-The Hindu   In making a case for the investigative agency's autonomy, the Supreme Court is only stepping in where the executive has failed The proceedings in the Coalgate case earlier this week saw the Supreme Court asking the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) many uncomfortable questions. The Court also asked the government to tell it what steps it was going to take to enact a law to ensure the CBI's autonomy. The...

-The Hindu     Assent to Bill to curb harassment of women In an interesting coincidence, President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Bill, 2012, on the night of April 22, when Justice J.S. Verma, whose guidelines in the Vishaka case, the Bill aimed to replace, passed away. The Bill was first passed by the Lok Sabha with some amendments, as recommended by the...

-PTI The Supreme Court today agreed to constitute a committee headed by an eminent jurist to finalise the draft rules for dealing with sexual harassment complaints of women, including lady lawyers, working at the apex court. A bench, headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, said the name of the chairman of the Committee, which will also go into various other issues raised in the report prepared on its order, would be decided...

-The Hindustan Times The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, or anti-rape law, approved by the President on April 3 says the offence is punishable with three years' imprisonment and provides for a fine. But the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill passed by Parliament in February only provides for a penalty and departmental action. The law ministry has said in an internal government note that the women and...

-The Hindu Expressing concern at the increase in sexual offences against women, the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday approved the amended Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, that seeks to provide protection to women in unorganised and organised sectors including the private sector. The Bill covers sexual harassment of domestic help and agriculture workers. The Bill, which has already been passed by the Lok Sabha, was approved unanimously...