SC to hear petition against decriminalisation of gay sex
To consider the plea for an open court hearing on curative petitions filed by gay rights activists. Curative petition is the last judicial resort available for redressal of grievances in court and is normally considered by judges in-chamber without granting opportunity to parties to argue the case.
EC: No BJP’s manifesto on TV
The Election Commission says telecast of BJP’s manifesto to be released on April 7 would violate the rule restraining parties from peddling their promises through television and cinema 48 hours prior to the end of polling. The release should have been done by April 5.
Rajiv Gandhi's killers not to be hanged
The Supreme Court reaffirmed its earlier order rejecting Centre's petition for capital punishment. There was an 11-year delay in deciding on their petitions of mercy.
SC to reconsider if convicts can contest polls
Petition filed against an amendment to rules by the Centre which had allowed the convicts to contest. This had negated an earlier SC ruling prohibiting those in jail from contesting.
Death for 3 repeat offenders in Shakti Mills gang rape cases
The court said the offenders had least respect for law and no potential for reformation as per facts of case. Exemplary and rarest of rare punishment is required in the case, the judge said.
Inordinate delay in deciding terror convict Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar's mercy plea and his present mental condition made the four judge bench reduce the sentence.
Delhi HC: Treat 'honour killing' as separate offence
Citing Nitish Katara’s murder, the judge said we should examine why such murders are not categorised as separate offences in the penal provision.
EC gives voting rights to detainees but not to prisoners
Those who have been detained under the Goondas Act, National Security Act (NSA) and Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (Cofeposa) will get a ballot paper to cast their votes. The ballot paper would be sent back to the returning officers by the prisons department.
Samsung chief ordered to appear in court
The Supreme Court has directed Lee Kun-hee to appear before a Ghaziabad court in a case related to a dispute over non-payment of $1.4 million by the South Korean firm to an Indian vendor.
Fast disposal of pensioners’ complaints
Central government has directed all ministries to resolve the issues within two months of receiving the complaints. The pensioners can also write their grievances to nodal officers of respective ministries and to the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DPPW).
This is a weekly roundup of policy news from March 31-April 6, 2014