Latest news with #AjayGandhi
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
ITAT lawyers' body flags high case pendency in Delhi benches, urges action
The Delhi branch of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Bar Association has raised serious concerns over an increasing backlog of cases at the tribunal's Delhi benches, in a letter to the ITAT president, highlighting a deteriorating judicial environment marked by frequent adjournments. 'There is an unprecedented increase in instances where even the binding judgments of the Delhi High Court are not being followed, leading to dissent among members resulting in prolonged pendency of matters for months,' the association said in an April 25 communiqué to the president of the ITAT, reviewed by Business Standard. Delhi has the 'highest pendency' of cases among ITAT Benches, the association claimed. 'It is pertinent to note that Delhi Benches of the tribunal have the highest pendency and many of these matters involve complex legal issues and significant revenue stakes. It is therefore of utmost importance that members with experience, balanced disposition and judicial temperament be posted here, so that the ends of justice are met in a fair, equitable and unbiased manner,' the letter said. An email sent to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Law Ministry, seeking a response on the letter and the rising pendency of cases, remained unanswered till the time of press. According to a written response by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Rajya Sabha on March 18, IT appellate tribunals have a pendency of 23,175 direct tax cases entailing Rs. 6.7 trillion in dispute. There are a total of 63 ITAT Benches across India of which nine are present in the National Capital. The letter also flags concerns over the quality of orders being passed, stating that proceedings in several matters are conducted in a casual manner, falling short of the traditionally high standards of the tribunal. 'Despite having raised these concerns informally on multiple occasions, no effective resolution appears to have emerged. Consequently, if no perceptible solution is found, the Bar would be constrained to lodge a symbolic protest by wearing black bands, which could eventually lead to boycott of Benches,' the Bar warned in the letter. The association, in the letter, urged the ITAT president to review objective data — such as disposal rates, dissent trends, and time taken to pass orders — as evidence of the pressing issues before the Delhi Benches. The Bar association also flagged 'an element of bias is palpably discernible' in some cases, causing repeated delays, and questioned a recent appointment. 'We also wish to state that a member who has had serious differences with every Bar association at prior postings has now been posted to Delhi — despite belonging to Delhi — in direct contravention of the binding decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Ajay Gandhi vs. B. Singh, 265 ITR 451, which clearly laid down that members should not be posted to where they have practiced or have personal connections,' the letter stated.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Four ‘illegal' houses of drug smugglers razed in Moga
Four 'illegally' constructed houses of notorious drug smugglers were demolished by police and district administration officials at Daulewala village in Moga here on Saturday, according to an official statement. The action, under the supervision of Moga senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ajay Gandhi, was taken as part of the Punjab government's continuing action against drug smugglers under its 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign. 'The demolished houses, illegally built on government land, belonged to notorious drug smugglers Paramjit Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Boota Singh and Rajwinder Kaur, who were involved in multiple cases registered under the provisions of Indian Penal Code and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act,' the statement said. 'Strong action by the district police sends a clear message that chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government has zero tolerance for drug-trafficking,' it added. SSP Ajay Gandhi warned the drug smugglers to stop illegal activities or face similar action. He reiterated that the state government is committed to eradicating the drug menace and will not spare anyone involved in this illegal trade. Ajay Gandhi appealed to the people to report any information about drug smugglers to the nearest police station
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Time of India
Daulewala, village in Moga district declared ‘notorious for drugs' in 2014, faces ‘bulldozer justice'; houses of 4 accused in NDPS cases demolished
Bathinda: A village in Moga district, once known for distilling hooch and now infamous for the sale of heroin, on Saturday stood witness to Punjab Police's "bulldozer justice" against people involved in the drug trade. Punjab Police personnel and officials of Moga district administration reached Daulewala village in Dharamkot subdivision during the day to bulldoze houses belonging to three men and a woman from the village who are facing multiple drug FIRs in drug cases. The demolished structures, said Moga senior superintendent of police Ajay Gandhi, had been built by encroaching upon land illegally or constructed with ill-gotten money. On May 29, 2014, Punjab Police had installed a board outside the village which stated that Daulewala was notorious for drugs and people coming to the village were under surveillance. This evoked sharp reactions, and the board was removed the next day. Whenever a drive against drugs is launched, it passes through Daulewala. For quite some time now, the village had not been in the news. Falling under Kot Ise Khan police station, Daulewala lies close to the Satluj river. A number of residents of Daulewala migrated from Pakistan during Partition. Being close to the Satluj, there were earlier complaints of people distilling illegal liquor, and over time, the village became infamous for various types of drugs, including chitta (Heroin). Gandhi said, "As per the report prepared by Moga block development and panchayat officer (BDPO), the four houses in Daulewala were found to be built on encroached land, and when the entire record was checked, it was also found that the owners face multiple FIRs under sections of IPC and NDPS Act under commercial quantity." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Her Outfit Caught Everyone's Eye The Stadium True Edition Undo He said the houses of Buta Singh, who is in jail and faces 7 FIRs; Paramjit Singh, who is also in jail and faces 9 FIRs; Lakhwinder Singh, who is out on bail and faces eight FIRs; and Rajwinder Kaur, who is also out on bail and faces 15 FIRs under various sections, have been razed under police protection as per the report prepared by civil authorities. Further investigations about other persons, if any, from the village involved in the illegal drug trade and facing NDPS Act FIRs are being made, and any further action will be taken as per the findings.
