• NATIONAL NEWS

Police personnel involved in fake encounter killings deserve harsher punishments: SC

The Apex court has opined that if crimes are committed by ordinary people, ordinary punishment should be given but if the offence is committed by the policemen, much harsher punishment should be given to them because they do an act totally contrary to their duties. "Fake encounter killings by cops are nothing but cold- blooded brutal murder which should be treated as the rarest of rare offence and police personnel responsible for it should be awarded death sentence. They should be hanged," Justice Katju said.

Customs (Amendment And Validation) Bill, 2011- Introduced in Lok Sabha

Customs (Amendment And Validation) Bill, 2011 seeking to clarify the expression "proper officer" in relation to the functions under the Customs Act, 1962 has been introduced in the Lok Sabha on 8th August, 2011.

Damodar Valley Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2011 - Introduced in Lok Sabha

Damodar Valley Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2011proposing to change the composition of the Damodar Valley Corporation and that the Chairman shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation has been introduced in Lok Sabha on 8th August, 2011

Bombay High Court upheld the levy of service tax on property rentals

Bombay High Court has upheld the constitutional validity of levy of service tax on property rentals and power of union government to enact laws to impose service tax on such rentals. Dictating and delivering the judgment in the open court, Justice D Y Chandrachud held that the renting of land and building did comprise a "service" and that the Centre was entitled to levy a tax on it.

SC: SIM Card has no intrinsic sale value as per Sales Tax Act

The amount received by the cellular telephone company from its subscribers towards SIM Card will form part of the taxable value for levy of service tax, for the SIM Cards are never sold as goods independent from services provided. Upholding the judgement of the Kerala High Court, a bench of justices Mukundakam Sharma and A R Dave said the sale of SIM cards was part of the activation and processing fee, on which the telecom firms pay service tax

Lokpal Bill, 2011- Introduced in Lok Sabha

Lokpal Bill, 2011 providing for the establishment of the institution of Lokpal to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries has been introduced in the Lok Sabha. According to the Bill, a serving Prime Minister will be outside the ambit of the proposed legislation. Simply put, the Lokpal cannot inquire into allegations of corruption against the Prime Minister during his tenure. Allegations can be inquired into only after he demits office.

Delhi Government Withdraws the Notification No.1 of 1937 issued under Indian Stamp Act, 1899

Delhi Government has withdrawn the Notification No.1 of 1937 exempting the transactions of reconstruction or amalgamation of companies from the levy of stamp duty. Accordingly, the said transactions are now subjected to levy of stamp duty.

The Court cannot be oblivious of the concept of forum conveniens while entertaining a writ

Delhi High Court has held that while exercising jurisdiction under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, the doctrine of forum conveniens and the nature of cause of action are required to be scrutinized by the High Court depending upon the factual matrix of each case.

Delhi Government Approves the Draft Bill to Make Registration of Marriages Mandatory

Delhi Govt. has cleared the draft bill making it mandatory for the all newly married couples in the capital to register their marriage. The Delhi Registration of Marriage Bill, 2007 also provides for levy of penalty on those who fails to register their marriage within 60 days.

• INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Apple & Samsung dethrones Nokia in Smart phones sales

Recent reports in the Economic Times named Samsung and Apple as the leaders of the smart phone market. The report was backed by well researched stats to show how sales figures for smartphones of these two global giants outnumbered that of the other competitors. Apple accounted for 18.5% of global smartphone shipments in the second-quarter, compared with 13.5% a year earlier, Strategy Analytics said in an e-mailed statement on Friday. Nokia dropped to third place, falling behind Samsung after the Finnish company's market share declined to 15.2% from 38.1%, the analysts said.

Legal Action to Disqualify Pakistan PM

Lahore High Court (LHC) has admitted a petition seeking disqualification of the prime minister and action against him for allegedly defying court orders and subverting the constitution.

Australia's releases carbon tax legislation

Draft Legislation detailing how its carbon pricing mechanism will be structured and enforced has been released by Australia. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, is hoping to present the final legislation to the House of Representatives in September.