India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
New Delhi [India], March 30 (ANI): A Public Interest Litigation has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking the establishment of a dedicated Revenue Judicial Service Cadre for adjudication of land disputes across India. The petition, filed by advocate and social activist Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, calls for structural reforms in the existing system of land dispute resolution. The plea primarily urges the apex court to direct the Centre and State governments to constitute a specialised judicial cadre to handle disputes relating to title, succession, inheritance, possession and other property rights. It relies on the Allahabad High Court's judgment in Chandra Bhan vs Deputy Director of Consolidation (2005), which had recommended the creation of such a framework. The petitioner has further sought directions to prescribe minimum legal qualifications and a comprehensive judicial training module, in consultation with the High Courts, for officers adjudicating land disputes. In addition, the petition seeks a declaration that adjudication of property rights by public servants lacking formal legal education and judicial training is legally impermissible. It also prays that such adjudication be placed under the supervision and monitoring of the respective High Courts to ensure consistency, independence and adherence to legal principles. The petitioner has contended that land disputes constitute a substantial portion of civil litigation in India, yet they are currently decided by revenue and consolidation officers who often do not possess formal legal education. As per the plea, this results in inconsistent, arbitrary and legally unsustainable decisions, which in turn lead to prolonged litigation, repeated appeals and an increased burden on the judiciary. Highlighting the constitutional dimensions, the petition argues that the existing system violates Article 14 by permitting arbitrary and unequal decision-making, as similarly placed litigants may receive different outcomes depending on the legal understanding of the officer. It further contends that the lack of legal expertise and procedural fairness in adjudication undermines Article 21, which guarantees fair and effective access to justice. The plea also raises concerns regarding the separation of powers under Article 50, stating that entrusting judicial functions to executive officers--who remain subject to administrative control, transfers and disciplinary mechanisms compromises judicial independence. It argues that such a framework creates a risk of external influence, local pressure and institutional bias in decision-making. Further, the petitioner has pointed out practical difficulties in the current system, including a lack of continuity due to frequent transfers of officers, the absence of consistent legal training, and the dual role of revenue officials who perform both administrative and adjudicatory functions. These factors, the plea states, adversely affect the quality, consistency and timeliness of decisions in land disputes, many of which directly impact livelihood and economic stability. The petition also notes that despite the Allahabad High Court's 2005 ruling recognising the need for legally trained adjudicators in such matters, the directions have not been implemented uniformly across the country. It argues that since land disputes across states involve similar legal questions, a uniform national framework is necessary to ensure consistency, predictability and equal protection of laws. Through this PIL, the petitioner has sought comprehensive reforms to ensure that adjudication of land disputes is carried out by legally qualified and judicially trained professionals within an independent framework, thereby strengthening the rule of law and improving access to justice for citizens. (ANI)
Story so far: India celebrated its 75th year of adoption of its Constitution on Tuesday (November 26, 2024) with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint session of parliament. While the Constitution of India hits its diamond jubilee this year, event commemorating is as 'Constitution Day' was started only in 2015. Prior to this, it was called 'National Law Day' -- first initiated by former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Laxmi Mall Singhvi in 1979. "The Indian Constitution is a live, progressive document," said Ms. Murmu adding, "I urge all citizens to imbibe the constitutio ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Congress on Wednesday gave a notice to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the Lok Sabha to discuss the recent statements made by a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court. "I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent importance, namely:- The recent statements made by a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court..." said K. Suresh, Congress MP and party's Chief Whip in the Lower Hosue. He said in the notice ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Dec 15 (VOICE) Three accused in Atul Subhash's suicide case -- his wife, her mother and brother -- who were arrested by Bengaluru Police, have been sent to 14-day judicial custody, officials said here on Sunday.A senior police officer said Atul Subhash's wife Nikita Singhania was arrested from Haryana's Gurugram and her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania were nabbed in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The accused persons were produced before the court and were sent to judicial custody for 14 days. After nabbing the accused persons, the Karnataka Police brought them to Ben ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Dec 18 (PTI) Noise levels exceeded the prescribed limits during singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh's concert here on Saturday, the Chandigarh administration told the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday. The submission was made by the administration before a division bench of the high court. "Strict action" has been recommended against the violators, the court was further informed. On December 13, the high court had allowed Dosanjh's event scheduled to take place the next evening, with a direction that the organisers comply with the noise pollution regulations. While greenlighti ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought the stand of comptroller and auditor general of India (CAG) on a PIL seeking its 14 reports on city administration to be made public. A bench of Justices Yashwant Varma and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar asked CAG to explain why its report could not be made public, and posted the hearing on January 24. Also Read | Karnataka Shocker: Woman Throws 4 Children Into Canal in Vijayapura Allegedly Due to Financial Distress, 2 Bodies Recovered. Brij Mohan, a retired civil servant, who filed the PIL said the voters in Delhi must be aware of ...Read More >
Bengaluru, June 5 (PTI) In a major development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday suspended Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda and several other senior police officials in connection with the stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people. He also ordered the arrest of representatives of the RCB team, the event management firm DNA Entertainment Private Limited, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), hours after an FIR was registered against them under various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The state government ...Read More >
Berhampur (Odisha), Jun 6 (PTI) Environmental activist Medha Patkar on Saturday appealed to the people of Odisha for protection of Rushikulya river. The government planned to construct a dam in the river Pipalapnaka under Sorada block in the district. While participating in the Save Rushikulya river movement in Ganjam district, she said, "Rivers may be small or big, but they are our mother. We have to protect the rivers from attacks." She attended a meeting were organised by the Rushikulya Banchao Kriyaanusthan Committee (RBKC) and the Centre for Climate Justice, spearheading the agitation a ...Read More >
From hospitals to exams, people's distrust of public institutions is growing because of past mistakes and broken promises In Prayagraj, student protests outside the UPPSC office slowed down after the government agreed to hold the provincial civil services exam on a single day. The decision to split the exam across two days was not a big issue in itself -- officials explained it was because there were so many applicants. This is a common practice both in India and around the world. However, what really upset students was the intense competition for government jobs, which are hard to get, along ...Read More >
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (November 26, 2024), indicated a level of hypocrisy attached to criticism about Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), saying ""EVMs are tampered when you lose and fine if you win". The oral remark was made by Justice Vikram Nath before dismissing a petition filed by evangelist K.A. Paul, who urged for a judicial order to return to paper ballots. Also read:EVM-VVPAT case | Cannot disclose 'source code' of EVMs, will result in misuse: Supreme Court Justice Nath, during the hearing, asked Mr. Paul whether he wanted to turn the court into a political arena. Mr. Paul sa ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (VOICE) The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that no fresh suits would be registered under the Places of Worship Act in the country, and in the pending cases, no final or effective orders would be passed till further orders of the Apex Court. A Special Bench headed by CJI Sajiv Khanna asked the Union government to file within four weeks its reply to the clutch of petitions challenging the validity of the 1991 Act, which prohibits the filing of a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947. The Bench, also c ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 28 (VOICE) The Muslim women have been empowered further by the Central government as they have been also included as members of the Waqf boards. Some of the key provisions of the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025 are as follows: two Muslim women will continue to be included as members in both the State Waqf Boards (Section 14) and the Central Waqf Council (Section 9) to ensure Muslim women's empowerment and participation in waqf management. Also, the State Waqf Boards will now include one member from the Muslim OBC community, ensuring broader representation (Section 14). The informat ...Read More >
New Delhi: Observing that "criminalisation of politics is a very major issue", the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre and Election Commission of India (ECI) to respond to a PIL challenging election of convicted persons as MPs/MLAs. The development took place during the resumed hearing of a plea filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, seeking lifelong disqualification of MPs and MLAs convicted of criminal offences. The PIL has challenged provisions of the Representation of the People Act (RPA) that bar convicted politicians from contesting polls for six years after serving jail terms. A be ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to introduce ballot paper in place of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines). A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Varale rejected the prayer to return to the ballot system due to the alleged manipulability of EVMs. "When you lose, EVMs are tampered with; when you win, EVMs are fine," remarked the apex court, when the petitioner referred to the statements made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor Jagan Mohan ...Read More >
A top Army officer has raised significant concerns in his review of women Commanding Officers (COs), flagging "ego issues", "frequent complaints", and "lack of empathy". The feedback letter was written by Lieutenant General Rajeev Puri, the outgoing Corps Commander of the 17 Corps, to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command. The letter, dated October 1, 2024, provides an analysis of challenges observed in units led by women COs within the 17 Corps over the past year. The letter has sparked discussions within the military and among defence analysts about the Army's effor ...Read More >
The Supreme Court halted new temple-mosque legal battles. The court will review the 1991 law impacting religious site status. This law froze the status of religious sites as of August 15, 1947. Several cases, including Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah, challenge this law. The law's validity is being questioned. The court's decision impacts ongoing and future disputes.In its ruling on the keenly-watched Place of Worship Act case, the Supreme Court said on December 12 that no new Mandir-Masjid suits are to ...Read More >
Guwahati, Jan 31 (PTI) The Gauhati High Court has issued notices to the Assam government and its various departments over rampant rat-hole coal mining and asked them to furnish what steps they have taken to stop the unlawful activity. Taking suo motu cognizance of the Dima Hasao coal mining tragedy, the high court registered a public interest litigation on Monday and issued notices the next day to seven government departments, including the office of the chief secretary. "The court has taken note of various reports which suggest that around more than 200 rat-hole mines are in operation in Um ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], June 7 (ANI): Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the 'government of the day is handicapped' as it can't register a first information report and said that the three-decades-old judicial order provides a 'virtually impregnable cover'. The Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, today said, 'The Government of the day is handicapped. It can't register an FIR. Because there is a judicial order. And that judicial order is more than three decades old. It provides virtually impregnable cover. Unless permission is accorded by a functionary at the highest level in ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Thursday said India has continuously aspired to become a hub of international arbitration by building a progressive legislative framework, a pro-enforcement judiciary and robust institutional support. In his keynote address on "Arbitrating Indo-UK Commercial Disputes" as part of the London International Disputes Week, the CJI said India and the United Kingdom shared a rich history, bound by a common legal heritage rooted in the principles of common law. He referred to the July 2018 memorandum of understanding signed between India and ...Read More >
New Delhi: Former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination, has moved the Supreme Court for anticipatory bail. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma is scheduled to hear the plea on January 15. Khedkar has challenged the December 23 2024 Delhi High Court order which refused to grant her anticipatory bail. The high court said a strong prima facie case was made out against Khedkar and an investigation was required to unearth the "larger conspiracy" to manipulate the system ...Read More >
New Delhi, January 27: The Supreme Court has upheld an order passed by the apex court registry in August 2024 refusing to admit a lawyer's application seeking direction to SEBI to submit its conclusive probe report into the Adani-Hindenburg controversy. Advocate Vishal Tiwari had moved an appeal against the order passed by the Registrar on August 5 last year. Earlier on July 15, 2024, the top court had dismissed a review petition filed against its earlier verdict refusing to form any SIT or group of experts to conduct an investigation. After perusing the review petition, a bench, headed by th ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to grant anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. The matter was heard by a bench consisting of justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma. "What is the grave crime she has committed? She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed 302 (murder). She is not an NDPS offender", said the bench. "You should have a system or software. You complete the investigation. She has lost everything and will not ge ...Read More >
The agency has now moved a fresh plea for their remand in the court, saying the duo need to be interrogated about alleged involvement of other senior officials of NCLT in the bribery case. The CBI has approached a city court seeking custody of deputy registrar of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai bench, arrested for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 3 lakh from a businessman for helping to favourably settle ownership dispute of a hotel. The CBI on May 29 arrested de ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said his government's policies and decisions were aimed at boosting India's strength and unity in line with the Constitution, while the opposition Congress had "tasted blood" by repeatedly wounding it.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said his government's policies and decisions were aimed at boosting India's strength and unity in line with the Constitution, while the opposition Congress had "tasted blood" by repeatedly wounding it. Replying to a t ...Read More >
New Delhi, May 20 (UNI) In a landmark judgment impacting judicial service aspirants across the country, the Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated the requirement of a minimum three years of advocacy practice for candidates applying to entry-level judicial posts. The ruling clarifies that this condition will apply prospectively to future recruitment processes and not affect any judicial recruitment exercises already initiated by High Courts before this date. A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, Justice AG Masih, and Justice K Vinod Chandran delivered the verdict in ...Read More >
JAMMU, June 5: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today arrested a Deputy Forester and a Forest Guard red-handed for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 11,000 from a complainant in the Kalidhar Range of Chowki Choura Block. An ACB official said the officials-Surinder Kumar, then posted as Deputy Forester, and Kewal Krishan, then Forest Guard-had demanded a total bribe of Rs 14,000 for the release of an additional CDR related to the construction of 126 boundary pillars in Compartment number 12/K, Nada Chargiyal Forest. According to him, the work had been allotted under e-NIT number 27 of 202 ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
(The Hindu) - Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has said that he and his colleagues in the Supreme Court have publicly pledged to not undermine the public's trust in judicial integrity by accepting post-retirement roles or positions from the government. Speaking at a roundtable discussion at the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, CJI Gavai observed that post-retirement posts that align former judges completely with the government of the day "can create a perception that judicial decisions were influenced by expectations of future political or governmental roles", LiveLaw reported. CJI Gavai ...Read More >
Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna affirms the Supreme Court will not revert to the old method of adjournment requests via circulated letters, noting it as inefficient. He acknowledges the Indian legal system's evolution and emphasizes the Constitution's role in India's democratic growth during the Constitution Day celebration. In a bid to maintain judicial efficiency, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna declared on Tuesday that the Supreme Court will not revert to its earlier practice of handling adjournment requests through letter circulation. Speaking at the Constitution Day event hosted by the ...Read More >