On Monday (18th March): The Supreme Court overturned the High Court decision annulling Congress leader Mohammed Moquim’s 2019 MLA win for Barabati in Cuttack. Moquim can retain his position with restrictions, including inability to vote in assembly. The controversy arose from allegations of undisclosed criminal cases and property details during the election. The next hearing is scheduled for May 10, 2024.
Today, on 16th March: The Orissa High Court has postponed the hearing on the missing keys of Puri Jagannath Temple’s ‘Ratna Bhandar’ for two weeks in response to a PIL. The PIL seeks to present the Justice Raghubir Das Commission of Enquiry report in the state Assembly. The State Government requested two weeks to file an affidavit.
Today (15th March): The Delhi Sessions Court upheld its decision on Arvind Kejriwal’s appeal against the Enforcement Directorate’s summons. Kejriwal had challenged the summons related to an alleged excise scam. The court’s decision followed multiple summonses after his non-compliance. Kejriwal’s representative argued for a stay on the initial order during the recent hearing.
The Delhi High Court dismissed the Indian National Congress’s plea against the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal’s decision not to stay the Income Tax department’s lien on their bank accounts. The court recognized the facts and arguments presented, affirming the tribunal’s decision. The Congress party was granted the liberty to approach the tribunal if circumstances change, offering a potential future recourse. The legal battle involves significant financial figures and maneuvering, with the IT department confirming the recovery of Rs 65 crore from the Congress party’s bank accounts against a demand of Rs 135 crore. The court’s decision followed the tribunal’s dismissal of the Congress’s plea to prevent the IT lien, and the subsequent unsuccessful appeal highlighted the party’s urgent need for relief. The tribunal emphasized the party’s lack of diligence in addressing the demand raised by the assessing officer, leading to the dismissal of their concerns about the recovery action.
Today, the Delhi High Court addressed Sharjeel Imam’s bail plea in a case involving charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and sedition over his inflammatory speeches. The court has sought a response from the Delhi Police within two weeks and scheduled another hearing for April. Imam’s speeches at Aligarh Muslim University and in Delhi were perceived to instigate opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Despite arguing that he should be granted statutory bail, the trial court refused Imam’s plea, emphasizing the disruptive impact of his speeches on the 2020 riots in the national capital. He faces severe charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the UAPA. The statutory bail in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) allows for a maximum detention of 90 days, which can be extended to 180 days in terror-related cases under the UAPA. If the investigation is not complete at the end of this period, the court can release the person on default bail.