News for 'judicial accountability'

Assam CIC quits over brother's link to Zubeen Garg's Death

Assam CIC quits over brother's link to Zubeen Garg's Death

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

Assam Chief Information Commissioner Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta resigned after an RTI request sought data on government funds given to his brother, who is linked to the death of singer Zubeen Garg. Mahanta cited his conscience and the need to avoid suspicion as reasons for his resignation.

'Goa Nightclub Fire Was Murder!'

'Goa Nightclub Fire Was Murder!'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

'When an establishment operates despite demolition or closure orders, without proper fire exits, evacuation plans or safety audits, and yet is allowed to host large crowds, the state cannot hide behind the language of accident.' 'The authorities were aware of the risks and of the violations, but chose not to act decisively because doing so would have inconvenienced those with influence and financial stakes.' 'In such a scenario, the moral and legal responsibility for the resulting deaths moves from negligence towards culpability; calling it 'murder' is a way of underlining that these lives were sacrificed at the altar of greed and complicity, not fate.'

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

'These children possess catastrophically low birth weights -- often 1.4 kgs or less. Such extremely low birth weight results in profoundly compromised neo-natal immunity.' 'The escalation to 97 deaths in three months precipitated contemporary attention precisely because this magnitude concentrates the humanitarian emergency, rendering it impossible for the administrative machinery to ignore.'

IndiGo crisis: Are you helpless, Delhi HC asks govt

IndiGo crisis: Are you helpless, Delhi HC asks govt

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela also asked how could other airlines take advantage of the crisis situation and charge hefty sums for tickets from the passengers.

'Democracy Is On Sale In Maharashtra'

'Democracy Is On Sale In Maharashtra'

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

'This daylight robbery of elections is happening in the commercial capital of India, Mumbai city, so you can imagine what they will do to win elections in the interiors of India.'

6 get 20-yr jail in Kerala actress sexual assault case

6 get 20-yr jail in Kerala actress sexual assault case

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

A court in Kochi sentenced six individuals to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with the 2017 actress assault case. The convicted were found guilty of gang rape and other offenses, while actor Dileep was acquitted.

Zubeen Garg murdered in Singapore, claims Assam CM

Zubeen Garg murdered in Singapore, claims Assam CM

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

The CM He, however, did not share further details about the case or the kind of evidence that establishes the death as murder.

1 in 3 Decade-Old Tax Cases Still Unheard

1 in 3 Decade-Old Tax Cases Still Unheard

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

'Tax cases are technical in nature... Many high courts do not have a tax bench, which also contributes to the delay.'

Zubeen Garg's DSP cousin arrested, suspended

Zubeen Garg's DSP cousin arrested, suspended

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

Zubeen Garg's cousin and Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg was apprehended on Wednesday in connection with the singer's death in Singapore last month, taking the total number of arrests in the case to five, a senior officer said.

Cough syrup deaths: Plea in SC seeks extensive probe

Cough syrup deaths: Plea in SC seeks extensive probe

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

The Supreme Court agreed to hear on Friday a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking inquiry and systemic reform in drug safety mechanisms in the wake of deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan allegedly due to consumption of toxic cough syrups.

Make Tax Officials Accountable!

Make Tax Officials Accountable!

Rediff.com23 Aug 2024

'Tax officials view most taxpayers as evaders.' 'The I-T department has a perverse incentive to raise unreasonable demands since the one-fifth tax collected counts towards officials' collection targets,' observes Harsh Roongta.

Award-winning BrahMos scientist cleared of spying charges after 7 yrs

Award-winning BrahMos scientist cleared of spying charges after 7 yrs

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

Nishant Agarwal, a scientist who worked at the BrahMos missile centre, was cleared of charges of spying for Pakistan by the Bombay High Court after spending seven years in jail. The case revolved around the lack of 'mens rea' (guilty mind) and the prosecution's failure to prove intent.

Godman accused of harassing 17 students, sent to 5-day police custody

Godman accused of harassing 17 students, sent to 5-day police custody

Rediff.com28 Sep 2025

Earlier, police froze Rs 8 crore linked to Saraswati and parked in multiple bank accounts and fixed deposits.

From 35 To 6: NITI Aayog's Tax Trim Plan

From 35 To 6: NITI Aayog's Tax Trim Plan

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

While the new income tax law replaces the Income Tax Act, 1961 and omits 13 offences, 35 actions and omissions continue to attract criminal liability under 13 provisions.

Cash row judge sworn-in 'clandestinely', claims Bar Association

Cash row judge sworn-in 'clandestinely', claims Bar Association

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

The Allahabad High Court Bar Association (HCBA) has condemned the "clandestine" manner in which Justice Yashwant Varma, who was transferred from the Delhi High Court amid cash-at-home allegations, was administered the oath of office. The HCBA, which had opposed the judge's repatriation, questioned why the oath was not notified to the Bar and alleged that the move has further eroded public trust in the judicial system. The HCBA has urged the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court not to assign any administrative or judicial work to Justice Varma. The incident of cash recovery has reignited debate over the issue of judicial accountability, with calls for stringent action to restore faith in the judiciary.

Payslip To Pension To Long-Term Wealth: How EPF Works

Payslip To Pension To Long-Term Wealth: How EPF Works

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

A 10-part series that explains all you want to know about how India's EPF turns a slice of your monthly salary into long-term savings, pension, and life insurance.

Assam cops reach Singapore to probe Zubeen Garg's death

Assam cops reach Singapore to probe Zubeen Garg's death

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

Two senior Assam Police officials have arrived in Singapore to investigate the death of singer Zubeen Garg, who died under mysterious circumstances last month. An SIT is probing the case after multiple FIRs were filed.

Deadlines for Guvs, Prez on Bills risk constitutional disorder: Centre to SC

Deadlines for Guvs, Prez on Bills risk constitutional disorder: Centre to SC

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that imposing fixed timelines on governors and the president to act on bills passed by a state Assembly would amount to one organ of the government assuming powers not vested in it by the Constitution and lead to a "constitutional disorder".

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

'Non-compatible with Western Civilization' is about as vague and jingoistic as it gets and Trump saying this gives full license to his acolytes to go full throttle on making life as difficult and scary as possible for as many non-white people as possible,' notes Sree Sreenivasan.

Plea in SC for FIR against Delhi HC judge over cash recovery

Plea in SC for FIR against Delhi HC judge over cash recovery

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

A plea in the Supreme Court of India seeks a direction to Delhi Police to lodge an FIR over the alleged discovery of semi-burnt stash of cash from the official residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma. The plea challenges a 1991 judgement that prohibits criminal proceedings against judges without prior consent from the Chief Justice of India, arguing it violates the principle of equality before the law. It also seeks to declare the collegium's 3-member committee investigating the incident as having no jurisdiction and calls for action against corruption within the judiciary.

Judicial freedom is paramount,: Khurshid

Judicial freedom is paramount,: Khurshid

Rediff.com16 Aug 2012

A day after the Chief Justice of India cautioned the government against tinkering with the independence of the judiciary, Law Minister Salman Khurshid on Thursday said judicial freedom was paramount and a proposed law on judicial accountability will not undermine it.

More to Dhankhar's resignation than health issues: Congress

More to Dhankhar's resignation than health issues: Congress

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

The Congress on Tuesday claimed that there are "far deeper reasons" for Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation as the vice president than the health reasons cited by him, and said his resignation speaks highly of him but poorly of those who got him elected to the post.

Shut down Parliament if...: BJP's Nishikant Dubey attacks SC

Shut down Parliament if...: BJP's Nishikant Dubey attacks SC

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

Fourth-term Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey, one of the more vocal party members in the Lok Sabha, launched a broadside against the Supreme Court on Saturday, saying Parliament and state assemblies should be closed down if the apex court has to make the laws.

The Dangerous Reality Behind Maharashtra's 'Urban Naxal' Law

The Dangerous Reality Behind Maharashtra's 'Urban Naxal' Law

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

'The law under the guise of security represents a grave and unnecessary expansion of State power at the cost of fundamental rights,' asserts Aakar Patel.

'Peace Is Fragile, Remains Vulnerable To Provocations'

'Peace Is Fragile, Remains Vulnerable To Provocations'

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

'You cannot 'clear' your way to peace.' 'You need intelligence, calibrated force, impartial law enforcement, political neutrality, humanitarian returns and a sustained reconciliation plan.'

Zubeen death: Singapore police to provide 'crucial evidence'

Zubeen death: Singapore police to provide 'crucial evidence'

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

Singapore Police Force (SPF) is likely to provide crucial evidence, including CCTV footage and statements of eye witnesses, related to the death of Zubeen Garg within the next 10 days, a senior official said on Friday.

IPS officer's suicide: Haryana govt given 48-hr ultimatum to remove DGP

IPS officer's suicide: Haryana govt given 48-hr ultimatum to remove DGP

Rediff.com12 Oct 2025

A committee formed to support the family of deceased Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the removal of state police chief Shatrujeet Kapur, who is accused of abetting Kumar's suicide. The family has refused to conduct the post-mortem and cremation until their demands are met.

Can't be a 'blanket stay' on Waqf law: Centre to SC

Can't be a 'blanket stay' on Waqf law: Centre to SC

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

The Indian government has defended the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in the Supreme Court, arguing that there cannot be a blanket stay on the law as there is a presumption of its constitutionality. The Centre countered the pleas challenging the law's validity, asserting that the amendments were undertaken after a comprehensive study by a parliamentary panel. The government also highlighted the "reported misuse" of earlier provisions and the increase in waqf land, claiming that over 20 lakh hectares were added after 2013.

Activists demand Wangchuk's release, back Ladakh's statehood

Activists demand Wangchuk's release, back Ladakh's statehood

Rediff.com29 Sep 2025

Activists from Himalayan states condemn the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk, demanding his release and supporting the call for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. They also warn of a larger crisis unfolding across the Himalayan region due to climate change and poor governance.

'Allahabad Rape Judgment Will Be Reversed'

'Allahabad Rape Judgment Will Be Reversed'

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

'If it is not reversed, it will set a dangerous precedent.'

Thane engineer held in espionage case seeks bail, cites career loss

Thane engineer held in espionage case seeks bail, cites career loss

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

In his bail plea filed recently before the Thane magistrate's court, Verma pleaded innocence, contending that the allegations, even though serious, "are subject to proof beyond reasonable doubt during trial".

1 held for racially aggravated rape of Sikh woman in UK

1 held for racially aggravated rape of Sikh woman in UK

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

The United Kingdom police investigating a racially aggravated sexual assault of a Sikh woman have arrested a man on suspicion of rape.

SC collegium recommends Justice Varma's transfer; lawyers to go on strike

SC collegium recommends Justice Varma's transfer; lawyers to go on strike

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court collegium has confirmed the transfer of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma to his parent Allahabad High Court. This decision comes after an inquiry was initiated against Justice Varma regarding the alleged discovery of a large amount of cash at his official residence. The transfer recommendation was made public in a resolution uploaded on the Supreme Court's website. The alleged cash discovery occurred following a fire at Varma's residence in Delhi on March 14, 2025. The apex court collegium, headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, has also constituted a three-member inquiry committee to further investigate the matter.

Seven linked to Zubeen Garg's final hours ignore CID summons: Himanta

Seven linked to Zubeen Garg's final hours ignore CID summons: Himanta

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says most of those present with singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore during his death have yet to respond to CID summons, and addresses related political accusations.

Allow certain good things to happen too: SC on Vantara

Allow certain good things to happen too: SC on Vantara

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

The Supreme Court acknowledged a clean chit from a special investigation team (SIT) regarding the Vantara zoological rescue and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar, following allegations of irregularities.

Gen Z leaders endorse former CJ for interim Nepal PM

Gen Z leaders endorse former CJ for interim Nepal PM

Rediff.com11 Sep 2025

As anti-establishment protests led by Nepal's Gen Z continue across the country, youth leaders at the forefront of the demonstrations have stated that the widespread corruption and political stagnation were the core reasons behind their mass mobilisation against the government.

6 ICU patients killed in fire at Jaipur hospital

6 ICU patients killed in fire at Jaipur hospital

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

Six critical patients were killed in a fire at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night, officials stated.

Lookout notice issued against Zubeen Garg's manager

Lookout notice issued against Zubeen Garg's manager

Rediff.com27 Sep 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday that lookout notices have been issued against North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and Zubeen Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma in the singer's death case.

BMW crash: Accused tests -ve for alcohol, faces culpable homicide

BMW crash: Accused tests -ve for alcohol, faces culpable homicide

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

Senior finance ministry official Navjot Singh, killed in a BMW crash, was cremated. The driver's alcohol test was negative, and an investigation is underway.

Bhushan Steel Case: Urgent Need For IBC Reforms

Bhushan Steel Case: Urgent Need For IBC Reforms

Rediff.com29 May 2025

The Supreme Court's ruling in the BPSL case exposes deep flaws in the IBC's institutional framework and raises concern about judicial overreach, notes Rajeswari Sengupta.