Latest news with #HighCourtBarAssociation
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Punjab and Haryana High Court receives bomb threat mail; police launch search
'The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday (May 22, 2025) received a bomb threat e-mail, prompting the Chandigarh Police to launch a search of the court premises,' officials said. 'Police have evacuated the court complex and restricted public entry for the time-being,' they said. "An e-mail was sent to the registrar's office of the High Court, claiming that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) had been planted in the complex. On being informed, police launched a thorough search," Chandigarh Police SDPO (Central), Udaypal Singh, said. Punjab CM Mann opposes Centre's move to deploy CISF personnel at Nangal dam Speaking to reporters outside the court complex, Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain said, "We were inside the court for a hearing. In one of the courtrooms, the DGP and SSP of Chandigarh Police were also present in connection with a case. We were told that an e-mail has been received, which threatened to blow up the court premises. Police teams along with a bomb disposal squad reached the site immediately." 'There was no panic as everyone cooperated, including the city administration and the high court authorities,' he added. "As soon as message was received that courtrooms should be vacated, everyone cooperated," Mr. Jain said. Pakistan continues using Chinese drones to drop narcotics and arms along Punjab border, BSF data shows Sartej Singh Narula, president of the High Court Bar Association, also told reporters that the court premises was evacuated soon after the bomb threat e-mail was received. In a notice issued to all its members, the Bar association said, "It is for the information of all the members of the Bar that an alert regarding a bomb threat at the High Court has been received. "All members are requested to remain vigilant. If any suspicious or unattended items are found within the premises, please inform the office of the High Court Bar Association immediately. The members are further requested to vacate the courtrooms immediately as a precautionary measure." The notice said court proceedings will resume after lunch.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Relief for litigants: HC stays ₹500 charge for photo identification
Providing relief to litigants, the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court, as an interim measure, has directed that the charge of ₹500 for photo identification by Bar Associations is not to be realised from them. In another interim measure, the court further directed the registry to accept affidavits sworn before public notaries, holding them valid under the Notaries Act, 1952, saying no rule prohibits their acceptance. Justice Pankaj Bhatia passed the order on May 19 while hearing a petition filed by M/s Rajdhani Inter State Transport Co., New Delhi, through its authorised signatory Sunil Kumar Magoo, challenging the requirement of photo identification for filing petitions. The court said that in the era where efforts are being made to promote digital India, 'continuing with a regressive practice of the litigants travelling from far-off places solely for photo identification is, on the face of it, is retrogressive'. The court observed that the practice had led the High Court Bar Association and the Oudh Bar Association to charge amounts 'beyond the sanction of law, solely based upon resolutions.' It remarked that 'continuation of such a practice is neither desirable nor does it augur well for the temple of justice,' which must function with the support of Bar Associations to fulfil the constitutional goal of providing 'access to justice to all'. Earlier, the petitioner's counsel had sought an adjournment to file a supplementary affidavit, citing the deponent's inability to travel to Lucknow for photo identification. In response, the court questioned why the affidavit could not be sworn before a notary at the deponent's place of residence, as permitted under the Notaries Act, 1952. The petitioner's counsel explained that while there was no bar under the Act, the registry at the Allahabad high court typically accepts only affidavits sworn before oath commissioners appointed under Chapter IV of the Allahabad High Court Rules. Noting that prima facie an additional cost ( ₹400-500) being charged from the litigants, which is going to the lawyers from the photo affidavit centre, was not sanctioned by law, the court had appointed advocate Tushar Mittal as amicus curiae to assist the court on the said issue. The court, however, said that the Bar Associations were at liberty to take measures for the welfare of lawyers, but no such amount could be charged in connection with the filings made before the high court. Accordingly, the court disposed of the issue, however, it ordered the writ petition would continue on its merits.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Nagaland CM calls for balanced, inclusive legal system
Kohima, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday called for a balanced and inclusive legal system that serves all sections of society, particularly rural and marginalised communities. He also advocated the establishment of a separate high court for the state. Speaking at a tree plantation programme, organised by the High Court Bar Association at the new high court complex in Meriema in Kohima district, Rio emphasised the importance of preserving customary law. "Just as the wisdom of our forefathers has guided our communities, so too can it coexist with the formal legal system," Rio said, underscoring the value of traditional village and district-level justice mechanisms that are "quick, cost-effective, and rooted in community harmony". He said that customary law, protected under Article 371 of the Constitution, continues to play a vital role in Nagaland's legal framework and should be respected alongside modern jurisprudence. "If we look only at the courts, many of our farmers and villagers in rural areas will not be able to afford legal processes. They might give up their rights altogether," Rio said. He said justice must be "done in spirit, not just in letter". "When justice is delivered, peace and harmony follow. Injustice breeds division,' he said. The chief minister also highlighted the state's ongoing struggle to receive central funding and recognition for a separate high court in Nagaland. Despite multiple appeals to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice and the Chief Justice of India, Rio said that the state was yet to receive any financial support from the Centre for the establishment of a separate high court for Nagaland. Nagaland now has the Kohima bench of the Gauhati High Court. "So far, we have spent over ₹214 crore from the limited state's own resources. To complete the furnishing and staffing, we need an additional ₹300 crore,' Rio revealed. Despite all the efforts, including personal appeals and visits to national leaders, the state has received no grant from the Centre, he said. Rio stressed that the infrastructure for a separate high court has already been developed, including courtrooms, judges' residences, and support facilities. 'We will continue to press our demand for a separate,' he stated, urging the legal fraternity to uphold high standards of justice delivery within the state.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CM calls for reflection on Baloch conflict
Balochistan Chief Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, addressing the Balochistan High Court Bar Association on Thursday, called upon Baloch intellectuals to critically assess the outcomes of decades-long conflicts and guide the younger generation wisely. He questioned whether the prolonged armed struggle and separatist rhetoric had brought any prosperity or merely deepened the province's hardships. Bugti recalled that the violence in the region escalated following the killing of Justice Nawaz Marri near a courthouse, which led to an FIR against Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri and his sons. While Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri surrendered to authorities, his sons chose exile, giving rise to what later became known as the "angry Baloch" movement. The chief minister asserted that this movement had only inflicted pain on the province and its people. He acknowledged that despite various conspiracies, Pakistan's integrity has remained intact and its institutions have grown stronger. Bugti pointed out that Quetta is now peaceful, though remnants of separatist violence persist in distorted narratives. He criticized elements who once burned the national flag and promoted separatism but now pose as rights activists, calling this a betrayal of constitutional values. The chief minister condemned the glorification of armed struggle and voiced concern over some lawyers providing legal support to those accused of terrorism, warning that such actions undermine the Constitution. Highlighting the role of foreign interference, Bugti stated that hostile agencies have exploited the region to incite unrest in Balochistan. He urged the legal community to uphold the rule of law and become advocates for peace. In a positive move, Bugti announced financial assistance of Rs50 million for the High Court Bar Association. He also introduced several welfare schemes for lawyers, including housing projects.
Express Tribune
17-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rawalpindi faces severe water crisis
With the onset of summer, Rawalpindi is experiencing a critical water shortage, prompting private water tanker operators to significantly hike prices. Several private housing societies have begun water rationing, informing residents via notices that water will now be supplied on alternate days starting April 17. If dry weather continues for two more weeks, authorities are planning to further reduce water supply in the twin cities. The Department of Environmental Protection and Climate Change has launched operations against water wastage, banning activities like washing vehicles, courtyards, and streets with hosepipes. Car wash stations are now required to install water recycling systems — so far, 20 have complied, and red notices have been issued to others. Major housing societies planning to supply water for only 15 days a month are now facing legal challenges. Senior High Court Bar Association member Raja Haseeb Sultan Advocate said the move will be contested in court, arguing that residents who pay full bills are entitled to the regular water supply. The groundwater level has fallen below 700 feet due to a 40 per cent rainfall deficit in the the Rawalpindi division over the past six months. Tube wells built between 1990 and 2000 — usually 300 to 400 feet deephave begun to dry up, resulting in muddy water and reduced pressure, especially in older city neighbourhoods. Affected areas include Gulistan Colony, Scheme 3, Dhok Choudhrian, Fazal Town, areas around the High Court, Dhok Kala Khan, Sadiqabad, Gulrez, Shah Faisal Colony, Shah Khalid Colony, Chaklala, Rehmatabad, Muslim Town, Tench Bhatta, and Dhok Jumma along Adiala Road. A WASA spokesperson confirmed the groundwater depletion and noted that contingency plans involve supplying water through tankers in the most affected zones. Meanwhile, private tanker operators are exploiting the crisis, raising prices drastically — small tankers now cost Rs2,400 to 2,600, while large ones are priced at Rs3,000 to 3,300.
