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SCAORA urges CJI to restore physical court hearings from July.

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The Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA) has urged  the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde to restore working of the Courts in a physical setting, from July 2020.

In a letter on Tuesday,  SCAORA President Shivaji M Jadhav said that Open Court hearings are the spine of our system and that virtual courts are not a substitute for physical courts. The letter draws attention of the CJI towards the difficulties being faced by the lawyers in coping up with the system of the virtual courts.

The SCAORA president apprises the CJI that almost 90 percent of lawyers are not comfortable with the virtual court hearings and are unable to present their cases effectively via the virtual medium.

“In the matter involving several parties and appearance by many lawyers, not all lawyers are given a chance to speak and sometimes their mics are put on mute by the coordinator as a result of which their matters get heard in their absence,” the letter says, adding there are problems with audio and video quality of hearings, which results  in  the  lawyers  not  being  able  to  effective  put forth their arguments.

The letter also highlights that there are still several lawyers who are outside Delhi/NCR and in their respective hometowns, who don’t have access to their files and thus unable to participate effectively in the virtual court hearings.

“Many times, when a senior advocate or arguing counsel appears, he/she is left to appear on their own. The AOR/briefing lawyer is unable to assist them effectively in this virtual medium,” says the letter.

The SCAORA president has also highlighted problems being faced by the lawyers in e-filing.

“Many times, all documents filed through E-filing are not available with the Bench.  After filing matters, the registry takes its own time to scrutinize matters. Lawyers are having to follow up and give several reminders to the registry officials. The defect curing mechanism as well as the registration of matters are problematic areas that need urgent re-consideration.”

The association has also apprised the CJI about the financial crunch being faced by several lawyers due to the coronavirus induced lockdown.

“Most  lawyers  are  facing  severe  financial  problems  during  this pandemic, due to staggered working of Courts for the past three months.”

The letter adds that unless the normal functioning of Courts is resumed, the said concern will not abate.

Requesting the CJI to resume physical court hearings upon re-opening in July 2020 after summer vacations, the SCAORA letter also suggests several precautionary measures for the physical functioning of the court.

“The total number of matters be split into two slots, to be taken up before  lunch  and post-lunch.  Every  lawyer  could  be  required  to compulsorily leave the Courtroom after his/her matter is over. A limited number of lawyers per matter be allowed, such as only the concerned AOR with Senior Advocate or arguing Counsel and one junior lawyer.”

Apart from suggesting well-known precautions like sanitation, wearing masks; the letter further suggests that “the existing distance between the lawyers and Judges be increased. The quality and working of mics be improved so that lawyers can be heard even from a distance”.

SCAORA President Jadhav also appreciated the Supreme Court for its effort to provide access to justice in these difficult times of Covid-19 Pandemic, and expressed gratitude for the provision of the new E-Filing module software.

India News

India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

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India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

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Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

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Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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India News

Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.

Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning

In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.

They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.

The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.

Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August

The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.

The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.

The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.

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