2G Scam : Licences Cannot be Cancelled on Basis of CAG Report: SC

G.S. Singhvi

Source : Indlaw

The Supreme Court today said it cannot cancel 2G spectrum licences purely on the basis of the CAG report. 

A bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly, however, ruled that all these licences will be subject to the outcome of the petitions pending in this court for cancellation. 

The apex court was hearing two petitions filed by Centre for PIL, an NGO and Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy seeking cancellation of all 122 licences granted by Union Telecom Ministry during the tenure of former Telecom Minister A Raja. 

According to the petitioners, there was large scale bungling in the allocation of licences and out of 122, 85 licences were given to the companies, which were not eligible for allocation. 

The petitioners have also contended that by illegally advancing the cut off date by a week with retrospective effect, 433 applicants were debarred from participating in the bidding process.

Global Firms Mulling Expansion of Operations in India

Source : Indlaw

With a view to tapping huge long-term growth possibilities in the Asia's third largest economy, a majority of global firms are planning to expand their operations in India, an Ernst & Young (E&Y) study says. 

'Seventy-five per cent of the global businesses which are already present in India and formed part of the survey indicated that they would expand their operations (by expanding facilities or headcounts),' the study reveals. 

In the study, which was done in late 2010, the interviews of over 500 global business leaders on the potential of Indian market were incorporated. 

It says a large majority believe that India will become a global leader in education, research and development, innovation, and as a producer of high value-added goods and services by 2020.

It confirms that India is undergoing a transition, both in terms of investor perceptions of its market potential and in reality. 

On foreign direct investment (FDI) front, the study says India is still in recovery mode. 

With the slowdown in global investment flows, the number of FDI projects in 2010 remained constant compared to 2009 at around 750. 

Overall project numbers in 2010 were up 60 per cent on 2003 and the number of jobs created up by 30 per cent.

According to the survey respondents, the main competitors of India in terms of business appeal are China (60 per cent) and Brazil (9 per cent) among the rapid-growth markets and the US (17 per cent) and Germany (9 per cent) among the developed countries.

SC Vacates Stay on Chandramohan's Suspension

Source : Indlaw

The Supreme Court today cleared the decks for inquiry and action against the suspended Tamil Nadu Bar Council Chairman R K Chandramohan who was accused of pressurising a sitting Madras High Court Judge R Reghupathy at the instance of former Union Telecom Minister A Raja. 

A bench comprising Justices D K Jain and H L Dattu vacated the stay against the suspension of Chandramohan from the membership as well as chairmanship of Tamil Nadu Bar Council for his unethical action to obstruct the course of justice. 

Former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan and sitting Supreme Court Judge H L Gokhale were recently involved in a controversy whether the report sent by Justice Gokhale, who was the Chief Justice of Madras High Court at that time, to the then CJI contained the name of the minister or not. 

Justice Gokhale had claimed that report carried the name of A Raja while the former CJI presently heading National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had disputed the claim of Justice Gokhale. 

Mr Chandramohan had tried to intimidate Justice Reghupathy in a bail matter and he had told the judge to talk to the minister who was online on mobile phone, Justice Reghupathy had refused to talk to the Minister. 

He wanted bail for one Krishnamurthy and his son in a forgery case. 

Mr Chandramohan will not be able to participate in March 3 State Bar Council elections. 

Today's orders have been passed on a petition filed by an advocate Rajendra Elephant.

10 Lawyers Designated as Sr. Advocates by Delhi High Court

Source : One India

The Delhi High Court has designated ten lawyers, including Delhi Bar Council Chairman Rakesh Tikku and two women lawyers, as senior advocates.

The lawyers designated as senior in a full court meeting on January 27 included women lawyers Jyoti Singh and Prem Lata Bansal beisdes Central government''s Standing Counsel Atul Nanda.

The meeting, attended by all high court judges, also designated Suhel Dutt, Abhinav Vashist, Pradeep Diwan, Deepjyot Narula, Suresh Chand Ladi and Anup Kapoor as senior lawyers.

The procedure for notifying the high court and the Supreme Court lawyers as senior would be done in a week''s timeby the High court.

A list of all Sr. Advocates designated by the Delhi High Court is available here. (Note: Latest Designations are not included)