INX Media case: HC grants P Chidambaram interim protection till July 3

Justice A K Pathak asked Chidambaram to join and cooperate in the questioning session as and when called by the CBI

The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted former Union minister P Chidambaram interim protection from arrest till July 3 in the Central Bureau of Investigation's INX Media corruption case.

Justice A K Pathak asked Chidambaram to join and cooperate in the questioning session as and when called by the CBI.

The court also sought the investigating agency's response on the Congress leader's anticipatory bail plea and listed the matter for further hearing on July 3.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, opposed the anticipatory bail plea saying he was merely called for questioning.

Chidambaram had on Wednesday rushed to a trial court for protection from arrest in Aircel-Maxis case before approaching the Delhi High Court in connection with the INX Media case, in which he has been asked by probe agencies to join investigations.

Chidambaram's role has come under the scanner of investigating agencies in the Aircel-Maxis deal of Rs 35 billion and INX Media case involving Rs 3.05 billion. It was during his tenure as finance minister in the UPA-1 regime that FIPB clearance was granted to the two ventures in which alleged irregularities have been found.

In the INX Media case, the CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017, against alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 3.05 billion in 2007 when Chidambaram was finance minister. Read More

Section 377's days numbered? SC to re-examine verdict criminalising gay sex

A Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandrachud decided to re-consider the top court's December 12, 2013, order

The Supreme Court on Monday said it will re-examine its 2013 verdict upholding the Indian Penal Code's Section 377 criminalising gay sex as it observed that "a section of people or individuals who exercise their choice should never remain in a state of fear".

A Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandrachud decided to re-consider the top court's December 12, 2013, order saying that "individual autonomy and also individual orientation cannot be atrophied unless the restriction is regarded as reasonable to yield to the morality of the Constitution".

"The morality that public perceives, the Constitution may not conceive of," the court said making it clear that the "consent between two adults has to be the primary pre-condition. Otherwise the children would become prey, and protection of the children in all spheres has to be guarded and protected".

ALSO READ: Michael Kirby: The rainbow in Asia and fight for gay rights in our region

Referring the matter to a larger Bench, Chief Justice Misra, in his order, said: "The determination of order of nature is not a constant phenomenon. Social morality also changes from age to age. The law copes with life and accordingly change takes place", referring to the phrase in Section 377 which says, "Carnal intercourse against the order of nature".

Stating that understanding of "natural" is not constant, the court said: "What is natural to one may not be natural to the other but the said natural orientation and choice cannot be allowed to cross the boundaries of law and as the confines of law cannot tamper or curtail the inherent right embedded in an individual under Article 21 of the Constitution."

Click Here To Read : GAY RIGHTS IN INDIA

Dera chief Ram Rahim's 'daughter' Honeypreet arrested by Haryana Police

Honeypreet said she had slipped into depression after Ram Rahim's conviction

After a month-long search for jailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim's "adopted" daughter Honeypreet Insan, Haryana Police on Tuesday arrested her.

Honeypreet, along with another woman, was arrested by the Haryana Police from the Zirakpur-Patiala road in Punjab, said Panchkula Police Commissioner A S Chawla.

Honeypreet tops the list of 43 people 'wanted' by the Haryana Police in connection with the incidents of violence that left 41 people dead and several injured following Gurmeet Ram Rahim's conviction in rape cases.

Also Read : Honeypreet Insan held after 38 days on run, to be produced in court today

Talking to media persons at Panchkula, Chawla said, "She has been taken into custody by SIT in-charge (Mukesh Kumar) from Zirakpur-Patiala road in Punjab. She is being brought to Panchkula for questioning in connection with the incidents of violence".

"Her role in the violence (after Ram Rahim's conviction on August 25) will be probed...who provided her shelter or support during her run from police will also be produced. She will be produced before a court (in Panchkula) tomorrow and we will seek her police remand," Chawla said.

Chawla also said that another woman who was accompanying her was also taken into custody. Read Full Article