News of the day: 06 Jan 2020

Karnataka Cattle Slaughter Ordinance promulgated by Governor 

• Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala today promulgated the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Ordinance, 2020.
• The development follows the passing of the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2020 in the State Legislative Assembly amidst vociferous opposition. Given the fact that the Bill could not be introduced in the Legislative Council, the BJP government in the State has sought to take the ordinance route.
• The ordinance states “Whereas the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and the Karnataka Legislative Council are not in session and the Governor of Karnataka is satisfied that the circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action to promulgate the Ordinance for the purposes hereinafter appearing…”

Fixing notional income for homemaker a step towards Constitutional vision of social equality

• A homemaker contributes to the economic condition of the family and the economy of the nation, the Supreme Court emphasised on Tuesday, adding that fixing notional income for contributions of homemakers in motor accident cases is a step towards social equality.
• The Court further opined that while deciding the notional income for a homemaker, there can be no fixed approach to determine it and that the only aim should be to provide just compensation.
• The Court was hearing an appeal moved by two toddler daughters and the elderly father of a man, who had died along with his wife following a bike collision with a car.
• The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) had ordered a compensation of Rs 47 lakhs, which was reduced to Rs 22 lakhs by the Delhi High Court. The claimants challenged the High Court ruling before the Supreme Court, which came up before a Bench of Justices NV Ramana, Abdul Nazeer and Surya Kant.

“No such problems in Delhi High Court next door!” Supreme Court expresses exasperation over unsatisfactory working of virtual court system

• The exasperation of Supreme Court judges over the unsatisfactory working of the virtual court system in the top court spilled over into a court order with a 3-judge Bench noting how the system is working seamlessly in Delhi High Court “next door” while the apex court judges are frequently facing disconnections and lack of audio clarity.
• The Bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Dinesh Maheshwari and Hrishikesh Roy was dealing with a case concerning bail, when it appeared to have experienced technical difficulties.
• “We at the inception must note ourexasperation at the inability of the virtual Court system to work satisfactorily in the Supreme Court while there is no such problems in the Delhi High Court next door!”, the Court said in its order.

[Farmers Protests] No improvement on ground: Supreme Court

• The Supreme Court on Wednesday noted that there has been no “improvement on ground” to the stalemate between the Central government and the farmers who are protesting in the outskirts of Delhi against three farm laws.
• A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde also remarked that the intention of the Court is to encourage and facilitate talks between farmers and the government.
• The Court was hearing a petition filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma challenging the validity of the three farm laws.

Right to religion not higher than right to life, temple rituals may be conducted without compromising COVID-19 protocol: Madras High Court

• Right to religion is not higher than right to life,remarked Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee of the Madras High Court on Wednesday directing the State authorities to examine if it is feasible to conduct the traditional festivals and rituals at the Srirangam Temple, Trichy without compromising on public health or COVID-19 protocol.
• The Court said that if it is possible to conduct the festivities without compromising on COVID protocol and without allowing outsiders entry to the religious institutions, every endeavour should to be made to explore how the traditional festivals may be observed.
• The Bench which also comprised Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy was dealing with a public interest litigation (PIL) petition moved by Rangarajan Narasimhan, aggrieved over the halt in the conduct of temple festivals and rituals at Srirangam’s RanganathaswamyTemple from April 2020 onwards.

Muslim youth being demonised using UP ordinance on inter-faith marriage: Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind to Supreme Court

• Muslim youth is being targeted and demonized using the Uttar Pradesh ordinance on inter-faith marriages and religious conversion, Islamic organisation, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind submitted before the Supreme Court on Wednesday challenging the validity of the ordinance.
• The organisation filed an application in this regard before the top court seeking intervention in the pending case before the apex court in which the Constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance, 2020, and the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2018 have been assailed.