Latest news with #HarishTandon
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
HC ‘satisfied' with probe into Balasore girl's suicide case
1 2 3 4 Cuttack: Orissa high court on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with the ongoing probe into the recent self-immolation of a girl in Balasore while admitting a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The court also issued notices to BJD and Congress for staging protest on the issue in alleged violation by Supreme Court guidelines. The PIL, filed by HC lawyer Shivsankar Mohanty, was taken up by the division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak. Mohanty, who appeared in person, sought a "time-bound" SIT probe under the direct supervision of the court. However, after perusing a status report on the ongoing investigation by the State CID-Crime Branch submitted in a sealed cover, the bench expressed "satisfaction with the progress made so far." At this stage, an SIT probe is not called for, the court observed. The matter has been posted to July 22 for further hearing, with a direction to the CID to submit an updated status report on the investigation. Appearing for the state, advocate general Pitambar Acharya submitted that the probe is being supervised by a senior IPS officer of inspector general rank and assured the court that the govt is taking all possible steps to ensure justice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Speed up your Mac and free up storage with Space Lens MacPaw Read More Undo He informed the court that both the accused — the college principal and the head of department of education — have been arrested, placed under suspension, and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against them. The court issued notices to the presidents of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee and BJD, following allegations by the petitioner that both political parties had staged demonstrations over the girl's death in violation of Supreme Court directives, prohibiting such activities during ongoing investigations. The petitioner has also sought directions to the University Grants Commission (UGC) to place on record the report of the fact-finding committee it constituted on July 15, and to take appropriate action against any erring officials or institutions. Taking note of this, the bench issued notice to the UGC.
News18
16-07-2025
- News18
Woman Leaves Man Due To Marital Issues, He Moves Court. Judges Say 'Wife Not a Commodity'
Last Updated: The Orissa High Court noted that the woman left him out of her own volition due to some marital disputes A man moved the Orissa High Court to secure the custody of her wife, who, along with their child, left his house over marital issues. Instead of relief, the man got to listen to harsh words from the court, which also imposed Rs 25,000 cost on him for filing the frivolous habeas corpus plea. The Orissa High Court noted that the woman left him out of her own volition due to some marital disputes. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Murahari Sri Raman observed that the husband cannot compel the wife to act as per his dictum nor can he treat the 'wife as his commodity," Live Law reported. 'The fundamental right which is conferred upon every individual irrespective of the gender cannot be treated as one way traffic by a particular gender. The wife has a right to take an independent decision of her life and if she has chosen to dissociate her company from the husband, the husband cannot be permitted to abuse or misuse the power of the Court in issuing the writ of habeas corpus," the bench stated in its order. After leaving her husband, the woman and her child were living with her brother. However, the man alleged that she was held in wrongful detention by his brother-in-law. He also filed a complaint with the police about this allegation. After the petition was filed, police contacted the petitioner's wife to understand the reasons behind the habeas corpus plea. She cited marital discord as the reason for leaving. Once this was conveyed to the court, the bench strongly criticised the petitioner for misusing legal provisions to settle personal disputes and for treating his wife like a 'commodity". 'The application is frivolous and misconceived, and warrants not just dismissal but also the imposition of heavy costs," the court observed. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC grants Centre time to file affidavit in misuse of national emblem
1 2 3 Cuttack: Orissa high court granted the Centre time till July 22, 2025 to submit a more detailed affidavit in response to a PIL alleging widespread misuse of the national emblem of India. Adopted on Jan 26, 1950, the national emblem is based on the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, with the words Satyameva Jayate inscribed below in Devanagari script. A two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman on Tuesday, granted the time following a request by deputy solicitor general P K Parhi to file the improved affidavit. The PIL, filed by Ganjam-based Alone Trust on Dec 27, 2024, seeks strict action against unauthorised and incorrect usage of the national emblem. The petition highlighted several instances where the emblem is misrepresented, including omission of key elements like the animals and the motto Satyameva Jayate. Advocate Pabitra Kumar Dutta represented the petitioner. The court had earlier expressed dissatisfaction with the Centre's counter affidavit filed on March 12, following its directives dated Jan 22 and Feb 19. "There has to be verification, action taken and report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Counter will be accepted on adjourned date upon advance copy served," the court stated, setting the next hearing on March 26. I n its Feb 19 order, the HC criticised repeated adjournments sought by the Centre and emphasised the seriousness of the allegations regarding the emblem's misuse. "We do not appreciate prayer for adjournment, earlier obtained for verification and rectification," the bench had observed. The PIL also calls for the inclusion of the national emblem of India in school curricula and campaigns to promote public awareness about its legal, cultural, and symbolic significance. It argues that a lack of awareness is contributing to its misuse across the country. Interestingly, the PIL was filed on Dec 27, 2024, just two days after the Centre proposed stricter regulations, including a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh and jail terms, to curb unauthorised use of national symbols, as well as names and photographs of the President and Prime Minister. Currently, the emblem's usage is governed by two separate laws — the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005, overseen by the ministry of home affairs, and the emblems and names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, enforced by the consumer affairs department. The Centre is reportedly considering merging the two laws under a single administrative authority for better enforcement.
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Orissa High Court issues notice over ban on tribal ritual in Similipal Tiger Reserve
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has issued notice to the project administrator of Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Baripada, regarding the order prohibiting the Munda tribal community inhabitants of village Jamunagarh from performing their rituals at the sacred place named Jayara which comes within the territorial jurisdiction of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR). Deputy director of STR had issued the prohibition order on January 22, 2025. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman issued the notice on a writ appeal and fixed July 21 for hearing on the matter along with reply to the notice. The appeal was filed by Nandu Ho and two other residents of Jamunagarh against a single judge's order on March 3, 2025 declining to entertain a petition on the same issue. During the hearing on Monday, advocate Afraaz Suhail appearing on behalf of the petitioners submitted that the Munda tribal community have been performing their sacred rituals in Jamunagarh area for generations. During the hearing of the petition before the single judge Justice SK Panigrahi, the counsel for the government of India and state government advocate had submitted that since 'Tiger Supplementation Programme' is going on in STR, the authorities, in order to save the life of the humans, have not given permission to the petitioners to perform their rituals at Jayara. While disposing of the petition, Justice Panigrahi had observed that the concern raised by the authorities was genuine. 'However, considering the request of counsel for the petitioners, this court makes it clear that after the tiger supplementation programme in and around the Similipal Tiger Reserve gets over, the petitioners may be permitted to perform their rituals at the sacred place,' Justice Panigrahi had ordered.
New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Free Government land of encroachments in three months: Odisha HC
CUTTACK: In a significant order, the Orissa High Court has directed the state government to 'make extensive enquiry' on encroachments over government land by competent authorities and on confirmation, remove the infringements within three months. The court issued the direction by way of a guideline while disposing of a PIL recently. The division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman said, 'The state shall make an extensive enquiry and/or investigation in relation to an encroachment over the government land by engaging the competent authorities including the amin for relay and survey of the plots.' If the land is found to have been encroached upon, the government should take steps to remove them invoking the provisions of Odisha Prevention of Land Encroachment Act, 1972. 'The removal of encroachments should not exceed beyond three months from the date of the report of the surveyor/amin or the other competent authority,' the bench said. Kamala Singh, a social activist, filed the PIL alleging that the government is showing apathetic attitude in not taking any steps for removal of encroachments over one acre of government land (forest category) near Belpal under Badasahi tehsil in Mayurbhanj district. The alleged encroachments were in the form of a furniture manufacturing unit, an oil mill and parking of transport vehicles and tractors.
