-The Telegraph New Delhi: A five-judge Supreme Court constitution bench on Wednesday ruled that parliamentary standing committee reports can be examined by courts for evidence evaluation, rejecting the Centre's argument that it would be a breach of parliamentary privileges and an encroachment into the domain of the legislature. The apex court, however, said "admissibility of a parliamentary committee report in evidence does not mean facts stated in the report stand proved", as...

-The Telegraph SC refuses to give copy of order forming bench, MPs withdraw petition on Chief Justice New Delhi: A transparency test was staring at the Supreme Court after a constitution bench refused on Tuesday to entertain a persistent plea for a copy of an order through which the same bench had been formed to look into a plea linked to the Chief Justice of India. Following the court's reluctance to furnish the...

-The Hindu There are 119 laws that discriminate against persons affected by leprosy: plea The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre and all States to remove references to leprosy as a disability from statute books, saying leprosy is curable and patients should not be victims of social stigma. Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, heading a three-judge Bench, said references to leprosy as a disability in the written laws amounted to “statutory...

-The Telegraph New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday defended in the Supreme Court "hanging" as the most suitable mode of execution, rejecting the argument that it was barbaric and instead other methods such as shooting by a firing squad or lethal injection should be explored. "The execution as contemplated under Section 354(5) CrPC is not barbaric, inhuman and cruel as well as in compliance with safeguard No. 9 of the resolution adopted...

-The Indian Express President Ram Nath Kovind has approved the ordinance for changes in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Evidence Act, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. New Delhi: Two days after the Centre approved an ordinance that allows courts to award the death penalty to those convicted of raping children below 12 years of age, the Delhi High Court Monday...