case.

The Karkardooma Court, which was expected to deliver its verdict on June 4, had deferred the pronouncement to June 11 in the case involving former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Councillor Tahir Hussain and 10 other accused.

The case relates to the killing of IB officer Ankit Sharma, whose body was recovered from a drain in the Khajuri Khas area on February 26, 2020, amid widespread communal violence that rocked North-East Delhi.

The prosecution has alleged that Hussain and the co-accused were part of an unlawful assembly and conspiracy that led to Sharma's murder during the riots.

In March 2023, the Karkardooma Court framed charges against 11 accused, including Hussain, holding that they were liable to be tried for offences under Sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting armed with a deadly weapon), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 302 (murder), read with 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Hussain was also charged under Sections 505, 109 and 114 of the IPC.

The trial court had then observed that Hussain allegedly incited the mob to target Hindus and exhorted them to "not spare them".

According to the prosecution, an FIR was registered on February 26, 2020, on a complaint lodged by Sharma's father, Ravinder Kumar. He alleged that his son had gone out on February 25 to purchase household items but failed to return home.

Kumar later learnt from local residents that a youth had been thrown into the Khajuri Khas drain from the Chand Bagh area. Subsequently, Sharma's body was recovered from the drain.

The complainant alleged that Hussain and his associates were responsible for the murder of his son.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had dismissed Hussain's plea seeking bail in the case. A single-judge Bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna rejected the application after considering the allegations and material placed on record.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Congress has approached the Supreme Court to contest the dismissal of its Rajya Sabha candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination from Madhya Pradesh and is expected to bring the issue up early in the morning for an urgent hearing before the court's vacation bench on Thursday.

This legal action follows the Returning Officer's rejection of Natarajan's nomination papers due to objections raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The ruling party claimed that the Congress leader did not provide information about a legal case in Telangana in the affidavit that accompanied her nomination papers.

According to the objection filed against Natarajan’s nomination, former corporate executive A. Srilatha has petitioned the Fourth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, alleging that Natarajan provided political patronage to Kumbham Shivakumar Reddy, against whom Srilatha has levelled serious allegations, including molestation and death threats.

Natarajan, however, has dismissed the allegations as a “political conspiracy” and opposed Srilatha’s petition before a Hyderabad court, claiming that it was an attempt to malign her reputation.

Earlier on Wednesday, Natarajan alleged that the Returning Officers (ROs) were "compromised" and acting on the behest of the government.

Natarajan was the Congress' lone Rajya Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh, but her nomination papers were cancelled after the BJP raised a major objection against her, alleging that she had concealed information about a case pending in a Telangana court.

Talking to IANS, Natarajan said: "We are in a battlefield where Congress leaders are not only fighting against an opposition party. Unfortunately, the institutions that our constitutional forefathers created are now being disrespected, and they appear to be influenced in a way that makes us feel we are also fighting against them."

"How can one not know how to fill a form? There is nothing legal or technical in this. This is just a political malintent which we saw at every step yesterday, how efforts were being made to subvert democracy," she said.

Launching a harsh critique against the BJP-led Central government, she said: "I will say this with full responsibility that the returning officers yesterday were compromised. They were working as spokespersons and as the frontal organisation heads of the current government."

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, June 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a widely discussed case involving the abduction, sexual assault and blackmail of a minor student, a POCSO Court has awarded 20 years' rigorous imprisonment each to the accused teacher and his accomplice, along with substantial monetary penalties.

The conviction was secured through the investigation conducted by Jaipur Rural Police and prosecution by the Special Public Prosecutor.

Jaipur Range Inspector General of Police Rahul Prakash said a serious case involving the kidnapping and repeated sexual exploitation of a minor girl by a school teacher had come to light in the Jobner police station area of Jaipur Rural district.

Considering the gravity and sensitivity of the matter, senior advocate Mahavir Singh Kishnawat was appointed Special Public Prosecutor on the recommendation of the Director General of Police and with the approval of the state government to ensure effective representation on behalf of the prosecution.

According to police records, on January 2, 2024, the victim's family reported at Jobner Police Station that their minor daughter had been missing since the previous night and expressed suspicion regarding a school teacher, Afzal Khan.

Acting swiftly, the police traced and apprehended the accused from Sirsa, Haryana, and safely rescued the victim.

During the investigation, the victim alleged that the accused teacher had established contact with her while she was his student and subsequently exploited and blackmailed her using objectionable photographs and videos.

She further alleged that the accused repeatedly threatened her and subjected her to sexual exploitation.

On January 1, 2024, the accused, along with his associate Ram Swaroop, allegedly abducted her and transported her towards Haryana.

Recognising the seriousness of the case, the then Station House Officer and Investigating Officer, Sub-Inspector Dharam Singh Gurjar, initiated immediate action, including the victim's medical examination and collection of evidence.

The case was selected under Jaipur Range Police's Case Officer Scheme, enabling continuous monitoring and expedited investigation.

After collecting substantial scientific, technical and documentary evidence, Jaipur Rural Police filed a comprehensive charge sheet against both accused under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code within a stipulated timeframe.

Special Public Prosecutor Mahavir Singh Kishnawat effectively presented the prosecution's case before the court.

During the trial, statements of 16 witnesses were recorded, 68 documentary exhibits were produced and 12 material exhibits were submitted.

Based on the evidence and witness testimonies, the prosecution successfully established the charges against both accused.

Delivering its judgment on June 10, 2025, the POCSO Court, Jaipur, presided over by District Judge Dr Kailash Chandra Atwasiya, convicted both accused and awarded stringent punishment.

The principal accused, Afzal Khan, a resident of Dyodi, Phulera, was sentenced to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment and fined a total of Rs 2.75 lakh.

Co-accused Ram Swaroop, a resident of Laxmipura, Jobner, was convicted for aiding the principal accused and participating in the criminal conspiracy.

He was sentenced to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment and fined a total of Rs 1.75 lakh.

Rahul Prakash said the verdict reflects the commitment of Rajasthan Police towards ensuring justice for victims of crimes against children and highlights the effectiveness of the Case Officer Scheme in securing timely convictions in sensitive cases.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez in a terror conspiracy case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), holding that his prolonged incarceration of over four-and-a-half years, coupled with the unlikely conclusion of the trial in the near future, warranted his release despite the statutory restrictions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

A Division Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja set aside a December 13, 2024, order of the trial court rejecting Parvez’s bail plea and directed his release on stringent conditions.

Parvez has been in custody since November 2021.

The NIA has accused him of being part of a larger conspiracy linked to Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), alleging offences relating to terrorism, terror funding, recruitment of overground workers, criminal conspiracy and anti-national activities under the UAPA and the IPC.

In its order, the Delhi High Court recorded that Parvez had already undergone incarceration of almost four-and-a-half years and that the trial was still at the stage of arguments on charge.

“The stage of the trial is at the arguments for framing of charge. We are further informed that the prosecution intends to examine 197 witnesses in case the charge is framed against the appellant,” the judgment said.

Referring to a series of Supreme Court judgments on prolonged incarceration under special statutes, the Delhi High Court said that the appellant’s right to personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution had to be balanced against the restrictions contained in Section 43D(5) of the UAPA.

“The appellant’s rights under Article 21 of the Constitution of India need to be balanced and may even trump the restriction imposed under Section 43D(5) of the UAPA,” the Justice Chawla-led Bench said.

It also took into account that Parvez is physically infirm, having lost a leg in a landmine blast in 2004.

The NIA alleged that Parvez, who was associated with the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), acted under the guise of human rights activism and was involved in collecting sensitive information concerning security forces, maintaining dossiers on Army officers, promoting separatist activities, recruiting overground workers for LeT and facilitating contacts with Pakistan-based handlers.

The anti-terror agency also relied on the statement of co-accused Muneer Ahmad Kataria, who later turned approver, and alleged that Parvez attempted to secure the release of seized digital devices through illegal gratification paid to a former NIA officer.

However, the Delhi High Court observed that the prosecution case against Parvez was “primarily based” on the statement of Kataria, whose testimony was yet to be tested during the trial.

“While the above statement raises serious allegations against the appellant, these allegations are based on the statement of a co-accused who has since turned approver and who himself claims to be an NIA informer. His evidence is yet to be tested in trial,” the Justice Chawla-led Bench said.

Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the Delhi High Court directed Parvez to furnish a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh with two sureties, surrender his passport, remain within Delhi unless permitted by the trial court, report periodically to the investigating officer, and refrain from influencing witnesses or commenting publicly on the merits of the case.

It further directed that Parvez shall not upload or circulate any anti-national material and shall not engage in any activity prejudicial to public order or the integrity of the trial.

Parvez’s bail plea had earlier been rejected by the trial court in December 2024, which held that the allegations against him appeared prima facie true under the stringent provisions of the UAPA.

Source: IANS

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Chennai, June 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) A petition has been filed before the Madras High Court on Wednesday, challenging the Tamil Nadu government's decision to accept the resignations of three AIADMK legislators, saying that the move undermines the anti-defection provisions enshrined in the Constitution.

Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi leader M.L. Ravi has approached the court seeking to declare as "illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional" the gazette notification issued by the state government accepting the resignations of AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel, S. Jayakumar and P. Sathyabama.

The three legislators had resigned from the state Assembly before later joining the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

In his petition, Ravi has also sought a direction to the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar to adjudicate and dispose of the pending disqualification petitions against the three legislators in accordance with law and the principles laid down by the Supreme Court.

The petitioner contended that the resignations were accepted despite disqualification proceedings being pending under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with anti-defection provisions.

According to petitioner Ravi, allowing legislators to resign before a decision is taken on their disqualification petitions defeats the very objective of the Constitutional framework designed to curb political defections.

Ravi relied on the landmark Supreme Court judgment in the Kihoto Hollohan case, which upheld the validity of the Tenth Schedule and described it as a crucial Constitutional mechanism intended to preserve the integrity of Parliamentary democracy.

The judgment, he said, emphasised the need to prevent defections that erode public confidence in elected institutions.

The plea said that the Assembly Speaker, while exercising Constitutional powers, is expected to act in a manner that advances Constitutional objectives and safeguards democratic values.

By accepting the resignations without first deciding the disqualification petitions, the Speaker had effectively enabled the legislators to bypass the anti-defection law, the petitioner alleged.

The petition also said that such an approach renders the protections under the Tenth Schedule ineffective and creates a precedent that could encourage elected representatives to evade disqualification proceedings through resignation.

Describing the acceptance of the resignations as an arbitrary exercise of constitutional authority, Ravi urged the court to intervene and ensure that the Constitutional mandate governing defections is strictly enforced.

The matter is expected to come up for hearing before the Madras High Court on Friday.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Supreme Court has granted bail to a man in Uttar Pradesh convicted in a 1983 murder case involving the killing of his younger brother, while issuing notice on his plea challenging the Allahabad High Court judgment that had upheld his conviction and life sentence earlier this year.

A Bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Atul S. Chandurkar was hearing a special leave petition (SLP) filed by Vijay Singh against the Allahabad High Court’s February 9 judgment affirming his conviction under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

During the hearing, senior advocate Siddhartha Dave, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the incident occurred on November 4, 1983, nearly 43 years ago, and that the petitioner had remained on bail throughout the proceedings, except for about 3 months spent as an undertrial prisoner.

Taking note of the submissions, the apex court ordered that the trial court records be summoned and directed that digitised copies of the records be supplied to counsel for both sides.

“In the meanwhile, petitioner shall be released on bail in connection with FIR No. 251 dated 04.11.1983 registered at Police Station Beconganj, District Kanpur, for the offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, on such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Trial Court,” the Justice Mishra-led Bench ordered.

The Uttar Pradesh government, represented by advocate Yasharth Kant, accepted notice, following which the Supreme Court dispensed with formal issuance of notice. The matter will be listed again after the trial court records are received.

The latest order comes after the apex court, on April 27, had granted the petitioner eight weeks' time to surrender following the Allahabad High Court verdict, solely to facilitate listing of the case before the appropriate Bench.

Earlier, the Allahabad High Court had dismissed Singh’s criminal appeal and affirmed the 1985 trial court judgment convicting him for the murder of his brother Ajay Singh and sentencing him to life imprisonment.

In its February 9 judgment, a Division Bench of Justices Siddharth and Jai Krishna Upadhyay had also cancelled his bail bonds and directed him to surrender and serve the remaining sentence. Subsequently, on a modification application moved by Singh, the Allahabad High Court granted him 30 days’ time to surrender.

According to the prosecution's case, the incident occurred on the evening of November 4, 1983, in Kanpur’s Beconganj area following an altercation involving the deceased and a woman residing with Vijay Singh. The prosecution alleged that the accused opened fire on his brother with a licensed pistol, causing fatal gunshot injuries.

While three civilian witnesses, including the deceased’s brother and sister-in-law, turned hostile during the trial, the prosecution relied on the testimony of two police constables who claimed to have witnessed the shooting and chased the accused immediately after the incident.

Upholding the conviction, the Allahabad High Court observed that family members had likely retracted their earlier statements over time to save the surviving family member.

“In the cases where a close family member causes the murder of another close family member, with the passage of time, other family members, who are witnesses to the crime, often resign themselves to fate and turn hostile before the court to save the surviving member,” the High Court had said.

Rejecting challenges based on alleged inconsistencies in ballistic evidence, absence of fingerprint examination and non-conduct of a test identification parade, the Allahabad High Court held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The trial court has rightly convicted and sentenced the appellant for committing an offence under Section 302 IPC of murder of his real brother. Findings recorded by the trial court do not suffer from any perversity and are hereby confirmed,” the High Court had ruled while dismissing the appeal.

Source: IANS

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