Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai turned emotional on recalling the moment he fulfilled his father's dream by becoming a judge and also highlighted on Sunday the benefits of studying in his Marathi mother tongue, claiming that it helped him in better conceptual understanding. The CJI virtually held back his tears as he opened his heart at a lawyers' event in Maharashtra, saying, “I am happy my father's dream to see me become a judge has come true.” The CJI, the first Buddhist to occupy the top post, fondly remembered his father and his early days in the legal profession at the 161st-anniversary celebrations of the Advocates Association of Western India (AAWI), an organisation he joined in 1983. On Sunday, the CJI visited Chikitsak Samuh Shirodkar School in Girgaon, reminiscing about his childhood memories. Having studied from primary to secondary levels at this very institution, he expressed deep gratitude to the teachers who shaped his early life. Speaking at the school, Chief Justice Gavai said, “Whatever height I have reached today, my teachers and this school have played a significant role in it. The education and values I received here gave direction to my life.” “My journey in public speaking began on this very stage. Through speech competitions and cultural programmes, I gained confidence. It is because of those opportunities that I am what I am today,” he recalled. The CJI added, “I studied in a Marathi-medium school. Studying in one's mother tongue helps in better conceptual understanding, and also instils strong values that stay with you for life.” &nbsp;Justice Gavai toured the classrooms, library, and art section of the school, interacting warmly with his old classmates and reliving fond memories. The heartfelt tribute given by the students was a deeply emotional and proud moment for him. His visit was a matter of great honour and inspiration for the school. Present on the occasion were Maharashtra's Skill Development Minister and Mumbai City Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Bombay High Court Justice Madhav Jamadar, Chikitsak Samuh President Kishore Rangnekar, Secretary Dr Gurunath Pandit, Principal Sanchita Gawde, and other dignitaries. Justice Gavai comes from a distinguished background. His father, Ramakrishna Suryabhan Gavai, was a prominent Ambedkarite leader and founder of the Republican Party of India (RPI). Fondly known as Dadasaheb, the senior Gavai was also a member of the Lok Sabha from Amravati and served as the Governor of Bihar, Sikkim, and Kerala between 2006 and 2011 during the tenure of the Congress-led UPA government. He passed away in 2015, four years before his son's elevation to the Supreme Court. Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019. In the six years before his elevation, he was a part of around 700 Benches dealing with matters pertaining to a variety of subjects, including constitutional and administrative law, civil law, criminal law, commercial disputes, arbitration law, electricity law, education matters and environmental law. He has authored around 300 judgments, including that of the Constitution Bench on various issues, upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the fundamental rights, human rights and legal rights of citizens. Appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, Justice Gavai became a permanent Judge in November 2005.

On Sunday, the CJI visited Chikitsak Samuh Shirodkar School in Girgaon, reminiscing about his childhood memories. Having studied from primary to secondary levels at this very institution, he expressed deep gratitude to the teachers who shaped his early life.

Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai turned emotional on recalling the moment he fulfilled his father's dream by becoming a judge and also highlighted on Sunday the benefits of studying in his Marathi mother tongue, claiming that it helped him in better conceptual understanding. The CJI virtually held back his tears as he opened his heart at a lawyers' event in Maharashtra, saying, “I am happy my father's dream to see me become a judge has come true.” The CJI, the first Buddhist to occupy the top post, fondly remembered his father and his early days in the legal profession at the 161st-anniversary celebrations of the Advocates Association of Western India (AAWI), an organisation he joined in 1983. On Sunday, the CJI visited Chikitsak Samuh Shirodkar School in Girgaon, reminiscing about his childhood memories. Having studied from primary to secondary levels at this very institution, he expressed deep gratitude to the teachers who shaped his early life. Speaking at the school, Chief Justice Gavai said, “Whatever height I have reached today, my teachers and this school have played a significant role in it. The education and values I received here gave direction to my life.” “My journey in public speaking began on this very stage. Through speech competitions and cultural programmes, I gained confidence. It is because of those opportunities that I am what I am today,” he recalled. The CJI added, “I studied in a Marathi-medium school. Studying in one's mother tongue helps in better conceptual understanding, and also instils strong values that stay with you for life.” Justice Gavai toured the classrooms, library, and art section of the school, interacting warmly with his old classmates and reliving fond memories. The heartfelt tribute given by the students was a deeply emotional and proud moment for him. His visit was a matter of great honour and inspiration for the school. Present on the occasion were Maharashtra's Skill Development Minister and Mumbai City Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Bombay High Court Justice Madhav Jamadar, Chikitsak Samuh President Kishore Rangnekar, Secretary Dr Gurunath Pandit, Principal Sanchita Gawde, and other dignitaries. Justice Gavai comes from a distinguished background. His father, Ramakrishna Suryabhan Gavai, was a prominent Ambedkarite leader and founder of the Republican Party of India (RPI). Fondly known as Dadasaheb, the senior Gavai was also a member of the Lok Sabha from Amravati and served as the Governor of Bihar, Sikkim, and Kerala between 2006 and 2011 during the tenure of the Congress-led UPA government. He passed away in 2015, four years before his son's elevation to the Supreme Court. Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019. In the six years before his elevation, he was a part of around 700 Benches dealing with matters pertaining to a variety of subjects, including constitutional and administrative law, civil law, criminal law, commercial disputes, arbitration law, electricity law, education matters and environmental law. He has authored around 300 judgments, including that of the Constitution Bench on various issues, upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the fundamental rights, human rights and legal rights of citizens. Appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, Justice Gavai became a permanent Judge in November 2005.

On Sunday, the CJI visited Chikitsak Samuh Shirodkar School in Girgaon, reminiscing about his childhood memories. Having studied from primary to secondary levels at this very institution, he expressed deep gratitude to the teachers who shaped his early life.

Studying in mother tongue helps in better understanding, instils values: CJI Gavai says amid rising language politics

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai is set to take the oath of office on May 14, 2025, as the 52nd Chief Justice of India.
Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal shared the announcement on the social media platform X, stating that the appointment was made under the powers vested by the Constitution of India. Justice Gavai, currently serving as a Judge of the Supreme Court, will assume his new role effective May 14, 2025.
On April 20, 2025, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna officially recommended Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai as his successor, forwarding the proposal to the law ministry as part of the formal appointment process.
Currently, Justice Gavai holds the position of the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court, following CJI Khanna. Justice Gavai is set to assume office as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14, succeeding CJI Khanna, who will retire on May 13. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office. Justice Gavai's tenure as Chief Justice will span approximately six months, concluding with his retirement in November 2025. Born on 24th November, 1960, at Amravati. Joined the Bar on 16th March, 1985. Worked with late Bar. Raja S. Bhonsale, former Advocate General and Judge of the High Court, till 1987.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-is-justice-br-gavai-supreme-court-judge-set-to-take-oath-as-next-chief-justice-of-india-on-may-14-8968418">Who is Justice BR Gavai? Supreme Court judge set to take oath as next Chief Justice of India on May 14</a>
Practised independently at Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990. After 1990, practised mainly before the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. Practised in Constitutional Law and Administrative Law. Was Standing Counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Nagpur, Amravati Municipal Corporation and Amravati University.
Appeared regularly for various autonomous bodies and Corporations like SICOM, DCVL, etc. and various Municipal Councils in the Vidarbha region. Was appointed as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor in the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Nagpur Bench, from August, 1992, to July, 1993.
He was appointed as Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for Nagpur Bench on January 17, 2000. Was elevated as Additional Judge of the High Court on November 14, 2003. Became a permanent Judge of the Bombay High Court on 12th November, 2005. Presided over Benches having all types of assignments at the Principal Seat at Mumbai as well as Benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad and Panaji. Elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India on 24th May, 2019. Due to retire on 23rd November, 2025.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

On April 20, 2025, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna officially recommended Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai as his successor, forwarding the proposal to the law ministry as part of the formal appointment process. India news

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai is set to take the oath of office on May 14, 2025, as the 52nd Chief Justice of India. Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal shared the announcement on the social media platform X, stating that the appointment was made under the powers vested by the Constitution of India. Justice Gavai, currently serving as a Judge of the Supreme Court, will assume his new role effective May 14, 2025. On April 20, 2025, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna officially recommended Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai as his successor, forwarding the proposal to the law ministry as part of the formal appointment process. Currently, Justice Gavai holds the position of the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court, following CJI Khanna. Justice Gavai is set to assume office as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14, succeeding CJI Khanna, who will retire on May 13. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office. Justice Gavai's tenure as Chief Justice will span approximately six months, concluding with his retirement in November 2025. Born on 24th November, 1960, at Amravati. Joined the Bar on 16th March, 1985. Worked with late Bar. Raja S. Bhonsale, former Advocate General and Judge of the High Court, till 1987. Also read | Who is Justice BR Gavai? Supreme Court judge set to take oath as next Chief Justice of India on May 14 Practised independently at Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990. After 1990, practised mainly before the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. Practised in Constitutional Law and Administrative Law. Was Standing Counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Nagpur, Amravati Municipal Corporation and Amravati University. Appeared regularly for various autonomous bodies and Corporations like SICOM, DCVL, etc. and various Municipal Councils in the Vidarbha region. Was appointed as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor in the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Nagpur Bench, from August, 1992, to July, 1993. He was appointed as Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for Nagpur Bench on January 17, 2000. Was elevated as Additional Judge of the High Court on November 14, 2003. Became a permanent Judge of the Bombay High Court on 12th November, 2005. Presided over Benches having all types of assignments at the Principal Seat at Mumbai as well as Benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad and Panaji. Elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India on 24th May, 2019. Due to retire on 23rd November, 2025. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Justice BR Gavai appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India

Justice Sanjiv Khanna is set to be sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India today. The oath of office will be administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with the ceremony scheduled for 10:00 AM.

India: Who is Sanjiv Khanna, 51st Chief Justice Of India?

On Friday, Imran Khan's sisters, the PTI's founding chairperson, requested that Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa step down from the benches where matters involving the former prime minister are being heard.

190 million pound graft case: Imran Khan's sisters write to Chief Justice Qazi Faez

Asad Qaiser, the head of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), anticipates that the party's circumstances will improve in the future and that, after obtaining the "magic number" needed to depose the current government, it would be able to form government in December.

Pakistan to her new Chief Justice in October: What it means for the government?

A man allegedly attempted to die by suicide inside the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (Apr 3) by slitting his throat with a knife in front of Chief Justice Nilay Vipinchandra Anjaria in Court Hall One, the police said.

According to the police, Srinivas, who is from Mysuru, handed over a file to the security staff at the entrance of Court Hall One, and before anyone could realise what was happening, he slit his throat in the presence of Chief Justice Anjaria.

The security personnel responded immediately and rushed him to Bowring Hospital, where he is now being treated, a senior police officer said.

"We don't know why he took such an extreme step. He entered Court Hall One and slit his throat with a knife. Our security staff saw it happen and immediately rescued him. He has been hospitalised," he said. No note was found at the spot, he added.

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Chief Justice Anjaria expressed concern about the security lapse on the High Court premises and asked those in charge how the man could bring a sharp object inside. He also ordered the police to record findings and evidence from the spot.

The contents of the file that Srinivas gave the security staff are unknown, and the court said it would not check the documents since it was not presented to the court by a designated advocate.

The High Court also said that the authorities must not receive any document without the court's order.

The police are still trying to find out why the man attempted suicide and are waiting to record his statement once he is declared fit by doctors.

A man allegedly attempted to die by suicide inside the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (Apr 3) by slitting his throat with a knife in front of Chief Justice Nilay Vipinchandra Anjaria in Court Hall One, the police said.

A man allegedly attempted to die by suicide inside the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (Apr 3) by slitting his throat with a knife in front of Chief Justice Nilay Vipinchandra Anjaria in Court Hall One, the police said. According to the police, Srinivas, who is from Mysuru, handed over a file to the security staff at the entrance of Court Hall One, and before anyone could realise what was happening, he slit his throat in the presence of Chief Justice Anjaria. The security personnel responded immediately and rushed him to Bowring Hospital, where he is now being treated, a senior police officer said. "We don't know why he took such an extreme step. He entered Court Hall One and slit his throat with a knife. Our security staff saw it happen and immediately rescued him. He has been hospitalised," he said. No note was found at the spot, he added. Also read | India: Patna High Court says calling partner ghost and vampire not ‘cruelty’ Chief Justice Anjaria expressed concern about the security lapse on the High Court premises and asked those in charge how the man could bring a sharp object inside. He also ordered the police to record findings and evidence from the spot. The contents of the file that Srinivas gave the security staff are unknown, and the court said it would not check the documents since it was not presented to the court by a designated advocate. The High Court also said that the authorities must not receive any document without the court's order. The police are still trying to find out why the man attempted suicide and are waiting to record his statement once he is declared fit by doctors.

Man slits his throat in front of Chief Justice in Karnataka High Court

Another senior judge has resigned from the Pakistan’s Supreme Court. Ijaz Ul Ahsan, a senior judge in the country resigned a day after justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi quit office.

Another senior judge in Pakistan top court resigns

Pakistan's new Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa ruled on Wednesday (Oct 11) that the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023, a law that was enacted by the Pakistan Parliament to regulate the CJI's powers, is constitutional.

It was a big upset for petitioners who opposed the law, deeming it an attempt by the government to decrease the authority and powers of Pakistan's chief justice.&nbsp;

While delivering the verdict, CJI quipped, "Do not pit the Parliament and Supreme Court against each other," and added, "live and let live".

While backing both legislative and judiciary arms, he asked, "Why do we see each other's institutions negatively? Why can't it be said that one institution legislated for the betterment of another?"&nbsp;

The law was sustained with a majority vote of 10-5.

Delivering the verdict, Pakistan's recently sworn-in CJI said, “Subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 below by a majority of 10-5 (Justice Ahsan, Justice Akhtar, Justice Naqvi, Justice Ayesha and Justice Shahid Wahid dissenting), the SC Practice and Procedure Act 2023 is sustained as being in accordance with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and to this extent, the petitions are dismissed."

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Among those who opposed the law were Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Sayyed Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Justice Ayesha A Malik, and Justice Shahid Waheed.&nbsp;

<h2>What is Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023?&nbsp;</h2>

In accordance with this law, it is mandatory to form benches in constitutional matters of public importance and suo motu notices. The benches are to be formed by a committee of three senior judges from the court including chief justice, as per the Act.&nbsp;

The court also struck down the provision under the law which stated that the right of appeal would also extend retrospectively to those aggrieved persons against whom an order was made under Article 184(3) prior to the commencement of the Act.&nbsp;

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The enforcement of the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, was previously suspended on April 13 by an eight-judge apex court bench headed by former CJP Umar Ata Bandial.

Justice Bandial said the court needs to examine if any constitutional deviations occurred during the enactment of the law, reported Dawn.&nbsp;

But shortly after Justice Isa took over as Pakistan's new CJI, he reinitiated the hearing of the petitions with a full court.

The proceedings of the hearing were streamed live.&nbsp;

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After this big development, the law is now set be effective from April 21, 2023. This coincides with the day when it was initially was enacted.&nbsp;

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Pakistan's new Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa ruled on Wednesday (Oct 11) that the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023, a law that was enacted by the Pakistan Parliament to regulate the CJI's powers, is constitutional.

Pakistan's new Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa ruled on Wednesday (Oct 11) that the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023, a law that was enacted by the Pakistan Parliament to regulate the CJI's powers, is constitutional. It was a big upset for petitioners who opposed the law, deeming it an attempt by the government to decrease the authority and powers of Pakistan's chief justice. While delivering the verdict, CJI quipped, "Do not pit the Parliament and Supreme Court against each other," and added, "live and let live". While backing both legislative and judiciary arms, he asked, "Why do we see each other's institutions negatively? Why can't it be said that one institution legislated for the betterment of another?" The law was sustained with a majority vote of 10-5. Delivering the verdict, Pakistan's recently sworn-in CJI said, “Subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 below by a majority of 10-5 (Justice Ahsan, Justice Akhtar, Justice Naqvi, Justice Ayesha and Justice Shahid Wahid dissenting), the SC Practice and Procedure Act 2023 is sustained as being in accordance with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and to this extent, the petitions are dismissed." Also Read | Explained: Who is Mohammed Deif? The mastermind behind Hamas's brutal attack on Israel Among those who opposed the law were Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Sayyed Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Justice Ayesha A Malik, and Justice Shahid Waheed. What is Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023? In accordance with this law, it is mandatory to form benches in constitutional matters of public importance and suo motu notices. The benches are to be formed by a committee of three senior judges from the court including chief justice, as per the Act. The court also struck down the provision under the law which stated that the right of appeal would also extend retrospectively to those aggrieved persons against whom an order was made under Article 184(3) prior to the commencement of the Act. Also Read | Hamas launches multiple rockets towards Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv: Report The enforcement of the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, was previously suspended on April 13 by an eight-judge apex court bench headed by former CJP Umar Ata Bandial. Justice Bandial said the court needs to examine if any constitutional deviations occurred during the enactment of the law, reported Dawn. But shortly after Justice Isa took over as Pakistan's new CJI, he reinitiated the hearing of the petitions with a full court. The proceedings of the hearing were streamed live. Watch | Israel-Palestine War: Israeli shelling hits south Lebanon after Hezbollah rocket fire × After this big development, the law is now set be effective from April 21, 2023. This coincides with the day when it was initially was enacted. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Pakistan: Controversial law, touted as govt attempt to diminish CJI's power, 'sustained'

Justice Qazi Faez Isa was sworn in as the 29th Chief Justice of Pakistan during a ceremony held at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad on Sunday (September 17). The oath of office was administered by President Arif Alvi. Prominent figures like Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir were in attendance. Former Chief Justices Iftikhar Chaudhry and Tassaduq Jillani were also present at the ceremony.

One of Justice Isa's initial actions as Chief Justice was to establish a full court to address legal challenges related to a law that diminishes the authority of the Chief Justice. The hearing for these challenges is scheduled for Monday (September 18).&nbsp;Justice Isa promptly formed a full court to hear a series of challenges concerning the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023.

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This law mandates the creation of benches to address constitutional matters of public importance by a committee of three senior judges from the court.&nbsp;

<h2>Suspension of SC (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023</h2>

The enforcement of the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, was previously suspended on April 13 by an eight-judge apex court bench. What is interesting is that the bench was led by outgoing CJP Umar Ata Bandial. Justice Bandial said the court needs&nbsp;to examine if any constitutional deviations occurred during the enactment of the law, reported Dawn.&nbsp;

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<h2>Justice Isa's defiant stand&nbsp;</h2>

One of the key takeaways from the oath ceremony was the supportive presence of Justice Isa's wife alongside him. Serena Isa's presence is a show of defiance give the fact that the couple endured significant harassment, scrutiny, and persecution during the Imran Khan government's tenure, following a reference filed against Justice Isa for alleged undisclosed properties, with intelligence collection through illegal means.

<h2>2019 Faizabad verdict&nbsp;</h2>

Justice Qazi Faez Isa authored the influential 2019 Faizabad verdict, which raised significant questions about the involvement of the establishment in Pakistan in the anti-government protests of 2017. Subsequent to the Faizabad verdict, the Imran Khan government sent a reference against Justice Isa to the Supreme Judicial Council through President Dr. Arif Alvi.

Watch | Pakistan army gave cover fire to terrorists: India

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This move was seen as an attempt to prevent Justice Isa from assuming the role of Chief Justice in 2023. After Imran Khan's ouster, he later admitted that filing the reference against Justice Isa was a "mistake" made at the behest of the establishment, presenting their concerns against Justice Isa.

Justice Qazi Faez Isa taking oath is also significant as President Alvi had forwarded the reference against Justice Isa four years earlier, leading to his and his family's intense&nbsp;scrutiny and harassment.

The presence of Justice Isa's wife during his oath-taking is seen as harkening back to the challenging times when they endured a witch hunt by the Imran Khan government. Justice Isa ensured&nbsp;that his wife stands by him as he assumes the role of Chief Justice.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Justice Qazi Faez Isa was sworn in as the 29th Chief Justice of Pakistan during a ceremony held at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad on Sunday (September 17). The oath of office was administered by President Arif Alvi.

Justice Qazi Faez Isa was sworn in as the 29th Chief Justice of Pakistan during a ceremony held at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad on Sunday (September 17). The oath of office was administered by President Arif Alvi. Prominent figures like Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir were in attendance. Former Chief Justices Iftikhar Chaudhry and Tassaduq Jillani were also present at the ceremony. One of Justice Isa's initial actions as Chief Justice was to establish a full court to address legal challenges related to a law that diminishes the authority of the Chief Justice. The hearing for these challenges is scheduled for Monday (September 18). Justice Isa promptly formed a full court to hear a series of challenges concerning the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023. Also Read | Ex-Wagner fighters struggle to find jobs in Russia despite official pardon This law mandates the creation of benches to address constitutional matters of public importance by a committee of three senior judges from the court. Suspension of SC (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023 The enforcement of the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, was previously suspended on April 13 by an eight-judge apex court bench. What is interesting is that the bench was led by outgoing CJP Umar Ata Bandial. Justice Bandial said the court needs to examine if any constitutional deviations occurred during the enactment of the law, reported Dawn. Also Read | UAE willing to join South Korea’s KF-21 fighter jet programme, replacing Indonesia Justice Isa's defiant stand One of the key takeaways from the oath ceremony was the supportive presence of Justice Isa's wife alongside him. Serena Isa's presence is a show of defiance give the fact that the couple endured significant harassment, scrutiny, and persecution during the Imran Khan government's tenure, following a reference filed against Justice Isa for alleged undisclosed properties, with intelligence collection through illegal means. 2019 Faizabad verdict Justice Qazi Faez Isa authored the influential 2019 Faizabad verdict, which raised significant questions about the involvement of the establishment in Pakistan in the anti-government protests of 2017. Subsequent to the Faizabad verdict, the Imran Khan government sent a reference against Justice Isa to the Supreme Judicial Council through President Dr. Arif Alvi. Watch | Pakistan army gave cover fire to terrorists: India × This move was seen as an attempt to prevent Justice Isa from assuming the role of Chief Justice in 2023. After Imran Khan's ouster, he later admitted that filing the reference against Justice Isa was a "mistake" made at the behest of the establishment, presenting their concerns against Justice Isa. Justice Qazi Faez Isa taking oath is also significant as President Alvi had forwarded the reference against Justice Isa four years earlier, leading to his and his family's intense scrutiny and harassment. The presence of Justice Isa's wife during his oath-taking is seen as harkening back to the challenging times when they endured a witch hunt by the Imran Khan government. Justice Isa ensured that his wife stands by him as he assumes the role of Chief Justice. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Qazi Faez Isa takes oath as Pak's 29th Chief Justice, with wife by his side in defiance of Imran Khan

Justice Qazi Faez Isa is sworn in as the 29th Chief Justice of the country full court proceedings have been notified which will be presided over. Earlier on Sunday Justice Isa was administered the oath of President Arif Alvi and was sworn in during a ceremony in Islamabad.

Islamabad: Pakistani President Arif Alvi administers oath to Justice Isa

For the first time since the position's inception more than 750 years ago, the next lord chief justice of Britain will be a woman.&nbsp;The final two candidates to lead the judiciary in England and Wales are Dame Sue Carr, 58, an appeal court judge, and Dame Victoria Sharp, 67, a senior high court judge.

Since Lord Chief Justice is currently a title only used by men, British constitutional law may need to be changed to accommodate the title "Lady Chief Justice," reported the Daily Mail.

Since the position was first created in 1268, more than 100 men have held it.

<h2>First woman to fill the position</h2>

However, the first woman to fill the position is anticipated to be announced within the next two weeks by Alex Chalk, the Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary.

Before Chalk and the Prime Minister's final decision is approved by the King, a carefully curated&nbsp;panel narrowed the field of candidates down to the top two.

The leading candidate to succeed departing Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett is Dame Victoria Sharp, whose twin brother is former Goldman Sachs financier Richard Sharp, who resigned as BBC chairman last month.

She is known for putting in long hours; she and her doctor husband sometimes work 14-hour days while raising their four children. In court, she once even experienced labour.

When she was awarded a law doctorate at Bristol University, academic Professor David Clarke said of her: 'She was convinced that if she had not dedicated herself to her job as she did by rejecting any leave on the birth of any of her children, she would have been significantly disadvantaged; as she puts it, if you were not there in chambers, you did not receive briefs and you had no job.'

A more "outwardly confident personality" is said to characterise Dame Sue, a Court of Appeal judge since April 2020.

Also watch |&nbsp;Boris Johnson: Former UK prime minister quits as MP over Partygate report

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A legal expert told The Daily Telegraph that she would be more suited to handle the role's public-facing duties and liaison with the Government and the Lord Chancellor.

The mother-of-three, who received her education at Trinity College Cambridge and Wycombe Abbey School in Buckinghamshire, has said that feminism means "having that true freedom of choice."

'So perhaps you could be prime minister, but if actually you really want to be a painter or teach riding and your circumstances permit it, that is what you should do.'

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-uk-pm-boris-johnson-resigns-as-member-of-parliament-602731">Former UK PM Boris Johnson quits from British Parliament</a>

When it comes to dealing with court backlogs, which this month hit their greatest level since October, the next lord chief judge will have a full in-tray.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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For the first time since the position's inception more than 750 years ago, the next lord chief justice of Britain will be a woman. The final two candidates to lead the judiciary in England and Wales are Dame Sue Carr, 58, an appeal court judge, and Dame Victoria Sharp, 67, a senior high court judge.

For the first time since the position's inception more than 750 years ago, the next lord chief justice of Britain will be a woman. The final two candidates to lead the judiciary in England and Wales are Dame Sue Carr, 58, an appeal court judge, and Dame Victoria Sharp, 67, a senior high court judge. Since Lord Chief Justice is currently a title only used by men, British constitutional law may need to be changed to accommodate the title "Lady Chief Justice," reported the Daily Mail. Since the position was first created in 1268, more than 100 men have held it. First woman to fill the position However, the first woman to fill the position is anticipated to be announced within the next two weeks by Alex Chalk, the Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary. Before Chalk and the Prime Minister's final decision is approved by the King, a carefully curated panel narrowed the field of candidates down to the top two. The leading candidate to succeed departing Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett is Dame Victoria Sharp, whose twin brother is former Goldman Sachs financier Richard Sharp, who resigned as BBC chairman last month. She is known for putting in long hours; she and her doctor husband sometimes work 14-hour days while raising their four children. In court, she once even experienced labour. When she was awarded a law doctorate at Bristol University, academic Professor David Clarke said of her: 'She was convinced that if she had not dedicated herself to her job as she did by rejecting any leave on the birth of any of her children, she would have been significantly disadvantaged; as she puts it, if you were not there in chambers, you did not receive briefs and you had no job.' A more "outwardly confident personality" is said to characterise Dame Sue, a Court of Appeal judge since April 2020. Also watch | Boris Johnson: Former UK prime minister quits as MP over Partygate report A legal expert told The Daily Telegraph that she would be more suited to handle the role's public-facing duties and liaison with the Government and the Lord Chancellor. The mother-of-three, who received her education at Trinity College Cambridge and Wycombe Abbey School in Buckinghamshire, has said that feminism means "having that true freedom of choice." 'So perhaps you could be prime minister, but if actually you really want to be a painter or teach riding and your circumstances permit it, that is what you should do.' Also read | Former UK PM Boris Johnson quits from British Parliament When it comes to dealing with court backlogs, which this month hit their greatest level since October, the next lord chief judge will have a full in-tray. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UK to get first ever female Lord Chief Justice after 755 years

The Chief Justice of Pakistan has once again slammed the government of the country and this time, it is related to the audio leaks of the former Prime Minister Imran Khan and also his wife.

Pakistan: Chief Justice Bandial slams audio leak commission

Pakistan has tabled a bill to curtail the powers of its Chief Justice. The bill will prevent the CJP from taking suo motu notice of cases. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Pakistan passes bill to curb Chief Justice's powers

Judicial authorities in Mexico determined that they have sufficient evidence to proceed with charges against former Attorney General Jesus Murillo for his suspected involvement in the disappearance of 43 students in the year 2014.

Amongst these 43 students, the remains of three pupils have been identified.

The Mexican President, who took office at the end of 2018, pledged to inquire into the disappearances.

Last week, a judge released 100 search warrants, including Murillo’s.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexicos-ex-top-prosecutor-arrested-in-connection-to-2014-disappearance-of-43-students-508576">Mexico's ex top prosecutor arrested in connection to 2014 disappearance of 43 students</a>

Murillo was detained on Friday for high-level official arrest, accused of torture, forcible disappearance, and obstructing justice. He was the nation’s chief prosecutor at the time, overseeing an investigation into a case involving the disappearance of 43 students from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College in Guerrero.

Murillo’s arrest comes after Mexico’s top human rights investigator marked the disappearance a ‘state crime’ making this case one of the biggest violations of human rights in the country.

As per experts, this investigation came to the conclusion that the students had been inadvertently abused, tortured, and killed by a local drug gang. The chief later defended himself during his hearing, the local Mexican hearing said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/truth-commission-faults-mexico-military-over-43-missing-students-508351">Truth commission faults Mexico military over 43 missing students</a>

Murillo said, "For seven years they have been looking for an alternative (account of events). They have invented many, and they all fall apart."

He further continued, "I can accept some mistakes, mistakes could be made. I can accept things that were done wrong, but no one has been able to bring down (my investigation)," Reuters reported.

The former attorney will stay behind bars until his trial, the judge declared on Wednesday (August 24).

(With inputs from agencies)

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Judicial authorities in Mexico determined that they have sufficient evidence to proceed with charges against former Attorney General Jesus Murillo for his suspected involvement in the disappearance of 43 students in the year 2014.

Judicial authorities in Mexico determined that they have sufficient evidence to proceed with charges against former Attorney General Jesus Murillo for his suspected involvement in the disappearance of 43 students in the year 2014. Amongst these 43 students, the remains of three pupils have been identified. The Mexican President, who took office at the end of 2018, pledged to inquire into the disappearances. Last week, a judge released 100 search warrants, including Murillo’s. Also read | Mexico's ex top prosecutor arrested in connection to 2014 disappearance of 43 students Murillo was detained on Friday for high-level official arrest, accused of torture, forcible disappearance, and obstructing justice. He was the nation’s chief prosecutor at the time, overseeing an investigation into a case involving the disappearance of 43 students from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College in Guerrero. Murillo’s arrest comes after Mexico’s top human rights investigator marked the disappearance a ‘state crime’ making this case one of the biggest violations of human rights in the country. As per experts, this investigation came to the conclusion that the students had been inadvertently abused, tortured, and killed by a local drug gang. The chief later defended himself during his hearing, the local Mexican hearing said. Also read | Truth commission faults Mexico military over 43 missing students Murillo said, "For seven years they have been looking for an alternative (account of events). They have invented many, and they all fall apart." He further continued, "I can accept some mistakes, mistakes could be made. I can accept things that were done wrong, but no one has been able to bring down (my investigation)," Reuters reported. The former attorney will stay behind bars until his trial, the judge declared on Wednesday (August 24). (With inputs from agencies)

Mexican authorities to proceed with charges against ex-prosecutor in disappearances of 43 students

Amid a drop in public confidence in the Supreme Court and calls for increasing its membership, Chief Justice John Roberts devoted his annual year-end report on the federal judiciary Friday to a plea for judicial independence.

“The judiciary’s power to manage its internal affairs insulates courts from inappropriate political influence and is crucial to preserving public trust in its work as a separate and coequal branch of government,” he wrote.

The report comes less than a month after a bipartisan commission appointed by President Joe Biden finished its work studying changes to the federal judiciary. While that panel analyzed proposals like imposing 18-year term limits on justices and expanding, or “packing,” the court with additional justices, much of Roberts' report was focused on thwarting less contentious efforts by Congress to address financial conflicts and workplace misconduct in the judicial system. Both issues are the subject of proposed legislation that has drawn bipartisan support.

Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, a nonprofit group that has called for stricter ethics rules for the Supreme Court, said Roberts faced an uphill battle.

“Chief Justice Roberts is taking a page from his old playbook: acknowledging institutional challenges in the judiciary but telling the public that only we judges can fix them,” Roth said. “Yet the problems of overlooked financial conflicts and sexual harassment are serious and endemic, and there’s no indication they’re going away. So Congress has every right to step in and, via legislation, hold the third branch to account, which I expect to happen in 2022.”

Roberts addressed at some length a recent series of articles in The Wall Street Journal that found that 131 federal judges had violated a federal law by hearing 685 lawsuits between 2010 and 2018 that involved companies in which they or their families owned shares of stock.

“Let me be crystal clear: The judiciary takes this matter seriously,” Roberts wrote. “We expect judges to adhere to the highest standards, and those judges violated an ethics rule. But I do want to put these lapses in context.”

In the scheme of things, he wrote, the number of violations was vanishingly small.

“According to The Wall Street Journal’s own data,” he wrote, “the 685 instances identified amount to a very small fraction — less than three-hundredths of 1% — of the 2.5 million civil cases filed in the district courts in the nine years included in the study. That’s a 99.97% compliance rate.”

“Still,” he wrote, “this context is not excuse. We are duty-bound to strive for 100% compliance because public trust is essential, not incidental, to our function.”

Although Roberts did not mention it, the Supreme Court has not been immune from similar lapses. In 2017, for instance, after participating in the oral arguments in a patent case, the Supreme Court announced that Roberts “has concluded that he should not continue to participate in this case.”

He had discovered, the court said, that he owned 1,212 shares of the parent company of one of the parties in the case. The shares were worth more than $100,000, according to a financial disclosure report.

“The ordinary conflict check conducted in the chief justice’s chambers inadvertently failed to find this potential conflict,” a letter from a court official to lawyers in the patent case said.

In the report issued on Friday, Roberts called for more rigorous ethics training and better systems of conflict checks. He did not address a solution urged by many ethics experts: barring judges from investing in individual stocks.

Roberts also touched on what he called “the continuing concern over inappropriate behavior in the judicial workplace.”

The issue had been a topic in several of the chief justice’s reports since 2017, when Judge Alex Kozinski, who had served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit for more than three decades, announced his retirement after The Washington Post reported that some 15 women had accused him of sexual harassment.

The women, many of whom had served as his law clerks, said Kozinski had touched them inappropriately, made unwanted sexual comments and made them watch sexual materials on his computer.

Roberts wrote Friday that the federal judiciary had taken many steps to make its workplaces safe, including revising its procedures to “provide robust mechanisms for reporting and addressing instances of misconduct.”

As is his custom, the chief justice began his report with a historical sketch. This year, it was of William H. Taft, who was appointed to be chief justice a century ago, after having served as president. Taft, a large man, was an energetic administrator.

“Taft sought to supplant the prevailing culture of isolation in which each judge was — in his words — left to ‘paddle his own canoe,’” Roberts wrote.

“Once you get past the image of ‘Big Bill’ paddling a canoe, consider that he knew well how to navigate the halls of Congress,” Roberts wrote, adding, “He threw his considerable political heft into creating the mechanisms of self-governance for federal courts across the country.”

Although Roberts did not address proposals to increase the size of his court or to impose terms limits on its members, he described with approval Taft’s efforts to preserve judicial independence.

“He understood that criticism of the courts is inevitable,” Roberts wrote, “and he lived through an era when federal courts faced strident calls for reform, some warranted and some not.”

The proper response, Roberts said Taft once observed, was “to remove, as far as possible, grounds for just criticism of our judicial system.”

Amid a drop in public confidence in the Supreme Court and calls for increasing its membership, Chief Justice John Roberts devoted his annual year-end report on the federal judiciary Friday to a plea for judicial independence.

Amid a drop in public confidence in the Supreme Court and calls for increasing its membership, Chief Justice John Roberts devoted his annual year-end report on the federal judiciary Friday to a plea for judicial independence. “The judiciary’s power to manage its internal affairs insulates courts from inappropriate political influence and is crucial to preserving public trust in its work as a separate and coequal branch of government,” he wrote. The report comes less than a month after a bipartisan commission appointed by President Joe Biden finished its work studying changes to the federal judiciary. While that panel analyzed proposals like imposing 18-year term limits on justices and expanding, or “packing,” the court with additional justices, much of Roberts' report was focused on thwarting less contentious efforts by Congress to address financial conflicts and workplace misconduct in the judicial system. Both issues are the subject of proposed legislation that has drawn bipartisan support. Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, a nonprofit group that has called for stricter ethics rules for the Supreme Court, said Roberts faced an uphill battle. “Chief Justice Roberts is taking a page from his old playbook: acknowledging institutional challenges in the judiciary but telling the public that only we judges can fix them,” Roth said. “Yet the problems of overlooked financial conflicts and sexual harassment are serious and endemic, and there’s no indication they’re going away. So Congress has every right to step in and, via legislation, hold the third branch to account, which I expect to happen in 2022.” Roberts addressed at some length a recent series of articles in The Wall Street Journal that found that 131 federal judges had violated a federal law by hearing 685 lawsuits between 2010 and 2018 that involved companies in which they or their families owned shares of stock. “Let me be crystal clear: The judiciary takes this matter seriously,” Roberts wrote. “We expect judges to adhere to the highest standards, and those judges violated an ethics rule. But I do want to put these lapses in context.” In the scheme of things, he wrote, the number of violations was vanishingly small. “According to The Wall Street Journal’s own data,” he wrote, “the 685 instances identified amount to a very small fraction — less than three-hundredths of 1% — of the 2.5 million civil cases filed in the district courts in the nine years included in the study. That’s a 99.97% compliance rate.” “Still,” he wrote, “this context is not excuse. We are duty-bound to strive for 100% compliance because public trust is essential, not incidental, to our function.” Although Roberts did not mention it, the Supreme Court has not been immune from similar lapses. In 2017, for instance, after participating in the oral arguments in a patent case, the Supreme Court announced that Roberts “has concluded that he should not continue to participate in this case.” He had discovered, the court said, that he owned 1,212 shares of the parent company of one of the parties in the case. The shares were worth more than $100,000, according to a financial disclosure report. “The ordinary conflict check conducted in the chief justice’s chambers inadvertently failed to find this potential conflict,” a letter from a court official to lawyers in the patent case said. In the report issued on Friday, Roberts called for more rigorous ethics training and better systems of conflict checks. He did not address a solution urged by many ethics experts: barring judges from investing in individual stocks. Roberts also touched on what he called “the continuing concern over inappropriate behavior in the judicial workplace.” The issue had been a topic in several of the chief justice’s reports since 2017, when Judge Alex Kozinski, who had served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit for more than three decades, announced his retirement after The Washington Post reported that some 15 women had accused him of sexual harassment. The women, many of whom had served as his law clerks, said Kozinski had touched them inappropriately, made unwanted sexual comments and made them watch sexual materials on his computer. Roberts wrote Friday that the federal judiciary had taken many steps to make its workplaces safe, including revising its procedures to “provide robust mechanisms for reporting and addressing instances of misconduct.” As is his custom, the chief justice began his report with a historical sketch. This year, it was of William H. Taft, who was appointed to be chief justice a century ago, after having served as president. Taft, a large man, was an energetic administrator. “Taft sought to supplant the prevailing culture of isolation in which each judge was — in his words — left to ‘paddle his own canoe,’” Roberts wrote. “Once you get past the image of ‘Big Bill’ paddling a canoe, consider that he knew well how to navigate the halls of Congress,” Roberts wrote, adding, “He threw his considerable political heft into creating the mechanisms of self-governance for federal courts across the country.” Although Roberts did not address proposals to increase the size of his court or to impose terms limits on its members, he described with approval Taft’s efforts to preserve judicial independence. “He understood that criticism of the courts is inevitable,” Roberts wrote, “and he lived through an era when federal courts faced strident calls for reform, some warranted and some not.” The proper response, Roberts said Taft once observed, was “to remove, as far as possible, grounds for just criticism of our judicial system.”

Chief Justice Roberts reflects on conflicts, harassment and judicial independence

In a major embarrassment for the powerful army of Pakistan, country’s chief justice Gulzar Ahmed said colonels and majors are acting like kings. &nbsp;

The chief justice said, "What the colonels and majors desire, happens," while questioning the defence secretary in Supreme Court on Friday as it was found that the military was using "strategic and defence" land for commercial activities like renting out for wedding parties and cinemas. &nbsp;

Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Qazi Mohammad Amin Ahmed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, the three-judge bench heard the issue of lands of the military being used for commercial purposes at the Karachi registry of the Supreme Court. &nbsp;

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The Chief Justice grilled the defence secretary, retired Lt Gen Mohammad Hilal Hussain, reported Dawn newspaper.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The CJP asked whether structures, such as "cinemas and wedding halls", were built for defence purposes. &nbsp;

"This land was given to you for strategic and defence (purposes and yet) you have started commercial activities on it. Were wedding halls, cinemas and housing societies built for defence purposes?" the chief justice asked. &nbsp;

All Askari Housing Projects, which are called as Army Housing Scheme Defence, were built on cantonment lands, remarked CJP. &nbsp;

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"We have decided that this will not happen again," the defence secretary said. He added that the construction of housing societies and military land’s commercial use would be checked and stopped. &nbsp;

Justice Amin asked defence secretary to provide a written explanation on how would that be made possible. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"Go and tell all the chiefs (of the armed forces) that the land meant for defence purposes will not be used for commercial objectives. Go to all the military cantonments and tell them the land will be used only for strategic purposes," CJP Ahmed ordered the defence secretary. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a major embarrassment for the powerful army of Pakistan, country’s chief justice Gulzar Ahmed said colonels and majors are acting like kings. The chief justice said, "What the colonels and majors desire, happens," while questioning the defence secretary in Supreme Court on Friday as it was found that the military was using "strategic and defence" land for commercial activities like renting out for wedding parties and cinemas.

In a major embarrassment for the powerful army of Pakistan, country’s chief justice Gulzar Ahmed said colonels and majors are acting like kings. The chief justice said, "What the colonels and majors desire, happens," while questioning the defence secretary in Supreme Court on Friday as it was found that the military was using "strategic and defence" land for commercial activities like renting out for wedding parties and cinemas. Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Qazi Mohammad Amin Ahmed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, the three-judge bench heard the issue of lands of the military being used for commercial purposes at the Karachi registry of the Supreme Court. Also Read: Pak may give citizenship to foreigners living for 7 consecutive years, says report The Chief Justice grilled the defence secretary, retired Lt Gen Mohammad Hilal Hussain, reported Dawn newspaper. The CJP asked whether structures, such as "cinemas and wedding halls", were built for defence purposes. "This land was given to you for strategic and defence (purposes and yet) you have started commercial activities on it. Were wedding halls, cinemas and housing societies built for defence purposes?" the chief justice asked. All Askari Housing Projects, which are called as Army Housing Scheme Defence, were built on cantonment lands, remarked CJP. Also Read: Pakistan imposes travel ban on African countries amid Omicron alarm "We have decided that this will not happen again," the defence secretary said. He added that the construction of housing societies and military land’s commercial use would be checked and stopped. Justice Amin asked defence secretary to provide a written explanation on how would that be made possible. "Go and tell all the chiefs (of the armed forces) that the land meant for defence purposes will not be used for commercial objectives. Go to all the military cantonments and tell them the land will be used only for strategic purposes," CJP Ahmed ordered the defence secretary. (With inputs from agencies)

Army colonels, majors are acting like kings, says chief justice of Pakistan  

Maldives lawmakers voted on Monday to dismiss the Chief Justice and a Supreme Court judge - a move the government said was part of an overhaul of the judiciary, but the opposition branded an attack on the independence of the courts.

Lawmakers said they were acting on the recommendation of the parliament-appointed judicial watchdog which said this month that some of the top court's judges had violated the constitution and "usurped the powers of parliament".

There was no immediate comment from Chief Justice Ahmed Abdulla Didi, the judge, Adam Mohamed Abdulla, or their offices.

Amnesty International said in 2018 that it was concerned about the lack of judicial independence in the Indian Ocean nation, but did not immediately issue a statement about Monday's vote.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power in September 2018, promising to improve law enforcement and end what he called corruption in the country's institutions.

Two months later, the Judicial Service Commission watchdog launched an investigation into senior judges.

Last month it said it had found 17 instances where the top court's judges had "violated the constitution or usurped the powers of parliament of independent state institutions".

Those violations, it said, included the suspension of dozens of lawyers after they called for judicial reforms and a ruling which stripped a dozen lawmakers of their seats after they joined the then opposition, now ruling party, in 2017.

The Supreme Court and its judges have not commented during the course of the investigation. The watchdog said the Chief Justice's office had received a copy of the report but returned it.

The chairman of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party, Hassan Latheef, said the vote was a milestone in its reform efforts. "I believe, we still do have enormous work to shape up a modern judiciary, " he told Reuters.

Opposition lawmaker Adam Shareef said he accepted there were problems with the judicial system. "But we believe that the dismissal of the Chief Justice is against the spirit of the constitution," he added.

"The current government with its huge majority is meddling in the judiciary," he added.

A total of 69 mostly ruling party lawmakers voted to impeach the chief justice and the judge, MPs and officials said, more than the two-thirds majority needed in the 87-member house to push the motion through under the constitution.

Maldives lawmakers voted on Monday to dismiss the Chief Justice and a Supreme Court judge - a move the government said was part of an overhaul of the judiciary, but the opposition branded an attack on the independence of the courts.

Maldives lawmakers voted on Monday to dismiss the Chief Justice and a Supreme Court judge - a move the government said was part of an overhaul of the judiciary, but the opposition branded an attack on the independence of the courts. Lawmakers said they were acting on the recommendation of the parliament-appointed judicial watchdog which said this month that some of the top court's judges had violated the constitution and "usurped the powers of parliament". There was no immediate comment from Chief Justice Ahmed Abdulla Didi, the judge, Adam Mohamed Abdulla, or their offices. Amnesty International said in 2018 that it was concerned about the lack of judicial independence in the Indian Ocean nation, but did not immediately issue a statement about Monday's vote. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power in September 2018, promising to improve law enforcement and end what he called corruption in the country's institutions. Two months later, the Judicial Service Commission watchdog launched an investigation into senior judges. Last month it said it had found 17 instances where the top court's judges had "violated the constitution or usurped the powers of parliament of independent state institutions". Those violations, it said, included the suspension of dozens of lawyers after they called for judicial reforms and a ruling which stripped a dozen lawmakers of their seats after they joined the then opposition, now ruling party, in 2017. The Supreme Court and its judges have not commented during the course of the investigation. The watchdog said the Chief Justice's office had received a copy of the report but returned it. The chairman of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party, Hassan Latheef, said the vote was a milestone in its reform efforts. "I believe, we still do have enormous work to shape up a modern judiciary, " he told Reuters. Opposition lawmaker Adam Shareef said he accepted there were problems with the judicial system. "But we believe that the dismissal of the Chief Justice is against the spirit of the constitution," he added. "The current government with its huge majority is meddling in the judiciary," he added. A total of 69 mostly ruling party lawmakers voted to impeach the chief justice and the judge, MPs and officials said, more than the two-thirds majority needed in the 87-member house to push the motion through under the constitution.

Maldives lawmakers dismiss Chief Justice and senior judge

Senior Advocates and Members of the Madras High Court Advocates Association, Bar Council and other affiliated bodies have called for a strike on Tuesday to protest against the Transfer of Chief Justice Vijaya Tahilramani to the Meghalaya High Court, which a collegium headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had recommended.&nbsp;

On September 6, Justice Tahilramani tendered her resignation protesting the transfer to the Meghalaya High Court, after the Supreme Court Collegium passed a resolution rejecting her representation seeking to reconsider the transfer.&nbsp;

The Meghalaya High Court has a strength of three judges as opposed to the sanctioned strength of 75 in the Madras High Court.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION, senior advocate NGR Prasad said, “there is no precedence of this kind of a transfer and a manner in which it was carried out. She is the senior-most judge in the institution and senior judges are promoted to the Supreme Court. It smacks of toxic masculinity”.

On Monday, a notice signed by the Assistant Registrar of the Madras High Court read, “The Hon’ble Chief Justice is not sitting in Court today, on 09/09/2019 Monday.”

The notice added that "urgent Motions and Admissions in Public Interest Litigations relating to Rights of Women and Children filed on or after 1st January 2019 (all stages) Public Interest Litigations and writ appeals or writ petitions relating to unauthorised constructions, land encroachments (including in forest land) (all stages) writ petitions or civil revision petitions relating to the decisions of Debts Recovery Tribunals and Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal moved if any are permitted to be moved before the Honourable Division bench consisting of Dr Justice Vineet Kothari and Justice C Saravanan in court 2 on Monday."

Velmurugan, a Bar Council Member told WION, “ours is a fight for transparency as the Collegium is not transparent. This is a turning point, as the Chief Justice has stood up for her self respect. Senior-most judge with no blot on her record is being unceremoniously transferred. This is a grave injustice and we are bounden to raise our voice, there are precedents when the Collegium also has gone wrong”.

Responding to the calls for protest by Lawyers associations, Former Judge Justice K Chandru said to WION, “the policy of the Central government accepted by the Apex Court makes the chief Justice always come from outside the State. There are 25 High Courts across India, only a few states have a common High Court. Strength of a bench depends on the number of cases, for instance, one cannot compare the bench in a city like Chennai or Mumbai or Delhi with a Northeastern state. Many judges also consider a posting in the Madras High Court as a punishment, due to the volume of cases and frequent protests, also in the last 30 years no judge from Madras High Court has been transferred to Mumbai or Kolkata, we always get transferred to Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Orissa.”

Senior advocate R Vaigai told WION, “Justice Tahilramani is the senior-most Judge, how is it right to shift her to a small court? There are no complaints here against her. Justice AK Mittal is to be transferred to Madras High Court. He is coming from a small court to a large one like Madras, where the cases are higher, the additional jurisdictions are more and the state population is a lot more. The people of Tamil Nadu ought to be given a good deal by the means of a Chief Justice.”

“Transfers are always made for administrative reasons, so many judges have been transferred, it is standard government jargon. Justice Tahilramani did not want to accept it and she resigned. Once a judge sends a resignation letter to the President, it applies immediately and there is no question of it being rejected, except in the case of a future date of resignation. Until the President notifies an acting Chief Justice, it is standing procedure for the slated case to go to the second court. Lawyers last went on a protest, nearly a year ago, now this issue has come handy for them to agitate”, Justice Chandru added.&nbsp;

Senior Advocates and Members of the Madras High Court Advocates Association, Bar Council and other affiliated bodies have called for a strike on Tuesday to protest against the Transfer of Chief Justice Vijaya Tahilramani to the Meghalaya High Court, which a collegium headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had recommended.

Senior Advocates and Members of the Madras High Court Advocates Association, Bar Council and other affiliated bodies have called for a strike on Tuesday to protest against the Transfer of Chief Justice Vijaya Tahilramani to the Meghalaya High Court, which a collegium headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had recommended. On September 6, Justice Tahilramani tendered her resignation protesting the transfer to the Meghalaya High Court, after the Supreme Court Collegium passed a resolution rejecting her representation seeking to reconsider the transfer. The Meghalaya High Court has a strength of three judges as opposed to the sanctioned strength of 75 in the Madras High Court. Speaking to WION, senior advocate NGR Prasad said, “there is no precedence of this kind of a transfer and a manner in which it was carried out. She is the senior-most judge in the institution and senior judges are promoted to the Supreme Court. It smacks of toxic masculinity”. On Monday, a notice signed by the Assistant Registrar of the Madras High Court read, “The Hon’ble Chief Justice is not sitting in Court today, on 09/09/2019 Monday.” The notice added that "urgent Motions and Admissions in Public Interest Litigations relating to Rights of Women and Children filed on or after 1st January 2019 (all stages) Public Interest Litigations and writ appeals or writ petitions relating to unauthorised constructions, land encroachments (including in forest land) (all stages) writ petitions or civil revision petitions relating to the decisions of Debts Recovery Tribunals and Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal moved if any are permitted to be moved before the Honourable Division bench consisting of Dr Justice Vineet Kothari and Justice C Saravanan in court 2 on Monday." Velmurugan, a Bar Council Member told WION, “ours is a fight for transparency as the Collegium is not transparent. This is a turning point, as the Chief Justice has stood up for her self respect. Senior-most judge with no blot on her record is being unceremoniously transferred. This is a grave injustice and we are bounden to raise our voice, there are precedents when the Collegium also has gone wrong”. Responding to the calls for protest by Lawyers associations, Former Judge Justice K Chandru said to WION, “the policy of the Central government accepted by the Apex Court makes the chief Justice always come from outside the State. There are 25 High Courts across India, only a few states have a common High Court. Strength of a bench depends on the number of cases, for instance, one cannot compare the bench in a city like Chennai or Mumbai or Delhi with a Northeastern state. Many judges also consider a posting in the Madras High Court as a punishment, due to the volume of cases and frequent protests, also in the last 30 years no judge from Madras High Court has been transferred to Mumbai or Kolkata, we always get transferred to Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Orissa.” Senior advocate R Vaigai told WION, “Justice Tahilramani is the senior-most Judge, how is it right to shift her to a small court? There are no complaints here against her. Justice AK Mittal is to be transferred to Madras High Court. He is coming from a small court to a large one like Madras, where the cases are higher, the additional jurisdictions are more and the state population is a lot more. The people of Tamil Nadu ought to be given a good deal by the means of a Chief Justice.” “Transfers are always made for administrative reasons, so many judges have been transferred, it is standard government jargon. Justice Tahilramani did not want to accept it and she resigned. Once a judge sends a resignation letter to the President, it applies immediately and there is no question of it being rejected, except in the case of a future date of resignation. Until the President notifies an acting Chief Justice, it is standing procedure for the slated case to go to the second court. Lawyers last went on a protest, nearly a year ago, now this issue has come handy for them to agitate”, Justice Chandru added.

Madras High Court advocates to boycott work to protest Chief Justice Vijaya Tahilramani’s transfer

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Saturday remarked that police casualties are not less than the casualties of conventional war and acknowledged their contribution as nation builders.

The CJI was delivering the 33rd Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Memorial Lecture on "Rule of Law in Modern Democracy" in Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy here.

"The Chief Justice acknowledged the contributions of the Indian Police Service to the motherland as the nation builders and remarked that police casualties are not less than the casualties of conventional war," said an official statement.

The Memorial lecture was attended by 156 IPS Probationers of 2018 batch undergoing Phase-I training, including 15 Foreign Officer Trainees from Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives and also 103 Probationers of 2017 batch undergoing Phase-II training.

"Justice Gogoi addressed the Probationers as "Young Achievers", and "Nation Builders" to whom the baton needed to be passed. At the outset, he congratulated them for choosing to dedicate their lives to serve the motherland," the statement said.

"He recalled the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in making the Indian Civil Services as the strong constitutional steel framework in binding independent India," it said.

All the judges of Telangana High Court, including Chief Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, senior police officials and National Police Academy Director Abhay Patel was also present at the event.

"He raised the issue of fairness in discharging duties and drew a distinction between institutional fairness and fairness in the individual functioning. He expected all the Probationers to take all necessary steps to exercise their legitimate powers in a fair and reasonable manner," the statement added.

The lecture has been delivered by eminent personalities in memory of the Iron man of India (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel) ever since it was instituted with the approval of Government of India in 1983.&nbsp;

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Saturday remarked that police casualties are not less than the casualties of conventional war and acknowledged their contribution as nation builders.

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Saturday remarked that police casualties are not less than the casualties of conventional war and acknowledged their contribution as nation builders. The CJI was delivering the 33rd Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Memorial Lecture on "Rule of Law in Modern Democracy" in Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy here. "The Chief Justice acknowledged the contributions of the Indian Police Service to the motherland as the nation builders and remarked that police casualties are not less than the casualties of conventional war," said an official statement. The Memorial lecture was attended by 156 IPS Probationers of 2018 batch undergoing Phase-I training, including 15 Foreign Officer Trainees from Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives and also 103 Probationers of 2017 batch undergoing Phase-II training. "Justice Gogoi addressed the Probationers as "Young Achievers", and "Nation Builders" to whom the baton needed to be passed. At the outset, he congratulated them for choosing to dedicate their lives to serve the motherland," the statement said. "He recalled the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in making the Indian Civil Services as the strong constitutional steel framework in binding independent India," it said. All the judges of Telangana High Court, including Chief Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, senior police officials and National Police Academy Director Abhay Patel was also present at the event. "He raised the issue of fairness in discharging duties and drew a distinction between institutional fairness and fairness in the individual functioning. He expected all the Probationers to take all necessary steps to exercise their legitimate powers in a fair and reasonable manner," the statement added. The lecture has been delivered by eminent personalities in memory of the Iron man of India (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel) ever since it was instituted with the approval of Government of India in 1983.

Police casualties not less than that of conventional war: CJI Ranjan Gogoi

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Wednesday said that if we can make the young generation of India to be happy, we can reduce the number of litigations in the country.

Speaking at the 'Happiness Education Conference' of the Delhi government, Gogoi said youths were unhappy and feel dejected, so having such an initiative was important.

"We go to school to learn something, be it History, Geography, Science, Maths etc, but what is the point behind gaining knowledge if we stay negative and unhappy? We won`t be able to contribute. Hence, a happiness curriculum has been introduced in the schools of Delhi. India as a country needs it." said Gogoi in his speech during the conference.

"As the Chief Justice of the country, I was thinking yesterday that if I have a happy lot of people in this country, my problem of litigation will be over. There will be no cases because everybody is happy," he added.

"And I have seriously thought about it, perhaps we can have something like happiness classes in our judicial academies also; without happiness, education can never be complete," said Gogoi.

CJI believes that happiness is not something that can be imbibed but it's a result of deep reflection. So many good and bad things happen to us every day, we should be thankful that at least one good thing happened to us during the entire day.&nbsp;

According to Gogoi, there is a serious problem with the young generation today, they are a dejected lot. They are unhappy by seeing what is happening around us. Hence, the happiness curriculum is the need of the hour in schools.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Wednesday said that if we can make the young generation of India to be happy, we can reduce the number of litigations in the country.

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Wednesday said that if we can make the young generation of India to be happy, we can reduce the number of litigations in the country. Speaking at the 'Happiness Education Conference' of the Delhi government, Gogoi said youths were unhappy and feel dejected, so having such an initiative was important. "We go to school to learn something, be it History, Geography, Science, Maths etc, but what is the point behind gaining knowledge if we stay negative and unhappy? We won`t be able to contribute. Hence, a happiness curriculum has been introduced in the schools of Delhi. India as a country needs it." said Gogoi in his speech during the conference. "As the Chief Justice of the country, I was thinking yesterday that if I have a happy lot of people in this country, my problem of litigation will be over. There will be no cases because everybody is happy," he added. "And I have seriously thought about it, perhaps we can have something like happiness classes in our judicial academies also; without happiness, education can never be complete," said Gogoi. CJI believes that happiness is not something that can be imbibed but it's a result of deep reflection. So many good and bad things happen to us every day, we should be thankful that at least one good thing happened to us during the entire day. According to Gogoi, there is a serious problem with the young generation today, they are a dejected lot. They are unhappy by seeing what is happening around us. Hence, the happiness curriculum is the need of the hour in schools. (With inputs from ANI)

There will be no court cases in India if we have a happy lot of citizens: Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Centre on a petition filed by three women seeking a direction to decriminalise <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/missouris-sole-abortion-clinic-awaits-ruling-on-whether-it-can-stay-open-231189">abortion</a>.

A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi was hearing a plea by three women -- Swati Agarwal, Garima Sekseria, and Prachi Vats.&nbsp;

The top court agreed to hear the plea of women challenging the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.

The trio, in their petition, stated that the act allows abortion only to save the life of the mother.&nbsp;

It submitted that the restrictions and exceptions in the act violate women's rights.&nbsp;

The issue of safe abortion and restriction on the reproductive choice of women and other incidental issues require consideration and urgent resolution by this Court since it severely, drastically and irreversibly affects all women of the country and is not a regional issue pertaining to any particular state, stated the plea.

The plea also asserted that section 3(2) (b) of the act is violative of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-put-stay-on-installation-of-cctv-cameras-in-government-schools-235310/amp&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjgsZCs5LbjAhXH6XMBHdOZCskQFjAFegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Vb-uvNezOp0z2buIMxZU8">Article 21</a> of the Constitution.

Section 3(2) (b) restricts the right to seek an abortion on the ground of risk to the life of pregnant woman, grave injury to her physical or mental health and substantial risk that if the child were born, it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities.&nbsp;

The Indian Penal Code was enacted including sections 312-316 which criminalized abortion unless it was for the purpose of saving the life of the woman, submitted the plea.

"The impugned provisions and the lack of access to safe abortions affects the fundamental right to health, reproductive choice and right to privacy of women of the country," it added.

The MTPA provision amounts to hostile discrimination against single women without any nexus to the object which is to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, said the plea.

"The object of MTPA is to enable a woman to terminate an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy since a pregnancy entails several physical, mental and socio-economic consequences.&nbsp;

Keeping the object in view there is no rationale for not affording the same protection to an unmarried woman," it said while adding that it is violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Centre on a petition filed by three women seeking a direction to decriminalise abortion. A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi was hearing a plea by three women -- Swati Agarwal, Garima Sekseria, and Prachi Vats.

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Centre on a petition filed by three women seeking a direction to decriminalise abortion. A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi was hearing a plea by three women -- Swati Agarwal, Garima Sekseria, and Prachi Vats. The top court agreed to hear the plea of women challenging the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. The trio, in their petition, stated that the act allows abortion only to save the life of the mother. It submitted that the restrictions and exceptions in the act violate women's rights. The issue of safe abortion and restriction on the reproductive choice of women and other incidental issues require consideration and urgent resolution by this Court since it severely, drastically and irreversibly affects all women of the country and is not a regional issue pertaining to any particular state, stated the plea. The plea also asserted that section 3(2) (b) of the act is violative of Article 21 of the Constitution. Section 3(2) (b) restricts the right to seek an abortion on the ground of risk to the life of pregnant woman, grave injury to her physical or mental health and substantial risk that if the child were born, it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities. The Indian Penal Code was enacted including sections 312-316 which criminalized abortion unless it was for the purpose of saving the life of the woman, submitted the plea. "The impugned provisions and the lack of access to safe abortions affects the fundamental right to health, reproductive choice and right to privacy of women of the country," it added. The MTPA provision amounts to hostile discrimination against single women without any nexus to the object which is to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, said the plea. "The object of MTPA is to enable a woman to terminate an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy since a pregnancy entails several physical, mental and socio-economic consequences. Keeping the object in view there is no rationale for not affording the same protection to an unmarried woman," it said while adding that it is violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.

Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on plea seeking to decriminalise abortion

Pakistan's Supreme Court will on Tuesday begin a review of its own acquittal of a Christian woman charged with blasphemy, a verdict that sparked days of Islamist protests and threats and chaos across the country.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-asia-bibis-lawyer-returns-to-pakistan-to-aid-in-appeal-193043">Asia Bibi</a>, who spent eight years on death row, has been in hiding since the Supreme Court freed her in October, with religious hardliners calling for her death and putting pressure on the government to prevent her from leaving the country.

Most reviews of Supreme Court verdicts are dismissed immediately, but the politically sensitive nature of the case has added an extra layer of uncertainty.

A three-judge panel, including the new Supreme Court Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, is due to hear the case.

Bibi's lawyer, Saif-ul-Malook, who fled to Europe due to fears for his safety last year, told Reuters he expected the case to be dismissed.

"They have filed the petition on flimsy grounds. They haven't attempted to counter her release on constitutional grounds," said Malook, who returned to Pakistan this week and will represent Bibi in court.

"God willing, she will have the decision in her favour tomorrow. She will be a free person to go anywhere she wants to."

Bibi is widely expected to seek asylum abroad due to safety concerns, with Canada among the favourites to accept her. In November, Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau said his country was in talks with Pakistan about helping Bibi.

Bibi, a farm worker, was condemned in 2010 over allegations that she made derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours working in the fields with her objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. She has always denied committing blasphemy.

Leaders of the ultra-Islamist Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) group blocked main roads in Pakistan's biggest cities for three days after Bibi's acquittal, calling for the murder of the Supreme Court judges who freed her and urging their cooks and servants to kill them.

The TLP called off the protests after striking a deal with the government that would see authorities seek to put Bibi on an "exit control list" barring her from leaving the country. The government later cracked down on TLP members, detaining more than 3,000 activists and pressing terrorism charges against the group's leaders.

Bibi's case has outraged Christians worldwide and reignited a debate about Pakistan's draconian blasphemy law, which critics say is often abused and unfairly targets ethnic minorities.

"No one should be able to intimidate the Supreme Court into reversing a long-overdue ruling. Asia Bibi has been found to be innocent," said Omar Waraich, deputy South Asia director for Amnesty International.

"She should now finally be free to be reunited with her family and leave the country if she chooses."

Pakistan's Supreme Court will on Tuesday begin a review of its own acquittal of a Christian woman charged with blasphemy, a verdict that sparked days of Islamist protests and threats and chaos across the country.

Pakistan's Supreme Court will on Tuesday begin a review of its own acquittal of a Christian woman charged with blasphemy, a verdict that sparked days of Islamist protests and threats and chaos across the country. Asia Bibi, who spent eight years on death row, has been in hiding since the Supreme Court freed her in October, with religious hardliners calling for her death and putting pressure on the government to prevent her from leaving the country. Most reviews of Supreme Court verdicts are dismissed immediately, but the politically sensitive nature of the case has added an extra layer of uncertainty. A three-judge panel, including the new Supreme Court Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, is due to hear the case. Bibi's lawyer, Saif-ul-Malook, who fled to Europe due to fears for his safety last year, told Reuters he expected the case to be dismissed. "They have filed the petition on flimsy grounds. They haven't attempted to counter her release on constitutional grounds," said Malook, who returned to Pakistan this week and will represent Bibi in court. "God willing, she will have the decision in her favour tomorrow. She will be a free person to go anywhere she wants to." Bibi is widely expected to seek asylum abroad due to safety concerns, with Canada among the favourites to accept her. In November, Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau said his country was in talks with Pakistan about helping Bibi. Bibi, a farm worker, was condemned in 2010 over allegations that she made derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours working in the fields with her objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. She has always denied committing blasphemy. Leaders of the ultra-Islamist Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) group blocked main roads in Pakistan's biggest cities for three days after Bibi's acquittal, calling for the murder of the Supreme Court judges who freed her and urging their cooks and servants to kill them. The TLP called off the protests after striking a deal with the government that would see authorities seek to put Bibi on an "exit control list" barring her from leaving the country. The government later cracked down on TLP members, detaining more than 3,000 activists and pressing terrorism charges against the group's leaders. Bibi's case has outraged Christians worldwide and reignited a debate about Pakistan's draconian blasphemy law, which critics say is often abused and unfairly targets ethnic minorities. "No one should be able to intimidate the Supreme Court into reversing a long-overdue ruling. Asia Bibi has been found to be innocent," said Omar Waraich, deputy South Asia director for Amnesty International. "She should now finally be free to be reunited with her family and leave the country if she chooses."

Pakistan Supreme Court to review Asia Bibi's blasphemy acquittal

The Supreme Court Monday directed the Centre to provide it various details including the number of functional detention centres in Assam and the number of foreigners detained there during the last 10 years.&nbsp;

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing a petition filed by activist Harsh Mander on the condition of detention centres in Assam and the prolonged detention of foreigners there.&nbsp;

The apex court asked the Centre to provide various details about the detention centres, the period of detention of detainees and the status of their cases before the Foreigners Tribunal.&nbsp;

"We would like to know as to how many detention centres are there. We also want to know how many persons are lodged there and since when," the bench said.&nbsp;

The bench also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to provide details as to how many persons are being declared foreigners so far and how many of them have been deported till date. 
&nbsp; 
The bench also sought the year-wise details of foreigners who have illegally entered into India during the last 10 years.&nbsp;

The bench, which has sought details within three weeks form the authority, has now posted the matter for further hearing on February 19. 
&nbsp;

The Supreme Court Monday directed the Centre to provide it various details including the number of functional detention centres in Assam and the number of foreigners detained there during the last 10 years.

The Supreme Court Monday directed the Centre to provide it various details including the number of functional detention centres in Assam and the number of foreigners detained there during the last 10 years. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing a petition filed by activist Harsh Mander on the condition of detention centres in Assam and the prolonged detention of foreigners there. The apex court asked the Centre to provide various details about the detention centres, the period of detention of detainees and the status of their cases before the Foreigners Tribunal. "We would like to know as to how many detention centres are there. We also want to know how many persons are lodged there and since when," the bench said. The bench also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to provide details as to how many persons are being declared foreigners so far and how many of them have been deported till date. The bench also sought the year-wise details of foreigners who have illegally entered into India during the last 10 years. The bench, which has sought details within three weeks form the authority, has now posted the matter for further hearing on February 19.

Supreme Court seeks information on detention centres & foreigners detained in Assam

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/russian-firm-offers-to-invest-2-billion-in-pakistans-water-power-sectors-190952&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjF96yh5_TfAhXEad4KHUxWAWAQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0zj-fSfWREL6KoIZ895YHe">Pakistan</a> swears in a new chief justice on Friday, opening the next chapter for the Supreme Court which has made a name for an expansive agenda that has ranged from ousting a prime minister to pressing authorities to improve the public water supply.

Outgoing Chief Justice Saqib Nisar cultivated a high profile, launching multiple inquiries aimed at reforming public institutions and going after political leaders, attracting both praises for cracking down on abuse and criticism that he was exceeding the court's role.

His successor, Supreme Court judge Asif Saeed Khosa, has a taste for literary quotation but is otherwise considered a more classical judge, preferring to stay out of the limelight.

"I think Justice Khosa's tenure will be substantially different," said Saroop Ijaz, a lawyer for Human Rights Watch, who has been critical of Nisar's activist court.

In one of its best-known judgments, the<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-ram-nath-kovind-appoints-justice-dinesh-maheshwari-as-supreme-court-judge-190792&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwju7LSc6PTfAhVMdXAKHSq-CqcQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2HMT7jCbtV4btM1ZbFcPHu"> Supreme Court</a> removed three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif from office in July 2017 and ordered a corruption probe into his assets that led to Sharif being given a seven-year jail term in December.

The court enraged hardline Islamists last year by overturning the conviction of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman condemned to death for blasphemy against Islam.

But it has also used so-called "suo motu" provisions in Pakistani law that allow the court to open cases on its own initiative to set its stamp on wide swaths of public life and denounce the failure of public institutions.

It has ordered inquiries into issues ranging from payments to farmers by powerful sugar mills to milk prices, city water supplies and corruption allegations against managers of the railways and national airline PIA.

However, the outgoing chief justice's activism did little to drain the backlog of more than 40,000 cases at the Supreme Court and a staggering 1.9 million combined cases pending in other courts.

"It's a highly problematic period at multiple levels," said legal scholar Osama Siddique, an Associate Fellow at the Institute for Development and Economic Alternatives in Lahore.

"Justice Saqib Nisar's entire emphasis was on other institutions and how they should improve their governance but he did not do anything to improve the governance and internal administration of the judiciary."

CAUTIONARY TALE

Nisar's high media profile has drawn parallels with Iftikhar Chaudhry, a chief justice who initially won plaudits for helping oust military dictator Pervez Musharraf in 2008, but was later criticised for overstepping his constitutional remit.

"Saqib Nisar's tenure was in many ways a cautionary tale in unfettered judicial overreach," said Ijaz. "It was unprecedented in the extent of its activism and disregard of formal legal procedures."

Nisar himself has said his suo motu cases and frequent public appearances to inspect development projects and facilities such as schools and hospitals were aimed at protecting the poor.

Allies of Sharif say his assertiveness served the interests of Pakistan's powerful military and hinted at a return to the past when they say judges cut politicians down to size at the behest of the generals.

The military, which has ruled Pakistan for nearly half its history since independence in 1947, denies involvement in domestic politics.

But Sharif's removal and the defeat of his PML-N party in elections last year led to the appointment as prime minister of Imran Khan, a cricketer-turned-politician seen by analysts and opposition politicians as close to the military.

The new Chief Justice, who will hold office for 11 months, has a tough task to reform Pakistan's sluggish judiciary.

Khosa wrote the judgment that ousted Sharif, opening with an epigraph he took from "The Godfather", Mario Puzo's bestselling novel on the mafia: "Behind every great fortune there is a crime."

But literary flourishes apart, Ijaz said his record suggested he would adopt a much lower profile than his interventionist predecessor.

"Khosa has in the past written strongly worded judgments (and) has never shown a desire for publicity... The hope is that he will continue on that theme and work towards reform, starting with the judiciary itself."

Pakistan swears in a new chief justice on Friday, opening the next chapter for the Supreme Court which has made a name for an expansive agenda that has ranged from ousting a prime minister to pressing authorities to improve the public water supply.

Pakistan swears in a new chief justice on Friday, opening the next chapter for the Supreme Court which has made a name for an expansive agenda that has ranged from ousting a prime minister to pressing authorities to improve the public water supply. Outgoing Chief Justice Saqib Nisar cultivated a high profile, launching multiple inquiries aimed at reforming public institutions and going after political leaders, attracting both praises for cracking down on abuse and criticism that he was exceeding the court's role. His successor, Supreme Court judge Asif Saeed Khosa, has a taste for literary quotation but is otherwise considered a more classical judge, preferring to stay out of the limelight. "I think Justice Khosa's tenure will be substantially different," said Saroop Ijaz, a lawyer for Human Rights Watch, who has been critical of Nisar's activist court. In one of its best-known judgments, the Supreme Court removed three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif from office in July 2017 and ordered a corruption probe into his assets that led to Sharif being given a seven-year jail term in December. The court enraged hardline Islamists last year by overturning the conviction of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman condemned to death for blasphemy against Islam. But it has also used so-called "suo motu" provisions in Pakistani law that allow the court to open cases on its own initiative to set its stamp on wide swaths of public life and denounce the failure of public institutions. It has ordered inquiries into issues ranging from payments to farmers by powerful sugar mills to milk prices, city water supplies and corruption allegations against managers of the railways and national airline PIA. However, the outgoing chief justice's activism did little to drain the backlog of more than 40,000 cases at the Supreme Court and a staggering 1.9 million combined cases pending in other courts. "It's a highly problematic period at multiple levels," said legal scholar Osama Siddique, an Associate Fellow at the Institute for Development and Economic Alternatives in Lahore. "Justice Saqib Nisar's entire emphasis was on other institutions and how they should improve their governance but he did not do anything to improve the governance and internal administration of the judiciary." CAUTIONARY TALE Nisar's high media profile has drawn parallels with Iftikhar Chaudhry, a chief justice who initially won plaudits for helping oust military dictator Pervez Musharraf in 2008, but was later criticised for overstepping his constitutional remit. "Saqib Nisar's tenure was in many ways a cautionary tale in unfettered judicial overreach," said Ijaz. "It was unprecedented in the extent of its activism and disregard of formal legal procedures." Nisar himself has said his suo motu cases and frequent public appearances to inspect development projects and facilities such as schools and hospitals were aimed at protecting the poor. Allies of Sharif say his assertiveness served the interests of Pakistan's powerful military and hinted at a return to the past when they say judges cut politicians down to size at the behest of the generals. The military, which has ruled Pakistan for nearly half its history since independence in 1947, denies involvement in domestic politics. But Sharif's removal and the defeat of his PML-N party in elections last year led to the appointment as prime minister of Imran Khan, a cricketer-turned-politician seen by analysts and opposition politicians as close to the military. The new Chief Justice, who will hold office for 11 months, has a tough task to reform Pakistan's sluggish judiciary. Khosa wrote the judgment that ousted Sharif, opening with an epigraph he took from "The Godfather", Mario Puzo's bestselling novel on the mafia: "Behind every great fortune there is a crime." But literary flourishes apart, Ijaz said his record suggested he would adopt a much lower profile than his interventionist predecessor. "Khosa has in the past written strongly worded judgments (and) has never shown a desire for publicity... The hope is that he will continue on that theme and work towards reform, starting with the judiciary itself."

Pakistan new chief justice Saeed Khosa opens new era for powerful court

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