HIGH COURT FEBRUARY 2025 WEEKLY ROUNDUP | Stories on Delhi Riots; Bar Association Elections; Fake Anti-Cancer Drug; NOVARTIS Trade Mark; and more
A quick legal roundup to cover important stories from all High Courts this week.
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“PIL filed to settle personal score, no illegality in construction of shopping complex”; MP High Court imposes ₹25,000/- cost
“The petitioner has unnecessarily given the negative publicity of this matter against the Panchayat has resulted into delay of sale of the shops.”
Manipur High Court seeks report from State on making public buildings accessible to PwD and elderly persons
A PIL was instituted before the Manipur High Court seeking direction to make public buildings accessible to disabled and elderly people by providing Ramps & Toilets.
Meghalaya HC directs for 2-hour ‘Incognito’ inspections on weighbridges during peak traffic over allegations of mismanagement & loss of revenue
“Only in cases of gross failure of the administrative machinery causing injury to the public at large who are unable to obtain any redress except with the intervention of the Court, should the Court intervene and this dividing line should be strictly maintained.”
Supreme Court issues notice on PIL for security of tenure & protection to POSH Committee members in private sector
The PIL raised concerns that members of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) [constituted under Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013] do not have protection from arbitrary and retaliatory actions such as arbitrary termination at private workplaces.
‘Street Dogs pose a menace to the public’: Meghalaya HC directs State to acquire dog shelters for vaccinated and sterilized stray dogs
“There is an absolute need for the Municipal Board to acquire a shelter where these street dogs can be kept.”
Gauhati HC directs filing of affidavit regarding availability of Blood Banks and Blood Storage Units in 17 districts of State of Nagaland
The issue raised is of substantial importance particularly to those residing in rural areas and not having access to adequate and sufficient medical and health necessities by way of hospitals and other ancillary facilities offered in those hospitals.
Ban manufacturing, marketing & use of plastic with less than 120-micron: Meghalaya HC directs State
“Research and experience have shown that these plastic products have some very adverse impact on the eco-system and environment. Plastic waste cannot be easily recycled or safely destroyed. It causes waste management problems.”
Criminal Law Roundup | A quick recap of top criminal law cases from October 2024
Read about the significant criminal law matters heard and decided by the Supreme Court and High Courts in October 2024
2017 Mandsaur Firing | MP High Court rejects PIL to table Justice Jain Commission Report before MP legislative assembly after 6-7 yrs delay
The Justice Jain Commission Report pertains to the 2017 Mandsaur farmers’ protest, during which police action resulted in five deaths and several injuries.
MP High Court seeks State’s reply on ban on sale of meat, eggs & related products during Ganesh Mahotsav
The Court observed that the effect of the order was limited to 17-09-2024, indicating that the immediate urgency of the issue may be moot, however, recognised the need to address the concern of setting a future precedent.
MP High Court directs authorities to decide on Rehabilitation of migrated Wild Elephant as per Section 11(1)(a) of Wild Life Protection Act
The petitioner pointed out that respondents are keeping the elephants in captivity and in process giving inhuman treatment and out of 10 elephants, 2 elephants died and the respondents have concealed this fact from the Court.
MP High Court seeks response in plea challenging State Committee’s expertise on Rehabilitation of migrated Wild Elephant
The petitioner argued that the State committee lacks expertise in handling elephants and suggested involving experts from states like Kerala, which have significant experience in managing wild elephants.
Allahabad High Court asks State to provide reasons why establishment of AIIMS like institute is not necessary in Prayagraj
Allahabad High Court noted that in the last ten years, the population in the region has increased substantially, resulting in acute pressure on the existing medical infrastructure.
Morbi Bridge Collapse | Gujarat HC directs execution of written instruments outlining benefits to victims including marriage expenses for girls, jobs to PwD
“The list of beneficiaries must include those victims who were already widow and have lost lone earning member of their family. The physically disabled victims shall be accommodated in a well-paid job.”
Bombay HC dismisses PIL filed by firm ‘Crimeophobia’ to constitute Transnational Sanatan Commission; imposes Rs 10,000 cost
The prayers made in the present PIL are not only omnibus in nature but also are multiple in number, covering diverse subjects and have no factual or legal basis for it.
Protection and Welfare of J&K’s Ancient Hindu Temples| J&K High Court dismisses PIL as withdrawn; grants liberty to file fresh PIL
The petitioner prayed to withdraw PIL with the liberty to file a fresh, as the petitioner wants to file a detailed representation before the concerned authorities regarding specific instances of temple property encroachment by the Mafia.
Delhi High Court dismisses PIL against Dalai Lama for alleged molestation of minor child
The Delhi High Court took judicial notice of the fact that Dalai Lama had already expressed his apology to those who may have been offended by his action.
‘Right of dead to receive decent, respectful last rites’; Bombay HC orders Commissioner, Municipal Corpn. to issue directions to find plots of land to be used as burial grounds
For the Municipal Corporation, providing adequate place for burial of the dead is their statutory duty and obligation, thus, the authorities cannot shirk their shoulders away from such statutory responsibility.
Delhi High Court dismisses PIL seeking to direct medical professionals to inform patients about side effects of a drug
Delhi High Court stated that since the legislature in its wisdom has elected to impose this duty on the manufacturer and the pharmacist, we do not find any ground for issuing a direction as prayed for in this PIL as it would amount to judicial legislation.