Latest news with #Article175
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Cong meets governor, urges special assembly session
Patna: An 11-member delegation of the Congress, headed by state party president Rajesh Kumar, met governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday and urged him to convene a special session of the Bihar assembly over the alleged deterioration in the state's law and order situation, citing the recent rape and murder of a dalit girl from Muzaffarpur. "You are requested to invoke Article 175 of the Constitution in light of the deteriorating law and order and misgovernance in Bihar, and convene both houses to deliver a strong message," the Congress delegation demanded through their memorandum submitted to the governor. The Congress delegation also demanded a high-level probe into the incident to punish the guilty, besides providing justice and compensation to the victim's family. They also sought concrete and effective steps to prevent injustices against the dalit community and to ensure their social, economic, and security-related rights. The memorandum stated that currently, 6,799 crimes against SC-ST communities occur annually in Bihar, accounting for 13.16% of the country's total crimes. "The conviction rate for these crimes is only 8.6%, meaning nearly 90% of offenders go unpunished," it alleged. Citing the recent report of the Auditor General of India, the memorandum further raised serious concerns about Bihar's healthcare services and urged the governor to intervene in the matter. Later, Congress workers protested outside the residence of the health minister, Mangal Pandey, over the issue. A delegation of Jan Suraaj, led by its state president Manoj Bharti, also met the governor and handed over a memorandum.
Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI rejects CB ruling on military courts
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf outright rejects the Supreme Court's ruling allowing civilians' trial in military courts, saying it will lead to a constitutional crisis. The party urged the chief justice to form a full court to settle the issue. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad following the SC ruling, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja called it "another dark day" for the country, saying the Constitution had been attacked. "It is the darkest day of my career as a lawyer," said Raja, adding, "The entire nation feels sorrow over today's verdict." He said the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court had delivered a judgment that undermined the progress of the past 80 years. Referring to Article 175(3), which came into force in 1988 to define the boundaries between the executive and judiciary, he said: "Today's decision has dismantled the very the foundations of the constitutional structure." As per the decision, Army officers will decide the fate of civilians behind closed doors, said Raja, adding, they could award life term or death penalty as per their discretion. He highlighted that Pakistan would be the only country where civilians will be tried in military courts. He said a five-member bench earlier termed military courts unconstitutional and illegal. Then, an appeal was filed in 2023 against the decision. In October 2024, the 26th Constitutional Amendment was passed and a constitutional bench was formed with judges of their choosing, said the PTI leader. He said the CB's decision has deprived Pakistan's citizens of fair trials. On the occasion, Babar Awan said the SC ruling has led to a new constitutional crisis.
Daily Tribune
22-02-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
MPs to vote on shareholder rights in board appointments
Parliament will vote on Tuesday on a proposal to grant shareholders holding at least 10% of a company's capital the automatic right to appoint board members in proportion to their stake, regardless of company rules. The amendment to the Commercial Companies Law seeks to remove a clause in Article 175 of Decree-Law No. 21 of 2001, which currently allows firms to override this right through their founding agreements. Supporters argue that the change would give minority shareholders a stronger voice in company decisions. The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry has backed the proposal, saying it would create a fairer balance among shareholders and prevent larger stakeholders from monopolising board seats. However, it suggested further review on how the rule would apply to companies with existing shareholder agreements. The Bahrain Businessmen's Association has also endorsed the move, calling it beneficial for the business sector. The proposal has been submitted by MPs Ahmed Sabah Al Salloom, Khalid Buanaq, Maryam Al Dhaen, Basma Mubarak, and Ali Saqer Al Doseri. Under the amendment, shareholders with at least 10% of a company's capital would have the right to appoint board members in proportion to their stake, with fractional shares rounded to the nearest whole. Shareholders who do not exercise this right or lack enough shares to appoint a member could instead use their stake for voting. If the right is not exercised, it would be forfeited for that board election cycle. The amendment consists of three articles: the first revises Article 175 to reflect the change, the second repeals any conflicting laws, and the third stipulates that the amendment would take effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette.
Express Tribune
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CB returns military court trial record
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court's constitutional bench on Wednesday returned the record of military court trials to the defence counsel, citing concerns that reviewing it during the appeal hearing could impact the case against military courts trying civilians. During the proceedings, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail raised questions regarding the credentials of judges presiding over military trials. He also asked whether Article 175 of the Constitution allowed room for the establishment of military courts. The bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, included Justices Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Ayesha Malik, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hasan Azhar Naqvi, Musarrat Hilali, Naeem Afghan and Shahid Bilal Hasan. The court was hearing an intra-court appeal against the earlier verdict that barred military courts from trying civilians. Representing the defence ministry, lawyer Khwaja Haris argued that if the court scrutinised the issue under Article 175, all previous decisions regarding the establishment of military courts would need to be re-evaluated. He pointed out that the Constitution allowed for the creation of courts, and several other countries also have military courts. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail remarked that the army handles anti-narcotics matters and, when conducting a trial against an accused, it consults a sessions judge from the high court. He questioned whether military courts could follow a similar practice. Haris argued that military courts had been kept separate from Article 175 in all legal decisions, adding that the Army Act could not be challenged on the basis of fundamental rights. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail expressed concern over a growing trend of public scepticism toward court judgments, stating that laypersons were increasingly casting doubt on verdicts issued by even eight-member benches. Justice Musarrat Hilali lamented that social media narratives and impressions that suggested judges had political affiliations. "I belong to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and question military trials because of their impact on the people of my province. But, unfortunately, social media links me to a political party," she remarked. Justice Hasan Azhar Naqvi questioned whether journalists and relatives of the accused were allowed to attend military court proceedings. In response, Khwaja Haris explained that while the law permits access, security concerns often prevent journalists and relatives from attending trials. During the hearing, the defence counsel submitted the military trial records to the bench, distributing copies among the judges. However, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail asserted that reviewing the records at this stage was inappropriate, as it could impact the appeal's outcome. Subsequently, six judges on the bench returned the records to the defence counsel. Justice Mandokhail further noted that judges conducting military trials were subordinate to the authorities, raising concerns about their independence. However, Khwaja Haris responded that any claims of bias should be supported by evidence. Justice Mandokhail clarified that he had no personal doubts or objections but emphasized the need to examine the qualifications and impartiality of those conducting military trials. As the hearing concluded, Justice Aminuddin Khan directed the defence counsel to complete arguments by Thursday. In response, Khwaja Haris assured the court that he would conclude his submissions within the given timeframe.
