News for 'Justice H R Khanna'

SC judges to make assets public on assuming office

SC judges to make assets public on assuming office

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

In a full court meeting, the top court judges decided to disclose their assets and the data will be uploaded on the SC website.

New CJI-led bench to hear Waqf pleas on May 20

New CJI-led bench to hear Waqf pleas on May 20

Rediff.com15 May 2025

A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for those challenging the validity of the law, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, to file their written notes by Monday.

New CJI-led bench to hear pleas against Waqf Act

New CJI-led bench to hear pleas against Waqf Act

Rediff.com5 May 2025

The Supreme Court on Monday said the pleas challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act's constitutional validity will now be taken up by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India-designate Justice B R Gavai on May 15 as the incumbent CJI will be demitting office on May 13.

SC refuses to stay survey of Mathura's Shahi Idgah

SC refuses to stay survey of Mathura's Shahi Idgah

Rediff.com15 Dec 2023

The Supreme Court refused to stay Allahabad high court's December 14 order which allowed the primary survey of the Shahi Idgah complex adjacent to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura by a court-monitored three-member team of advocate commissioners.

No SC relief for Hemant Soren; sent to 5-day ED remand

No SC relief for Hemant Soren; sent to 5-day ED remand

Rediff.com2 Feb 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with a plea of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in money laundering case.

SC to hear plea against appointment of EC under new law

SC to hear plea against appointment of EC under new law

Rediff.com13 Mar 2024

The NGO challenges the validity of a provision of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023.

CBI director Praveen Sood gets one-year extension

CBI director Praveen Sood gets one-year extension

Rediff.com7 May 2025

The Centre has extended the tenure of CBI Director Praveen Sood by one year. Sood, a 1986-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre, took over as the CBI director on May 25, 2023. The decision was taken in a meeting of the selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sood is known for his hands-on approach and has supervised high-profile cases involving high net-worth individuals.

SC to examine secular succession law over Shariat for Muslims

SC to examine secular succession law over Shariat for Muslims

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India has agreed to examine whether Muslims can be governed by secular Indian succession law for ancestral properties instead of Shariat without renouncing their faith. The court will consider three petitions on the matter, including one filed by Naushad K K, a resident of Kerala, who wants to be governed by the succession law without leaving Islam. The court has issued notices to the Centre and the Kerala government to file their responses.

What Led Dhankhar To QUIT

What Led Dhankhar To QUIT

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

The BJP had no option but to get Jagdeep Dhankhar out of its way for the sake of the Modi government's stability, reveals Sheela Bhatt, the legendary political journalist.

BJP distances itself from MPs' remarks on SC, CJI

BJP distances itself from MPs' remarks on SC, CJI

Rediff.com20 Apr 2025

The BJP on Saturday disassociated itself from the criticism of the Supreme Court by its MPs Nishikant Dubey and Dinesh Sharma. Party president J P Nadda rejected the comments as their personal views and affirmed the ruling party's respect for the judiciary as an inseparable part of democracy. Nadda said he has directed both the leaders and other members of the party to not make such comments.

SC stays sacking of untainted Bengal teachers, for now

SC stays sacking of untainted Bengal teachers, for now

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court has extended the services of terminated teachers in West Bengal who were found untainted by the CBI, providing relief to the state. The court did not, however, extend the services of grade 'C' and 'D' employees of state-run and aided schools. The court directed the state government to start the recruitment process by May 31 and conclude it by December 31.

Delhi judge in cash row transferred to Allahabad HC

Delhi judge in cash row transferred to Allahabad HC

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

Justice Yashwant Varma, a Delhi High Court judge, has been transferred to his parent Allahabad High Court amid a controversy surrounding the alleged discovery of a large sum of cash at his official residence. The Supreme Court Collegium recommended the transfer, stating it was separate from an in-house probe ordered by the top court into the alleged cash find. The incident occurred following a fire at Justice Varma's residence on Holi night, March 14. Justice Varma has vehemently denied any involvement in the alleged cash discovery, calling it a conspiracy to frame him.

'Tubelights': Oppn slams BJP MPs over remarks against SC

'Tubelights': Oppn slams BJP MPs over remarks against SC

Rediff.com20 Apr 2025

The Congress party has accused the BJP of engaging in "damage control" after the party distanced itself from comments made by two of its MPs, Nishikant Dubey and Dinesh Sharma, criticizing the Supreme Court. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that the BJP's clarification was merely an attempt to mitigate the damage caused by the MPs' remarks and that the party's actions were hypocritical, given the silence of the BJP president on similar comments made by other party members.

CJI recommends impeachment of cash recovery row judge

CJI recommends impeachment of cash recovery row judge

Rediff.com8 May 2025

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has recommended the impeachment of Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma following an investigation into a cash discovery incident at his residence. The recommendation follows a report by a Supreme Court-appointed committee that confirmed allegations of cash discovery against Justice Varma. The CJI's recommendation is based on the established in-house procedure for dealing with allegations against judges of constitutional courts.

Cash row: HC probe report, SC video cast doubt on Delhi fire chief's claim

Cash row: HC probe report, SC video cast doubt on Delhi fire chief's claim

Rediff.com23 Mar 2025

A video and inquiry report have raised questions about the Delhi Fire Services' claim that no cash was found at the official residence of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma during a fire incident on March 14. The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows fire fighters dousing flames on articles that appear to include half-burnt Indian currency notes. The Delhi High Court Chief Justice has initiated an in-house inquiry against Justice Varma and the Supreme Court has proposed his transfer to the Allahabad High Court.

SC to hear on Friday plea seeking FIR into cash discovery at judge's house

SC to hear on Friday plea seeking FIR into cash discovery at judge's house

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court will hear a plea on Friday seeking a direction to Delhi Police to lodge an FIR over the alleged discovery of semi-burnt stash of cash from the official residence of High Court judge Yashwant Varma. The plea was filed by lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara and three others on Sunday. It challenges the 1991 judgement in the K Veeraswami case, in which the top court ruled that no criminal proceedings could be initiated against a judge of the high court or the top court without the prior nod of the Chief Justice of India. The alleged cash discovery happened following a fire at Varma's Lutyens Delhi residence on March 14, prompting the fire officers to rush to the spot. A Supreme Court-appointed in-house committee visited the residence of Justice Varma on Tuesday to commence its inquiry in the matter. Justice Varma denounced any insinuation and said no cash was ever placed in the storeroom either by him or any of his family members.

BJP's Dubey stirs up row again, calls ex-CEC Quraishi 'Muslim commissioner'

BJP's Dubey stirs up row again, calls ex-CEC Quraishi 'Muslim commissioner'

Rediff.com20 Apr 2025

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has come under fire for his controversial remarks against the Chief Justice of India and now, he has targeted former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi, calling him a "Muslim commissioner". Dubey's comments come after Quraishi criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Act as a "sinister and evil plan of the government to grab Muslim lands". Dubey's remarks have been met with widespread condemnation, with many calling them inflammatory and divisive.

Plot to kill Pannun: SC asks Gupta to move Czech court

Plot to kill Pannun: SC asks Gupta to move Czech court

Rediff.com15 Dec 2023

The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the hearing for January 4 2024, of the habeas corpus petition filed on behalf of Nikhil Gupta, accused by the United States of conspiring to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a India designated terrorist, against his arrest and ongoing extradition proceedings in the Czech Republic.

SC refuses to entertain fresh plea challenging Waqf Act

SC refuses to entertain fresh plea challenging Waqf Act

Rediff.com2 May 2025

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a fresh plea challenging constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

SC to hear pleas against amended Waqf law on Thursday

SC to hear pleas against amended Waqf law on Thursday

Rediff.com14 May 2025

The matter would be heard by Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih.

'It's a free market': SC junks plea to regulate Internet prices

'It's a free market': SC junks plea to regulate Internet prices

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

The top court, however, clarified that if the petitioner wanted to take any recourse to appropriate statutory remedy, he was at liberty to do so.

Secularism part of Constitution's basic structure, says SC

Secularism part of Constitution's basic structure, says SC

Rediff.com21 Oct 2024

A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar passed the remark while hearing a batch of petitions filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain and others, who have challenged the inclusion of words "socialist" and "secular" in the Preamble of the Constitution.

SC to hear plea on taking down Nishikant Dubey's videos next week

SC to hear plea on taking down Nishikant Dubey's videos next week

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear next week a plea which flagged Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey's recent criticism of the apex court and Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, and sought removal of derogatory videos from social media platforms.

How 6 names shortlisted within hrs, SC asks govt on EC appointments

How 6 names shortlisted within hrs, SC asks govt on EC appointments

Rediff.com21 Mar 2024

The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the Centre over the procedure adopted for the appointment of election commissioners and asked how six names were shortlisted from 200 within a few hours.

Cash row: Probe in crucial second stage, findings to decide judge's fate

Cash row: Probe in crucial second stage, findings to decide judge's fate

Rediff.com23 Mar 2025

A three-member panel led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has been formed to probe the discovery of "four to five semi-burnt sacks" of Indian currency notes found after a fire at the residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma. The incident, which occurred on March 14, has triggered an in-house inquiry, with the findings determining the judge's fate. The panel, consisting of Chief Justices Sheel Nagu (Punjab and Haryana), G S Sandhawalia (Himachal Pradesh), and Karnataka High Court judge Anu Sivaraman, will conduct a "deeper probe" into the allegations. Justice Varma has denied any knowledge of the cash being stored in the storeroom. The inquiry follows the Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya's report that recommended a deeper investigation. The top court's 2014 guidelines for in-house procedures for probing allegations against judges will be followed during the inquiry. The panel's findings could lead to either the removal of the judge, if the misconduct is deemed serious, or a reprimand. The inquiry will also determine if the fire was indeed a short-circuit as initially reported.

SC rejects 'Bahadur Shah Zafar kin' claim to Red Fort

SC rejects 'Bahadur Shah Zafar kin' claim to Red Fort

Rediff.com5 May 2025

The Supreme Court of India has rejected a plea by a woman claiming to be the legal heir of the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar-II, seeking possession of the Red Fort in Delhi. The court termed the plea as "misconceived" and "meritless", dismissing the petition against the Delhi High Court order. The petitioner, Sultana Begum, argued that her family was deprived of the Red Fort by the British East India Company after the first war of Independence in 1857. The court, however, dismissed the petition, citing the delay in filing the appeal and the lack of justification for the claim.

Don't bring down system like this, says SC in hearing on EVMs

Don't bring down system like this, says SC in hearing on EVMs

Rediff.com16 Apr 2024

The Supreme Court on Tuesday deprecated criticism of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and calls for reverting to ballot papers, saying the electoral process in India is a "humongous task" and attempts should not be made to "bring down the system".

As it is we are being accused of...: SC judge responds to attacks

As it is we are being accused of...: SC judge responds to attacks

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

Justice Gavai's comment came while the apex court bench, also comprising Justice Augustine George Masih, was considering a fresh plea seeking an inquiry into the recent violence in West Bengal during anti-Waqf law protests.

Cash recovery row: SC collegium begins initial probe against judge

Cash recovery row: SC collegium begins initial probe against judge

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court collegium has initiated an initial inquiry against Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma following the alleged discovery of a large stash of cash at his official residence during a fire incident. The collegium has also reportedly recommended Justice Varma's transfer to his parent high court, the Allahabad High Court. The inquiry will involve seeking a report from the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court on the incident. The controversy surrounding the alleged discovery of cash was first reported by The Times of India. Justice Varma's proposed transfer is subject to the Centre's approval. The amount of cash found is not yet known. Justice Varma, currently heading a division bench dealing with sales tax, GST, company appeals and other appeals, did not hold court on Friday. Delhi High Court Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya expressed shock over the incident. The collegium reportedly received information about the cash discovery from government officials. Some collegium members have called for stricter action against Justice Varma, including seeking his resignation or launching an in-house inquiry. The Supreme Court has an in-house inquiry mechanism to deal with allegations against judges, which involves forming a committee to investigate and, based on the report, take further action. A judge of a constitutional court can only be removed through impeachment by Parliament.

SC refuses to stay disqualification of 6 Congress MLAs

SC refuses to stay disqualification of 6 Congress MLAs

Rediff.com18 Mar 2024

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the Himachal Pradesh assembly speaker's order disqualifying the six Congress rebels who had cross-voted in the recent Rajya Sabha polls in the state.

SC rejects plea for 100% manual counting of VVPAT slips

SC rejects plea for 100% manual counting of VVPAT slips

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India dismissed a plea seeking a directive for 100% manual counting of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips in addition to electronic counting. The court cited its previous rulings on the safety and security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and stated that the issue was not open for reconsideration. The plea argued for a modified VVPAT system where voters could verify printed ballots before leaving the polling station, and for 100% manual counting of VVPAT slips. The court upheld the Delhi High Court's decision dismissing the plea, referring to previous Supreme Court judgments on the matter.

50 Years Of Emergency: Banality Of Evil, And A Warning

50 Years Of Emergency: Banality Of Evil, And A Warning

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

While India today is vastly different from the India of 1975, the need for vigilance against authoritarianism remains the same, asserts Utkarsh Mishra.

SC objects to Allahabad HC's 'she invited trouble' remark

SC objects to Allahabad HC's 'she invited trouble' remark

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court on Tuesday took exception to the Allahabad high court's recent remarks in a rape case as reportedly saying the complainant "herself invited trouble", and wondered why it made such observations while deciding a bail plea.

SC questions multiple prosecutions of Sharjeel for same speech

SC questions multiple prosecutions of Sharjeel for same speech

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India questioned whether former JNU student Sharjeel Imam can be prosecuted in multiple states for sedition based on a single speech. The court is considering a plea to club multiple FIRs filed against Imam in Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh for his alleged inflammatory remarks during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The court is concerned about the potential for double jeopardy and has indicated that it may transfer the cases to Delhi.

Contempt action sought against BJP MP Dubey for remarks against SC

Contempt action sought against BJP MP Dubey for remarks against SC

Rediff.com20 Apr 2025

A Supreme Court lawyer has written to the Attorney General seeking consent to initiate contempt proceedings against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for his "grossly scandalous" remarks against the court. Dubey had criticized the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna following the Centre's assurance that it would not implement some of the contentious provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The BJP has distanced itself from Dubey's comments, calling them his personal views.

SC uploads probe report, with photos, video of 'cash recovery' at judge home

SC uploads probe report, with photos, video of 'cash recovery' at judge home

Rediff.com23 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has released an inquiry report into the alleged discovery of a large amount of cash at the residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma. The report, which includes photos and videos, was uploaded on the court's website. Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has formed an in-house committee to investigate the matter and has asked the Delhi High Court Chief Justice to not assign any judicial work to Justice Varma. Justice Varma has denied the allegations, claiming they are part of a conspiracy to frame him. The inquiry report, submitted by the Delhi High Court Chief Justice, has been made public and calls for a deeper probe into the incident. The incident has raised concerns about judicial accountability and has prompted the Congress party to call for strong measures to uphold public trust in the judiciary.

'Can't control polls': SC to EVM critics as it reserves order

'Can't control polls': SC to EVM critics as it reserves order

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

The Supreme Court said on Wednesday it cannot 'control the elections' or issue directions simply because doubts have been raised about the efficacy of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), as it reserved its judgment on a clutch of petitions claiming the polling devices can be tinkered with to manipulate the results.

SC questions ED on timing of Kejriwal's arrest ahead of LS polls

SC questions ED on timing of Kejriwal's arrest ahead of LS polls

Rediff.com30 Apr 2024

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, which continued hearing on the Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest for the consecutive day, posed several queries to Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the ED, and sought his reply on Friday.

Will create chaos: SC refuses to stay appointment of new election commissioners

Will create chaos: SC refuses to stay appointment of new election commissioners

Rediff.com21 Mar 2024

The bench said it was not questioning the credentials of the election commissioners appointed but the procedure.

Cash row: Judge's transfer proposal separate from in-house probe, says SC

Cash row: Judge's transfer proposal separate from in-house probe, says SC

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court addressed concerns about misinformation spreading related to an incident involving Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. The court clarified that the proposal to transfer Justice Varma to Allahabad High Court was independent of an internal investigation into the discovery of a large sum of cash at his residence following a fire. The Delhi High Court Chief Justice is conducting the investigation and will submit a report to the Chief Justice of India today.