Act now or this becomes habit: Kerala High Court to Centre, State on ship mishaps
Observing that inaction would normalise such accidents, the court said governments must examine existing laws and international agreements before taking steps.It directed that losses must be recovered from the shipping company and not be compensated using public funds. The court also stressed the need to investigate environmental damage caused by the accidents.The High Court asked both governments to submit details of the measures taken so far and said it would appoint an amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter.While the state government said that the accident occurred in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and hence the Centre must take responsibility under the Merchant Shipping Act, the court noted that action can also be taken under the Admiralty Act, allowing the ship to be arrested. The district collector can also invoke provisions under this Act, the court said.advertisementThe High Court further sought to know whether the National Investigation Agency (NIA) could take up the matter. According to the petitioner, the NIA can step in if a complaint is filed by the district collector or through a private suit in a magistrate court citing environmental law violations.The court also directed the petitioner to amend the PIL to include both recent ship accidents in the case.
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NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
No 'Cheers' In Gujarat High Court
The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday (July 1) initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against senior advocate Bhaskar Tanna for allegedly consuming beer during a virtual hearing. The incident occurred before Justice Sandeep Bhatt on June 26, when Tanna was seen drinking from what appeared to be a beer mug while on a phone call. A video clip of the incident is now circulating widely on social media. Just a week earlier, another video went viral showing a man attending a High Court hearing virtually-while sitting on a toilet. These recurring instances raise uncomfortable questions: In an era when virtual courts are meant to facilitate speedier justice, do such incidents trivialise the institution and erode the decorum it demands? The Virtual Reality A division bench of Justices A.S. Supehia and R.T. Vachhani has questioned whether Tanna should retain his senior counsel status, given his "outrageous and glaring" conduct. The court will take further action after a hearing in two weeks. The bench rightly noted that such behaviour has "wide and serious ramifications" for the judicial system and the rule of law. Virtual hearings, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, have brought with them their own set of challenges-and embarrassments. Like physical courtrooms, virtual sessions require all participants to maintain dignity. Any lapse undermines the decorum courts stand for. The image of a man relieving himself with the camera on, even if inadvertently, is deeply disturbing. Courts were quick to adapt during the pandemic, but virtual hearings soon revealed lapses-from informality in dress to shocking behaviour. These episodes prompted the higher judiciary to stress that minimum courtroom etiquette must be observed-even online. Lawyers, in particular, are expected to appear presentable and ensure their surroundings are appropriate for court proceedings. The Larger Issue The 'beer incident' has sparked debate in legal circles about professionalism in the digital age. While sipping water during arguments is common, drinking beer during a live hearing-especially in a dry state like Gujarat-crosses a line. It reflects a troubling casualness toward judicial institutions. "A person behaving inappropriately during a virtual hearing lowers the dignity of the court," said Gujarat High Court advocate Vijay Patel. "And when a senior advocate behaves this way, it sends an even worse message." Court proceedings are streamed live, and recordings are accessible to students, junior lawyers, and the general public. Senior advocates serve as role models, and their conduct sets the tone for future generations. "Seniors are examples for juniors-this sets a bad precedent," Patel added. "This incident not only invites contempt charges but also merits disciplinary action." Courts have laid down rules for decorum in virtual proceedings-including attire and behaviour. Gujarat's own High Court (Live Streaming of Court Proceedings) Rules, 2021, were cited in this case. Also relevant is Gujarat's prohibition on alcohol. Residents can procure liquor only with health permits. While Tanna may have obtained beer legally, consuming it during a court session-even virtually-may invite strict judicial scrutiny. Time for a Framework With virtual hearings here to stay, the judiciary needs a clear, comprehensive legal framework to govern online proceedings. Judicial norms must be preserved not only in physical courtrooms but in every space where justice is delivered-even when no one appears to be watching. The legal profession carries a legacy built on discipline, propriety, and public trust. It falls on all stakeholders-judges, lawyers, and litigants-to honour that legacy, online and offline.
India Gazette
9 hours ago
- India Gazette
NIA chargesheets another accused for promoting banned PFI's activities in Bihar
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The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
Pro-Palestinian group loses bid to block U.K. govt's ban under anti-terrorism laws
The pro-Palestinian activist group Palestine Action lost a bid Friday (July 4, 2025) to block the British government's decision to ban it under anti-terrorism laws after activists broke into a military base last month and vandalized two planes. At a hearing at the High Court in London, the group had sought to temporarily block what it considered to be an 'authoritarian' ban, which will go into effect at midnight. The ban will make membership of the group and support of its actions a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Also Read | Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupt Microsoft's 50th anniversary party over Israel contract But Justice Martin Chamberlain, who spent all day listening to lawyers representing the group and the government, declined to give the organization interim relief from the ban, which was first proposed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and approved by lawmakers earlier this week. While conceding that the order to proscribe Palestine Action a terrorist organization may have 'wider consequences for the way the public understands the concept of 'terrorism',' he said it is not "the court's function to comment on the wisdom of the use of the power in the case.' Huda Ammori, the co-founder of Palestine Action, was hoping the court would temporarily block the government from banning the group as a terrorist organization under the Terrorism Act of 2000 before a potential legal challenge. Some 81 organizations are already proscribed under the 2000 Act, including Hamas and al-Qaida. Ammori's lawyer Raza Husain had asked the court to suspend the 'ill-considered' and 'authoritarian abuse of statutory power' until a hearing, which is due around July 21. 'This is the first time in our history that a direct action civil disobedience group, which does not advocate for violence, has been sought to be proscribed as terrorists," he said. He added that his client had been 'inspired' by a long history of direct action in the UK, 'from the suffragettes, to anti-apartheid activists, to Iraq War activists.' The ban was triggered after pro-Palestinian activists broke into a Royal Air Force base in Brize Norton, damaging two planes using red paint and crowbars in protest at the British government's ongoing military support for Israel in its war in Gaza. Police said that the incident caused around 7 million pounds ($9.4 million) worth of damage, with four people charged in connection with the incident. The four, aged between 22 and 35, were charged Thursday with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place for purposes prejudicial to the interests of the U.K. No pleas were entered at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London and the four are scheduled to appear on July 18 at the Central Criminal Court. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organization a few days after the break-in. She said the vandalism to the two planes was 'disgraceful,' adding that the group had a 'long history of unacceptable criminal damage."
