Today 5th April,The Supreme Court (SC) granted bail to Ram Sewak in a religious conversion case, with a maximum bail bond of Rs 25,000. The court deferred additional bail conditions to the trial court. Charges against Sewak and others include attempted murder, intentional insult, extortion, and violations of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Today (5th April),The Allahabad High Court warns judicial officers not allowing video conferencing, emphasizing its importance, especially for witnesses outside the district. Non-compliance may lead to disciplinary action. The court orders reports on video conferencing facilities and virtual hearings. It instructs the government counsel to address the lack of facilities for prosecution witnesses outside the district.
On April 5th, the Supreme Court asked Uttar Pradesh to respond to Abbas Ansari’s plea to attend his late father Mukhtar Ansari’s ‘Fatiha’ ceremony on April 10th. Previously seeking permission for his father’s last rites, Abbas now focuses on the ‘Fatiha’ ceremony. The Supreme Court scheduled further hearings for April 9 to consider the matter. Mukhtar Ansari’s death is under investigation due to family allegations of foul play.
CJI D Y Chandrachud led bench, Today (April 5th) issued an interim stay on the Allahabad HC’s order, which deemed the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, unconstitutional and contrary to secular principles. The Court also sent notices to the Centre, Uttar Pradesh government, and other concerned parties regarding the petitions challenging the high court’s ruling.
On Tuesday (2nd April): A nine-judge Constitution Bench is deliberating on whether the regulation of industrial alcohol is the exclusive domain of either the Union or state governments or if it can be jointly handled. The background includes previous court decisions on the interpretation of relevant laws, leading to divergent views. The case has raised significant arguments related to the Constitution’s framers’ intentions and the scope of governmental authority.
The Supreme Court granted bail to Sam Higginbottom University’s vice chancellor, Rajendra Bihari Lal, in religious conversion cases. The court raised concerns about excessive police interest in the matter. Lal is charged with serious offenses and is required to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The state government’s plea to recall the bail order was denied.
Today 2nd April, Ardhendumauli Kumar Prasad resigned as the Additional Advocate General (AAG) of Uttar Pradesh due to personal reasons. In his resignation letter, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity and cited a desire to focus on his private legal practice. Prior to this role, he served as the standing counsel for Uttar Pradesh in the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of India issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh Government regarding non-functional CCTV cameras in a courtroom where Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia was assaulted, emphasizing the state’s accountability for court safety. The Court ordered the report to be widely circulated and condemned actions compromising legal proceedings, following an assault on Bhatia and Advocate Muskan Gupta.
The Supreme Court has highlighted the dangers of celebratory firing at weddings, emphasizing the loss of innocent lives. The accessibility of illegal firearms, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, was criticized as a violation of the right to life. Justices also emphasized that the right to bear arms is not a fundamental right protected by the Constitution.
