ANZ NEWZ Weekly

1. India's Potential as an International Arbitration Hub

India's Law Minister, Kiren Rijiju, believes that India can become a hub for international arbitration, but only if the executive and judiciary branches of the government work together. Speaking at a conference on arbitration, Rijiju highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, better training of arbitrators, and the need to establish India as a centre for arbitration. The minister also noted that India needs to adopt more modern arbitration laws and regulations to attract foreign companies to resolve their disputes in India.

2. Supreme Court Seeks Details on Godhra Train Burning Case

The Supreme Court has requested details about the convicts involved in the Godhra train burning case in Gujarat in 2002 as it considers bail pleas for the accused. The incident claimed the lives of 59 people, mostly Hindu pilgrims, and sparked widespread violence in the state. The court is reviewing the cases of 14 convicts who have been serving life sentences since 2011. The court's decision will have significant implications for the ongoing legal process and the justice system's handling of sensitive and complex cases.

3. Supreme Court Seeks Chargesheet in Dharam Sansad Hate Speech Case

The Supreme Court has requested a copy of the chargesheet in the Dharam Sansad hate speech case after the Delhi Police said that the voice sample report was not ready. The case involves several accused, including a religious leader, who is alleged to have made inflammatory speeches during a religious gathering in Delhi. The police had requested a voice sample to verify the accused's voice on the recorded speeches. The Supreme Court's decision to review the chargesheet will have significant implications for the ongoing legal process.

4. SCBA Asks Supreme Court to Remove Points for Senior Designations

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has requested the Supreme Court to remove points for interviews and publications for senior designations. The SCBA argues that the points system should be based solely on merit and professional excellence, not on subjective factors such as interviews or publications. The Central government has no locus in such decisions, according to the SCBA. The Supreme Court's decision will have significant implications for the selection process of senior advocates in the country.

5. Uddhav Thackeray Faction Moves Supreme Court Against Election Commission Order

The Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray faction has moved the Supreme Court against the Election Commission's decision to recognize the Eknath Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena. The two factions have been in a power struggle since the party's founder, Bal Thackeray, died in 2012. The Supreme Court's decision will have significant implications for the future of the Shiv Sena and its political influence in the state of Maharashtra.