International Judicial Conference 2020 commenced in the national capital today under the aegis of the #SupremeCourt of India. The conference on "Judiciary and the changing world" will witness judges and delegates from 20 countries participating over the weekend.
Justice L Nageswara Rao delivers the welcome address as he emphasises on sharing of thoughts and says this conference would serve as a market place for ideas that would be mutually beneficial for judicial institutions across the globe.
Attorney General KK Venugopal says he wants to emphasise on 'taking poverty to the courts'. He adds courts shouldn't hesitate in ensuring rights of the downtrodden & help in reducing poverty. AG hopes poverty will be eliminated from India in next 5 yrs.
Justice NV Ramana, in line to become the next #CJI, says a safer world will require stronger association between nations. The judge highlights gender equality, rule of law & the need of the courts to affirm plurality.
Union Law Min @rsprasad talks about India's glorious tradition of independent judiciary. He adds polity responded to all challenges, judiciary came out with suitable resolutions which the governments accepted.
Gender justice is core of India's ethos, says Prasad. He also commends the latest #SupremeCourt judgment of permanent commission for women in the Indian Army while pointing out women were already flying jets in the Indian Air Force. #JudicialConference
Prasad warns against what they call as a "dangerous" & "sinister" trend against populism when it comes to judgments. Some norms must be maintained in criticising judgments, Says the Minister, adding judges must be left to independently judge.
Populism becomes a problem when those already rejected in people's mandate becomes the flag-bearers of spreading ideas. Governance should be left to those elected to govern, says @rsprasad
On the right to privacy, @rsprasad emphasises privacy isn't meant to protect corrupts & terrorists. Rights and duties have to be balanced. Speak your mind, ask questions but in a manner that identity of #India remains intact & respected.
#CJI SA Bobde is now addressing. He asserts India's 2000 yr old history of the judicial systems. The #CJI also emphasises on 'fundamental duties' calling it a chapter often forgotten by the citizenry. Exercise of rights should be determined by duties too.
#PM#NarendraModi remembers Mahatma Gandhi & recalls how, he as a lawyer, stuck to truth & values. He adds rule of law is the foundation of social discipline in #India. "Law is supreme," invokes the Prime Minister.
There have been some recent judgments, which were highly anticipated & the whole world was talking about them. But when the #SupremeCourt delivered its verdict, 130 Cr people in #India accepted them, says #NarendraModi.
Not only 1500 obsolete laws have been repealed by us but we also came out with new laws such as those on transgender rights, against #TripleTalaq, for the specially-abled, says the #PM. He also recalls contributions towards gender justice.
#PM talks about balancing industrial developments with environmental protection. He says while #India is making developments in infrastructures, it has also seen an increase in the forest cover. #Modi also thanks the #SupremeCourt for ensuring this balance through its orders.
#PM also underscores the need of integration of technology with Justice delivery system so as to speed up the system & cut on delays.
Sadhguru's Isha Foundation moves the #SupremeCourt, challenging the Madras HC order that led to police personnel entering the ashram to conduct inquiries. Central government supports the petition.
Sr adv Mukul Rohatgi seeks an urgent hearing today.
Rohatgi to SC: There's someone behind all this. The habeas corpus petition filed by the mother of two women, who are now monks, was disposed of 8 years ago. Now, the father comes back and despite the monks expressing their desire to stay put, the high court ordered inquiry.
#CJI enquires if the two women are online.
Rohatgi says the women are connected online and are willing to make a statement right away.
#SupremeCourt reproaches the #Kerala Govt over #lockdown relaxations owing to #Bakrid. SC calls it shocking state of affairs that the state government gave in to pressure groups.
SC adds affidavit by the #Kerala Govt is alarming & doesn't in real manner safeguards right to life guaranteed to all the citizens of #India.
#SupremeCourt underlines if there is any spread of the infection due to the relaxations by the #Kerala Govt owing to #Bakrid, any person can bring it to the notice of the court which will then take appropriate action.
Hearing to commence before the #SupremeCourt on suo motu on the #KanwarYatra.
An application has been filed in this matter by @pkdnambiar against relaxation of lockdown norms in #Kerala for #Bakrid celebrations.
Hearing begins. Court goes through the latest affidavit by the #UttarPradesh Govt, cancelling the #KanwarYatra.
Sr adv CS Vaidyanathan reads out the affidavit that states that kanwar sanghs have themselves decided not to have the #KanwarYatra & hence, no orders from the state disaster management authority is required.
Of 527 pages on acquittal of Tarun Tejpal, #Goa judge Kshama M Joshi has used around 400 pages, dissecting testimony of the complainant in arriving at how an 'educated journalist' should've known whether she 'pulled up' her underwear or 'picked up'.
Goa court scans the complainant's phone & messages to note that "it was entirely the norm" for her to have flirtatious relationships & sexual conversations with friends & acquaintances.
Since she refused to give access to her email citing concerns of privacy when her phone details had already been used to humiliate her over her personal details, #Goa judge holds that she "wants to hide something."
#SupremeCourt issues notices to #WestBengal Govt & Centre on a PIL for a SIT probe into post-poll violence in the state & massive displacement of people.
SC also seeks responses from national commissions for women & children on providing relief in camps etc. Next hearing in June
Another petition filed by families of two #BJP supporters allegedly killed by #TMC workers will also be taken up by the #SupremeCourt later today.
#WestBengal Govt, through sr adv Sidharth Luthra, points out that post-poll violence matter is already pending before a five-judge bench in the #Calcutta HC and hence, the #SupremeCourt may not need to hear this matter at this juncture.
#SupremeCourt commences hearing of its suo motu proceedings on ameliorating the conditions of migrant workers during the #COVID19 induced #lockdown.
It expresses displeasure at Centre not submitting its affidavit in time.
"You were directed to file your affidavit a day before the hearing but you have done it just now. Our orders are meant to be compiled with," SC tells Centre.
Adv Prashant Bhushan, appearing on behalf of some activists, addresses the shortcomings in replies filed by states.
SC clarifies it hasn't directed states to grant cash transfer in lieu of dry ration after Bhushan mentions that court also wanted to know about cash transfers.
As he talks about cooked food, SC observes the situation doesn't appear to be as grave as last year for migrant workers