Top News Headlines 4th August 2021: Tribunal Reforms Bill Passed In Lok Sabha

Tribunal Reforms Bill Passed In Lok Sabha

The Tribunal Reforms Bill 2021 ("Bill") was passed in Lok Sabha on Tuesday amid opposition demanding further discussion on the Bill. The Bill seeks to provide for uniform terms and conditions of the various members of the Tribunal and abolish certain tribunals as a part of its bid to rationalize the tribunals. The new Bill, however, has some of the same flaws as the Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021 ("Ordinance") promulgated by the President in April 2021 which it sought to replace. 

What do you think about this case?

Madras High Court Strikes Down Law Banning Online Games With Stakes

The case was of Junglee Games India Private Limited V. State of Tamil Nadu. The Madras High Court on Tuesday struck down the Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 which imposes a ban on playing of games such as rummy and poker on the internet. The decision was given by a Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy. It was held by the court that a blanket ban is violative of Article 19(g) of the Indian Constitution. Part II of the Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 had amended the Tamil Nadu Gaming Act, 1930. The legislation has been declared as unconstitutional.

What do you think about this case?

SC: Witness Cannot Be Prosecuted For Perjury U/S 193 CrPC For Mere Inconsistency In His Statements

The case was of N S Nidiesha Reddy V. Kavita Mahesh. The bench led by CJI NV Ramana observed that the prosecution for perjury cannot be ordered if there is no intentional falsehood uttered. The Court said that mere reference to inconsistent statements alone is not sufficient to take action, unless a definite finding is given that they are irreconcilable. The case was heard by Chief Justice N V Ramana, Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice A S Bopanna. Hence, a witness cannot be made liable for perjury under Section 193 simply because the statements given were inconsistent.

What do you think about this case?

Delhi Court Issues Notice To Honey Singh In Domestic Violence Case

A domestic violence case has been filed against Bollywood Singer and Actor Honey Singh, by his wife, Shalini Talwar. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Tania Singh has also passed interim orders restraining him from disposing of his wife’s joint property and stridhan. The case was filed under Section 12 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The wife has alleged that she was under a constant state of fear of physical harm from the respondent. She has stated that she is entitled to compensation for cruelty from her husband's family. The case is of Shalini Talwar V. Hirdesh Singh and Ors.

What do you think of this case?

SC: State Cannot Plead Financial Burden To Deny Salary To Legally Serving Doctors

The case was of North Delhi Municipal Corporation V. Dr. Ram Naresh Sharma & Ors. The decision was given by the Bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice L Nageswara Rao. The Supreme Court has observed that the state cannot be allowed to plead financial burden to deny salary to legally serving doctors. Allowing such an excuse raised by the state would amount to violation of fundamental rights under Articles 14(right to equality), 21(right to life) and 23(right against bonded labour) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court ordered that the respondent doctors are entitled to full salary arrears and the same was ordered to be disbursed within 8 weeks from this date.

What do you think of this case?

Constitutionality of PM Cares Fund and PMNRF Challenged In Supreme Court

The Special Leave Petition that was filed in the Supreme Court has noted that the High Court was misled to conclude that PM Cares Fund does not receive any budgetary support or any Government money. The PIL challenged the validity of the PM Cares Fund and Prime Minister's National Relief Fund [PMNRF] in light of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and was subsequently dismissed. The SLP states that the funds soak up vast amounts of public money. It also contends that the money, even from Government-controlled funds such as 'Assistance related to Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster' meant for the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, has not been spared and is also being drained into PM Cares Fund.

What do you think about this case?

SG Urges SC To Quash HC Order Granting Anticipatory Bail Due To Apprehension Of Death By COVID

The State of UP had moved the Supreme Court challenging the order of the Allahabad High Court to Grant Anticipatory bail on account of the looming danger to life from the COVID 19 virus. The order of the High Court has been requested to be set aside by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. The Special Leave Petition was being heard by the Bench composed of Justice Vineet Saran and Justice Dinesh Maheswari. The matter has been recently adjourned for hearing on Thursday. 

What do you think of this case?