Misconduct in virtual hearings may invite contempt, rules Gujarat High Court
All participants will first be placed in a virtual waiting room, where the court master will ensure proper setting and attire. Only one device is allowed for joining the hearing, with all others to be switched off or put in airplane mode.Participants, including advocates, must present themselves from a suitable environment that upholds the court's dignity and are prohibited from moving locations during the live proceedings, especially when joining through a mobile phone.- EndsMust Watch
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Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Indian Express
Four decades on, a renewed demand for Saurashtra bench of Gujarat HC in Rajkot gains momentum
On August 11, a group of lawyers gathered outside the new Rajkot District and Sessions Court building in Madhapar area outside the city, set up a small table with a picture of 'Mother India' and proceeded to sacrifice 111 coconuts at the main door of the building while demanding a bench of the Gujarat High Court in Rajkot for the Saurashtra-Kutch region. This demand has gained momentum days after the Bombay High Court established a fifth bench in Kolhapur, reviving a longstanding request that previously saw major protests in 1983. Over four decades later, the Rajkot Bar Association plans to submit a detailed proposal to the Central Government demanding either a permanent or circuit bench in Rajkot that will cater to 12 of Gujarat's 33 districts. The Gujarat High Court has only one bench, located in Ahmedabad, unlike other major state high courts. Advocates for a separate bench in the Saurashtra-Kutch region argue that the significant distance —up to 450 km from some western coastal districts— makes it costly and time-consuming for litigants and lawyers to appear in person. A day after the symbolic protest by the group of lawyers, the Rajkot Bar Association called a meeting on August 12, to discuss the proposal. 'All citizens are entitled to timely, inexpensive and accessible justice. This is a fundamental right. Taking this into account, we are demanding a bench for Saurashtra-Kutch based in Rajkot,' said Paresh Maru, the President of the Rajkot Bar Association. When asked if one of the requirements for the establishment of a bench in the region would require an amendment of the Bombay State Reorganisation Act (BRSA), Maru said, 'An amendment is required indeed and to that end, we have decided, that instead of giving a simple application to the government, that we will, in consultation with all other Bar Associations across Saurashtra-Kutch, form a team of 30 lawyers to draw on the foundation of the 1983 demand and draft a detailed proposal that can be submitted in the next one month.' The Rajkot Bar Association has decided to reach out to all other Bar Associations across the 12 districts of Saurashtra-Kutch, MLAs, MPs and social sector organisations to seek opinions over the issue. There are approximately 28,000 advocates in the Saurashtra-Kutch region. Talking about the scenario after the 1983 protest, Maru said that several Bar Association leaders and advocate groups had been making this demand over the years but to no avail because 'something that is of wide public interest cannot be obtained easily and there needs to be consistency and will to achieve these ends.' On July 17 this year, the Gujarat Home Department said that in the past six months, 53,672 prisoners appeared before the courts via video conferencing. The Gujarat HC installed 1,100 units of VC systems in the courts across the state. As of now, 83 such systems are operational in the state jails. Sharing about the requirement for a separate bench despite availability of VC facility, Advocate Arjun Patel, who was part of the group of protesting lawyers, said, 'Young lawyers would benefit from in-person proceedings. Currently, the VC systems are not used up to potential because of lack of proceedings can be hindered by sound and video issues, leading to delayed responses. Face-to-face arguments in court are often more effective, and the logistics of traveling between Rajkot's district court and Ahmedabad's High Court is challenging.' Rajkot has the precedent of hosting the higher judiciary on behalf of the entire region, since the time of the British Raj. According to the Rajkot District Court website, 'In the time of the British Government there was one Rajashthanik Court sitting in the premises, now known as Kothi Compound at Rajkot, having two British Judges and one Indian Judge… there was a court of the Judicial Commissioner whose jurisdiction was that of the present High Court.' After Independence, subsequently, Saurashtra High Court was established in Rajkot with Justice Mr MC Shah of the Bombay HC as first Chief Justice. In 1956, the Central Government enacted the States Reorganisation Act, merging Saurashtra and Kutch into Bombay State. Consequently, the Saurashtra High Court was dissolved, and its jurisdiction was transferred to the Bombay High Court, with a bench established in Rajkot to handle Saurashtra district matters. According to the Rajkot District Court website, 'Thereafter, the Bombay High Court used to come to Rajkot for 15 days in a month.' Later, the enactment of the Bombay State Reorganisation Act (BSRA) on May 1, 1960, led to the bifurcation of Bombay into the two states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, removing the Bombay HC's jurisdiction on Rajkot. It was then that the Gujarat HC was established. In 1983, the Gujarat government, led by then Chief Minister Madhavsinh Solanki, established a single-member commission headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice DG Palekar. Notably, the then MPs Chandresh Patel from Jamnagar and Ratilal Kalidas Varma from Dhandhuka had raised questions about establishing a HC bench in Saurashtra during the 14th Lok Sabha session. Ramakant D Khalap, the then MoS Law and Justice, GoI, had replied, 'Representations have been received from Bar Associations from time to time for establishment of benches of Gujarat High Court at Rajkot, Surat, Baroda, Kutch and Bhavnagar'. 'In its report dated August 23, 1985, the one-man Commission, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice DG Palekar, recommended that a circuit bench of the Gujarat High Court could be established on the initiative of the Chief Justice subject to Governor's approval under Section 28(3) of the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960. The Commission also recommended that there were no historical, geographical or even sentimental reasons for establishing permanent benches anywhere in the State. The government accepted the recommendations and sent a copy of the report to the High Court. As such, there is no proposal to constitute any Committee or Commission to consider the demand afresh.' Septuagenarian Advocate Jaydev Shukla, a veteran of the 1983 protests, said another attempt at representation had been made in 1996-97 as well. 'Three bus loads of advocates had gone to Gandhinagar and made a representation to the then CM Shankarsinh Vaghela, following which he wrote to then Chief Justice of India Aziz Mushabber Ahmadi to consider this request.' When asked what had changed between 1983 and 2025, Advocate Maru told the Indian Express, 'There is a vast difference. Currently, the population of Saurashtra-Kutch accounts for 3.3 crore out of 7.4 crore across the entire state. Further, about 35-40% of the total 18.5 lakh cases pending in the Gujarat HC are from Saurashtra and Kutch. This is the second highest case pendency in India after Maharashtra.'
Hans India
17 hours ago
- Hans India
Projects worth Rs 342 cr cleared for cleanliness, beautification drive in Har
Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini directed officials to ensure that the tendering process for civil works in the state is fully transparent, efficient and time-bound to accelerate cleanliness, beautification and infrastructure development in urban areas. He instructed that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) be prepared for the tender process, with clearly defined timelines and responsibilities for each stage, to eliminate unnecessary delays and ensure timely execution of projects. The Chief Minister presided over a meeting of the High Powered Works Purchase Committee (HPWPC) in Panchkula concerning the implementation of various projects in urban local bodies. Urban Local Bodies Minister Sh Vipul Goyal was also present. The committee approved projects worth approximately Rs 342 crore. Through rate negotiations with various bidders, savings of about Rs11.90 crore were achieved. Amrapali' campaign connects society Commissioner and Secretary, Haryana Information, Public Relations and Languages department, Dr. Amit Agrawal, said that the 'Amrapali' campaign connects society with both the environment and tradition, thereby strengthening the foundation of our cultural values. Dr. Agrawal was addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest at the release ceremony of the 'Amrapali' souvenir here today. Earlier, Dr. Amit Agrawal along with Additional Director, Smt. Varsha Khangwal formally released the souvenir, which has been published by Maharani Lakshmi Bai College, Bhiwani Rohilla, Hisar. Commending the efforts of the college's principal, Sharma, said that the 'Amrapali' campaign' – will not only help restore ecological balance but will also contribute to the economic prosperity of farmers. Governor to hoist National Flag in Ambala On the occasion of Independence Day on August 15, Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh will hoist the national flag in Ambala, while Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini will hoist the flag in Rohtak. Energy Minister Sh. Anil Vij will join the Governor in Ambala for the flag hoisting ceremony. Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sh. Harvinder Kalyan will hoist the flag in Panipat, while Deputy Speaker Dr. Krishan Kumar Middha will do so in Sonipat. Media's role crucial in strengthening democratic system Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan said the media plays a vital role in strengthening the democratic system. He said the Vidhan Sabha discusses issues of the public and converts them into laws, and in this process, the media acts as a bridge between the public and the legislature. Kalyan was addressing the gathering after inaugurating a training workshop for media personnel at Haryana Niwas, Chandigarh. He inaugurated the workshop by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The workshop, organised by the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, aimed to brief media personnel about the finer details of the Assembly's proceedings. HIV/AIDS awareness campaign launched Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao appealed to the youth to stay aware about HIV/AIDS and dispel misconceptions related to it. She said with proper information, timely testing and necessary precautions, the disease can be treated. The minister urged the youth not to believe in rumours and to follow verified medical advice. On the occasion of International Youth Day, a state-level programme was organised at Government Girls College, Gurugram, where the Health Minister lit the ceremonial lamp and inaugurated the state-wide Intensified Information, Education and Communication campaign on HIV/AIDS, to be run from August 12 to October 10. She also flagged off a motorcycle and auto rally. Chief Secy reviews progress of 18 projects Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi reviewed the progress of projects worth over Rs100 crore with administrative secretaries. During the meeting, detailed information was given about 18 projects from the Civil Aviation, Health & Family Welfare, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Industries & Commerce, and Power Departments, with a combined value of over Rs21,548 crore. The Chief Secretary directed officials to promptly remove any obstacles in the execution of these projects. He also instructed regular monitoring to ensure timely completion. He said once these projects are completed, they will usher in a new era of socio-economic development in the state and bring meaningful improvements to people's lives. Digital leap in heritage preservation In a significant step towards heritage digitalization, Haryana Heritage and Tourism Minister, Dr. Arvind Kumar Sharma, on Tuesday launched the official website of the Haryana Archaeology and Museums Department ( — from his office at the Haryana Civil Secretariat. Dr. Sharma said that this new platform is an excellent medium to present Haryana's archaeological treasures and cultural richness to audiences across India and the world. This initiative reflects the successful integration of technology in heritage conservation. It will not only strengthen transparency and education but also encourage greater public participation, he said.
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Muslim Marriages Can Be Dissolved Through Verbal Consent: Court
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has ruled that a Muslim marriage can be dissolved through 'Mubaraat', a form of divorce wherein couples can end their marriage through verbal mutual consent without a written agreement in place. A bench of Justices AY Kogje and NS Sanjay Gowda made the observation while recently setting aside a Rajkot family court order which rejected a suit filed by a Muslim couple seeking dissolution of marriage by 'Mubaraat, a form of divorce by mutual consent. The bench sent the matter back to the family court and asked it to conclude the proceedings preferably within a period of three months. Disagreeing with the family court's stand that a written agreement is necessary to dissolve the wedlock, the HC, citing the Quran, Hadith and Muslim Personal Law, noted that such an agreement is not necessary if a Muslim couple seeks dissolution of marriage through mutual consent. Following a marital discord, a young Muslim couple from Rajkot had approached the family court for declaration of their marriage to have been dissolved by 'Mubaraat', which according to the couple, is recognized as a form of divorce by the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. However, the family court rejected the suit holding the petition for declaration of dissolution of marriage by way of 'Mubaraat' is not maintainable in the present form, the HC order stated. The couple challenged the order in the HC, saying the lower court had committed "an error in holding that Mubaraat Agreement is sine qua non (an essential condition) for entertaining such suit, whereas even as per Shariat, requirement of written agreement is not necessary at all". "It is argued that the family court has erroneously considered that agreement to part has only to be in Written Form, whereas Shariat does recognize agreement which is not even in written form," the HC observed. Citing religious texts and Personal Law, the HC noted "There is nothing to suggest that there has to be a written agreement of 'Mubaraat' nor there is a practice prevailing regarding maintaining of the register to record such agreement for mutually dissolved 'Nikah' (marriage)." For the purpose of 'Mubaraat', the expression of a mutual consent for dissolution of 'Nikah' is sufficient to dissolve the marriage in itself, the bench stated. The bench allowed the couple's petition and set aside the lower court's order and sent the matter back to it "to consider the family suit treating it to be maintainable and to proceed on merits". "With due regard to the age and future prospects of both the parties, the (high) court deems fit to direct the family court to conclude the proceedings as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of three months from the date of receipt of the order of this court," the bench said.
