Latest news with #CodeofCivilProcedure
L'Orient-Le Jour
a day ago
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Beirut Bar Association launches digital platform
The Beirut Bar Association has announced the launch of a digital platform and an electronic payment card for lawyers, designed to streamline various procedures and payments. During a press conference at the association's main offices, Bar President Fadi Masri welcomed this digitalization initiative. According to a statement from the Bar Association, the online platform will include, in particular, a directory of lawyers, administrative services, the ability to register powers of attorney, apply for Bar membership and pay annual dues to the Order. This will allow lawyers to avoid "endless lines or unnecessary trips." In the statement, the Bar also assured that all personal data contained on the platform will be completely secure and noted that two companies have been brought in to achieve this digitalization, including BOB Finance for payment card management. Support will also be provided to lawyers who cannot easily use digital tools. The statement also noted that this digitalization is part of the Lebanese authorities' "e-government" project, which includes, in particular, an amendment to the Code of Civil Procedure to allow for legal notifications via email. The digitization of procedures sought by the executive is primarily intended to ensure transparency in transactions.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Govt wants to increase industrial and commercial electricity tariff in Karnataka
The government has filed a petition before the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) to reduce the tariff on LT 4(a) — the irrigation pump set category — and increase the tariff for industrial and commercial consumers to fill the revenue gap of ₹4,620 crore. The revenue gap occurs at the electricity supply company (escom) level when there is a deficit between the tariff collected and the expenditure, including power purchase cost, that is incurred. The commission has admitted the review petition. In this year's (FY 2025 – 26) budget, the government of Karnataka had announced a subsidy of ₹16,021 crore for IP sets, and ₹10,101 crore for Gruha Jyothi scheme. However, in the tariff order passed for this year, KERC stated that the subsidy required to provide free power for IP sets is ₹20,095.44 crore. In the petition, the government has also stated that in addition to the subsidy amount of ₹16,021 crore announced in the budget, the government will release an additional subsidy of ₹2,362.47 crore to mitigate the overall shortfall in revenue. Industrialists and experts from the power sector argued that KERC should not have admitted the review petition, as it did not have the necessary criteria. 'A review petition under the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) is a mechanism for a court to reconsider its own judgement or order. This is typically done when there is a mistake or error apparent on the face of the record, new and important evidence is discovered, or another sufficient reason exists. It is a way to correct errors, and not meant to be a second chance to argue the case on merits,' said M. G. Prabhakar, former advisory member, KERC. However, KERC officials said that there are grounds to admit the petition and seek public opinion. 'When the government itself is appealing, we can admit the petition. We have now directed escoms to publish newspaper advertisements and hold public hearings on the matter. We will take a decision based on the recommendations of all stakeholders,' P. Ravikumar, Chairman, KERC told The Hindu. Industrialists, who have already been burdened by a plethora of cess, are dreading an increase in tariff, especially since the recent tariff petition is a multi-year tariff petition. Shiva Kumar R., former president of Peenya Industries Association (PIA), said, 'Industries are already in dire straits. Especially in Bengaluru, the infrastructure is still new, and we face a lot of hardship. The government wants us to increase minimum wage. They have already imposed a tariff of 36 paise per unit for this year to cover the pension and gratuity of escom employees. We are also paying solid waste management (SWM) cess. Instead of burdening us so much, if industries are encouraged, then economic activity and employment generation will increase. Otherwise, how are micro and small-scale industries supposed to operate?' He added, 'We strongly oppose this petition. We will definitely file our objections when a public hearing is called.' For FY 2025 – 26, the energy charges for industrial consumers are ₹6.60 per unit, and for commercial consumers, it is ₹5.95 per unit. The energy charges for both these categories were reduced in the tariff order while the charges for the LT 4(a) category went up from ₹5.65 per unit to ₹8.30 per unit.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Trial delays forcing innocents to spend years in prison: Chief Justice of India Justice BR Gavai
HYDERABAD: Stating that India and the legal system are facing unique challenges that require urgent attention, Chief Justice of India Justice BR Gavai on Saturday asserted that the country has the talent to find solutions. Speaking at the 22nd Annual Convocation of NALSAR University of Law, the CJI said: 'Delays in trials can sometimes last decades. There are cases where individuals have been declared innocent after spending years in jail as undertrials. Our best talent can help resolve such issues.' Justice Gavai noted the disparity in perceptions surrounding legal graduates, saying a student from a national law school in a metro city is often considered better placed than one from a smaller university. 'This is not necessarily because of skill, but perception. It is unfair, but real. We need to confront it, not accept it,' he said. The CJI stressed the importance of core legal subjects such as the Constitution, Contract Act, Code of Civil Procedure and Criminal Law, stating that there is no shortcut to legal knowledge and no alternative to knowing the basics. He also referred to the rapid changes in law due to emerging areas like artificial intelligence and data privacy. Addressing the growing trend of pursuing foreign degrees, the CJI said such qualifications have become symbols of validation. 'If you wish to go, go. It teaches you how the world thinks. But go with scholarship and funding. Go with purpose, not pressure. I see young lawyers taking loans of `50–70 lakh for this. Do not put yourself or your family under such a burden. A foreign degree alone is not a stamp of your worth.' Justice Gavai said the trend also reflects a deeper structural concern, that of a lack of confidence in India's postgraduate legal education and research. 'If we want to keep our best minds or bring them back, we must create nurturing academic environments, offer transparent and merit-based opportunities, and most importantly, restore dignity and purpose to legal research and teaching in India.' SC Judge Justice PS Narasimha, CM A Revanth Reddy, Acting CJ of the Telangana HC were present.
Business Recorder
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
FBR redrafts Sec 37A: Amended Finance Bill sets conditions for tax fraud arrests
ISLAMABAD: The amended Finance Bill (2025-26) has bound Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to constitute a three-member committee to authorise the Commissioner to issue warrant of arrest against a person involved in tax fraud in cases where tax loss exceeds Rs 50 million. Tax fraud cases involving an amount below Rs 50 million would not be liable to arrest through high-powered FBR committee in this particular situation under section 37A of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. The said arrest would be made in a situation where the accused is intentionally or wilfully not joining the investigation after three notices; accused attempting to abscond or there are sufficient grounds that the accused would temper with the evidence. Arrests for tax fraud: major changes made in sales tax law thru Finance Bill According to the amended Finance Bill (2025-26), the FBR has redrafted section (37A) Power to inquire and investigate offences warranting prosecution under Sales Tax Act and Arrest of a person. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 11E of this Act, an officer of Inland Revenue not below the rank of assistant commissioner or any other officer authorised by the Board in this behalf on the basis of material evidence pointing to the commission of tax fraud or an offence warranting prosecution under this act may initiate an inquiry upon approval by the Commissioner. (2) For the purpose of an inquiry under this Act, the officer of Inland revenue shall have the powers of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure,1908(Act No. V of 1908), in respect of the following matters, namely: (a) Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining on oath; and (b) Requiring the discovery and production of documents and receiving evidence on affidavits. (3) The inquiry officer shall complete the inquiry while exercising the powers under the provisions of Section 37, 38, 38A, 38B, 40 or any other section of the Act, wherever required within six months. (4) During inquiry proceedings, the inquiry officer shall give an opportunity of being heard to the person whose actions alleged to have caused tax fraud warranting prosecution under this Act, confronting the person the details of tax fraud committed or caused to be committed by such person for explanation. (5) The inquiry officer shall submit inquiry report along with reasons to be recorded including the loss of tax calculated as a result of such inquiry to the Commissioner to obtain prior approval for investigation or the closure of inquiry without any further investigation. (6) The Commissioner, on the basis of inquiry report under sub-section (5) and after recording reasons in writing, shall either- (i) Approve initiation of investigation, or (ii) require the Officer of Inland Revenue to submit such further information or documents as he may direct for his decision; or (iii) close the inquiry by rejecting the report or accepting the report, as the case may be. Provided that a copy of the report shall be furnished to the person alleged to have committed the tax fraud. (7) After approval of investigation under sub-section (6), the inquiry officer shall complete investigation within three months and prepare investigation report for submission before the competent court. (8) The Board through a three member committee notified by the Chairman may authorize the Commissioner to issue warrant of arrest for a person in a case of a fraud which falls within the ambit of sub-clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of clause (37) of section 2 and the tax loss due to fraud exceeds the amount of rupees fifty million during the course of investigation if:- (i) The accused is intentionally or wilfully not joining the investigation after three notices; (ii) The accused attempting to abscond; (iii) There are sufficient grounds that the accused would temper with the evidence. (9) The officer of inland revenue may arrest a person alleged to have committed a tax fraud after obtaining an arrest warrant from the Special Judge in a case of a fraud falling within the ambit of the sub clauses of clause (37) of section 2 other than those mentioned in subsection (8) of this section during the course of investigation if: (i) The accused is intentionally or wilfully not joining the investigation after three notices; (ii) The accused attempting to abscond; (iii) There are sufficient grounds that the accused would temper with the evidence. (10) Where the person suspected of tax fraud or any offence warranting prosecution under this Act is a company, every director or officer of that company whom the authorised officer has reason to believe is personally responsible for actions of the company contributing the tax fraud or any offence warranting prosecution under this Act shall be liable to arrest; provided that any arrest under this sub-section shall not absolve the company from the liabilities of payment of tax, default surcharge and penalty imposed under this Act. (11) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, where any person has committed a tax fraud or any offence warranting prosecution under this Act, the Commissioner may, either before or after the inquiry or investigation, compound the offence if such person pays the amount of tax evaded or sought to be evaded as determined in the inquiry or the investigation along with default surcharge and penalty as provided under this Act. (12) Any person accused of an offence who is arrested under this Act shall at the time of arrest be informed of the grounds of arrest in writing on the basis of which he has been arrested. (13) All arrests made under this Act shall be carried out in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), the revised procedure of arrest added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hans India
14-06-2025
- Hans India
Elderly parents can claim maintenance from kids
Chittoor: Senior Civil Judge and Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), MS Bharathi noted that elderly parents who are neglected by their sons or daughters are legally entitled to claim maintenance under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). She held an awareness programme at an old age home in Tapovanam in Chittoor on Friday, which was organised as per the directives of the Supreme Court and the State Legal Services Authority. During the event, Judge Bharathi interacted with the elderly residents, inquiring about their health, the medical services being provided, pension disbursement, and any other issues they may be facing. She encouraged them to voice their concerns, assuring that legal help is available free of cost through the DLSA. Speaking at the event, she highlighted that in many cases, elderly parents transfer property to their children through gift deeds, expecting care and support in return. However, when the children fail to fulfill their responsibilities, the parents have the right to approach the court under Section 144 of the Code of Civil Procedure to revoke such deeds. Judge Bharathi reiterated the commitment of the District Legal Services Authority to provide free legal services to the elderly in such matters. She also stressed the importance of awareness about the constitutional rights and protective laws available to senior citizens. Former president of the Retired Employees Welfare Association Kesavulu, Murali, staff nurse Aruna from the Disabled Welfare Hostel, and several elderly residents of the ashram participated in the programme.
