News for 'Life and Personal Liberty'

AAP's Satyendar Jain gets bail after 2 yrs; party says BJP plot failed

AAP's Satyendar Jain gets bail after 2 yrs; party says BJP plot failed

Rediff.com19 Oct 2024

The AAP hailed a Delhi court granting bail to Satyendar Jain describing the decision as a victory of truth and the defeat of another BJP "conspiracy".

Salakaar Review: Gripping!

Salakaar Review: Gripping!

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

Salakaar is full of heart, and emotionally satisfying, applauds Syed Firdaus Ashraf.

Ensure separate toilets for transgenders, disabled, orders SC

Ensure separate toilets for transgenders, disabled, orders SC

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India has directed all high courts, state governments, and union territories to ensure the availability of separate toilet facilities for men, women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and transgender persons in all court premises and tribunals across the country. The court stressed the importance of public health and the right to privacy, stating that adequate public toilets protect women and transgender persons. The court also expressed concern about the condition of public toilets near toll plazas on national highways and emphasized the need for proper sanitation facilities in court premises for judges, advocates, litigants, and staff members. This decision highlights the importance of access to basic amenities in ensuring a fair and dignified justice system.

SC reserves verdict on termination of 2 women judicial officers

SC reserves verdict on termination of 2 women judicial officers

Rediff.com18 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court of India reserved its judgment on Tuesday in a case concerning the termination of two female judicial officers by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The court had previously stated that judges should avoid social media and expressing opinions on judgments, emphasizing a "hermit life" and "work like a horse" approach. The case involves six women civil judges who were terminated for alleged unsatisfactory performance. Four were subsequently reinstated, but two, Aditi Kumar Sharma and Sarita Chaudhary, remained terminated. The court is considering the cases of these two judges, who joined the Madhya Pradesh judicial service in 2018 and 2017, respectively. The court is also considering arguments regarding potential violations of fundamental rights related to the termination process, including claims of unfair work assessment during maternity and child care leave.

Marital rape: SC to decide on laws granting husbands' immunity

Marital rape: SC to decide on laws granting husbands' immunity

Rediff.com17 Oct 2024

The bench wondered if it struck down the immunity clause in the penal codes then the offence will be covered under the main provision on rape or "can the court create a separate offence or adjudicate the validity of the exception (clause)".

Victimisation of Chinese woman may affect bilateral ties, says HC

Victimisation of Chinese woman may affect bilateral ties, says HC

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

Unnecessary victimisation may "reflect in the bilateral relations", the Bombay high court said on Thursday while ordering the authorities to issue exit permit to a Chinese woman who was acquitted in a gold smuggling case yet could not leave India.

Punishing entire families, says SC on razing homes of accused

Punishing entire families, says SC on razing homes of accused

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

The apex court said when a particular structure is chosen all of a sudden for demolition and the rest of similarly situated structures in the same vicinity are not even being touched, "mala fide may loom large".

SC to hear pleas against Bihar voter review on July 10

SC to hear pleas against Bihar voter review on July 10

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear petitions challenging the Election Commission's decision to revise electoral rolls in Bihar. The hearing is scheduled for July 10.

SC grants interim bail to Kejriwal, questions need for arrest under PMLA

SC grants interim bail to Kejriwal, questions need for arrest under PMLA

Rediff.com12 Jul 2024

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta referred to a larger bench, preferably of five judges, for in-depth consideration of three questions on the aspect of "need and necessity of arrest" under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The Lawyer Who Won Mahua Moitra's Heart

The Lawyer Who Won Mahua Moitra's Heart

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Four-time Odisha MP Pinaki Misra's wedding to firebrand TMC MP Mahua Moitra in a quiet, intimate ceremony that chose privacy and tradition over fanfare, was a reflection of his personal style.

SC raps ED for denying bail by filing additional chargesheets

SC raps ED for denying bail by filing additional chargesheets

Rediff.com20 Mar 2024

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta took exception to the ED filing four supplementary chargesheets, the latest on March 1, 2024, in a money laundering case arising from alleged illegal mining in Jharkhand.

Excise policy: Kejriwal moves SC against HC's interim stay on bail order

Excise policy: Kejriwal moves SC against HC's interim stay on bail order

Rediff.com23 Jun 2024

One of the lawyers of the chief minister said that they will be seeking urgent listing of the petition on Monday.

Avoid social media, refrain from making comments on judgements: SC

Avoid social media, refrain from making comments on judgements: SC

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

The top court remarked that there is no place for flamboyance in judiciary.

'Reason to believe' must be given to arrestee under PMLA: SC

'Reason to believe' must be given to arrestee under PMLA: SC

Rediff.com12 Jul 2024

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, which granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case linked to alleged excise policy scam, said section 19 of the PMLA, which gives power to arrest, puts stringent safeguards to protect life and liberty of individuals.

SC slams HC for sacking woman judge over miscarriage

SC slams HC for sacking woman judge over miscarriage

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court of India has criticized the Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision to sack a woman judge due to performance concerns, without considering the impact of a miscarriage on her ability to work. The court questioned the lack of similar criteria for male judges and highlighted the mental and physical trauma associated with a miscarriage. The case involves six women civil judges who were terminated by the state government over alleged unsatisfactory performance. While the high court reinstated four judges, the fate of the other two, including the judge who suffered a miscarriage, remains uncertain. The Supreme Court has issued notices to the high court registry and the judicial officers involved, seeking clarification on the termination criteria and emphasizing the importance of considering factors beyond quantitative performance assessments.

HC upholds right to choose partner, faults verdict over conversion for marriage

HC upholds right to choose partner, faults verdict over conversion for marriage

Rediff.com24 Nov 2020

Amid a row over 'love jihad', the Allahabad high court has ruled that the right to choose a life partner "irrespective of religion" is intrinsic to the right to life and personal liberty.

Plea challenging Guj Prohibition Act maintainable: HC

Plea challenging Guj Prohibition Act maintainable: HC

Rediff.com23 Aug 2021

A petition argued that the provisions are 'arbitrary, irrational, unfair, unreasonable, and discriminatory" and "despite prohibition being in place for more than six decades, a steady supply of liquor continues to be available through an underground network of bootleggers, organised criminal gangs, and corrupt officials."

'Maligned India': Govt defends cancelling US scribe's OCI card

'Maligned India': Govt defends cancelling US scribe's OCI card

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

The Centre has defended in the Delhi high court its decision to cancel the overseas citizen of India (OCI) card of United States-based journalist Raphael Satter saying he maligned Indian institutions in the international arena through journalistic activities.

CJI recommends Justice Sanjiv Khanna's name as his successor

CJI recommends Justice Sanjiv Khanna's name as his successor

Rediff.com17 Oct 2024

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has set in motion the process of appointment of his successor by recommending to the Centre the name of senior-most Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjiv Khanna.

Staines murder: SC asks Odisha to decide on remission plea of Dara Singh

Staines murder: SC asks Odisha to decide on remission plea of Dara Singh

Rediff.com19 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Odisha government to decide within six weeks on a plea for remission filed by Ravindra Pal alias Dara Singh, who is serving a life sentence for the murders of Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his two sons in 1999. Singh, who has spent over 24 years in prison, claims to have "repented" his actions and seeks an opportunity to reform his character. The court issued the notice after Singh argued that he has already served more than the required period of sentence and that his right to liberty is being jeopardized by the delay in processing his plea.

HC orders panel to rehabilitate Murshidabad riot victims

HC orders panel to rehabilitate Murshidabad riot victims

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the formation of a three-member committee to identify and rehabilitate people displaced by violence during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad district. The court also extended the deployment of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in the area. The committee will consist of officials from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC), and the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA). It will be responsible for identifying displaced persons, assessing damage to properties, collecting FIR data, facilitating FIR filing, and overseeing the well-being of displaced individuals. The state government has been instructed to provide necessary infrastructure to the committee and report on its progress by May 15. The court also directed the state to formulate a rehabilitation scheme for displaced persons, including the construction of damaged houses and shops, compensation for lost livelihoods, and protection for families of those who died in the violence.

Historic First: New York Senate Honours Indian Constitution

Historic First: New York Senate Honours Indian Constitution

Rediff.com16 May 2025

In a first, the New York State Senate has formally adopted a resolution honouring the Indian Constitution on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, recognising it as a guiding framework for India's ongoing progress as a nation and celebrating the country's democratic values.

Bombay HC acquits Prof G N Saibaba, refuses to stay his release

Bombay HC acquits Prof G N Saibaba, refuses to stay his release

Rediff.com6 Mar 2024

The Bombay high court on Tuesday set aside the life sentence of Delhi University professor G N Saibaba in an alleged Maoist links case, noting that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Court raps Tihar authorities for keeping Christian Michel with 'desperate criminal'

Court raps Tihar authorities for keeping Christian Michel with 'desperate criminal'

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

A Delhi court has reprimanded Tihar Jail authorities for allegedly keeping Christian Michel James, an alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland case, with an inmate who has received 41 punishments for misconduct, raising concerns about Michel's safety. The court also ordered the jail to provide Michel with a table fan, stating that even animals in zoological parks are provided air conditioning. Michel had previously requested to finish his sentence and leave India due to security risks.

'Article 21, right to life and liberty, can never be suspended'

'Article 21, right to life and liberty, can never be suspended'

Rediff.com8 Aug 2019

'The government, through the media, is saying that everything is normal in Kashmir, but I just want them to give this in writing and let a judicial commission see it.

FULL TEXT: President's address to the nation on I-Day eve

FULL TEXT: President's address to the nation on I-Day eve

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.

Women We Admire: Anandibai Gopal Joshi

Women We Admire: Anandibai Gopal Joshi

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

This Women's Day week, we salute India's first female doctor, Anandibai Gopal Joshi. Her achievement opened the gates of freedom and liberty for India's women.

'My opponent is quintessential RSS man, I am far away from it'

'My opponent is quintessential RSS man, I am far away from it'

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

'Earlier, we used to talk about a deficit economy. There is a deficit in democracy' 'If you read superficially Gandhi and Ambedkar and Nehru, some misconceptions and misunderstanding come to mind, as if they were at loggerheads and they differed radically in their views' 'India is one nation. There is only one citizenship. No citizenship for South India and no citizenship for North India and another for the Northeast'

Delhi riots: Charges against Tahir Hussain grave but..., says SC judge

Delhi riots: Charges against Tahir Hussain grave but..., says SC judge

Rediff.com22 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India has granted interim bail to Tahir Hussain, a former councillor accused in the 2020 Delhi riots. Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, while granting bail, said the allegations against Hussain were grave but as of now they were just allegations. The bench, however, delivered a split verdict, with Justice Pankaj Mithal opposing the bail. The court also questioned the Delhi Police for the delay in the trial over the murder of Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma during the riots.

Bulli Bai accused denied bail, court says they 'defamed womanhood'

Bulli Bai accused denied bail, court says they 'defamed womanhood'

Rediff.com21 Jan 2022

The Bulli Bai app had made public the details of several Muslim women in a bid to malign them, allowing users to participate in their 'auction'.

Right to be forgotten goes before SC, Madras HC order stayed

Right to be forgotten goes before SC, Madras HC order stayed

Rediff.com24 Jul 2024

"How can a court order this? To say that the judgment, a public document, be pulled down will have very serious ramifications," said a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra after taking note of the submissions of Ikanoon Software Development Pvt Ltd, a Bengaluru-based legal website.

SC orders release of NewsClick founder, holds arrest 'invalid'

SC orders release of NewsClick founder, holds arrest 'invalid'

Rediff.com15 May 2024

The Supreme Court on Wednesday declared as 'invalid' the arrest of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha in a case under the anti-terror law, and directed that he be released from custody.

Court frees woman detained for wanting to marry a Muslim

Court frees woman detained for wanting to marry a Muslim

Rediff.com29 May 2015

The judges asked the police to escort the woman to the house of the man she wanted to marry.

SC sets aside Calcutta HC's 'control sexual urges' verdict

SC sets aside Calcutta HC's 'control sexual urges' verdict

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside an order of the Calcutta high court in which it acquitted an accused in a sexual assault case and made 'objectionable' observations advising adolescent girls to 'control sexual urges'.

Reality show star moves court seeking 'right to be forgotten' online

Reality show star moves court seeking 'right to be forgotten' online

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

Claiming 'right to be forgotten', reality show celebrity Ashutosh Kaushik on Thursday sought a direction from the Delhi high court to the Centre and Google that some of his videos, photos and articles be removed from various online platforms as they have a "detrimental effect" on his life.

SC upholds 'bail is rule, jail an exception' principle even under anti-terror law

SC upholds 'bail is rule, jail an exception' principle even under anti-terror law

Rediff.com13 Aug 2024

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih said once a case has been made out for the grant of bail to an accused, the court cannot decline the relief.

Privacy a Fundamental Right, subject to restrictions: SC

Privacy a Fundamental Right, subject to restrictions: SC

Rediff.com24 Aug 2017

The top court rejected the Centre's vehement contention that there was no general or fundamental right to privacy under the Constitution.

'Devdas Made People Realise I Could Act'

'Devdas Made People Realise I Could Act'

Rediff.com22 May 2025

'I saw Bimal Roy's Devdas again a few years ago, almost 50 years after it had been made.' 'I found it very intelligently made; the scenes flowed so beautifully.' 'There is just one scene with both Suchitra Sen and me in the film, and it's beautiful.'

SC allows RG Kar doc's parents to pursue further probe on others' role

SC allows RG Kar doc's parents to pursue further probe on others' role

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court has allowed the parents of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim to pursue their plea for a further court-monitored CBI probe into the incident before the Calcutta High Court. The parents had expressed dissatisfaction with the CBI's initial probe and sought a more thorough investigation. The court, without making comments, disposed of the application, allowing the parents to continue the proceedings before the high court. The case has also prompted the Supreme Court to consider recommendations for preventing gender-based violence and developing safety protocols for medical staff at hospitals across the nation.