English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Judges upset with Modi govt altering Justice KM Joseph’s seniority, CJI says will take it up

Published

on

Judges upset with Modi govt altering Justice KM Joseph’s seniority, CJI says will take it up

A group of judges met Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra today (Monday, Aug 6), to take up call the government’s attempt to alter the seniority of Justice KM Joseph by putting his name at the bottom of the list of judges cleared for elevation to the top court.

The CJI assured the judges that he would take up the matter with the government. The swearing-in is scheduled for tomorrow, August 7.

The government had been reluctant to clear Justice Joseph’a name and his appointment as SC judge was cleared after much back-and-forth in the past eight months. Even while finally clearing his name when the SC Collegium sent it back a second time, the government did what it could against the interests of the Judge and put his name at the bottom of the list of judges approved, after the names of Justices Indira Banerjee and Vineet Saran.

With his name at the bottom of the list in notification for swearing in on Tuesday (August 7), he will be sworn in last. This will not allow him to even head an independent bench in a long while. It is known, though, that Justice Joseph, considering his seniority, date of retirement, and other issues, will never be the Chief Justice of India.

According to tradition – and tradition rules at the Supreme Court – judges lose seniority even if they are sworn in on the same day but hours apart. This had happened during the swearing in of two judges of the Supreme Court, Justices Ruma Pal and YK Sabharwal.

In 2000 both judges were named to the top court and Justice Pal was being sworn in for a six-year stint at the top court, which was time enough for her to be elevated to the post of Chief Justice of India.

However, the communication reached her late and her trip to Delhi was delayed. She was sworn in a few hours after Justice Sabharwal. That delayed communication robbed Justice Pal of the opportunity to be the Chief Justice, despite her being the senior judge of the two.

The issue of Justice KM Joseph’s seniority being affected in this manner was taken up some SC judges, including three from the Supreme Court collegium or panel that recommends appointments, with Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra today.

They were told by the Chief Justice that he would take up their protest with the Centre. The swearing-in takes place tomorrow.

Government sources, however, justified the order that places Justice Joseph last among the three judges to be sworn in on Tuesday, reported NDTV.

Denying the charge, government sources said Justice Joseph was appointed high court judge in October 2004, more than two years after Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Vineet Sharan (both in February 2002). They argued that in the all-India seniority list of judges, Justice Banerjee is at number 2, Justice Sharan at 3 and Justice Joseph places 39.

Justice Joseph did become Chief Justice before the other two judges, but seniority is decided on the date of appointment as high court judge, not Chief Justice, the government sources contended, according to NDTV.

Countering that argument, sources in judiciary told NDTV “seniority is not the only criteria for elevation to the Supreme Court”, and that’s why the collegium rejected the government’s contention on seniority and stood firm by its recommendation of Justice Joseph.

The Supreme Court collegium named Justice Joseph for elevation in January, but the government sent back his file questioning the choice and pointing to inadequate representation in the top court from other states, especially Kerala. As the collegium reasserted its choice of Justice Joseph, the government was forced to accept it.

The government denies opposition allegations that its objections were linked to Justice Joseph’s order in 2016 scrapping President’s Rule in Uttarakhand, which helped restore the Congress’s government.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

Published

on

Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

Continue Reading

India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

Published

on

Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

Published

on

Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com