Indian Law Watch 
Supreme Court upholds Centre’s decision on One Rank, One Pension
THE MINT| Supreme Court: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the One Rank-One Pension (OROP) scheme in the Armed forces is a policy decision, which does not suffer from any constitutional infirmity. A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath said the policy decision of the Centre of OROP is not arbitrary. The bench said the central government has taken a policy decision and it lies within the ambit of policy-making powers. The bench added that it is not for the court to go into the policy matters of the government.
Re-registration of vehicles older than 15 years to get costlier from April 1; details inside
THE MINT| Environmental Law Update: The government is set to increase the cost of re-registering vehicles older than 15 years from April 1, 2022. From April 1, the cost of renewing the registration of all 15-year-old cars will be Rs 5,000 as against the current rate of Rs 600, almost eight times more. For two-wheelers, this rate will be Rs 1,000, up from the earlier Rs 300. For imported cars, the cost will be Rs 40,000 instead of Rs 15,000. However, these new charges will not be applicable to vehicles registered in the national capital region (NCR), where petrol and diesel powered vehicles are deemed deregistered after 15 and 10 years, respectively, according to an order by the ministry of road transport and highways.
Boundary dispute: Conrad defends MoU with Assam
SHILLONG TIMES| Boundary Dispute Resolution: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has defended the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Meghalaya and Assam governments on the six of the 12 areas of differences along the interstate boundary taken up in the first phase. “We have managed to find a win-win solution for all. I am hopeful that we will be able to come to a final conclusion of the first six areas and it will be a historic moment for the state,” he said while replying to the special motion moved by Opposition Chief Whip, George B Lyngdoh on Tuesday.
Govt frames rules to end illegal mining activities
SHILLONG TIMES| Environmental Law Update: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Tuesday framed rules under Section 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act in a bid to prevent illegal mining, storage and transportation of minerals in the state. Speaking to media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the rules were framed by the government based on the observation of the NGT Court. The Meghalaya Minerals Prevention of illegal mining, Transportation, Storage Rules, 2022 will apply to both major and minor minerals, the CM said, while adding that the rules will mostly deal with proper monitoring of illegal transportation, storage of minerals and regular issuance of mineral transportation challans. The CM said that under relevant sections of the MMDR Act, the state government is mandated to frame rules to check all illegalities with regard to mining and transportation of minerals, including coal.
Guilt haunts us whenever people lose their lives to potholes: K’taka HC
SHILLONG TIMES| Karnataka High Court : Taking objection to the pathetic condition of roads in Bengaluru, the Karnataka High Court has stated that whenever it read reports in the media about people losing their lives to potholes, the feeling of guilt haunts it. A division bench headed by the Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice S.R. Krishnakumar, while looking into a petition in this regard, referred to the death of private company employee Ashwin due to potholes in the city.
‘Negligence can’t be treated as misconduct’: SC reinstates judicial officer
SHILLONG TIMES| Supreme Court: The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that negligence cannot be treated as misconduct, as it reinstated a judicial officer with all consequential benefits, including continuity of service and seniority. A bench of Justices U.U. Lalit and Vineet Saran said: “Merely because a wrong order has been passed by the appellant or the action taken by him could have been different, this does not warrant initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the judicial officer.”
Ishrat Jahan granted bail in Delhi riots conspiracy case
PUNE MIRROR| Delhi District Court: A court here on Monday granted bail to former Congress councillor Ishrat Jahan in a case related to the alleged larger conspiracy in the 2022 Delhi riots. Ishrat Jahan was allowed bail by Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat, who have reserved his order last month after hearing the submissions. She was arrested by Delhi Police Special Cell on February 26, 2020, and was charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code, tnhe Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, and the Arms Act.
SC hints at CAG probe into fake COVID death claims
PUNE MIRROR| Supreme Court: The Supreme Court on Monday reiterated its concern regarding fake claims for COVID death compensation, and added it may direct a probe by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in this matter. The top court suggested that inquiry into alleged fake death claims could be entrusted to the Auditor general office. A bench comprising Justices MR Shah and BV Nagarathna said, “We never visualized that this kind of fake claims could come. It’s a pious world. We never thought this scheme could be misused.”
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