Latest news with #ProbationofOffendersAct
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Supreme Court confirms Medha Patkar's conviction in criminal defamation case by Delhi L-G Saxena
The Supreme Court on Monday (August 11, 2025) confirmed a Delhi High Court decision upholding the conviction of Narmada Bachao Andolan leader and activist Medha Patkar in a criminal defamation case lodged against her by Vinai Kumar Saxena, the current Lieutenant General of Delhi, in 2001. A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Justice N Kotiswar Singh however set aside an order directing Ms. Patkar, represented by senior advocate Sanjay Parikh and advocate Abhimanue Shreshta, to pay ₹1 lakh in compensation. The apex court also modified a probation order imposed on her and directed her to furnish bonds in order to exempt her from prison sentence. The Bench removed conditions of supervision of Ms. Patkar. 'Once the appellate court (High Court) applied the parameters of Section 360 Criminal Procedure Code to grant probation, it could not have applied provisions of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, much less the requirement for supervision by the Probation Officer under Section 4 (3) or the grant of compensation. The only permissible condition under Section 360 was to release the petitioner (Patkar), with or without surety, and no other condition was legally tenable,' Mr. Parikh argued. Ms. Patkar was alleged to have emailed a press note on November 24, 2000 allegedly to Dilip Gohil, a correspondent. The latter had published an article in Gujarati which Mr. Saxena claimed to be defamatory to him. Mr. Parikh argued for setting aside the conviction, noting that the High Court had upheld the conviction despite disbelieving two crucial witnesses. The email, projected as key proof, was not certified as admissible as evidence under Section 65B of the Evidence Act. However, the apex court stood firm by its decision to not intervene in the conviction. The High Court had upheld the conviction of Ms. Patkar on July 29. Mr. Saxena had been heading the Ahmedabad-based NGO National Council for Civil Liberties at the time of the defamation complaint.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
E-scooter woman who attacked sister-in-law and neighbour learns fate
A woman, who used her fingernails to attack her sister-in-law at a post office in Dublin, after previously punching, kicking and pulling the hair of a mother on a school run, has avoided jail. Claire Redmond, 26, of Forestwood Avenue, Santry, Dublin 9, pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing harm to two women in 2022. She walked free from court and avoided a criminal record. Dublin District Court heard that the incidents occurred at the Post Office on Ballymun Road, and the other involved her next-door neighbour, who has since passed away. Judge Treasa Kelly had heard that the first incident on February 10, when her 35-year-old neighbour went to collect a child from school. Redmond passed her on an electric scooter and "called her a tramp". She repeatedly used the slur before the attack. The woman fell to the ground, where Redmond kicked her in the stomach and head. The accused then grabbed the woman by her hair and punched her, resulting in cuts, bleeding and bruising. The court was informed that they had got on well growing up, but at the time, Redmond had suffered a breakdown. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Judge Kelly had heard the incident left the victim, who has since passed away, in a distressed state and suffering from anxiety. The second attack happened on November 10. Redmond's sister-in-law, 25, was waiting in line when she was tapped on the shoulder, and the accused told her she would be "waiting outside". She then said, "Fuck it, I'll do it here" and grabbed the woman's face with her fingernails, punched her, and kneed her in the face while holding her by the hair. Bystanders yelled, "Get off her, get off her," and the assault stopped when two staff members dragged Redmond away. Gardai obtained CCTV evidence, but victim impact statements were not forthcoming, with Judge Kelly noting that the neighbour has since passed away. The defence understood her sister-in-law may not have reconciled with Redmond, but had no ill feelings towards her now. She had no prior convictions but had been given the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act and spared a criminal record last year for a public order offence. The judge said defendants typically receive that just once. Her solicitor, Andrew Broderick, stated that Redmond was extremely remorseful. In pleading for leniency, he explained that when his client was younger, she had been put out of her family home and stayed in hostels. She developed drug and alcohol problems, including cocaine and tablet abuse. Around the time of the assaults, Redmond returned to Ballymun to try and get back into her family home, but "things escalated". Mr Broderick submitted that the attacks were not premeditated, and Redmond's emotions got the better of her while she was in the throes of drug addiction and had mental health difficulties. The solicitor emphasised that she was ambitious and, now that she has recovered, wished to train to become an addiction counsellor, rebuild her life and move to Australia. She was anxious to avoid a recorded conviction so that she could go there. He provided letters showing Redmond had completed a five-month residential treatment course, which also addressed anger management, and had quit alcohol and drugs. He added that she had not offended since and had become a very different person. She had also co-operated with the Probation Service about restorative justice and stopped coming to Garda attention, the solicitor said. She also brought €500 to court, which the judge ordered to be given to her sister-in-law. Noting the reports on her progress and the mitigation plea, she held that she could again apply the Probation of Offenders Act. However, she stressed that it was "very, very unusual" to get this chance and warned her that if she ever appeared in court again, she would face a much harsher penalty. Redmond did not give evidence, thanked he judge at the conclusion of the hearing. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
BreakingNews.ie
16-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Woman avoids jail for attacking sister-in-law and neighbour on school run
A woman, who used her fingernails to attack her sister-in-law at a post office in Dublin, after previously punching, kicking and pulling the hair of a mother on a school run, has avoided jail. Claire Redmond, 26, of Forestwood Avenue, Santry, Dublin 9, pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing harm to two women in 2022. Advertisement She walked free from court and avoided a criminal record. Dublin District Court heard that the incidents occurred at the Post Office on Ballymun Road, and the other involved her next-door neighbour, who has since passed away. Judge Treasa Kelly had heard that the first incident on February 10th when her 35-year-old neighbour went to collect a child from school. Redmond passed her on an electric scooter and "called her a tramp". She repeatedly used the slur before the attack. The woman fell to the ground, where Redmond kicked her in the stomach and head. Advertisement The accused then grabbed the woman by her hair and punched her, resulting in cuts, bleeding and bruising. The court was informed that they had got on well growing up, but at the time, Redmond had suffered a breakdown. Judge Kelly had heard the incident left the victim, who has since passed away, in a distressed state and suffering from anxiety. The second attack happened on November 10th. Redmond's sister-in-law, 25, was waiting in line when she was tapped on the shoulder, and the accused told her she would be "waiting outside". Advertisement She then said, "Fuck it, I'll do it here" and grabbed the woman's face with her fingernails, punched her, and kneed her in the face while holding her by the hair. Bystanders yelled, "Get off her, get off her," and the assault stopped when two staff members dragged Redmond away. Gardaí obtained CCTV evidence, but victim impact statements were not forthcoming, with Judge Kelly noting that the neighbour has since passed away. The defence understood her sister-in-law may not have reconciled with Redmond, but had no ill feelings towards her now. Advertisement She had no prior convictions but had been given the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act and spared a criminal record last year for a public order offence. The judge said defendants typically receive that just once. Her solicitor, Andrew Broderick, stated that Redmond was extremely remorseful. In pleading for leniency, he explained that when his client was younger, she had been put out of her family home and stayed in hostels. She developed drug and alcohol problems, including cocaine and tablet abuse. Advertisement Around the time of the assaults, Redmond returned to Ballymun to try and get back into her family home, but "things escalated". Mr Broderick submitted that the attacks were not premeditated, and Redmond's emotions got the better of her while she was in the throes of drug addiction and had mental health difficulties. The solicitor emphasised that she was ambitious and, now that she has recovered, wished to train to become an addiction counsellor, rebuild her life and move to Australia. She was anxious to avoid a recorded conviction so that she could go there. He provided letters showing Redmond had completed a five-month residential treatment course, which also addressed anger management, and had quit alcohol and drugs. He added that she had not offended since and had become a very different person. She had also co-operated with the Probation Service about restorative justice and stopped coming to Garda attention, the solicitor said. Ireland Andrew McGinley welcomes news that inquests into d... Read More She also brought €500 to court, which the judge ordered to be given to her sister-in-law. Noting the reports on her progress and the mitigation plea, she held that she could again apply the Probation of Offenders Act. However, she stressed that it was "very, very unusual" to get this chance and warned her that if she ever appeared in court again, she would face a much harsher penalty. Redmond did not give evidence, thanked he judge at the conclusion of the hearing.
Sunday World
16-07-2025
- Sunday World
Woman who attacked sister-in-law with fingernails and beat up neighbour avoids jail
Claire Redmond, 26, of Forestwood Avenue, Santry, Dublin 9, pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing harm to two women in 2022 A woman, who used her fingernails to attack her sister-in-law at a post office in Dublin, after previously punching, kicking and pulling the hair of a mother on a school run, has avoided jail. Claire Redmond, 26, of Forestwood Avenue, Santry, Dublin 9, pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing harm to two women in 2022. She walked free from court and avoided a criminal record. Dublin District Court heard that the incidents occurred at the Post Office on Ballymun Road, and the other involved her next-door neighbour, who has since passed away. Judge Treasa Kelly had heard that the first incident on February 10, when her 35-year-old neighbour went to collect a child from school. Redmond passed her on an electric scooter and "called her a tramp". She repeatedly used the slur before the attack. The woman fell to the ground, where Redmond kicked her in the stomach and head. The accused then grabbed the woman by her hair and punched her, resulting in cuts, bleeding and bruising. The court was informed that they had got on well growing up, but at the time, Redmond had suffered a breakdown. Judge Kelly had heard the incident left the victim, who has since passed away, in a distressed state and suffering from anxiety. The second attack happened on November 10. Redmond's sister-in-law, 25, was waiting in line when she was tapped on the shoulder, and the accused told her she would be "waiting outside". She then said, "Fuck it, I'll do it here" and grabbed the woman's face with her fingernails, punched her, and kneed her in the face while holding her by the hair. Bystanders yelled, "Get off her, get off her," and the assault stopped when two staff members dragged Redmond away. Gardai obtained CCTV evidence, but victim impact statements were not forthcoming, with Judge Kelly noting that the neighbour has since passed away. The defence understood her sister-in-law may not have reconciled with Redmond, but had no ill feelings towards her now. She had no prior convictions but had been given the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act and spared a criminal record last year for a public order offence. The judge said defendants typically receive that just once. Her solicitor, Andrew Broderick, stated that Redmond was extremely remorseful. In pleading for leniency, he explained that when his client was younger, she had been put out of her family home and stayed in hostels. She developed drug and alcohol problems, including cocaine and tablet abuse. Around the time of the assaults, Redmond returned to Ballymun to try and get back into her family home, but "things escalated". Mr Broderick submitted that the attacks were not premeditated, and Redmond's emotions got the better of her while she was in the throes of drug addiction and had mental health difficulties. The solicitor emphasised that she was ambitious and, now that she has recovered, wished to train to become an addiction counsellor, rebuild her life and move to Australia. She was anxious to avoid a recorded conviction so that she could go there. He provided letters showing Redmond had completed a five-month residential treatment course, which also addressed anger management, and had quit alcohol and drugs. He added that she had not offended since and had become a very different person. She had also co-operated with the Probation Service about restorative justice and stopped coming to Garda attention, the solicitor said. She also brought €500 to court, which the judge ordered to be given to her sister-in-law. Noting the reports on her progress and the mitigation plea, she held that she could again apply the Probation of Offenders Act. However, she stressed that it was "very, very unusual" to get this chance and warned her that if she ever appeared in court again, she would face a much harsher penalty. Redmond did not give evidence, thanked he judge at the conclusion of the hearing. Dublin District Court Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 16th
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP sends legal notices to Lalu's daughter, Purnia MP & Cong state chief
Patna: BJP legal cell has sent legal notices to MP Rajesh Ranjan aka Pappu Yadav, RJD chief Lalu Prasad's daughter Rohini Acharya, Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram and party's national spokesperson Supriya Shrinate besides other leaders for their comments against urban development and housing department (UDHD) minister Jibesh Kumar on fake medicines. "If they do not apologise within 15 days, the party will take legal action against them," BJP state media in charge Danish Eqbal said. He added all the allegations levelled by the opposition against the minister were based on lies and the statements of Congress's Supriya insulted the court. Supriya had demanded Jibesh's resignation as a minister. BJP legal cell senior lawyer Naresh Dixit said Jibesh was neither the owner of nor associated with the medicine company. "In such a situation, there is no question of him being associated with a fake medicine manufacturing company. He has no connection with its management either," he said. Dixit said the court has already given its judgment in the case. He explained the 2012 case when a drug inspector complained that the quality of a medicine, Ciproline 500, was affected due to its improper storage. There was no such report that this medicine was fake or adulterated. The distributors were also made accused on legal technical grounds. The court gave the decision under the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act, which is given only when the accused does not have any such history. "If any fake medicine is made, then it cannot be given," he said. He even said no fine had been imposed. The opposition leaders alleged that the BJP minister Jibesh was found guilty by the Rajasthan's Rajsamand court in the alleged fake medicine case and convicted him. However, later he was released on the condition of maintaining good conduct by paying a fine of Rs 7,000, they alleged. Rohini had said a fake medicine businessman was still on the minister's chair. Congress state media cell chairman Rajesh Rathorre had demanded an investigation into Jibesh's connection with fake medicines.
