Latest news with #Nazeer
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh: Governor champions ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'
VIJAYAWADA/GUNTUR : Governor S Abdul Nazeer has planted a Sapota (Sapodilla) sapling in the Raj Bhavan lawns here on World Environment Day, on Thursday. Governor Nazeer participated in the sapling plantation programme under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, coinciding with World Environment Day. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is an effort to show our respect and dedication towards our motherland and nature. The Governor said this campaign aims to plant a tree in the name of a mother and create a lasting memory, which will not only protect the environment but also contribute to building a greener and healthier future for coming generations. Furthermore, Governor Nazeer said everyone should participate in the campaign and plant a tree to create an unforgettable memory for their mother. In the Guntur district, Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar participated in Vanamahotsavam celebrations at Chandaluru in JPanguluru mandal. He said the state was committed to planting one crore trees this year and criticised the previous regime for felling trees during VIP visits. He called for village-level celebrations around tree planting and encouraged public ownership of the green initiative. Later, Minister Gottipati Ravi kumar visited Janakavaram village, offering financial support to a deceased farmer's family and met several families of TDP workers across Addanki constituency. In Tamavaram village, he extended aid to the family of a party worker who died in an accident.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
CJI Gavai cautions judges against accepting govt posts, contesting polls
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai has sounded a strong note of caution against judges accepting government posts or contesting elections immediately after retirement, warning that such practices raise 'significant ethical concerns' and risk eroding public confidence in the judiciary's independence. 'If a judge takes up another appointment with the government immediately after retirement, or resigns from the bench to contest elections, it raises significant ethical concerns and invites public scrutiny,' underlined CJI Gavai, addressing a high-powered roundtable on judicial independence at the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom on Tuesday. 'A judge contesting an election for a political office can lead to doubts regarding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, as it may be seen as a conflict of interest or as an attempt to gain favour with the government,' he added. According to the CJI: 'The timing and nature of such post-retirement engagements,' he added, 'could undermine the public's trust in the judiciary's integrity, as it could create a perception that judicial decisions were influenced by the prospect of future government appointments or political involvement.' CJI Gavai emphasised that he and many of his colleagues had 'publicly pledged not to accept any post-retirement roles or positions from the government.' This, he said, was 'an effort to preserve the credibility and independence of the judiciary.' His remarks come amid long-standing debate over whether judges should be eligible for post-retirement positions -- a concern deepened in recent years by examples of Supreme Court and high court judges taking up roles offered by the executive soon after demitting office. Justice SA Nazeer, for instance, retired as a Supreme Court judge in January 2023. He was appointed as the governor of Andhra Pradesh, within 40 days of his retirement. Notably, justice Nazeer was part of the five-judge bench that decided the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi case in November 2019 handing over the Ayodhya land to the Hindu party. Justice Nazeer was the lone Muslim face on the Ayodhya bench presided by then chief justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi. Justice Gogoi was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha merely four months after retiring as the CJI in November 2019, sparking widespread criticism. Justice Gogoi was the second CJI to become a member of the Upper House. Former CJI Ranganath Misra was nominated to Rajya Sabha by the Congress and served from 1998 to 2004. Former Supreme Court judge Fathima Beevi was appointed Governor of Tamil Nadu from 1997-2001. Former CJI P Sathasivam was also appointed Governor of Kerala from 2014-2019. While Justice K Subba Rao contested the fourth Presidential elections, Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah became Vice President from 1979 to 1984. Similarly, justice Arun Mishra was appointed chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission within a year of retirement. Similarly, several high court judges have taken gubernatorial or tribunal posts immediately after leaving the bench. Judicial misconduct: The CJI also acknowledged a deeper malaise afflicting the judiciary -- instances of corruption and professional misconduct among judges, which he said severely tarnish the institution's legitimacy. 'Sadly, there have been instances of corruption and misconduct that have surfaced even within the judiciary. Such occurrences inevitably have a negative impact on public confidence, potentially eroding faith in the integrity of the system as a whole,' he lamented. Simultaneously, justice Gavai underscored: 'The path to rebuilding this trust lies in the swift, decisive, and transparent action taken to address and resolve these issues.' He added: 'In India, when such instances have come to light, the Supreme Court has consistently taken immediate and appropriate measures to address the misconduct.' He further said: 'Transparency and accountability are democratic virtues. In today's digital era, where information flows freely and perceptions are rapidly shaped, the judiciary must rise to the challenge of being accessible, intelligible, and answerable, without compromising its independence.' Though he did not mention any names, CJI Gavai's remarks come in the backdrop of the recent controversy surrounding high court judge Yashwant Varma, who has been indicted by a Supreme Court in-house inquiry panel over unaccounted cash found at his Delhi residence in March. In early May, the then CJI, Sanjiv Khanna initiated the process for the removal of justice Varma by writing to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the allegations of recovery of cash at the judge's residence was serious and warranted initiation of proceedings for his removal. The development has once again placed judicial accountability under the spotlight, fueling calls for clearer standards and greater transparency. 'Legitimacy rooted in integrity': CJI Gavai's wide-ranging speech examined the core values underpinning judicial legitimacy, contrasting the judiciary's authority, which derives not from the ballot, but from public confidence, with the powers of the executive and legislature. 'In every democracy, the judiciary must not only dispense justice, but also be seen as an institution that deserves to hold truth to power,' said the judge, highlighting that the terms 'judicial legitimacy' and 'public confidence' are interconnected. He drew on the vision of Dr BR Ambedkar, who had warned during the Constituent Assembly Debates that the judiciary must remain 'independent of the executive' and 'competent in itself.' Article 50 of the Constitution, Gavai noted, mandates the separation of the judiciary from the executive in public services, and mechanisms like fixed retirement ages, financial independence, and the collegium system were designed to uphold this principle. The CJI also reaffirmed the importance of judicial review and the judiciary's counter-majoritarian role. 'Courts must have the power of independent judicial review,' said justice Gavai, citing some Supreme Court of India's landmark decisions that reinforced the supremacy of constitutional values over political expediency. The Chief Justice further highlighted recent transparency initiatives by the Supreme Court, such as the live-streaming of Constitution Bench hearings and the public disclosure of judges' assets. 'These are significant steps,' he said, 'to bolster public confidence through transparency. Judges, as public functionaries, are accountable to the people.' While acknowledging that 'no system is immune to flaws,' he emphasised that 'solutions must never come at the cost of judicial independence.' 'Judges must be free from external control,' maintained the CJI, calling for renewed commitment to reasoned judgments, recusal practices in case of conflicts of interest and ethical leadership from the top.
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
‘Quantum Valley' will ignite tech research, says Guv
Anantapur: Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer on Saturday said that the TDP-led NDA government's plans to set up a 'Quantum Valley' will position the State as a leading centre of quantum technology research and development in India. Addressing a convocation at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU)-Anantapur, the Governor also noted that Andhra Pradesh government's SwarnaAndhra-2047 (golden Andhra Pradesh) vision aligns with the national mission of 'Viksit Bharat'. "The state government's plan to establish Quantum Valley, a quantum computing hub in Amaravati, as part of India's National Quantum Mission, will position the state as a leading centre for quantum technology research and development in India," said Nazeer. According to the Governor, 'Viksit Bharat' will offer every citizen access to quality education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and a dignified life. To achieve this vision, several programmes like digital economy, renewable energy, start-ups, education, health, and skill development have been initiated with a participatory approach, encouraging citizens, students, youth, and all institutions to actively contribute towards this dream, he said. SwarnaAndhra-2047 vision aligned with the national mission of 'Viksit Bharat', he added. He said the roadmap drawn up by the state government aims to achieve economic prosperity, technological advancement, social equality, and environmental sustainability by 2047. Meanwhile, JNTU Anantapur celebrated its 14th Convocation ceremony with grandeur. The Governor conferred a honorary doctorate on Dr Satyanarayana Chava, Founder of Hyderabad-based Laurus Labs Ltd.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Quantum Valley will position A.P. as a leading centre for technology research, says Governor
Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer has said that the State government's plan to establish Quantum Valley, a quantum computing hub in Amaravati, as part of India's National Quantum Mission, will position the State as a leading centre for quantum technology research and development. Mr. Nazeer, who is also the Chancellor of JNTU-A, presided over the 14th convocation held at the university's auditorium in Anantapur on Saturday. He expressed happiness over the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur (JNTU-A) introducing a minor programme in Quantum Computing from the next academic year, saying that it would augur well with the State government's ambitious plan. Viksit Bharat goals Addressing the students, the Governor said the concept of Viksit Bharat focuses on achieving economic prosperity, social inclusiveness, technological advancement, and sustainable development and envisions an India where every citizen has access to quality education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and a dignified life. 'To achieve this vision, several programmes such as digital economy, renewable energy, startups, education, health, and skill development have been initiated with a participatory approach, encouraging citizens, students, youth, and all institutions to actively contribute towards this goal,' he said. He said the State's Swarna Andhra 2047 vision aligns with the national mission of Viksit Bharat, adding that the roadmap drawn up by the State government aims to achieve economic prosperity, technological advancement, social equality, and environmental sustainability by 2047. The Governor congratulated the students who received gold medals, merit certificates and degrees during the convocation. Prof. M.R. Madhav, Emeritus Professor (Retd.), IIT Kanpur, participated as the chief guest-cum-orator. Dr. Satyanarayana Chava, founder & CEO of Laurus Labs Limited, was conferred with the Degree of Honoris Causa by the University. JNTU-A Vice-Chancellor Prof. H. Sudarsana Rao read out the university's annual report. Dr. M. Hari Jawaharlal, Secretary to the Governor, and other dignitaries attended the convocation.
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- New Indian Express
LeT recruits from Kerala trained at targeted camps
KOCHI: Terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) had recruited people from Kerala in 2008 to be trained at its camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan, which were dismantled in 'Operation Sindoor', the 'precision' attacks by the Indian Armed Forces on May 7. Five youths – Fayiz and Fayaz from Kannur, Abdul Rahim and Abdul Jabbar from Malappuram and Yasin from Ernakulam – were selected by LeT operative Thadiyantavide Nazeer to be trained under the outfit and were sent to the LeT camp. It was alleged that Nazeer and his aides lured the youths through the classes he held in various parts of northern Kerala. The plan was that after training, two persons would return to Kerala while the remaining three would join the 'jihad' in Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, security forces, which intercepted the messages these persons sent to Kerala, surrounded them in 2008. Four persons except Jabbar were killed by the forces in the ensuing encounter at Kupwara in Jammu & Kashmir. Jabbar was later arrested by the police in Hyderabad. It was some problems faced by Yasin and Fayiz at the LeT camp that led to the fiasco. The two wanted to return home and Rahim wanted Nazeer to intervene to sort out the issues. Nazeer spoke to the duo over the phone and convinced them that returning from jihad was not allowed in religion. Moreover, the LeT commander at the camp also threatened the recruits. Investigations revealed that LeT had established direct contact with some elements in Kerala. K P Sabir alias Ayub, from Kannur, is believed to be the key figure in implementing the LeT plan in Kerala and was involved in all the discussions. Sabir left for Delhi two days before others' journey and made all the arrangements needed in the capital. After the group reached Delhi, he escorted them to Kashmir and personally handed over the recruits to the LeT handlers. Sabir left the country after news of the encounter appeared in the media. He is still absconding. LeT had helped Nazeer flee to Bangladesh and stay there for around one year before his arrest in 2009 end. The NIA Court in 2013 found 13 persons guilty in the case and sentenced them to life imprisonment. The Kerala High Court in 2022 upheld the verdict of 10, and acquitted three persons. Wali alias Reehan, a Pakistan national, was an accused in the case but he was not arrested.
