If you’re planning for CLAT 2022, start CLAT preparation for current affairs today. Here is the list of legal current affairs for you to be updated with the news and events happening around the world.
SC orders Railways to pay compensation if trains run late
The Supreme Court has ruled that Indian Railways must pay compensation to passengers if trains run late.
Highlights
- The Supreme Court slammed Indian Railways for the delayed running of trains and ordered to pay a compensation of Rs 30,000 to a man who missed his flight because of the delay.
- The man was put through much inconvenience because of a delay in running of a train.
- SC observed that these are the days of competition as well as accountability. If public transportation has to survive in the market and compete against the private players, they must improve the system. Passengers cannot be at the mercy of the authorities or administration. One has to accept the responsibility.
About the issue
The apex court had upheld the compensation awarded to a passenger whose train was delayed by four hours when he was travelling to Jammu with his family in 2016. They also missed their flight. As a result, they had to take an expensive taxi to Srinagar. Then they missed their booking of a boat on Dal Lake. Following the incident, the passenger filed a case with the district consumer grievances forum in Alwar, Rajasthan. The forum directed North-Western Railways to pay Rs 30,000 for the costs incurred by the passenger and his family because of a missed flight.
Railway’s response
The railways appealed against the forum’s order. But its contentions were rejected by various forums, including the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi. Railways then appealed in Supreme Court against the compensation awarded to the passenger. In the Supreme court, a two-judge bench held that the railways were liable to pay compensation to any passenger who files a claim against it in case railways fail to provide justification or valid reason for delay running of the train.
SC: The deity is the owner of land attached to temple
According to the supreme court bench comprising Justice Hemant Gupta and A S Bopanna, the deity is the owner of land attached to a temple.
Supreme Court’s ruling
- According to the bench, a priest cannot be treated as Bhumiswami (owner of the land).
- The priest holds the land just for the management of the property of the temple.
- The SC bench noted that the ownership column only requires the name of the deity because the deity as a juristic person is the owner of the land.
- Occupation of the land is also by the deity carried out by servants or managers on behalf of the deity. Thus, the name of manager or priest is not required to be mentioned in the column of the occupier.
SC’s stand on priests
- According to the bench, the law clearly notes that Pujari is not a tenant in cultivation (Kashtkar Mourushi) or a government lessee or ordinary tenant of the land exempted from payment of revenue (maufi lands). But he holds such land on behalf of the Aukaf Department (relating to Devasthan) for its management.
- The priest is only a grantee to manage the property of the deity. Such grantees can be reassumed if they fail to do the task assigned, such as to offer prayers and manage the land.
Can collector be the manager of the property?
The SC bench notes that the name of the Collector as a manager cannot be recorded for the property vested in the deity because the Collector cannot be a manager of all temples unless the temple is vested with the State.
Background
Madhya Pradesh filed a PIL against an order of the High Court that put down the two circulars issued by the state government under the MP Law Revenue Code, 1959. Both the circulars ordered to delete the names of priests from the revenue record in order to protect the temple properties from unauthorised sale by priests.
NHRC issued notice to four States over the impact of farmers’ protest
The NHRC issued notice to four states on September 14, 2021, over complaints by industrial units and transportation affected by farmers’ protection at the Delhi border.
Highlights
- Notice was issued to Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan governments.
- Notice was issued to the Chief Secretaries and heads of police of four States.
- NHRC issued this notice following several complaints received by 9000 transportation and industrial units that have been affected by the protest.
- The panel has also asked the Institute of Economic Growth to study the adverse impact of this protest on transport, industries, commercial activity, and consumers. The report has to be submitted by October 10.
About farmers’ protest
It is an ongoing protest by farmers against three farm acts that were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. Farmers, farmer unions, and their representatives are demanding to repeal these laws. The Supreme court also put a stay on the implementation of farm laws in January 2021. Farmer leaders also rejected the government proposal of suspending these laws for 18 months. Since the passing of these acts, eleven rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farm unions. However, all meetings were inconclusive as the government only agreed to two demands by farmers related to stubble burning and an electricity ordinance.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
NHRC is a Statutory public body established on October 12, 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Ordinance of September 1993. It received a statutory status by Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 which is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights.
Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath temple title dispute
On September 9, 2021, the Allahabad High Court put a hold on the order of the Varanasi court that had asked for a ‘comprehensive archaeological physical survey’ of the disputed Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath temple complex.
Highlights
While staying the order of Varanasi court, Allahabad High Court (HC) underlined that HC “can interfere to keep subordinate tribunals & Courts ‘within the bounds of their authority.
Background
A petition was filed by the UP Sunni Waqf Board and Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Varanasi to challenge the April 8 order of the Varanasi court. However, Justice Prakash Padia ordered a stay on petitions. This miscellaneous application filed by Sunni Waqf Board was part of a writ petition heard on a complex dispute in Allahabad High Court. Allahabad HC had reserved the order on March 15 after the completion of arguments in this matter.
About Kashi Vishwanath Temple
It is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Vishwanath Gali of Varanasi. It stands on the western bank of the river Ganga and is one among the twelve Jyotirlingas. The main deity in the temple is known by the names Shri Vishwanath and Vishweshwara, which means Lord of the Universe.
Why is it known as Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
In ancient times, Varanasi city was called Kashi. Hence this temple is popularly known as Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Background
This temple has been a central part of worship in the Shaiva Philosophy in Hindu scriptures for a long time. It is claimed that this temple had been demolished many times in ancient times. The current structure of the temple was built in 1780 on an adjacent site by Maratha ruler Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore.
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Also read – CLAT Important Questions from Farmer’s Bill
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