All accused in Akshardham temple attack case acquitted
The Supreme Court acquitted all six, including two on the death row, holding that the prosecution failed to establish their guilt beyond reasonable doubt in the 2002 attack case.
Hiding information can lead to unseating of elected candidate
Can be disqualified if they fail to disclose information about assets and liabilities of even their spouse and dependent children, says the Supreme Court. The candidate is also under legal obligation to disclose information on his or her criminal antecedents and educational qualifications.
Lt Gen Suhag is new Army chief
The UPA II government makes the appointment before announcement of recent Lok Sabha election results despite objections by BJP.
Forcible marital sex not rape: Court
Delhi sessions court acquits a youth accused of marrying a 21-year-old girl after serving her a sedative-laced drink and raping her.
No rules help Tata Starbucks to get syrups from customs
Imported from USA, the consignment was stopped at the port after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India refused to grant a no objection certificate. The Bombay High Court said the authority does not have any standards for proprietary products like these.
SC to Times Now: Deposit Rs 100 crore in defamation case
The channel can’t appeal against a trial court order asking it to pay Rs 100 crore to a former judge for mistakenly accusing him of a multi-crore Provident Fund scam before it deposits the amount as surety.
$400 million FDI in brownfield pharma cleared
UPA II’s last cabinet meeting cleared the investment proposals by a global buyout fund KKR which will invest and buyout Evolvance India Life Science Fund, which invested $30 million in Gland Pharma in 2008. Hyderabad-based Gland Pharma develops and manufactures generic injectables primarily in the cardiovascular and orthopaedic segment. Brownfield investment is when an MNC acquires existing plants and facilities instead of establishing them.
Consumer fora can't entertain motor accident claims
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has granted relief to Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) from paying Rs 65,000 to a complainant saying consumer fora do not have the jurisdiction to entertain claims arising out of motor vehicle accidents.
Meghalaya bans rat-hole coal mining
Mining and transportation of coal banned after the National Green Tribunal.found that all mines operate in an unscientific manner that leads to widespread environmental degradation and the miners don’t acquire a lease from the government.
Polluters ordered to provide clean drinking water to residents
National Green Tribunal threatens closure if industries in the coal and power hub of Singrauli don’t stop dumping industrial waste into Rihand reservoir and connected rivers. The region is known for its coal reserves but its people suffer from severe pollution, including mercury poisoning.
SC orders temporary closure of half Odisha mines
Iron ore mines ordered to close down due to non-renewal of years-old leases.
Filing of cases to be through e-mail; lawyers and litigants would not be required to visit the court premises with files to deposit hard copies of the documents pertaining to the cases.
Trust president responsible for hospital records
The Bombay High Court rules that the president will be held responsible for any irregularities or inaccurancies in records required to be maintained under the law prohibiting pre-natal sex discernment tests, even if s/he has no medical background or has not passed class 10.
Buyout okay if no change in management: CCI
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) clears Shapoorji Pallonji stake buy in Sterling and Wilson as there's no change in control of management. Sterling and Wilson provides mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services, while Shapoorji Pallonji & Company is engaged in construction business in India and abroad.
This is a roundup of policy news from May 12-19, 2014