Supreme Court notice in Karnataka Senior Counsel designation controversy.The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Karnataka High Court (Karnataka HC), Central Government, Bar Council of India and fifteen senior advocates in the two independent matters challenging the Senior designation conferred on the fifteen lawyers by the Karnataka HC. Two lawyers, TN Raghupathy and M Veerabhadraiah, have agitated the matter up to the Supreme Court. While Raghupathy has filed an SLP against the Karnataka HC order challenging his locus, Veerabhadraiah has approached the Supreme Court by way of a transfer petition seeking transfer of the matter out of Karnataka..Surcharge on block assessment only prospective.A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court today held that the proviso to Section 113 of the Income Tax Act, which provides for levy of surcharge on block assessment, is prospective in its application. It, thereby, overruled its own decision in CIT v. Suresh N Gupta [(2008) 297 ITR 322 (SC)] which had held the field for six years. The Court in that judgment had held that the amendment to Section 113 was only clarificatory in nature and therefore retrospective in its application. .UGC directed to give fresh advice on recognition of Symbiosis Off Campus in Andhra Pradesh.The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been asked to give a fresh advice on the recognition of Symbiosis University’s off campus in Andhra Pradesh. The minutes of the earlier meeting of the UGC was quashed by the Court which directed the UGC to consider the report of the Expert Committee afresh. The Centre has been directed to consider the UGC advice and make a decision independently and not force its policy decision on the UGC. Senior Advocates Ram Jethmalani and Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Symbiosis University while Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar represented the Central government. .Prashant Bhushan directed to disclose source of information.A Supreme Court Bench presided by Justice HL Dattu directed advocate Prashant Bhushan to disclose the name of the whistleblower from whom he got the entry register of CBI Director Ranjit Sinha’s residence and information pertaining to Sinha’s guests. Sinha’s lawyer Vikas Singh submitted that the affidavit submitted by Bhushan was not in compliance with the Code of Civil Procedure and the Supreme Court Rules which mandate disclosure of the source of information. Bhushan sought protection of the whistleblower but the Court turned down his request and directed him to reveal the name in sealed cover. The next hearing will be held on September 22..Function from guest house or residences of judges, SC to J&K High Court.In a Public Interest Litigation seeking rescue and rehabilitation of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) flood victims, the Supreme Court today suggested to the Chief Justice of the J&K High Court (High Court) to consider functioning from the guest house of the High Court or the residences of the High Court judges. While Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi apprised the Court of the steps being taken by the Central government to help the victims, the Court directed that food, water and other essentials be made available to those affected while also directing the State government to consider payment of ex gratia amount to the victims.
Supreme Court notice in Karnataka Senior Counsel designation controversy.The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Karnataka High Court (Karnataka HC), Central Government, Bar Council of India and fifteen senior advocates in the two independent matters challenging the Senior designation conferred on the fifteen lawyers by the Karnataka HC. Two lawyers, TN Raghupathy and M Veerabhadraiah, have agitated the matter up to the Supreme Court. While Raghupathy has filed an SLP against the Karnataka HC order challenging his locus, Veerabhadraiah has approached the Supreme Court by way of a transfer petition seeking transfer of the matter out of Karnataka..Surcharge on block assessment only prospective.A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court today held that the proviso to Section 113 of the Income Tax Act, which provides for levy of surcharge on block assessment, is prospective in its application. It, thereby, overruled its own decision in CIT v. Suresh N Gupta [(2008) 297 ITR 322 (SC)] which had held the field for six years. The Court in that judgment had held that the amendment to Section 113 was only clarificatory in nature and therefore retrospective in its application. .UGC directed to give fresh advice on recognition of Symbiosis Off Campus in Andhra Pradesh.The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been asked to give a fresh advice on the recognition of Symbiosis University’s off campus in Andhra Pradesh. The minutes of the earlier meeting of the UGC was quashed by the Court which directed the UGC to consider the report of the Expert Committee afresh. The Centre has been directed to consider the UGC advice and make a decision independently and not force its policy decision on the UGC. Senior Advocates Ram Jethmalani and Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Symbiosis University while Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar represented the Central government. .Prashant Bhushan directed to disclose source of information.A Supreme Court Bench presided by Justice HL Dattu directed advocate Prashant Bhushan to disclose the name of the whistleblower from whom he got the entry register of CBI Director Ranjit Sinha’s residence and information pertaining to Sinha’s guests. Sinha’s lawyer Vikas Singh submitted that the affidavit submitted by Bhushan was not in compliance with the Code of Civil Procedure and the Supreme Court Rules which mandate disclosure of the source of information. Bhushan sought protection of the whistleblower but the Court turned down his request and directed him to reveal the name in sealed cover. The next hearing will be held on September 22..Function from guest house or residences of judges, SC to J&K High Court.In a Public Interest Litigation seeking rescue and rehabilitation of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) flood victims, the Supreme Court today suggested to the Chief Justice of the J&K High Court (High Court) to consider functioning from the guest house of the High Court or the residences of the High Court judges. While Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi apprised the Court of the steps being taken by the Central government to help the victims, the Court directed that food, water and other essentials be made available to those affected while also directing the State government to consider payment of ex gratia amount to the victims.
