Latest news with #PublicInterestLitigation
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Quarry accident in Sivaganga: Plea seeks action against government officials
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Friday issued notice to the state government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought action against government officials whose negligence allegedly led to the death of six people in a stone quarry accident in Mallankottai village in Sivaganga in May this year. According to the litigant, SMA Pon Gandhimathinathan of Thoothukudi, several illegal activities took place in the quarry and M-sand produced was being transported day and night in violation of rules. Despite complaints, authorities failed to take action, he added. On May 20, there was a sudden rock slide in the quarry in which five workers died on the spot and one succumbed to injuries later, he added. Claiming that the accident took place due to lack of preventive steps by the authorities against illegal quarrying, the litigant sought action against them. He further requested the court to direct the collector to form a special cell at district level to review the matter on a monthly basis and fix responsibility on the officials concerned. He also sought a direction to constitute a district and taluk level task forces to curtail the menace and minimize the loss to the government. A bench of justices SM Subramaniam and AD Maria Clete issued notice to the authorities concerned and adjourned the case.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
HC explores multi-storey option for Jaipur Metro-1 court complex
1 2 Jaipur: In a development related to construction of a new court complex in the city, the Rajasthan High Court Friday directed Advocate General (AG) Rajendra Prasad to assess the feasibility of converting the existing Jaipur Metro-1 court into a multi-storey building. The directive comes as part of ongoing discussions about addressing the space constraints and inadequate facilities at the current court complex in Bani Park. A division bench comprising Justices Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Sanjit Purohit were hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocates Deendayal Khandelwal and Dharmendra Moolwani, which highlights the pressing need for improved judicial infrastructure. The AG informed the court that two potential locations have been identified for a new court complex, but the bench suggested considering an upgrade of the existing Metro-1 facility to a structure similar to the eight-storey Jaipur Metro-2 court. The judges emphasised the necessity of including parking facilities in the basement of the proposed building to alleviate the current parking crisis faced by lawyers and litigants. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo In response to the court's inquiry, the AG acknowledged the requirement for a detailed report from the chief town planner and technical experts to evaluate the proposed multi-storey design. The court granted a six-week timeline for this feasibility study, reflecting an urgent need to address the challenges posed by the limited space and lack of basic amenities at the Bani Park site. The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) previously confirmed the reservation of 100 bighas of land on Sikar Road and additional parcels near Ajmer Road for the new complex, underscoring the commitment to enhancing judicial facilities in the city. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bombay HC seeks State's stand on PIL for use of loudspeakers for Azan in 24 mosques
The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra Government to file a detailed response on the maintainability of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking permission for 24 mosques to use loudspeakers for the Azan, in compliance with legal decibel limits. The petition, filed by the Hazrat Khwaja Garib Nawaz Welfare Association Maharashtra through its General Secretary, Mohammed Yusuf Umar Ansari, seeks directions to allow regulated use of loudspeakers for the Azan in specific mosques. The State Government has raised preliminary objections, questioning the locus standi and credibility of the petitioner. Government Pleader P.H. Kantharia submitted that Mr. Ansari is facing an externment order dated May 16, and had allegedly violated it by entering Mumbai to file the petition affidavit on July 4. Four criminal cases are also pending against him under the Indian Penal Code. The State further submitted that an audio clip circulated by Mr. Ansari, allegedly inviting 22,900 people to attend the court hearing, created a potential law-and-order issue, prompting additional police deployment around the High Court premises. It argued that, given his conduct and background, the court should not entertain the PIL. Advocate Shaikh Imran Mubarak, appearing for Mr. Ansari, denied all allegations. The Bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V. Marne directed the State to file formal objections within two weeks, with the petitioner permitted to respond within two weeks thereafter. 'In order to enable us to decide with regard to the locus and maintainability of the PIL at the instance of the General Secretary of the petitioner, we deem it appropriate to direct the learned Government Pleader to submit objections to the maintainability of the PIL by way of objections after supplying a copy of the same to the learned counsel for the petitioner. Let the objections be filed within two weeks from today,' the Bench said. 'Needless to state that the petitioner shall be at liberty to file response thereto within a further period of two weeks from receipt of such objections,' it added. The Bench also noted that a similar matter is pending and ordered both cases to be clubbed for a joint hearing after four weeks. The petitioner argued that the Azan - the Islamic call to prayer - takes place five times daily, each lasting less than three minutes, without musical instruments or amplifiers that cause disruptive noise. He cited the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and WHO guidelines to contend that the Azan falls within permissible sound levels in residential and silence zones. Mr. Ansari has attached 22,900 signatures from citizens in support of reinstating loudspeakers at the mosques, asserting that other public noise sources - such as traffic, political rallies, and festivals across religions - often exceed 120 decibels without consistent regulatory enforcement. He submitted that the Azan is delivered at fixed times - 5 a.m., 1 p.m., 5.30 p.m., 6.45 p.m., and 8.45 p.m. - and is integral to religious practice. The PIL seeks to prevent selective application of noise regulations that, he argued, disproportionately affect minority religious groups. The petition names 24 mosques in Mumbai allegedly affected by the removal of loudspeakers, including the Dargah Hazrat Syed Makhdoom Shah and the Masjid Compound Trust.
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Banke Bihari Temple case: Supreme Court says will pass orders setting up former HC judge-led committee
The Supreme Court Friday told petitioners who have challenged the Uttar Pradesh Ordinance which put in place a trust to manage the affairs of the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, that it will soon pass orders constituting an interim committee headed by a former judge of the Allahabad High Court for managing the shrine's affairs until that court decides the Ordinance's constitutional validity. The bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, said the committee will include some government officials as well as representatives of the shrine's traditional caretakers, and will oversee improving the facilities. 'We will infuse some officials in the Committee. Some of you also. We are broadly telling you. We will authorise the Chairman of the Committee to have some Goswamis also… the Committee will see to developmental activities in the area,' Justice Kant added. The court said that until the Allahabad High Court decides the matter, the committee proposed under the Ordinance will be kept in abeyance. The bench also said it will set aside the directions in the May 25 order allowing the UP Government to use the Banke Bihari Temple funds for buying land around it for a proposed corridor project. Appearing for the UP government, Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj pointed out that some parallel proceedings are ongoing before the high court in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), and the HC had appointed amicus curiae in the matter and also passed some orders. The SC then stayed the high court single-judge order and asked the HC Chief Justice to assign it to a division bench, saying that matters pertaining to the constitutionality of statutes are generally heard by division benches.
Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Karnataka HC disposes of plea against transport strike after unions submit resolution
The Karnataka High Court Thursday disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against a strike by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and other transport corporation employees after receiving a resolution stating that it has been called off. A bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi heard the matter. The resolution submitted to the bench stated, 'After taking into account the advice of legal consultants and with due deference to Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka…. decides unanimously to call off the indefinite strike of the Road Transport Corporations Employees, as per the Hon'ble Court's direction, all over the state with immediate effect.' The petitioner's counsel had requested that a time frame be set to decide the disputed issues to prevent such a situation from arising again. A Joint Action Committee of the four state transport corporations has been demanding a 25 per cent pay hike, dated January 1, 2024, settlement of 38 months of payment arrears starting from January 2020, and wage revisions. The PIL against the strike, filed by several commuters relying on the transportation services, had argued that the strike would result in grave harm to vulnerable sections of the public, especially the economically weaker section. When the matter was initially heard by a division bench of the High Court this Monday, a direction was issued not to conduct the strike for a day pending the negotiations with the Karnataka Government, in light of the hardship to the public. However, there was a considerable reduction in services Tuesday. As reported by the Indian Express, Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) operated at just 29 per cent of its capacity, KSRTC at 43 per cent, and North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) at 59 per cent. Only Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) maintained near-normal operations, reporting 99 per cent of scheduled services. The Chief Justice's bench took exception to this, warning of possible contempt proceedings while directing the strike to be called off until the next day of hearing. The bench had also made an oral observation that the public could not be held to ransom.
