
Denotes lack of trust: Top court allows secret call recordings in divorce cases
"We do not think there is any breach of privacy in this case. In fact, Section 122 of Evidence Act does not recognise any such right. On the other hand, it carves out an exception to right to privacy between spouses and therefore cannot be applied horizontally at all," the Supreme Court said. - Ends
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Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
SC declines plea to deregister AIMIM, suggests broader petition on communal appeals
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to the Election Commission of India to deregister parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Musalimeen as a political party. A bench of justices Surya Kant and justice Joymala Bagchi suggested that the petitioner could file a plea on the larger issue of political parties invoking communal statements. "We are not on communal parties , etc. Sometimes, regional parties invoke regional sentiments... So what should be done... There are parties who also invoke caste issues that are equally dangerous. Without criticising anyone, such issues can be raised," justice Kant said. The bench allowed the petitioner to file a fresh plea raising larger issues regarding the validity of political parties with religious objectives. The plea was filed by Tirupati Narasimha Murari , who alleged that AIMIM 's declared objectives were to serve the Muslim community alone, violating the principle of secularism, and hence it cannot be recognised as a political party. The bench, however, observed that as per the constitution of the party, its objective is to work for every backward section. The bench said the party's constitution is "for every backward class in society, including those belonging to minority community... backward both economically and in the field of education... that's what the Constitution professes". Justice Kant said, "There are certain rights guaranteed to minorities under the Constitution... party's political manifesto or constitution says it will work for the protection of those rights granted under the Constitution." The senior judge pointed out that India's Constitution grants protection to minorities. "Suppose a party says we will promote untouchability; that is absolutely offending. That must be struck down, that must be banned... Suppose a religious law is protected under the Constitution and a political party says it will teach that law, they will teach because it is protected under the Constitution... What is only within the framework of the Constitution (that may not be objectionable)," justice Kant said. SC advised the petitioner to file a "neutral" petition.
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Business Standard
24 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Companies affected in IPR cases can press criminal charges as 'victim': SC
The Supreme Court has held that a company can be called a 'victim'' under the Code of Criminal Procedure and it can file an appeal against an acquittal order in criminal cases, including violations of intellectual property rights (IPRs). This means that corporate entities affected by violations of such rights could pursue criminal proceedings as the victim. A Bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra was hearing a plea by Asian Paints, which had suffered losses due to the accused allegedly selling counterfeit paints. Asian Paints moved the apex court against the Rajasthan High Court judgment dismissing its appeal against the acquittal of Ram Babu, who was allegedly found selling counterfeit paints under the brand name 'Asian Paints'. The High Court had dismissed the appeal under the proviso to Section 372 CrPC, reasoning that an agent of Asian Paints and not the company was the 'complainant' and therefore the latter couldn't file an appeal against the acquittal. The Supreme Court, while disagreeing with this reasoning, questioned whether the appellant would fall under the definition of 'victim' in terms of Section 2(wa) read with the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC, or whether Section 378 of the CrPC would prevail in the facts and circumstances of the present case. The proviso to Section 372 grants victims the right to appeal against acquittal of the accused, conviction for a lesser offence, and inadequate compensation. If the court orders insufficient compensation for the victim, the victim can appeal. The apex court Bench held it was clear that 'Section 2(wa) of the CrPC has thoughtfully accorded an expansive understanding to the term 'victim' and not a narrow and restrictive meaning'. 'In the present case, there cannot be any two opinions that ultimately, it is the Appellant who has suffered due to the counterfeit/fake products being sold/attempted to be sold as having been manufactured by the Appellant. The Appellant would suffer financial loss and reputational injury if such products would be bought by the public under the mistaken belief that the same belonged to the Appellant's brand,' the judgment said. Asian Paints, a manufacturer in the paints industry for over 73 years, had engaged IPR consultancy firm M/s Solution to track and take action against counterfeiters. During a market investigation in February 2016, the firm had found counterfeit products resembling Asian Paints' trademarks at the shop Ganpati Traders in Tunga, Rajasthan, owned by Ram Babu. After police inspection, 12 buckets of allegedly fake paint were seized. The trial court acquitted Ram Babu, after which Asian Paints challenged the order in the High Court. The High Court dismissed Asian Paints' appeal.


Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Professors stare at shut doors in Punjab, govt silent
Ludhiana: A thousand doors that opened wide after years are bolted shut within a day. In a ruling that has sent shockwaves through Punjab's education system, the Supreme Court on Monday quashed the appointments of 1,158 assistant professors and librarians recruited in a landmark 2021 drive, ending the hopes of hundreds of qualified educators and reigniting fears over the state's crumbling higher education infrastructure. The top court found the recruitment process — touted at the time as a revival of govt colleges after two decades of hiring freeze — violated University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and lacked procedural integrity. The ruling has affected 1,091 assistant professors and 67 librarians who had joined more than 150 colleges across Punjab, some as recently as six months ago, others nearing the end of their probation. The fallout is most acute in Ludhiana district, where 116 teachers now face termination. "This affects 116 families here alone," said Jaspreet Sivian, a senior member of the teachers' coordination committee. "Across the state, it's a thousand homes. People who waited years, met every eligibility rule — NET, PhD, teaching experience — are now being told none of it matters. It's heartbreaking." The Supreme Court held that bypassing the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) and omitting key academic assessments, including viva voce, invalidated the appointments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo The teachers, however, argue that the blame lies squarely with flawed govt procedure, not the candidates. "Why should we pay the price for bureaucratic shortcuts?" asked a professor from a Ludhiana college. "We cleared every bar the system set for us. Now we're being punished for the state's mistakes. And the worst part? Not a single word yet from the Punjab govt." Many affected teachers say they have now aged out of eligibility for future recruitment. Saurabh Kumar, a Hindi professor with 12 years of experience, had cleared NET (National Eligibility Test) and earned a PhD. But now, at 38, he exceeds the general category age limit of 37. "I was regularised finally after years of part-time work. And now, I may never be eligible again," he said. The pain is amplified by silence. "The verdict came yesterday. Still, the govt hasn't announced a single step, not a plan, not even an apology," said another member of the faculty. "The silence is deafening." Several teachers had already left private jobs to join govt posts under the impression of long-term stability. Institutes that saw hope for academic revival finally — like Ludhiana's SCD Govt College, which had only 6 permanent teachers before 2021 — now face returning to those conditions. The committee representing the affected teachers has announced its intention to file a review petition, and if needed, a curative one — the last legal recourse available. "Until then, no terminations should be issued," Sivian pleaded. "The Punjab govt should stand with us. Over a thousand families are now in crisis after two decades of waiting and years of honest service." The ruling has also drawn condemnation from alumni and education advocates. Brij Bhushan Goyal, alumnus and office-bearer of SCD College's alumni association, said: "This is not just the loss of jobs. It's the collapse of morale in our academic institutes. The state failed to defend its decision in court, and the victims are our teachers. What a pity. What a waste." What do you tell a teacher who taught through illness, who moved cities, who hung family hopes on a govt seal? What do you tell a scholar who has aged out of a professionthat never let her in properly? What do you tell a student who sees his classroom grow silent as staff rooms empty and chalkboards wait in vain? With campuses now facing staffing chaos and hundreds of careers on the brink, the verdict has not just ended appointments — it has reopened a crisis in public higher education that Punjab had only just begun to address.