Latest news with #SwordofDamocles
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
HC grants relief to 90-year-old in four-decades long corruption case
The Delhi High Court has granted relief to a 90-year-old man involved in a 1984 corruption case by reducing his sentence to a day, noting that the delay was 'plainly at odds' with the constitutional mandate of a speedy trial under Article 21. Taking the analogy of 'Sword of Damocles', Justice Jasmeet Singh said the uncertainty over the man's fate for a period of about 40 years by itself was a mitigating factor. 'At 90 years age, suffering from serious health ailments, he is highly vulnerable to the physical and psychological impact of incarceration. Any such imprisonment would risk causing irreversible harm and would defeat the very objective of mitigating the sentence,' the judge in the July 8 order. 'This is a fit case for reducing the quantum of sentence of the appellant considering the mitigating circumstances. Hence, the sentence of the appellant is reduced to the time already served,' the court said. The court said the incident took place in January 1984 with the proceedings continuing for four decades, with the trial taking nearly 19 years to conclude, and the appeal remaining pending for over 22 years. The man was stated to be a former senior officer of State Trading Corporation of India. He did not challenge his conviction after being found guilty of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the IPC which will remain with him for his entire life, the court said. Surendra Kumar, who was a chief marketing manager, was arrested in the case in 1984 over the allegations of demanding ₹15,000 in bribe from a firm partner. Mr. Kumar was released on bail shortly after his arrest but was convicted in the case in 2002. In 2002, he filed an appeal against the trial court's order sentencing him to three years imprisonment and ₹15,000 fine. The High Court also observed the convict had deposited the fine imposed by the trial court in 2002.
Deccan Herald
10-07-2025
- Deccan Herald
40 years on, Delhi High Court grants relief to 90-yr-old man in corruption case
Using "Sword of Damocles" as an analogy, Justice Jasmeet Singh said the uncertainty over the man's fate for a period of about 40 years by itself was a mitigating factor.
North Wales Chronicle
20-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Rachel Reeves: SNP in absurd position over criticism of EU-UK fisheries deal
SNP MP Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens) said a 'growth-threatening Sword of Damocles' has been placed over the sector in Scotland following the agreement, which allows a further 12 years of access to UK waters for boats from the EU. Speaking at Treasury questions, Mr Doogan asked in the Commons: 'What changes will the Chancellor introduce in the spring statement to compensate for the growth-threatening Sword of Damocles she has just placed over the Scottish fishing industry? 'She should know, but probably doesn't, that 70% of revenue from fishing and agriculture comes from Scotland. 'She should know, but probably doesn't, that the fishing industry in Scotland is 50 times larger for Scotland's economy than the UK. 'So can she explain what discussions did she have with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation or the Scottish Government before making this damaging decision?' Ms Reeves replied: 'I was very pleased that the Scottish Salmon Association welcomed the trade deal that we secured with the EU yesterday, and 70% of the fish that is caught in UK waters is sold into European markets.' She added: 'The SNP are now in an absurd situation where they support Reform and the Tories in opposing the deal with the EU.' Elsewhere at Treasury questions, Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) raised concerns over the visitor levy in Scotland. The 5% charge will apply to those staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other forms of accommodation, including holiday lets. Mr Stone said: 'Scottish councils now have the power to introduce a tourism levy. This has gone down extremely badly with the hospitality sector and in particular they fear a tax on a tax – a tax would be VAT. 'Could I ask the Government to look at zero rating this in the event that a tourism levy is introduced?' Ms Reeves replied: 'I want to welcome tourists to Great Britain and Northern Ireland and that's why we're securing trade deals with countries around the world, showing that we as a country are open for business. 'In the end it's up to the Scottish Government about what additional taxes they introduce. But as with income tax you can always see that the SNP never take the side of ordinary working people.'
Leader Live
20-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Rachel Reeves: SNP in absurd position over criticism of EU-UK fisheries deal
SNP MP Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens) said a 'growth-threatening Sword of Damocles' has been placed over the sector in Scotland following the agreement, which allows a further 12 years of access to UK waters for boats from the EU. Speaking at Treasury questions, Mr Doogan asked in the Commons: 'What changes will the Chancellor introduce in the spring statement to compensate for the growth-threatening Sword of Damocles she has just placed over the Scottish fishing industry? 'She should know, but probably doesn't, that 70% of revenue from fishing and agriculture comes from Scotland. 'She should know, but probably doesn't, that the fishing industry in Scotland is 50 times larger for Scotland's economy than the UK. 'So can she explain what discussions did she have with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation or the Scottish Government before making this damaging decision?' Ms Reeves replied: 'I was very pleased that the Scottish Salmon Association welcomed the trade deal that we secured with the EU yesterday, and 70% of the fish that is caught in UK waters is sold into European markets.' She added: 'The SNP are now in an absurd situation where they support Reform and the Tories in opposing the deal with the EU.' Elsewhere at Treasury questions, Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) raised concerns over the visitor levy in Scotland. The 5% charge will apply to those staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other forms of accommodation, including holiday lets. Mr Stone said: 'Scottish councils now have the power to introduce a tourism levy. This has gone down extremely badly with the hospitality sector and in particular they fear a tax on a tax – a tax would be VAT. 'Could I ask the Government to look at zero rating this in the event that a tourism levy is introduced?' Ms Reeves replied: 'I want to welcome tourists to Great Britain and Northern Ireland and that's why we're securing trade deals with countries around the world, showing that we as a country are open for business. 'In the end it's up to the Scottish Government about what additional taxes they introduce. But as with income tax you can always see that the SNP never take the side of ordinary working people.'
Western Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Rachel Reeves: SNP in absurd position over criticism of EU-UK fisheries deal
SNP MP Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens) said a 'growth-threatening Sword of Damocles' has been placed over the sector in Scotland following the agreement, which allows a further 12 years of access to UK waters for boats from the EU. Speaking at Treasury questions, Mr Doogan asked in the Commons: 'What changes will the Chancellor introduce in the spring statement to compensate for the growth-threatening Sword of Damocles she has just placed over the Scottish fishing industry? 'She should know, but probably doesn't, that 70% of revenue from fishing and agriculture comes from Scotland. 'She should know, but probably doesn't, that the fishing industry in Scotland is 50 times larger for Scotland's economy than the UK. 'So can she explain what discussions did she have with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation or the Scottish Government before making this damaging decision?' Ms Reeves replied: 'I was very pleased that the Scottish Salmon Association welcomed the trade deal that we secured with the EU yesterday, and 70% of the fish that is caught in UK waters is sold into European markets.' She added: 'The SNP are now in an absurd situation where they support Reform and the Tories in opposing the deal with the EU.' Elsewhere at Treasury questions, Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) raised concerns over the visitor levy in Scotland. The 5% charge will apply to those staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other forms of accommodation, including holiday lets. Mr Stone said: 'Scottish councils now have the power to introduce a tourism levy. This has gone down extremely badly with the hospitality sector and in particular they fear a tax on a tax – a tax would be VAT. 'Could I ask the Government to look at zero rating this in the event that a tourism levy is introduced?' Ms Reeves replied: 'I want to welcome tourists to Great Britain and Northern Ireland and that's why we're securing trade deals with countries around the world, showing that we as a country are open for business. 'In the end it's up to the Scottish Government about what additional taxes they introduce. But as with income tax you can always see that the SNP never take the side of ordinary working people.'
