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NDTV
2 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Kerala High Court Asks State If It Contemplates Law Against Black Magic
Kochi: The Kerala High Court has sought the state government's stand regarding its earlier submission that it was contemplating legislation against evil practices like black magic and sorcery. The Kerala government had filed a submission in October 2022 while hearing a plea by an organisation called Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham, which had sought the enactment of a law against such practices. The petition was dismissed in June 2023 due to no one representing the petitioner organisation, but was later restored. When the matter came up for hearing before a division bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji on June 3, the court directed the government to file an affidavit regarding the state's stand in respect of its earlier position that it was contemplating to enact a law on the subject. The bench posted the matter on June 24. The organisation, in its plea, has stated that the Law Reforms Commission, headed by Justice (retired) KT Thomas, had submitted a comprehensive report to the State of Kerala in the year 2019, with legislative recommendations based on new social conditions. "The Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery and Black Magic Bill-2019, is one of the recommended statutes. But so far, no attempt has been made on the part of the state on the matter," the organisation has claimed. The plea was filed in 2022 in the wake of a ritual human sacrifice of two women in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala by three people, including a couple. The petition has claimed that laws against sorcery and black magic have been passed by the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. It has also sought a declaration that "films on big screens and OTT platforms, and several serials and other telefilms, aired on television channels and YouTube, having content of superstitious beliefs, including sorcery and occult practices, exempting those having good intentions and having good artistic values, are illegal".
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kerala HC asks state govt if it contemplates law against sorcery, black magic
Kochi, The Kerala High Court has sought the state government's stand regarding its earlier submission that it was contemplating legislation against evil practices like black magic and sorcery. The Kerala government had filed a submission in October 2022 while hearing a plea by an organisation called Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham, which had sought the enactment of a law against such practices. The petition was dismissed in June 2023 due to no one representing the petitioner organisation, but was later restored. When the matter came up for hearing before a division bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji on June 3, the court directed the government to file an affidavit regarding the state's stand in respect of its earlier position that it was contemplating to enact a law on the subject. The bench posted the matter on June 24. The organisation, in its plea, has stated that the Law Reforms Commission, headed by Justice K T Thomas, had submitted a comprehensive report to the State of Kerala in the year 2019, with legislative recommendations based on new social conditions. "The Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery and Black Magic Bill-2019, is one of the recommended statutes. But so far, no attempt has been made on the part of the state on the matter," the organisation has claimed. The plea was filed in 2022 in the wake of a ritual human sacrifice of two women in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala by three people, including a couple. The petition has claimed that laws against sorcery and black magic have been passed by the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. It has also sought a declaration that "films on big screens and OTT platforms, and several serials and other telefilms, aired on television channels and YouTube, having content of superstitious beliefs, including sorcery and occult practices, exempting those having good intentions and having good artistic values, are illegal".
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Shipwrecks: HC raises concern over state forming panel to negotiate claim details with vessel owners
Kochi: High court on Thursday raised concerns over the state govt forming a committee to negotiate compensation details with the owners of MSC ELSA 3, the cargo vessel which capsized off the Kerala coast. A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji observed that since the state proposes to invoke the high court's admiralty jurisdiction to seek compensation, it may be appropriate to defer the negotiation process for the time being. The observation came while HC was hearing public interest litigations filed by former MP T N Prathapan and Ummer Ottummal of Malappuram, seeking a comprehensive compensation package for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by recent shipwrecks along the Kerala coast. During hearing, the state submitted that the environment department special secretary has been appointed as the principal impact assessment officer. It was also stated that the state disaster management department has constituted a committee of govt officers to negotiate compensation for the damage caused by MSC ELSA 3. The committee has been tasked with addressing the cost of restoring the coastline and marine environment, removal of wrecks, economic losses suffered by fishermen and environmental degradation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo HC noted that if such is the case, concerns raised by the petitioners would merit consideration. It could be argued that negotiations involving substantial environmental damage should not be conducted behind closed doors and take place without public disclosure or procedural safeguards. Questions may arise regarding the transparency and fairness of such a process. It could be further argued that since the harm directly affects the public, the process of settlement cannot remain confidential or hidden from public view. The public has a right to know the basis of the negotiations, the extent of damage assessed, the terms being proposed, and the principles on which the settlement is being structured. The court also observed that a binding settlement between the state and the respondent company might affect claims in the proposed Admiralty suit. There is a risk that once an agreement is signed, it could influence subsequent legal proceedings, even if the terms are inadequate. On the other hand, a settlement arrived at in court after the filing of a suit would allow judicial scrutiny, ensuring transparency and bringing the terms into the public domain, the court said. Accordingly, the bench adjourned the petitions to July 2 for further response from the state and other stakeholders.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Lake protection: Kerala HC proposes formation of Ashtamudi wetland authority
Kochi: High court on Thursday proposed the formation of the Ashtamudi Local Wetland Authority (ALWA) to implement the management plan for Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam. The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji was considering a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Adv Boris Paul and others, which highlighted that the depletion and deterioration of the Ashtamudi wetlands are due to multiple factors, including pollution from drainage discharge and encroachments. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The petitioners emphasised the need for an authority other than the State Wetland Authority of Kerala (SWAK) to oversee the conservation and protection of the lake. Initially, the state govt opposed the suggestion, contending that the constitution of a separate authority other than SWAK may not be necessary. However, considering the current condition of Ashtamudi Lake, which is a notified Ramsar site, the court concurred with the petitioners' suggestion. A Ramsar site is a wetland identified as being of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands which is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. The court, meanwhile, also took note of the petitioners' point that the indiscriminate discharge of sewage and solid waste from residential areas and commercial establishments into the lake has been a major concern. HC observed that, in addition to the general supervision by the state wetland authority, specific attention through a dedicated authority or committee for the Ashtamudi wetland is necessary. It further directed the state govt to clarify whether an integrated management plan has been prepared for the Ashtamudi wetland, as envisaged under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, and the guidelines of the Ramsar Convention. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It was also suggested that the members of ALWA may be drawn from various departments. The court stated that the environment department principal secretary shall finalise the composition of the committee and recommend one expert each in wetland ecology, hydrology, fisheries, landscape planning and socio-economics, along with two experts in wetland management, preferably with expertise related to the Ashtamudi wetland. The principal secretary shall file an affidavit indicating the procedure by which the Authority will function. Accordingly, HC adjourned the petition to July 1.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ship mishaps: Don't spend public money on salvage operations, recover from cos, HC tells state
Kochi: The state govt need not continue incurring expenses from public exchequer for ship accidents off the Kerala coast and should instead recover the amount from the shipping companies concerned, Kerala high court said on Thursday. The court also noted that the state could seize vessels owned by these companies to secure compensation. A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji made these observations while considering a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by former MP T N Prathapan, seeking a comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation package for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the sinking of the Liberian-flagged cargo ship MSC ELSA 3 off the Alappuzha coast on May 25. The petitioner also highlighted the incident involving the Singapore-flagged ship MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire off the Kannur coast on June 9. The bench directed both the state and central govts to take all possible measures under applicable maritime laws to address the environmental and economic losses arising from these incidents. It cautioned the govts that slow or inadequate responses to such incidents should not set a precedent and emphasised the need for prompt action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 서울 특별시 거주자 전용: 무료 영웅 캐릭터를 받으세요! 레이드 섀도우 레전드 Undo It warned that if a more serious incident were to occur in the future, authorities might justify inaction by citing earlier delays. Advocate general K Gopalakrishna Kurup, appearing for the state, concurred with the court's observations on recovering the costs from the shipping companies. He pointed out that maritime claims fall under Section 4 of the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017, and informed the court that a damage assessment had already been initiated. The court noted that it would consider issuing directives under relevant statutes and international conventions to enable the state to pursue appropriate remedies and compensation. With regard to the second incident, the petitioner flagged delays in follow-up action. The court directed him to amend the PIL accordingly, observing that without the necessary modifications, judicial intervention would not be possible. In response to a query from the bench about criminal proceedings in relation to the first incident, it was confirmed that an FIR had been registered. The court also stated that it would appoint an amicus curiae to assist in the matter, in accordance with the provisions of maritime laws. The bench clarified that its intent is to prevent procedural lapses from aggravating the situation and that it is addressing only the legal issues involved. Accordingly, the matter was adjourned to June 19 for the state's response and further hearing. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
