News for '-powers-of-parliament'

Jallianwala Bagh becomes a distinct possibility if...: Ex-SC judge

Jallianwala Bagh becomes a distinct possibility if...: Ex-SC judge

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

Former Supreme Court judge Justice Rohinton Nariman has warned that events similar to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre could occur if the 'basic structure' doctrine of the Constitution is diluted. In his new book, 'The Basic Structure Doctrine: Protector of Constitutional Integrity,' Nariman argues that the 1973 Kesavananda Bharati judgment, which established the doctrine, is essential for protecting fundamental rights and preventing constitutional amendments that could lead to such tragedies. Nariman's concerns are echoed by Supreme Court judge Justice K V Viswanathan, who applauds the book for its "chilling clarity" and underscores the importance of the Kesavananda Bharati ruling. The book provides a detailed analysis of the doctrine and its implications, highlighting the robustness of the Kesavananda Bharati judgment and the lack of a compelling alternative theory.

Modi govt opposes life-time ban on convicted politicians

Modi govt opposes life-time ban on convicted politicians

Rediff.com26 Feb 2025

The Centre said as a matter of judicial review, the court could declare the provisions to be unconstitutional, however, the relief sought by the petitioner effectively sought to read "life-long" instead of "six years" in all sub-sections of Section 8 of the Act.

Two Insurers Announce Investment In Bima Sugam

Two Insurers Announce Investment In Bima Sugam

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

New India Assurance and Niva Bupa have invested in the Bima Sugam India Federation.

'How Can IRDAI Ask Insurers To Invest In Bima Sugam?'

'How Can IRDAI Ask Insurers To Invest In Bima Sugam?'

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

'It is imprudent on the part of Indian insurance companies to invest out of the shareholders' fund in a private limited company.'

One nation, one election bill: President can delay state polls

One nation, one election bill: President can delay state polls

Rediff.com16 Dec 2024

The bill which seeks to put in place a mechanism to hold simultaneous elections in the country has a provision for situations when election to an assembly cannot be held with those of Parliament.

Govt bill explains plan for simultaneous polls

Govt bill explains plan for simultaneous polls

Rediff.com14 Dec 2024

There is an imperative need for holding simultaneous elections for various reasons as polls have become expensive and time-consuming, according to the proposed bill being brought to implement the ambitious 'one nation, one election' plan.

Simultaneous polls bill introduced with 269 votes in favour, 198 against

Simultaneous polls bill introduced with 269 votes in favour, 198 against

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

Two bills that lay down the mechanism to hold simultaneous elections were introduced in the Lok Sabha after a fiery debate on Tuesday, with the opposition terming the move 'dictatorial' and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal asserting that the legislation would not tamper with the powers enjoyed by states.

SC rejects plea to remove 'Socialist', 'Secular' from Preamble

SC rejects plea to remove 'Socialist', 'Secular' from Preamble

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed petitions challenging the 1976 amendment to the Constitution that added the terms "socialist", "secular", and "integrity" to the Preamble. The court ruled that the inclusion of these terms, made through amendments, is valid and does not affect the original adoption of the Constitution in 1949.

Institute of national importance can also be a minority one: SC on AMU

Institute of national importance can also be a minority one: SC on AMU

Rediff.com31 Jan 2024

There is nothing "fundamentally inconsistent" with a minority institution being an institution of national importance (INI), the Supreme Court said on Wednesday while hearing arguments on the vexed issue of minority status to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

Surrender of J-K's sovereignty was not conditional but complete: SC

Surrender of J-K's sovereignty was not conditional but complete: SC

Rediff.com10 Aug 2023

The Supreme Court said on Thursday the surrender of Jammu and Kashmir's sovereignty to India was "absolutely complete" with the accession of the former princely state in October 1947, and it was "really difficult" to say that Article 370 of the Constitution, which accorded special status to the erstwhile state, was permanent in nature.

SC marks 50 years of Constitution's 'basic structure' verdict with web page

SC marks 50 years of Constitution's 'basic structure' verdict with web page

Rediff.com24 Apr 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday dedicated a web page containing details of arguments, written submissions and the judgment in the historic Kesavananda Bharati case which laid down the path-breaking concept of the 'Basic Structure' of the Constitution.

SC bench to examine Parliament's lawmaking power for Delhi

SC bench to examine Parliament's lawmaking power for Delhi

Rediff.com21 Jul 2023

The top court, which on Thursday referred to a constitution bench the Delhi government's plea challenging the ordinance, framed two legal questions in its 10-page order to be dealt by a larger bench on the ordinance which set off a fresh tussle between the two power centres.

Govt to inform SC of J-K's political future on Thursday

Govt to inform SC of J-K's political future on Thursday

Rediff.com29 Aug 2023

The central government's response was conveyed to the court by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, after a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, hearing the pleas challenging the abrogation of Article 370, asked it to set a specific time frame for restoration of electoral democracy in the erstwhile state.

Is Art 370 in new category beyond Constitution's basic structure, asks SC

Is Art 370 in new category beyond Constitution's basic structure, asks SC

Rediff.com3 Aug 2023

Is there no mechanism to abrogate Article 370 even when the people of Jammu and Kashmir want it, the Supreme Court asked on Thursday and wondered if the now repealed provision can't be touched, will it not amount to creating a "new category" beyond the basic structure of the Constitution.

Delhi services bill unconstitutional, against spirit of federalism: Oppn

Delhi services bill unconstitutional, against spirit of federalism: Oppn

Rediff.com8 Aug 2023

The opposition bloc also got support from Telanagana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's BRS, which saw the bill as a move to usurp powers of an elected government in Delhi, and asked the House to vote against it.

How can temporary Article 370 become permanent, asks SC on first day of hearing

How can temporary Article 370 become permanent, asks SC on first day of hearing

Rediff.com2 Aug 2023

Who can recommend the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir when no constituent assembly exists there? The Supreme Court on Wednesday put this question to the petitioners who have challenged the abrogation of the constitutional provision that bestowed special status on the erstwhile state.

SC rejects plea against setting up J-K panel to redraw constituencies

SC rejects plea against setting up J-K panel to redraw constituencies

Rediff.com13 Feb 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea challenging the government's decision to constitute the delimitation commission for redrawing the legislative assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Return Of 'Committed Judiciary' Or Judicial Over-Reach?

Return Of 'Committed Judiciary' Or Judicial Over-Reach?

Rediff.com23 Jan 2023

Vice President Dhankar's and Law Minister Rijuju's recent interventions have the danger of destabilising the Constitutional equilibrium, cautions N Sathiya Moorthy.

3 farm laws can only be repealed in Parliament: Experts

3 farm laws can only be repealed in Parliament: Experts

Rediff.com19 Nov 2021

The government will have to move a bill in Parliament to repeal the three agri laws, which were at the centre of protests by farmers for the past year, Constitution and legal experts said on Friday.

Govt introduces bill in LS to restore states' rights on OBC list

Govt introduces bill in LS to restore states' rights on OBC list

Rediff.com9 Aug 2021

The 102nd Constitution Amendment Act of 2018 inserted articles 338B, which deals with the structure, duties and powers of the National Commission for Backward Classes, and 342A that deals with the powers of the president to notify a particular caste as an SEBC and the power of Parliament to change the list. Article 366 (26C) defines SEBCs.

SC refuses to refer to larger bench pleas against HC's Vanniyar quota order

SC refuses to refer to larger bench pleas against HC's Vanniyar quota order

Rediff.com16 Feb 2022

A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and B R Gavai said it has perused the judgments submitted and was of the view that the issue does not need consideration by a larger bench.

SC quashes part of 97th Constitutional amendment on cooperatives

SC quashes part of 97th Constitutional amendment on cooperatives

Rediff.com20 Jul 2021

The 97th constitutional amendment, which dealt with issues related to effective management of co-operative societies in the country was passed by Parliament in December 2011 and had come into effect from February 15, 2012. The change in the Constitution has amended Article 19(1)(c) to give protection to the cooperatives and inserted Article 43 B and Part IX B, relating to them.

Russia gets new PM as Putin proposes major Constitutional changes

Russia gets new PM as Putin proposes major Constitutional changes

Rediff.com16 Jan 2020

President Vladimir Putin proposed sweeping constitutional changes that could extend his hold on power for many years. Russian Federal Tax Service head Mikhail Mishustin to be the new PM.

SC examines whether Mandal verdict needs to be revisited

SC examines whether Mandal verdict needs to be revisited

Rediff.com15 Mar 2021

A five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, gave a week time to all the states to submit their brief note of submissions after some of them sought time.

In LS replay, govt, oppn unite to pass states OBC quota bill in Rajya Sabha

In LS replay, govt, oppn unite to pass states OBC quota bill in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com11 Aug 2021

A constitutional amendment bill to restore the powers of the states to make their own OBC lists was passed by Parliament on Wednesday, with the opposition and treasury benches joining hands in the Rajya Sabha to approve the legislation.

BJP, Opposition join hands to get quota bill passed in LS

BJP, Opposition join hands to get quota bill passed in LS

Rediff.com10 Aug 2021

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Constitution amendment bill to restore the power of states to make their own OBC lists after a thaw in the logjam as Opposition parties backed the legislation but demanded the removal of the 50 per cent cap on reservation, with many of them also calling for a caste-based census.

Centre challenges SC verdict saying states' power to give quota taken away

Centre challenges SC verdict saying states' power to give quota taken away

Rediff.com14 May 2021

The Centre has moved the Supreme Court seeking review of the May 5 majority verdict which held that 102nd Constitution amendment took away the power of state governments to declare Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) for grant of quota in jobs and admissions.

SC strikes down Maratha quota, terms it unconstitutional

SC strikes down Maratha quota, terms it unconstitutional

Rediff.com5 May 2021

The judgment came on a batch of pleas challenging the Bombay high court verdict which had upheld the grant of reservation to Marathas in admissions and government jobs in the state.

The landmark SC judgment that immortalised Kesavananda Bharati

The landmark SC judgment that immortalised Kesavananda Bharati

Rediff.com6 Sep 2020

In 1970, Bharati, the hereditary head of Edneer Hindu 'Matha' in Kasaragod district of Kerala, had moved the top court challenging the state government's two land reform Acts meant to restrict the management of religious properties. The case had a number of firsts to its credit.

Kesavananda Bharati, petitioner behind 'basic structure' doctrine, is dead

Kesavananda Bharati, petitioner behind 'basic structure' doctrine, is dead

Rediff.com6 Sep 2020

Police said the 79-year old Kerala-based seer Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru died at the Edaneer Mutt in Kasaragod due to age related ailments. The case in which Bharati had challenged a Kerala Land Reform Act nearly four decades ago set the principle that the Supreme Court is the guardian of the basic structure of the Constitution and the verdict involved 13 judges the largest bench ever to sit in the apex court.

Farmers must call off chakka jam in the national interest

Farmers must call off chakka jam in the national interest

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

The government and the farmers must come back to the negotiating table with only the interest of the country in mind, suggests Vivek Gumaste.

Courts usurping Parliament's powers, says Goa MP

Courts usurping Parliament's powers, says Goa MP

Rediff.com14 Dec 2008

Congress member of Parliament, Shantaram Naik has expressed grave concern over the dangerous trend of the Supreme Court laying down "laws" in the name of interpretation, thereby diluting Parliament's supremacy to frame laws.

'Parliament has no power to expel its members'

'Parliament has no power to expel its members'

Rediff.com5 Sep 2006

Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani said that neither House had the jurisdiction to terminate or punish its elected members.

'Modi has been scrupulously honest. Indira Gandhi institutionalised corruption'

'Modi has been scrupulously honest. Indira Gandhi institutionalised corruption'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2018

'Modi has shown political courage by instituting several economic reforms which include demonetisation, ushering in GST, eradication of benami transactions...'

LS passes GST supplementary bills

LS passes GST supplementary bills

Rediff.com29 Mar 2017

GST rates would depend upon whether the commodity is used by a rich person or a common man

Will constitutional amendment pose new hurdle for Telangana?

Will constitutional amendment pose new hurdle for Telangana?

Rediff.com12 Feb 2014

Lok Sabha secretariat has sought an opinion from the Union law ministry whether the constitution needs to be amended to form a new state. Vicky Nanjappa reports

Somnath Chatterjee's advice for India

Somnath Chatterjee's advice for India

Rediff.com13 Aug 2018

'We have to find a way out of this confrontational politics.'

'BJP is using triple talaq to tarnish Muslims'

'BJP is using triple talaq to tarnish Muslims'

Rediff.com8 Dec 2016

'In the name of cultural nationalism, Modi wants to impose another ideology on Muslims.' 'His agenda, we feel, is saffronisation of Indian culture.'

Appointment of judges can't be left to the mercy of God: SC

Appointment of judges can't be left to the mercy of God: SC

Rediff.com9 Jun 2015

The Supreme Court on Tuesday tersely told the Centre that appointment of judges in higher judiciary is a "serious" business and cannot be left either to the "hit-and-trial" method or to the mercy of God.

SC judge opts out of hearing pleas against NJAC act

SC judge opts out of hearing pleas against NJAC act

Rediff.com15 Apr 2015

Following objection from petitioners who claimed conflict of interest.