• NATIONAL NEWS

Delhi HC directs MCD to check stray cattle and illegal diaries

Delhi HC has directed the MCD to implement high court directives on relocating dairies to Ghogha Dairy colony and ensure that the menace of stray cattle on roads and illegal colonies does not return.

Delhi HC drops MCOCA charges against Abu Salem

Delhi HC has dropped MCOCA charges against Abu Salem, it would help CBI in defending Salem's extradition case before the constitutional court in Portugal.

Rent hikes cannot be denied on the ground that property is being used for public service: Delhi Court

Delhi court has directed postal department to pay damages to landlady for refusing to pay revised rent saying that there was no law that provides for differential treatment for those providing public utility services.

Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Bill passed by Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha has passed the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Bill providing for stringent punishment for sexual assault against a minor and making sex below 18 years of age an offence, by increasing age of consent from 16 years to 18 years.

Union Cabinet clears Education Bills

The union cabinet has cleared National Accreditation Regulatory Authority For Higher Educational Institutions Bill and Universities for Research and Innovation Bill in the education sector allowing for mandatory accreditation of higher educational institutions.

Tejinder Singh withdraws plea filed against Army Chief

SC has dismissed as withdrawn the writ petition filed by retired Lt Gen Tejinder Singh seeking CBI inquiry into alleged misconduct of Army Chief Gen V K Singh.

Cabinet clears Micro Finance Bill and Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill

Union Cabinet has cleared the micro finance bill to regulate micro finance industry and bring micro lenders under the purview of Reserve Bank of India. Also, approved the protection of women from sexual harassment at workplace bill making it mandatory for all workplaces to constitute internal committee to redress of complaints.

PIL against Andhra Judge's selection admitted by SC

The Apex Court has agreed to hear a PIL seeking to quash appointment of a sitting Andhra Pradesh high court judge for allegedly suppressing information relating to pendency of criminal case against at the time of his elevation to the constitutional post.

Trial court reserves order on facebook plea

Trial court has reserved its order on a plea seeking the deletion of its name from a suit against social networking websites for hosting alleged objectionable contents on the grounds it is not responsible for the contents appearing on its websites.

Bank has to pay for cheque encashed by fraud: Consumer forum

A consumer forum has recently held a bank guilty of deficiency for attempting to absolve itself of responsibility in a fraudulent cheque encashment case which was evidently tampered with.

Union Cabinet approves Marriage Amendment Bill

Union cabinet has cleared the marriage amendment bill seeking to amend Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act, 1954 legislating a women's right to marital property acquired during the subsistence of marriage. However, government has sought to restrict the provisions for 'immovable property' to residential property.

Vikas Yadav seeks benefit of doubt in Nitish Katara murder case

In Nitish Katara murder case, Vikas Yadav has pleaded that he deserves the benefit of doubt of a statement that it was "less likely" that the recovered hammer caused fatal injuries to the victim.

Delhi Government approves relief plan for rape victims

Delhi Government has approved a comprehensive compensation scheme for victims of rape, acid attacks, human trafficking, child abuse and kidnapping.

Delhi HC gives two days to ND Tiwari to decide in a paternity suit

Delhi HC has asked ND Tiwari to inform within two days whether he wants to voluntarily give his blood samples for a DNA test in a paternity suit or police force be used for obtaining it.

Allahabad HC upholds land acquisition in Noida Extension

Allahabad HC has dismissed the review petition filed by farmers and Greater Noida Authority in the land acquisition case while refusing to quash acquisition of the village land acquired by using the urgency clause.

RBI releases draft Overseas Investment (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2012 for Core Investment Companies

RBI has released the draft Overseas Investment (Reserve Bank) directions, 2012 for core investment companies seeking to control their investment in the financial sector overseas. [File attached]

SC orders CBI probe into Former Karnataka CM BSY's link to illegal mining

SC has directed CBI to probe into former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa's link to illegal mining in the state. The recommendation for an investigation was made by SC appointed panel, which has been overseeing the clampdown on illegal mining.

Panel to probe illegal drug approval

A three member expert committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the director general of Indian council of Medical Research to examine the illegal drug approval.

Government can fix higher stamp duty on suspicious transactions: SC

The apex court has ruled that state can fix higher stamp duty on property transactions carried out through power attorney vested in an outsider, against such power executed through one's blood relatives saying that government can adopt differential stamp duties to check evasion and sale transactions resorted through and for extraneous considerations.

Karnataka HC directs centre to work out modalities for regulation of broadcast media

Karnataka HC has directed the centre to consider working out the modalities for regulating the broadcast media through a statutory framework, including provision of a mechanism to address grievances while pressing for the need to establish an autonomous and statutory mechanism to regulate the broadcast media, including television channels.

Trial Court requires Chief Justice permission for FIR order against sitting judicial officer: Del HC

Delhi HC has held that trial court does not need the sanction of the High Court to hear a complaint filed against a sitting judicial officer, but it requires the permission of the chief justice for ordering registration of a criminal case against him saying that CrPC does not mandate the permission of this court is required first to proceed with the case.

A donor need not be a close relative of the patient: Delhi HC

Delhi HC has ruled that a donor need not be a close relative of the patient while holding that commercial transaction are prohibited in the giving and taking of organs. However, donations offered out of love and affection, even among those who are not near relatives are permitted.

Delhi court grants bail to former Telecom Minister A Raja: 2G case

A special CBI court has granted bail to former telecom minister A Raja on his furnishing personal and surety bonds of Rs 20 lakh each. A Raja was also directed not to visit Tamil Nadu without the court's prior permission.

SC refuses to quash Sachin's nomination to Rajya Sabha

The Apex court has refused to quash Sachin's nomination to Rajya Sabha while directing the petitioner to approach High Court with his plea. It was alleged by the petitioner that Sachin was not entitled to nomination as Article 80 prescribes that only persons of eminence in the field of art, literature and science to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

RBI asks banks to fix cheque-clearing fees on a "cost plus" basis

RBI has directed banks to fix their charges on a "cost plus" basis and said that banks can no longer fix their charges as a percentage of the value of the cheque, thereby , the clearing fee for high value outstation cheues are set to come down.

Government to set up RTI site, call centre to facilitate easy exchange of information

Government has decided to set up a state-of-the-art call centre and an interactive website to facilitate easy exchange of information related to the transparency law to citizens.

Order reserved in criminal defamation complaint filed by Lt Gen ( Retd) Tejinder Singh

Trial court has reserved its order for May 18 on a criminal defamation complaint filed by Lt Gen ( Retd) Tejinder Singh seeking summoning of Army chief general VK Singh and four others in the case.

Public Procurement Bill, 2012 introduced in Lok Saha

Public Procurement Bill, 2012 has been introduced in Lok Sabha to regulate public procurement with the objectives of ensuring transparency, accountability in the procurement process, fair and equitable treatment of bidders, promoting competition and public confidence in the procurement process.

Shah Rukh Khan banned from Mumbai's Wankhade stadium for alleged misbehaviour

Mumbai Cricket Association has banned Shah Rukh Khan for life from entering the premises of Mumbai's Wankhade stadium for his alleged misbehaviour against MCA officials. However, an inquiry into the matter is pending.

Government's reply sought on public funds being spend on ads for leaders

Delhi HC asks government to respond to PIL seeking directions from the centre for prevention of misuse of public money and audit by CAG of the accounts to ascertain from where the sum is utilized by the parties for such advertisements to eulogize their leaders.

Delhi HC reserves Order on IPG's plea against strike restraint

Delhi HC has reserved its order on a plea by a section of AI pilots against single-judge order restraining them from continuing their "illegal strike".

Lokpal Bill unlikely to be discussed in the current session of Rajya Sabha

Lokpal Bill is likely to moved and discussed in the ongoing session of the Rajya Sabha as significant difference remain unresolved on aspects of the legislation like control over CBI and the appointing authority for the anti-corruption ombudsman.

Delhi HC seeks government's reply on a plea for prosecution of Nirmal Baba

Delhi HC has sought government's reply on a plea for prosecution of self proclaimed godman Nirmal Baba in petition seeking court's order for registration of an FIR against the Nirmal Baba under Drug and Magic remedies objectionable Advertisement Act.

Government Considering private sector corruption law

In an attempt to bring the fight against bribery to the private sector, the government is working on tough amendments to the anti-corruption law and has circulated the draft amendment to states for their comments.

CBI gets government nod to attach assets of Jagan Mohan Reddy's business

Andhra Pradesh government has issued government orders permitting CBI to prohibit sale, pledge and transfer of ownership of properties belonging to YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his associates.

Finance Minister tables White paper on black money today

Finance Minister has tabled a White paper on black money in parliament today. The said paper is likely to focus on comprehensive strategy to bring back black money stashed abroad and recommend more transparency in land dealings.

Delhi HC directs state government to recruit educators in three months

Delhi HC has granted three months time to the state government to employ special educators for differently-abled students of MCD schools in a contempt plea filed against the state government for failure to notify the rules to employ special educators.

GAAR Provisions to be part of Direct Taxes Code, likely to be tabled in Monsoon Session of Parliament

GAAR provisions as approved by the parliament are likely to be part of the direct taxes code bill to be tabled in monsoon session of the parliament. The government is considering to implement both GAAR and direct taxes coded from April, 2013.

Standing Committee Report on Land Acquisition Bill Tabled in Parliament

Standing committee on rural development has sought a thorough tightening of the provisions and proposed key changes to the land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement bill. Also, recommended a bar on the acquisition of land by government for industrial use. However, it is likely that government may reject the recommendation of parliamentary panel.

Commission of Inquiry to probe scams during Mayawati's tenure

Commission of Inquiry to be headed by a retired judicial officer will be set up by UP State Government to probe into all alleged scams during the tenure of BSP Government under Government.

Jal Mahal land lease annulled by Rajasthan High Court

The High Court has annulled the land lease agreement holding that the State had no right to lease out public property. The Jal Mahal Resorts Pvt. Ltd. has been directed to return the entire land to the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation.

Cabinet clears proposed amendment allowing wife to get half a share in husband's residential property

The Government finally agreed to make necessary amendments in divorce laws whereby allowing women half a share in the husband's residential property irrespective of the fact as to whether the same was acquired before or during the marriage.

• INTERNATIONAL NEWS

UK law that bans insulting words faces opposition

several groups in Britain have appealed to home secretary to reform a law that bans 'insulting words or behaviour' in public on grounds that it strangles free speech. The campaign supported by many MPs is called 'Feel Free to Insult Me' , and is directed at Section 5 of the 1986 Public Order Act, which outlaws 'insulting words or behaviour' in public places. It has been appealed to UK home secretary that the word 'insulting' be dropped from the section. The section has led to many people being arrested and penalized, including Christian street preachers, critics of Scientology , gay rights campaigners and students making jokes.

US House OKs bill for rider on Pakistan aid

The Republican-majority US House of Representatives has passed the $643 billion defence authorization bill for 2013 that among other things calls for certain conditions for American aid to Pakistan. The NDAA imposes conditions on Pakistan for receiving economic and military aid from the US based on Islamabad's action against terrorists and IEDs. It also prohibits the preferential procurement of goods or services from Pakistan till Islamabad reopens the crucial Nato supply routes to Afghanistan, which were closed after of the death of 24 Pakistani soldiers on November 26 last year in a Nato cross-border fire.