Development

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that no prior sanction was necessary to prosecute public servants, including ministers and others, in corruption cases. The judges said that it was held under Section 197 CrPC (criminal procedure code) which says it was not necessary because taking a bribe while in office would not form part of discharge of official duties. Drawing a distinction for other offences under the Prevention ... [full story]

The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) controversy has reached the Supreme Court. On Monday, a court bench issued notices to the central government and the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana, on a public interest petition challenging the setting up of SEZs in the National Capital Region (NCR). Justices KG Balakrishnan and DK Jain also sent notices to the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation and Reliance Ventures Limited. The petition will ... [full story]

A group of blind models paraded down the catwalk in what organisers said was the first fashion show of its kind in India staged to try to combat stereotypes of disabled people. Over 30 blind women strode down the ramp without assistance in a show on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, capital of the western state of Gujarat. "I cannot see how I am looking in the new clothes but I ... [full story]

It is for the first time ever that our conservative neighbor has defended what India called “anti-Islamic”. After  being rejected by the Muslim religious leaders at leading seminary in India have, renowned Pakistani clerics and Islamic scholars have asked people that it is acceptable to use the  verses from the Quran as ring tones for their mobile phones. Calling it a way to preach Islam, the Muslim leaders in Pakistan rejected ... [full story]

In the first of its kind ruling, the Delhi High Court has allowed the plea of a 13-year-old Delhi girl to live separately because she had grown hostile towards her parents. She allegedly accused her parents of beating her up and threatening her to marry her off. Justice BD Ahmed allowed the separation, as an interim arrangement, for girl’s “welfare” and permitted her to live with her paternal aunt and ... [full story]

According to the latest report by the United Nations, India is now a better place to live in than it was in previous years. India has marginally improved its position to 126th place, one point higher than last year, on United Nations Human Development Index, which measures achievements in terms of life expectancy, educational attainment and adjusted real income. Pakistan too moves up one point but is still nine ... [full story]

The Supreme Court has pulled up the Union environment ministry over its apathy towards river Ganga despite thespending up over Rs900 crore on the Ganga Action Plan (GAP), which promised to clean up the holy river. At present a Central Ganga Authority headed by the PM, the Steering Committee under the Secretary, Planning Commission, and the National River Conservation Directorate are responsible for the maintenance of the river. A ... [full story]

Accompanied by noted Supreme Court lawyer Nandita Haksar, the family of Mohammad Afzal Guru, who has been sentenced to death in the Parliament attack case, met President A P J Abdul Kalam at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday afternoon. Afzal's mother Ayesha Begum, his wife Tabassum and seven-year-old son Ghalib met Kalam for over twenty minutes. Ghalib is believed to have told Kalam that he wanted to be a doctor and he would be able ... [full story]

The Supreme Court has laid down some rules for college elections saying that  there should be no funding from political parties and the expenditure should be limited to Rs 5,000. Moreover, no procession or public meeting can be held outside the campus and only hand made posters will be allowed, which means that printed posters are not allowed. Further, no personal criticism will be permitted during the campaigns. Taking into ... [full story]

India's intelligence and security agency including the Research & Analysis Wing (external intelligence) and the Intelligence Bureau will hold talks with Pakistan's ISI, although it is a military agency. This is for the first time that such a meeting will be held.Foreign Secretaries of both sides are expected to meet here next month and possibly launch the initiative. The crucial test of this mechanism will be one of credibility. Both sides ... [full story]