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United News of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
SC seeks UP, Uttarakhand reply on plea against QR code mandate for food sellers during Kanwar Yatra
New Delhi, July 15 (UNI) The Supreme Court today granted one week's time to the states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to file their responses on a plea challenging the government directive mandating food sellers along the Kanwar Yatra route to display QR code stickers revealing owners' details. A bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice N Kotiswar Singh posted the matter for next Tuesday after noting that the yatra will conclude within 10 to 12 days. During the hearing, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand sought two weeks to file their replies. Deputy advocate general Jatinder Kumar Sethi appeared for the states. Senior advocate Shadan Farasat, representing the applicants, however, pressed for urgent hearing citing the time-sensitive nature of the issue. Senior advocates Chander Uday Singh and Huzefa Ahmadi appeared for other petitioners in the matter. The application seeks a stay on all directives requiring or facilitating public disclosure of ownership or employee identity of food vendors along the Kanwar Yatra routes in both states. It argues that the directions violate an interim order passed by the Supreme Court last year, which held that sellers cannot be forced to disclose their identities. Applicants Professor Apoorvanand and activist Aakar Patel have alleged that this year's QR code mandate circumvents the earlier court order and results in the disclosure of owners' names and identities, leading to religious profiling. They contended that such directions have no backing of law and are aimed at creating religious polarisation and discrimination. The bench has posted the matter for hearing next week. UNI SNG PRS
United News of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
SC: Equal pension for all retired HC judges, including additional judges
New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) The Supreme Court has ruled that all retired high court judges are entitled to equal pension and retirement benefits, regardless of whether they served as permanent or additional judges. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih held that making a distinction in post-retirement benefits among judges based on their mode of appointment violates Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to equality. The court stated, 'Any discrimination among judges for terminal benefits after retirement is violative of Article 14. All high court judges, including those who retired as additional judges, are entitled to full pension.' It further clarified that no difference can be made based on whether a judge was promoted from the district judiciary or elevated from the bar. The court also extended the benefit of parity to the families of additional judges, ruling that they too are entitled to the same family pension and post-retirement benefits as those granted to the families of permanent judges. Key directions issued by the court include, retired chief justices of high courts shall receive a full pension amounting to ₹15 lakhs per annum. Retired high court judges, including those who served as additional judges, shall be paid ₹13.6 lakh per annum as full pension. All judges, irrespective of how they entered the judiciary by elevation from the bar or promotion from the subordinate judiciary are entitled to the same pension benefits. Family pension and widow benefits shall also be applicable to the families of retired additional judges. Senior advocate K Parameshwar assisted the court as amicus curiae in the matter. The detailed judgement is awaited. UNI SNG PRS
