Court asks RTI activists to mobilize movement for CIC selectionNovember 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked Right to Information (RTI) activists to mobilise the movement for the selection of the chief information commissioner (CIC). The high court declined to give directions to the government to change the procedure for appointment of the CIC, stating that it was not in its jurisdiction to lay down criteria in this regard.
Petitioners pulled up for urging bureaucrat not be made CICNovember 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Delhi High Court Monday pulled up a group of social activists who had filed a plea seeking transparency in the appointment of the chief information commissioner (CIC) and urging a bureaucrat should not the first choice for appointment for the post. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice S.
Amend Right to Education Act: NGONovember 7th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Starting this Children's Day Nov 14, child rights NGO CRY will start a nationwide campaign asking the government to amend the Right to Education Act 2009. Listing out a three-point agenda, members of the NGO said that amendment in the act is necessary in order to make education accessible to all.
NHRC asks government to compensate Assam victim's familyOctober 30th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Friday asked the central government to pay Rs.500,000 in compensation to the family of a man in Assam who died after torture by defence personnel six years back. Burman Moran was apprehended by the army on Feb 5, 2003, on suspicion on having links with extremists.
Apex court asks government why NHRC chief's post vacantOctober 19th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Monday sought the union government's explanation on why the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chief's post has been lying vacant for the last six months. The issue has been raised in a public interest litigation (PIL) of the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), which has contended that the NHRC is an important agency, established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Apex court trips on natural justice, seeks to rectify errorOctober 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court has initiated steps to rectify an error involving violation of the principles of natural justice, purportedly committed by a bench of erstwhile Justice Arijit Pasayat in May this year. The bench of Justice Aftab Alam and Justice Asok Kumar Ganguly has now felt that Justice Pasayat's bench committed a grave error involving violation of the principles of natural justice when it restored a murder convict's death sentence without hearing him.
Assam government hauled up for human rights violationOctober 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Assam government to compensate the families of two people who were killed in police firing while they were protesting the torture of an advocate in the state last month. Ram Singh Chauhan and Jawaharlal Gour were protesting the manhandling of an advocate by the police last month in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam, when they were "fired at indiscriminately" by a police officer.
Apex court trips on human rights, seeks to rectify errorOctober 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Can judges of the Supreme Court or the court itself violate human rights? This was the poser of the bench of erstwhile Justice Arijit Pasayat in May this year while restoring a murder convict's death sentence - but without giving him hearing. Now the apex court has initiated steps to rectify the grave error involving violation of the principles of natural justice.
Every individual must become a human rights defender: expertsOctober 12th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Expressing concern at the increasing number of human rights violations in the country, acting chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) G.P. Mathur said that every individual must take upon himself to defend human rights.
Human rights group celebrates 16th foundation dayOctober 12th, 2009 NEW DELHI - A day-long session on human rights, marking the celebration of the 16th foundation day of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), began here Monday. A colourful extravaganza is expected in the evening.
Stop prosecution against Quattrocchi: government tells apex courtSeptember 29th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The central government Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that it has decided to stop all prosecution against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi for his alleged involvement in the Bofors payoff case. Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam made the statement before a bench of Chief Justice K.G.
Court raps government as eco-tribunal remains headlessSeptember 29th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Delhi High Court Tuesday criticised the government for not appointing the head of the National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) after eight years, and asked it to explain why court orders in this regard were not implemented. "Why our directions are not being followed till date? There is no website, no address...
What about appointment of rights panel chief? Delhi High CourtSeptember 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the central government what steps it had taken for the appointment of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman, a post vacant since May 31. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Manmohan said: We need some statement from government.
Appoint full-time women's commission head, Brinda tells PMSeptember 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Accusing the government of "indifference and neglect" of the National Commission for Women (NCW), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Brinda Karat Tuesday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to appoint a full-time chairperson of the organisation. The CPI-M politburo member's demand came in the wake of its present chairperson Girija Vyas being elected as a Lok Sabha MP.
Fill up vacancies in forensic science lab, court tells governmentSeptember 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Delhi High Court has pulled up the Delhi government for its laxity in filling up vacancies at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in the capital that had resulted in crime investigations being hindered and asked for an explanation. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Manmohan asked the government to file a detailed reply on why they had delayed in appointing staff at FSL.
