Landmark Court Cases

 India Legal News: A special court here on Saturday dismissed Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy's plea that requested to make Home Minister P. Chidambaram, co-accused with the former Telecom Minister. The petition read that the then finance minister colluded with A.

The Supreme Court of India, in its landmark judgment, pronounced passive euthanasia as permissible under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code. The main ground for adjudication before the apex court was whether a person who advertently refuses to accept life saving treatments or food in order to die, commits a crime under IPC section 309 (suicide attempt).

 A CCTV garb of Mohammed Ajmal Aamir Kasab, a 23 year old from Faridkot village of Punjab, Pakistan, became the most recognizable mascot of terrorism for Indians post 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Following his arrest on November 27, 2008, from Girgaum Chowpatty in South Mumbai, 86 counts were filed against the lone survivor Out of a gang of 10 who arrived to unleash terror in the financial capital of India. Bombay High Court heard this highly sensitive case.

 Public interest litigation is an integral part of Indian law and its legal system. In August 2010, the Central Government informed the Madras High Court that it has decided to introduce new rules to form a regulatory authority to streamline the operations of law firms in India.  

Mr. M. Ravindran, additional solicitor-general and a senior advocate from South India, made this submission, in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The PIL demanded the restriction of foreign law firms from functioning in India. This PIL was filed by Advocate A.K Balaji.

In July 2010, the Supreme Court has denied disability pension to an ex-serviceman who has opted for voluntary retirement. Further, the apex court held regulation 50 of military service rules as valid in accordance with the Constitution of India.

As per the Constitution of India, every citizen has the right to education and procreation, though not necessarily both at one go. In an interesting twist of events, almost like something out of a film, on July 13, 2010, the Delhi High Court ruled that a pregnant woman student cannot be barred from taking examinations in any semester, due to attendance shortage. The court directed the Delhi University and Bar Council of India, to relax the strict attendance rules, for students who are unable to attend classes, due to pregnancy.

As per India legal news reports, the Madras High Court has held that the courts in the country have jurisdiction to address matrimonial cases, which involve Hindus and are governed by the Hindu Marriage Act, including those cases where the opposite party is a foreign citizen, residing outside India.

In a country like India, which is a melting pot of religious and cultural diversity, religious conflicts are not uncommon. Thousands of Indians are killed in riots that break out due to communal tensions. Instances of Hindus being forcefully converted to other religions have been condemned by most organizations. Force in any form, whether it is by threat, fear, force or economic offers, is not considered legal. The Constitution of India has established the country as a secular one.

Did you know that there are over 1,639 unauthorized colonies in Delhi? Imagine what the statistics are in other states! The State Government has admitted in an RTI reply that there is no Indian law to restrict the growth of illegal colonies. Further, it has said that the lack of Indian laws pertaining to unauthorized colonies has failed the purpose of planned development. Also, the urban development department said that no legal action has been taken till date against anyone, for the commission of such offence.

India legal news reports indicate that the Supreme Court on July 7, 2010 ruled that two-wheeler manufacturers will have to sell helmets along with the vehicles. Further, the headgears should be Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certified. The apex court passed the order on rejecting the plea of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), against an order of the High Court, pertaining to the matter.