[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The first ever Legal Leadership Conclave, organised by India Legal Research Foundation (ILRF) and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in association with others, held in Mumbai on Saturday, April 27, evaluated the impact of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and the challenges ahead.
The law that has been in existence for three years now is a landmark law is hailed as a major step for economic reform.
Supreme Court Justice NV Ramana, who inaugurated the conclave, said in his opening remarks that with the IBC code having been around for three years, it was time to take a look at its functioning. “The IBC is one of the key reforms in the field of commercial law undertaken in the last two decades and now that it has been around for three years, it is time to reflect on its journey and discuss ways to smoothen its functioning,” he said.
“In recent times, non-performing assets have threatened to cripple our banking system and have taken the wind out of the sails of our economic growth, said Justice Ramana, adding that the IBC was enacted to provide for a time-bound insolvency resolution mechanism.
“In three years since its enactment, 12,000 insolvency cases have been filed under it and around Rs 1 lakh crore have been recovered through insolvency proceedings,” he observed and added that the object behind enacting the IBC was to consolidate the existing framework by creating a single law for Insolvency and Bankruptcy.
Justice NV Ramana lighting the lamp. Also seen are MD, APN News Rajshri Rai (standing behind him) and Editor-in-Chief India legal Inderjit Badhwar (second from right).
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The conclave, that had two sessions, had a line up of speakers that included some of the best authorities to speak on the subject. Other than Justice NV Ramana of the Supreme Court, among those who spoke are: PK Malhotra, former law secretary; Justice BN Srikrishna, former SC judge; Editor-in-chief, India Legal, Inderjit Badhwar; Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, chief justice of the Bombay High Court.
The event is a launch pad for a series of conclaves being held nationwide on a wide range of contemporary legal issues with the participation of sitting judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts and several other legal luminaries and thought leaders. The SCBA which works tirelessly towards protecting the interests of the Supreme Court lawyers is an important pillar of our legal system. The ENC Group-promoted ILRF, is a non-profit organization which is committed to bring justice to those who deserve it but cannot afford it.
India legal is the first and only weekly, independent politico-legal magazine that covers an entire gamut of legal news and developments in the country and which has constantly endeavoured to promote the cause of legal education. This approach also forms the bedrock of media initiatives of the ENC group, including the widely acclaimed news channels, APN TV and N1 News. The ENC Group takes great pride and responsibility in promoting new ideas, initiatives, and recommendations for the benefit of not only the legal fraternity but also society at large. It is in continuing with this tradition that the Legal Leadership Conclave is being held today. The event is being held in partnership with the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and India Legal Research Foundation (ILRF), APN TV and Nepal 1.
The IBC has emerged as the topic for discussion, the reasons for which are not hard to fathom. Before the introduction of the IBC, it took companies about four to five years to dissolve their operations; now the time has dropped drastically to a year.
However, as with any new legislation, the IBC’s smooth implementation has been riddled with many issues that had not been thought of at the time of drafting the legislation. Some of these issues have been addressed by way of legislative amendments and court orders while many more were discussed at the daylong conclave.
As mentioned above, the conclave was held in two sessions.
The Technical Session I
Subject: Opportunities and Challenges for IBC
The speakers at the session included Mukulita Vijayawargiya, member (IBBI); VP Singh (NCLT member); Mohan Bhaskar Pantulu (NCLT member); TK Vishwanathan, former secretary general, Lok Sabha; and Som Sekhar Sundaresan, advocate. Justice BR Gavai of the Bombay High Court chaired the panel.
Technical Session II
Subject: Impact of IBC on business establishments and the real estate sector
The speakers at this session were: Ravi Kumar Duraisamy (member NCLT); Justice J Bharati Dangre of the Bombay High Court; Justice V. Nallasenapathy (member NCLT); Soli Cooper, advocate; OP Bhatt, director ONGC and ex-chairman IBA; Jana Kalyan Das, senior advocate; and former SCBA president PH Parekh. Justice Dangre was the chairperson of the session
There were two rounds of Q&A where discerning questions related to IBC were asked.
Valedictory Session
This was attended by Justice Nandrajog, Justice Ramana and senior advocate Janak Dwarka Das. Justice Ramana concluded the event
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by India Legal’s Editor-in-Chief Inderjit Badhwar.
The government has listed five new ones and one to amend the contentious Waqf law out of 15 bills for the winter session of Parliament. The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.
The government has introduced five new bills, including the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to promote coasting trade and increase the participation of Indian-flagged vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for both national security and commercial purposes.
Another significant legislation that will be introduced by the government is the Indian Ports Bill, 2024. This bill is designed to implement measures for the conservation of ports, enhance security, and manage pollution, ensuring compliance with India’s international obligations and statutory requirements.
Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to meet India’s obligations under maritime treaties and support the development of Indian shipping while ensuring the efficient operation of the Indian mercantile marine in a way that serves national interests.
Pending legislation includes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is awaiting consideration and passage after the joint committee of both Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha. The committee is expected to report by the end of the first week of the winter session.
Currently, there are eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, pending in the Lok Sabha, while two additional bills are in the Rajya Sabha.
Furthermore, the government has also listed the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill for introduction, consideration, and passage, which seeks to increase the pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.
The Merchant Shipping Bill, along with the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill, is slated for introduction and eventual passage.
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes
The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) today issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. The leaders allegedly restricted essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid to civilians in Gaza, resulting in severe humanitarian crises and deaths, including among children.
Last year in October, Israel had launched attacks on Gaza in retaliation for the surprise attack by Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war has led to the death of thousands of civilians, while lakhs have been displaced. The major infrastructures in Gaza, including hospitals and schools, were also destroyed as Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas.
The International Criminal Court stated that it found reasonable grounds to believe the accused intentionally targeted civilians and limited medical supplies, forcing unsafe medical procedures, which caused immense suffering. This ruling was based on the findings from at least October 8, 2023 until at least May 20, 2024.
The court remarked that it has assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza.
Furthermore, it also noted that the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and medical supplies created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, leading to death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration.
Additionally, the International Criminal Court dismissed two challenges by Israel against its jurisdiction in the situation in the State of Palestine.
Notably, Israel had contested the ICC’s jurisdiction, claiming it could not be exercised without Israel’s consent. Nonetheless, the Chamber ruled that the Court has jurisdiction based on Palestine’s territorial scope, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It further noted that Israel’s objections were premature, as jurisdictional challenges under the Rome Statute can only be made after an arrest warrant is issued.
Reportedly, Israel had also requested a fresh notification regarding the investigation, started in 2021. Denying the request, the court stated that Israel had earlier declined to request a deferral, making additional notifications unnecessary.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accorded a tax-free status to ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film, based on the train burning incident at Godhra in Gujarat in 2002, in the state.
The announcement was made after Chief Minister Adityanath attended the screening of Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna-starrer ‘The Sabarmati Report’ in Lucknow with the film’s cast.
Speaking to reporters, actor Vikrant Massey thanked the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for making ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film tax-free in the state. “I want to thank Yogi Adityanath ji. This is an important film and I appeal to everyone to go and watch this film,” he said.
Chief Minister Adityanath along with many of his cabinet colleagues watched the film ‘The Sabarmati Report’ under a special screening at a cinema hall in the capital, said a spokesperson of the state government.
Several people associated with the film unit were also present on the occasion. Later the chief minister announced to make this film tax-free in UP.
The BJP-ruled states have been praising the makers of The Sabarmati Report, claiming the team has tried to bring out this truth in front of the people of the country through the film.
The saffron party is appealing to people to watch this film and try to get closer to the truth of Godhra.
Uttar Pradesh becomes the sixth BJP-ruled state after Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to declare lead actors Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna’s film tax-free.
Adityanath said along with identifying the faces of those who are conspiring against the country for political gains, there is also a need to expose them. The film team has discharged its responsibilities to expose the truth, he said, adding an attempt has been made to bring the real truth in front of the country in a big way through the film.
The Sabarmati Report is said to be based on the incident of setting fire to a train full of ‘karsevaks’ in Godhra on February 27, 2002, killing 90 devotees. After this incident, communal riots broke out in Gujarat. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.
APN News is today the most watched and the most credible and respected news channel in India. APN has been at the forefront of every single news revolution. The channel is being recognized for its in-depth, analytical reportage and hard hitting discussions on burning issues; without any bias or vested interests.