Category Archives: law

Centre Approves Appointment Of 24 Judges To Allahabad High Court

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**Centre Clears Appointment of 24 Judges to Allahabad High Court**

*New Delhi:* The Centre on Friday approved the appointment of 24 judges to the Allahabad High Court, following recommendations made by the Supreme Court Collegium.

A notification issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice stated, “In exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint S/Shri (i) Vivek Saran, (ii) Vivek Kumar Singh, (iii) Smt Garima Prashad, (iv) Sudhanshu Chauhan, (v) Abdhesh Kumar Chaudhary, (vi) Smt Swarupama Chaturvedi, (vii) Siddharth Nandan, (viii) Kunal Ravi Singh, (ix) Indrajeet Shukla, (x) Satya Veer Singh, (xi) Dr Ajay Kumar-II, (xii) Chawan Prakash, (xiii) Divesh Chandra Samant, (xiv) Prashant Mishra-I, (xv) Tarun Saxena, (xvi) Rajeev Bharti, (xvii) Padam Narain Mishra, (xviii) Lakshmi Kant Shukla, (xix) Jai Prakash Tiwari, (xx) Devendra Singh-I, (xxi) Sanjiv Kumar, (xxii) Smt Vani Ranjan Agrawal, (xxiii) Achal Sachdev and (xxiv) Smt Babita Rani, to be Judges of the Allahabad High Court with effect from the date they assume charge of their respective offices.”

The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, met on September 1 and approved the proposal for elevation of advocates Vivek Saran, Adnan Ahmad, Vivek Kumar Singh, Garima Prashad, Sudhanshu Chauhan, Abdhesh Kumar Chaudhary, Swarupama Chaturvedi, Jai Krishna Upadhyay, Siddharth Nandan, Kunal Ravi Singh, Indrajeet Shukla, and Satya Veer Singh to the Bench.

In a separate statement uploaded on the apex court’s website, the Collegium also approved the appointment of judicial officers Dr. Ajay Kumar-II, Chawan Prakash, Divesh Chandra Samant, Prashant Mishra-I, Tarun Saxena, Rajeev Bharti, Padam Narain Mishra, Lakshmi Kant Shukla, Jai Prakash Tiwari, Devendra Singh-I, Sanjiv Kumar, Vani Ranjan Agrawal, Achal Sachdev, and Babita Rani.

It is to be noted that the names of advocates Adnan Ahmad and Jai Krishna Upadhyay, though recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium, are yet to receive clearance from the Union government.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/centre-approves-appointment-of-24-judges-to-allahabad-high-court

The Ba***ds of Bollywood: Delhi High Court asks Sameer Wankhede to justify defamation plea against Netflix and Red Chillies

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The Delhi High Court on Friday questioned former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede over the maintainability of his defamation plea against Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix.

Wankhede had approached the court seeking a permanent and mandatory injunction, declaration, and damages for what he described as a false, malicious, and defamatory portrayal in the web series *The Ba***ds of Bollywood*.

### Court Questions Jurisdiction

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav asked Wankhede to establish how his plea was maintainable in Delhi and whether any cause of action had arisen in the national capital. According to the court’s observations, jurisdiction was a key issue in deciding the admissibility of the petition.

In response, Wankhede’s counsel, senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, argued that the series was available for streaming in Delhi and had been viewed by audiences in the city, thereby impacting his client’s reputation locally.

The court, however, directed Wankhede to amend his plea to specifically demonstrate how a cause of action had arisen in Delhi.

### Background of the Case

Wankhede rose to national prominence for leading the investigation in the Aryan Khan drugs-on-cruise case. In his plea, he has sought Rs. 2 crore in damages. Interestingly, he has requested that the amount, if granted, be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for the treatment of cancer patients.

The plea alleged that the controversial series, reportedly produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and streamed on Netflix, was deliberately conceptualised and executed to malign Wankhede’s reputation. It further argued that the timing was prejudicial, given that related proceedings involving Wankhede and Aryan Khan are still pending before the Bombay High Court and the NDPS Special Court in Mumbai.

### Specific Objections Raised

According to Wankhede’s claims, the show includes a character making an obscene gesture—specifically showing the middle finger—after uttering the slogan *Satyamev Jayate*, which forms part of India’s National Emblem.

The plea described this act as a grave violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which could attract penal consequences under Indian law.

Additionally, the petition asserted that the web series violated provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) by promoting offensive, obscene content that not only harmed his reputation but also outraged national sentiment.

### What’s Next?

With the High Court instructing Sameer Wankhede to strengthen the jurisdictional basis of his plea, the next hearing is expected to determine whether the defamation suit can proceed in Delhi.

Until then, the controversy surrounding *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* continues to brew, placing both Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment in the legal spotlight.

—

**Also Read:**
[EXCLUSIVE: After Ranbir Kapoor, now Leonardo DiCaprio is seen vaping; CBFC blurs scenes of e-cigarette in *One Battle After Another* but clears joint smoking scene – Bollywood News Live Updates]
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/bads-bollywood-delhi-high-court-asks-sameer-wankhede-justify-defamation-plea-netflix-red-chillies/

Man with No Medical Expertise Gives Pregnant Women Pain Advice

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This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss how Donald Trump is using the powerful mechanisms of government prosecution to reverse-engineer crimes supposedly committed by his enemies. They also cover his diatribe against Tylenol at the disastrous press conference on autism, as well as the echoes of past Red Scares in today’s free speech climate.

Joining the conversation is historian Beverly Gage, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning *G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century*, who provides insight into these historical parallels.

—

### Notes and References from This Week’s Show

– Alan Feuer, Glenn Thrush, Maggie Haberman, and Devlin Barrett: *Trump’s DOJ Shut It Down*
– Paul Rosenzweig for *The Atlantic*: *A Most Profound Transgression*
– Andrew McCarthy for *National Review*: *Trump Proves to Be His Own Worst Enemy on Push for Payback Probes*
– David Frum for *The Atlantic*: *Trump Might Be Losing His Race Against Time*
– Lena H. Sun and Dan Diamond for *The Washington Post*: *Trump’s Escalating Attacks on Vaccines Shock Public Health Leaders*
– Megan Messerly, Tim Rohn, Dasha Burns, and Carmen Paun for *Politico*: *Trump’s Tylenol Diatribe Was Rooted in Frustration*
– Arthur L. Caplan for *STAT*: *Trump’s Antifa Executive Order Is Dangerously Vague*
– Ezra Klein for *The New York Times* (Opinion, *The Ezra Klein Show*): *Trump Is Building the Blue Scare*
– Renee DiResta and Clay Risen for *The Lawfare Podcast*: *Lawfare Daily: McCarthyism and Its Echoes in Modern Politics* (audio, 43 mins)

—

### This Week’s Chatters

– **Emily:**
– Oliver Milman for *The Guardian*: “Hundreds plunge in Chicago River for first official swim in nearly 100 years”
– Chris Bentley for *WBUR*: “Swimmers race in the Chicago River for first time in nearly 100 years”

– **John:**
– *HGTV Magazine*: “Here’s the Story desk: Military intelligence: Ukraine hits drone factory in Russia’s Tatarstan”

—

### Slate Plus Bonus Episode

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, Emily, John, and David discuss the debate around Trump’s new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa workers. Will it score points or be an own goal for U.S. jobs? Tune in to hear their insights.

—

### Gabfest Reads

In the latest Gabfest Reads, Emily talks with author and Yale professor Judith Resnik about her new book *Impermissible Punishments: How Prison Became a Problem for Democracy*. Their discussion explores the history of the prison system’s use of punishments like whipping, how the practice came to an end, and more.

—

### Contact Us

Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

—

**Podcast production by:** Cheyna Roth
**Research by:** Emily Ditto

You can find the full Political Gabfest show pages [here](https://slate.com/political-gabfest).
https://slate.com/podcasts/political-gabfest/2025/09/politics-trump-and-rfk-jr-push-false-harmful-narratives-about-autism-and-tylenol?via=rss

Karnataka High Court Issues Contempt Notice To Top Officials Over Illegal Appointment

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Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has issued a contempt notice to Umashankar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, and Anjali Devi, Director of Prosecution and Government Litigation department, for alleged willful disobedience of a prior court order.

The notice follows a petition filed by Advocate Sudha Katwa, who accused the officials of violating the High Court’s directive dated December 2021. The court had explicitly prohibited the posting of officials facing disciplinary proceedings. Despite this, the petition alleges that Narayanaswamy was appointed as Senior Law Officer, Bengaluru.

This case traces back to the 2012-13 Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) and Assistant Government Pleader (AGP) recruitment scam. Narayanaswamy and several senior Department of Personnel officials are accused of manipulating marks, forging signatures of High Court justices, and fabricating documents during the recruitment process.

While approximately 60 APP/AGP candidates have not been given postings due to ongoing investigations, the government reportedly appointed only Narayanaswamy to a senior position. This selective appointment prompted the contempt petition before the Karnataka High Court.

*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/karnataka-high-court-issues-contempt-notice-to-top-officials-over-illegal-appointment

Man trying to serve Taylor Swift deposition papers gets himself arrested

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**Man Trying to Serve Taylor Swift Deposition Papers Ends Up Arrested**

*By Shreya Mukherjee | September 24, 2025, 1:18 PM*

—

**What Happened?**

A man was arrested for trespassing at NFL player Travis Kelce’s Kansas residence on September 15, according to local reports. The suspect, identified as Justin Lee Fisher, allegedly attempted to serve deposition papers to Kelce’s fiancée, pop star Taylor Swift. The papers were related to the ongoing legal battle between actor-director Justin Baldoni and his *It Ends With Us* co-star Blake Lively.

The incident took place around 2:00 AM local time after police received reports of a trespasser near Kelce’s gated home in Leawood, Kansas.

—

**Legal Implications**

Justin Lee Fisher, a former police officer turned private investigator, was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing. He reportedly jumped the fence into Kelce’s gated estate to deliver the deposition papers on behalf of Baldoni’s legal team.

However, details of the incident remain limited. The official one-page police report noted in bold letters, “This information is restricted as to use and dissemination,” providing scant additional information.

—

**Case Background**

Earlier this month, Judge Lewis Liman denied Baldoni’s request to depose Taylor Swift. On September 12, Liman ruled that Baldoni’s team had waited too long to serve the deposition and had failed to demonstrate sufficient cause for extending the original September 30 deadline.

“Having failed to demonstrate appropriate diligence, the requested extension is denied,” Judge Liman wrote.

—

**Legal Responses**

Baldoni claimed Swift would testify, but her lawyer Douglas Baldridge denied this assertion. Baldridge emphasized that Swift “has no material role in this action” and “did not agree to a deposition.”

Baldoni’s legal team reportedly sought to obtain information regarding conversations between Swift and Lively about working conditions on the set of *It Ends With Us*.

—

**Ongoing Legal Battle**

The dispute began in December when Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, his Wayfarer Studios colleagues, publicist, and crisis PR firm. Lively alleged sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign after raising concerns about workplace misconduct.

The conflict escalated when Baldoni responded with a $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. However, Judge Liman dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit in June, leaving the original allegations under scrutiny.

—

This latest incident adds an unusual twist to an already high-profile legal battle involving several celebrities and underscores the complexities surrounding legal procedures and high-stakes disputes in the entertainment industry.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/man-arrested-for-trespassing-2/story

Plea to remove Afzal Guru’s grave from Tihar Jail rejected

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**Plea to Remove Afzal Guru’s Grave from Tihar Jail Rejected**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 24, 2025 | 02:12 PM*

—

**Overview**

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition seeking the removal of the graves of convicted terrorists Mohammad Afzal Guru and Mohammad Maqbool Bhat from Tihar Jail. The petitioners contended that maintaining the graves of these terrorists within a state-run prison was illegal and unconstitutional, urging judicial intervention to relocate the remains. They argued that such graves could encourage glorification of terrorism and lead to misuse of prison premises.

—

**Judicial Stance: Decision Reserved for Competent Authorities**

The Delhi High Court observed that the matter involves sensitive decisions which were taken by the government at the time of execution. The court emphasized that reopening such issues after more than a decade is unwarranted.

It was noted that only competent authorities have the jurisdiction to decide on such matters. The court further highlighted that without specific legislation banning burials or cremations inside prison premises, judicial intervention is not justified.

—

**Concerns Raised by Petitioners**

The petitioners, Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh and Jitendra Singh, argued that the presence of the graves has transformed Tihar Jail into a “radical pilgrimage” site. According to them, extremist elements visit the prison to venerate these convicted terrorists, which in turn undermines national security and public order.

They asserted that this scenario sanctifies terrorism and violates the principles of secularism and the rule of law enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Additionally, they cited violations of the Delhi Prisons Rules, 2018.

—

**Health and Security Arguments**

The plea also claimed that the burial of the bodies within prison grounds poses risks of infectious and hazardous diseases to inmates and staff.

For context, Mohammad Maqbool Bhat was hanged at Tihar Jail on February 11, 1984, for the murder of a policeman, and his body was buried on the prison premises. Mohammad Afzal Guru, a key conspirator in the 2001 Indian Parliament attack that resulted in nine deaths, was executed in February 2013 at Tihar Jail, with his body similarly buried on site.

—

**Conclusion**

The Delhi High Court’s refusal to interfere leaves the graves of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat at Tihar Jail intact, affirming that decisions regarding their location rest with appropriate governmental authorities and legislative frameworks.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/hc-dismisses-plea-to-remove-afzal-guru-s-grave-from-tihar/story

Plea to remove Afzal Guru’s grave from Tihar Jail rejected

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**Plea to Remove Afzal Guru’s Grave from Tihar Jail Rejected by Delhi High Court**

*By Snehil Singh | September 24, 2025 | 02:12 PM*

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition seeking the removal of the graves of convicted terrorists Mohammad Afzal Guru and Mohammad Maqbool Bhat from Tihar Jail. The petitioners contended that maintaining the graves of terrorists within a state-run facility was illegal and unconstitutional. They urged judicial intervention to relocate the remains, arguing that doing so would prevent the glorification of terrorism and curb the misuse of prison premises.

### Judicial Stance: Authorities to Decide on Sensitive Issues

The Delhi High Court observed that such matters are sensitive and were decided by the government at the time of the executions. The court emphasized that after more than a decade, these issues cannot be reopened. It noted that only competent authorities are empowered to make decisions regarding burials or cremations within prison premises. The court further stated that judicial intervention is unwarranted in the absence of specific legislation prohibiting such practices inside prisons.

### Petitioners’ Concerns: Graves as ‘Radical Pilgrimage’ Sites

The petitioners, Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh and Jitendra Singh, argued that the presence of these graves has transformed Tihar Jail into a “radical pilgrimage” site. According to them, extremist elements visit the graves to venerate the convicted terrorists, which undermines national security and public order.

They claimed this situation sanctifies terrorism and violates the principles of secularism and the rule of law enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Additionally, they cited violations of the Delhi Prisons Rules, 2018, which govern prison premises.

### Health and Security Concerns Raised

The plea also highlighted potential health risks, asserting that burials within the prison compound pose a threat of infectious and hazardous diseases to inmates and staff.

### Background

Mohammad Maqbool Bhat was hanged at Tihar Jail on February 11, 1984, after being convicted for the murder of a policeman. His body was buried on the prison grounds.

Mohammad Afzal Guru, a key conspirator in the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament that resulted in nine deaths, was executed in February 2013 at Tihar Jail. His remains were also interred within the prison premises.

—

The Delhi High Court’s decision maintains the status quo, leaving the sensitive issue of terrorist graves within Tihar Jail in the hands of the authorities.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/hc-dismisses-plea-to-remove-afzal-guru-s-grave-from-tihar/story

Police cracking down on drunk driving during AFL grand final weekend

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Victoria Police are cracking down on drunk and drug drivers over the AFL Grand Final long weekend.

As part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety during this significant event, authorities will increase patrols and conduct random breath and drug testing across the state.

Stay safe and avoid driving under the influence during the festivities.

—

*September 24, 2025*
https://www.theage.com.au/national/police-cracking-down-on-drunk-driving-during-afl-grand-final-weekend-20250924-p5mxos.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

Bombay HC Slams Thane Municipal Corporation For Illegal Construction On Govt Land, Orders Demolition

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**Bombay High Court Orders Demolition of Illegal Buildings in Thane, Slams TMC for Inaction**

*Mumbai:* The Bombay High Court has come down heavily on the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) for shielding illegal constructions allegedly built with the blessings of a former municipal corporator. In a strong ruling on September 22, a bench comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe ordered the demolition of three multistorey buildings along with an unauthorized bar and restaurant established on government land designated for cattle grazing.

The court expressed shock at the civic body’s persistent inaction. “This is another case which would shock the conscience of the Court inasmuch as on the land in question,” the bench remarked. It further noted that the three buildings were constructed without any permission from the Thane Municipal Corporation. The constructions appeared to have the approval of the then Municipal Corporator, as alleged in the petition.

### About The Plea

The High Court was hearing a petition filed by Niraj Kabadi, who alleged that three buildings—Wings A, B, and C—were erected on plots at Mauje Majiwada, Thane, without obtaining the necessary conversion permissions from the state government.

Additionally, former corporator Bhushan Bhoir and others had started “Mogambo Bar and Family Restaurant” (later renamed Madhushala Bar) in their wives’ names without the required approvals. These facilities have been reportedly used for parties and events.

### Court Observations on TMC’s Inaction

Despite a coordinate bench granting police protection for demolition back in January 2025, the TMC failed to take any action against the illegal constructions. The court observed, “It appears that the Municipal Corporation had adopted an approach to subsist such illegality and was not very keen to implement the law of the land,” questioning the delay in enforcing court orders.

The judges also referred to earlier proceedings involving a plea by Subhadra Takle, which led to the demolition of 17 similar unauthorized structures in Thane after court mandates—a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court.

### Defense and Court’s Response

Senior advocate Ram Apte, representing the TMC, argued that demolition attempts were hindered due to protests and attempts to gather public crowds at the site. However, the court refused to accept this excuse. It stressed, “If the real intention of the Municipal Corporation was to undertake demolition, then the first step would have been disconnection of electricity and water supply.”

### Court Directives

Accepting an undertaking from advocate Apte, the court directed the TMC to:

– Issue notices to the occupants within one week
– Disconnect electricity and water supply within 15 days
– Proceed with demolition thereafter, with police protection if necessary

The court clarified that the concession of allowing notice before demolition was granted only considering the ongoing festive season. It emphasized that the occupants had long been aware that they were residing in unauthorized premises.

### Conclusion

The bench ordered the demolition of the “rank illegal and unauthorized” buildings and stressed that the TMC must demonstrate a “real intention” this time to dismantle illegal structures and uphold the law.

—

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bombay-hc-slams-thane-municipal-corporation-for-illegal-construction-on-govt-land-orders-demolition