The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Home Ministry to frame fresh guidelines for media briefings by the police in criminal cases, saying that such disclosures should not turn into a “media trial” as it impacts the fundamental rights of the victims and the accused. The top court also came down hard on SpiceJet’s Chairman and Managing Director for non-compliance with its order for making payment to Credit Suisse AG. All this and more in this Wednesday wrap of the courts:
Supreme Court asks Home Ministry for fresh SOPs on media briefings by police in criminal cases
The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to prepare a comprehensive manual on media briefings by police personnel within three months and asked the Director General of Police of all states to give their suggestions to the Centre in a month’s time. The order by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud came on a plea wherein it had asked the government in 2017 to frame norms for media briefings by the police.
‘Not bothered even if you die’: Supreme Court to SpiceJet chief over dues
The Supreme Court has come down hard on SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh, warning him he will be sent to Tihar jail for non-compliance with its order on making payment to global investment bank and financial services firm Credit Suisse AG. The top court asked Singh to pay USD 5,00,000 towards an instalment to the Swiss firm along with USD 1 million defaulted amount. Irked over the “dilly-dally business”, the bench told Singh that he would have to abide by the consent terms and warned, “We are not bothered even if you die. It is too much. We will send you to Tihar jail if you do not pay.”
Demonetisation a bona fide policy decision, unless found otherwise: Bombay High Court
It’s indisputable that the RBI plays a crucial role in our economy, and courts should avoid delving into the monetary regulatory framework unless independent investigation is deemed necessary. The Bombay High Court expressed this viewpoint while dismissing a petition alleging wrongdoing by RBI officials during the 2016 demonetisation. The court deemed the 2016 demonetisation notification a bona fide “policy decision”, adding that unless proved to the contrary, such decisions are presumed to be in the public interest.
Married persons cannot enter into live-in relationships: Andhra Pradesh High Court
The recognition of a couple’s choice to live together without solemnising their marriage does not entitle married people to live with others during the subsistence of their marriage, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled. The Division Bench of Justice Ravi Nath Tilhari and Justice BVLN Chakravarti accordingly dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by a married man to produce a woman whom he had been living with, who was allegedly taken away by her father. The HC bench acknowledged the fundamental right to choose one’s partner, recognised under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution, as well as the legality of live-in relationships under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. However, this recognition was primarily for protecting women from domestic violence, not for encouraging or violating the legal framework.
No Swiggy, Zomato, let kids taste food cooked by their mother: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday underlined the importance of providing home-cooked meals for children while hearing a case concerning an offence relating to pornography. The court advised parents to deter them from ordering food from restaurants through Swiggy and Zomato, Live Law reported. The high court, while hearing the case, quashed criminal charges against a man who was arrested by police on the roadside for watching porn on his mobile, ruling that watching pornography in private, without sharing or exhibiting it to others, will not be considered an offense under Section 292 of the India Penal Code (IPC).
Baptism certificate not above official documents like Aadhar for date of birth: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has ruled that a baptism certificate cannot be given precedence over official government documents like the School Leaving Certificate, Aadhaar Card, PAN Card or a driving license as proof of the date of birth of a person belonging to the Christian community. The court observed: “A baptism certificate is issued by the Church to record the baptism of a person. No primacy can be accorded to a baptism certificate when public documents are available indicating the date of birth.”
