Latest news with #A-G
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Will not either publish or circulate Cunha Commission's report on stampede for now, A-G gives undertaking to Karnataka High Court
The State government on Tuesday gave an undertaking to the High Court of Karnataka that it would neither publish nor circulate the John Michael Cunha Commission report on the stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on June 4. State Advocate-General gave this assurance before a Division Bench, comprising Justice Jayant Banerji and Justice Umesh M. Adiga, during the hearing on a petition filed by DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt. Ltd., the event management partner of Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd., which owns Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). DNA had filed the petition complaining that the commission violated the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act (CoI Act), 1952, in the procedure adopted in conducting the inquiry, while contending that the commission had not given an opportunity to DNA to cross-examine witnesses. While it has been alleged in the petition that the government had leaked the commission's report to the media, the A-G told the court the government had nothing to do with reports in the media. In response to A-G Shashi Kiran Shetty's undertaking, senior advocate B.K. Sampath Kumar, appearing for DNA, told the Bench that the government, while refusing to give a copy of the commission's report to DNA, had responded in writing that the report of the commission was already given to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is probing the stampede incident based on three First information Reports registered on June 5. However, the A-G said that the CID has been investigating the stampede incident from June. Meanwhile, the Bench orally remarked that 'some observations in the commission's report are shocking... they are all not hardened criminals... we are not making any observations at this stage', while adjourning hearing on the petition till September 4 as the A-G stated that the government would file its written objection to the petition. Earlier, the Bench posed some questions to the A-G about certain differences in the procedure followed by the commission and the provisions in the Act.
The Hindu
11-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chennai Corporation conservancy workers' protest: Madras High Court to hear writ petition on August 13
The Madras High Court on Monday (August 11, 2025) adjourned to Wednesday (August 13) the hearing on a writ petition filed by Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam (UUI) to quash a resolution passed by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on June 16, 2025, for outsourcing sanitary work in Zone 6 to Telangana-based Delhi MSW Solutions Limited, a private entity. Justice K. Surender deferred the hearing after Advocate General (A-G) P.S. Raman requested some time to file a fresh counter affidavit. The A-G said, he had made certain corrections to a counter affidavit, already served on the petitioner's counsel, and the fresh counter affidavit had to be signed by the Corporation Commissioner. During the preliminary arguments on Monday, there was a heated exchange of words, with the petitioner's counsel stating that nearly 2,000 conservancy workers had been protesting on the roads for over 10 days against the GCC's engagement of a private contractor to carry out sanitary work in Zone 6, while the civic body continued to turn a deaf ear. Workers 'thrown out like garbage' 'I am arguing a case as well as a cause. Two thousand people are on the streets. They have been thrown out like garbage. They (GCC) are treating sanitary workers like garbage. They cannot do this to Aruthathiyar, Adi Dravidars, and women. It has now become a battle between David and Goliath,' the petitioner's counsel told the court. He went on to state: 'We (sanitary workers) are the little people. The Constitution is for us. Let them (GCC) serve the Constitution, not the contractors.' Denying the charges, the A-G said, the sanitary workers were in safe hands and nothing adverse to their interests had happened. He said, everything would be explained in the counter affidavit. Denying the A-G's claim of the sanitary workers being safe, the petitioner's counsel insisted on issuing an interim injunction restraining the GCC from outsourcing the services of the temporary sanitary workers, originally appointed under the National Urban Livelihood Mission and through self-help groups, in Zone 6. After hearing them for a while, the judge decided to grant time for filing a fresh counter affidavit and hear the matter next on Wednesday. The petitioner organisation's president K. Bharathi had filed an affidavit stating its members were serving as temporary sanitary workers in Zones 5, 6, and 7 of the GCC. Petitioner's affidavit The deponent claimed the GCC had no authority whatsoever to outsource sanitary work to private contractors, and that it must be done either through permanent or temporary workers engaged by it directly. He also contended the temporary workers had every right to be absorbed in permanent vacancies. He contended that though Section 82 of the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act of 1919 empowers the civic body to call for tenders for execution of any work or supply of any material or goods, the term 'any work' must be read conjunctively, and not disjunctively, with the words 'any material or goods.' Further, stating that an industrial dispute had been raised with respect to outsourcing sanitary work in Zone 6 and the State government had referred the dispute to the Industrial Tribunal for adjudication on July 28, 2025, the deponent claimed the sanitary work could not be outsourced without the permission of the tribunal. CJ's Bench In the meantime, an advocate made a mention before the first Division Bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan regarding reported traffic disruption being caused due to the sanitary workers protesting outside the Ripon Buildings, housing the GCC head office. The advocate claimed even ambulances were slowed down on the road opposite the Corporation office due to the protests, and sought an early hearing of a public interest litigation petition to be filed by him during the course of the day. The judges agreed to hear the matter on Tuesday (August 12).
IOL News
08-08-2025
- Business
- IOL News
KZN Legislature tackles financial challenges in Nongoma Municipality
Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and officials from Nongoma Local Municipality at a meeting on Thursday. Image: Supplied The new leadership in the Nongoma Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal is expected to turn things around from poor financial controls dating back to 2023. The KZN Legislature Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Portfolio Committee held a meeting with municipal officials on Thursday, to address challenges highlighted by the Auditor-General of South Africa (A-G). Marlaine Nair, the portfolio committee chairperson, said the committee had resolved to hold meetings with municipalities that have received adverse audits, disclaimer audits, and qualified audit reports from the A-G in the last financial year. She said that Nongoma's 2023/24 audit reflects areas of concern that require attention. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'After four consecutive years of unqualified audit opinions, the municipality has now received a qualified opinion, which indicates a weakening of internal controls and governance processes,' she said. Nair said this is accompanied by notable compliance challenges, including R65 million in unauthorised expenditure written off, R45 million in unresolved irregular expenditure, as well as persistent weaknesses in procurement and financial management. Nair stated that financial sustainability is also under pressure; according to the A-G report, the municipality faces a growing debtor book, with R79 million in outstanding debt, most of which is over 90 days. Additionally, government departments owe over R34 million, placing further strain on cash flow and the municipality's ability to maintain consistent service delivery. Nair said that Thursday's engagement was not just about identifying shortcomings, but also about finding practical solutions and supporting the municipality in getting back on track. 'We are here to work together towards improving public confidence, ensuring responsible financial management, and ultimately strengthening service delivery for the people of Nongoma,' she said In July 2025, the Inkatha Freedom Party took charge of the municipality after a vote of no confidence was passed in the municipal council against the National Freedom Party (NFP) leadership. Mbekezeli Zondo was elected as the new mayor, with Sinethemba Mbongwa elected speaker and the EFF's Mthokozisi Luvuno voted deputy mayor. At the meeting on Thursday, the Nongoma Municipality stated that it has capacitated its Supply Chain Management systems and taken steps to resolve the findings in a turnaround plan. Staff from the expenditure unit will also undergo Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts (MSCOA) training by August 31, 2025. A cash flow committee is expected to be established by the end of August 2025. The municipality stated that in its turnaround strategy, it has limited the outsourcing of municipal services, including the hiring of cars and trucks. Members of the portfolio committee commended Nongoma Municipality for implementing the turnaround strategy to improve performance.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Karnataka High Court to pronounce its verdict on June 12 on legality of arrest of RCB and DNA executives in stampede case
The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday reserved its order on the petitions filed by four representatives of Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd. (RCSPL) and DNA Networks Pvt. Ltd., who have questioned the legality of their arrest in connection with the June 4 stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in the city during the celebration of RCB's victory in IPL-2025 tournment. Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar, who heard the arguments on the petition, said he would pronounce the verdict on Thursday afternoon. The petitions were filed by Nikhil Sosale, head (Marketing and Revenue), RCSPL; Sunil Mathew, director, and Kiran Kumar, event manager of DNA; and Shamant N.P. Mavinakere, a freelancer with DNA. Earlier, State Advocate-General Shashi Kiran Shetty and Additional State Public Prosecutor B.N. Jagadeesha defended their arrest, claiming that the police adhered to all the procedures laid down in law and by the apex court while arresting them. 'No permission' Mr. Shetty said these four persons were among others connected with the RCSPL and DNA, who were responsible for making social media posts inviting cricket fans to come to the stadium for the victory celebrations, even though there was no permission to organise the event at the stadium. Also, the A-G said that neither the Karnataka State Cricket Association nor the RCSPL had sought permission under the provisions of the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions (Bangalore city) Order, 2008, notified in 2009, for the event. The communications sent by the KSCA or others were only a mere intimation of the possible victory celebrations and no formal application, the A-G said while contending that in any case, the police had not granted permission to the victory celebrations held in the stadium, and hence it was illegal and punishable in law. Holding of illegal event led to the death of 11 persons in the stampede as the RSCPL had failed to manage the crowd, Mr. Shetty contended. On CM and Dy. CM While the A-G did not say anything on the court's query whether Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had stated at a media conference that he had ordered the arrest of officials of the RCB and others, the written statement filed by the police stated that contention of the petitioners, that their arrest was solely made on the Chief Minister's order, was not relevant for deciding the legality of their arrest. On the petitioners' claim that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had participated in the celebrations in the stadium, the A-G said he was only an invitee and it was was the RCSPL which held the event without permission.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A-G: Zini appointment illegitimate due to PM conflict of interest
'Your appointment of Zini, which was made under a conflict of interests and with a complete disregard to the legal instructions attached, is null and illegal,' the A-G wrote. The appointment of IDF Maj.-Gen. David Zini as the new head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is impossible, as Netanyahu is in a conflict of interests, due to the agency's investigation of Qatari connections to his confidantes, Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara wrote in a letter on Monday. She added that her legal opinion is based on the High Court of Justice ruling issued on the matter last week, along with the evidence presented. 'Your appointment of Zini, which was made under a conflict of interest, and with a complete disregard for the legal instructions attached, is null and illegal,' she wrote. The HCJ ruling, issued last week, stated that Netanyahu stands in a conflict of interest when it comes to this appointment and that he should not have been involved in it at all. Baharav-Miara wrote to the prime minister soon after, advising him of the same. One day later, on Thursday, reports emerged of Zini's appointment. Deputy Attorney-General Gil Limon noted in a legal opinion penned on Monday that the implication of the ruling is that Netanyahu is not to deal, directly or indirectly, with any part of the process still to come, at least until the agency's investigations are completed. The most sound and logical next step is to transfer the responsibility to a different minister, who will then present the suggested appointment to the government, Limon wrote. The fear is that this minister would be used as the 'long arm' of Netanyahu, and as such, go against the ruling and make the appointment political. Limon wrote that there are two legal implications to this: first, that the search process for a candidate begin anew from scratch so as to ensure it is above suspicion; second, that it is unlikely that Zini's appointment is sound, given the widespread support it has in the coalition. According to Limon, the integrity of Zini's appointment by any other minister had possibly been compromised after Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs read out a statement at the government's meeting on Monday saying that it 'welcomed the prime minister's intention to appoint Major General David Zini as the head of the Shin Bet.' In his statement, Fuchs also 'calls on all relevant parties to remove obstacles and expedite the process for approving this appointment, which is essential for Israel's security,' and 'emphasizes the importance of appointing a permanent Shin Bet chief during wartime and urges against settling for an interim appointment.' The statement indicated that no government minister would be able to argue they had chosen Zini after a credible appointment procedure, Limon reasoned. Limon wrote that the process should be started from scratch and that the designated minister should seek out the appointments himself, without any foreign input, so as to keep the process clean. He added that the whole affair should be accompanied by the legal advisory and that every appointment should come with a clear and detailed explanation as to why this person is a good fit. This information would be presented to the Advisory Committee on Senior Civil Service Appointments, which would examine the appointment thoroughly. 'Given the current security situation, it is paramount to appoint an intelligence chief as soon as possible – before Ronen Bar leaves on June 15. An appointment made while in a conflict of interest harms this objective,' he wrote. The Shin Bet, along with Israel Police, is investigating two cases of alleged Qatari influences on close confidants of the prime minister. Netanyahu aide Yonatan Urich and former Prime Minister's Office military spokesman Eli Feldstein were investigated for Qatari ties made in efforts by the Gulf state to improve its image. Limon wrote that Bar was personally involved in these investigations. In the Qatargate case, allegedly, news tips given to journalists were presented as being sourced from intelligence figures when, in reality, they were sourced in Qatar. This was reportedly done to boost Qatar's image in its mediator role in the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal agreements and to downplay Egypt's role. Qatar has denied any action of the sort. In the other case, the 'leaked documents affair,' Feldstein was investigated for allegedly leaking classified military documents to the German daily Bild after they were denied publication by the Israeli military censor. The documents were eventually published, allegedly to sway public opinion on the hostage negotiations. Quoting from the ruling, Limon wrote that Netanyahu effectively admitted his conflict of interest in this case by calling the investigations 'baseless' and 'fake.' The court stood strong on the connection between the relatively sudden push to fire Bar and the Qatari investigations.
