TODAY NEWS ON 4 MARCH 2022

News Headlines

Indian students held hostage in Kharkiv, says Putin

A large number of Indian students “continue” to remain “hostage” in a train station in Kharkiv, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday evening. The Russian leader’s comments came hours after India said that its plans to evacuate nationals from the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv were disrupted as fighting in the city had resumed after a brief pause during Wednesday.

Quad leaders discuss war in Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders of Australia and Japan spoke on Thursday to discuss the war in Ukraine. The leaders agreed that what is happening to Ukraine should not be allowed to happen in the Indo-Pacific, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said.

Renewed hostility stalling rescue of Indians from Kharkiv: govt.

The government on Thursday said its plans to evacuate nationals from the conflict-hit Ukrainian city of Kharkiv was disrupted as fighting in the city resumed after a brief pause during Wednesday. An official of the Ministry of External Affairs said a large number of Indian students previously stranded in the city managed to reach nearby points of evacuation after an “urgent advisory” from the Embassy of India but the rest of the students are yet to be moved.

Retain Amaravati as overall capital: A.P. HC

The High Court of Andhra Pradesh has directed the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Capital Region Development Authority to discharge their duties enshrined under APCRDA Act and Land Pooling Rules. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice Prasanth Kumar Mishra and consisting of Justices M. Satyanarayana Murthy and DVSS Somayajulu on Thursday gave the final judgment after hearings in a case relating to a bunch of writ petitions filed by land owners of Amaravati to declare that the State government has no legislative competence to change the capital of the State or to strip Amaravati from being capital of three civic wings of the State, including legislature, executive and judiciary.

In unexpected turn, Amazon proposes talks to possibly end dispute

The Amazon-Future group dispute over a ₹2,4731–crore merger deal with Reliance took an unexpected turn in the Supreme Court on Thursday when the U.S.-based e-commerce giant proposed talks to possibly end the quarrel. A Bench led by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana adjourned the case to March 15, giving Future time to take a call on the Amazon’s proposal.

92% of COVID deaths in ‘22 have been among unvaccinated: ICMR

In 2022, 92% of COVID deaths have been in unvaccinated individuals, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr. Balram Bhargava said on Thursday. He added that it’s evident that vaccines and the wide vaccination coverage have played a very important role in protecting hundreds of lives.

MoD approves development projects including light tank through domestic route

The Defence Ministry has Accorded In–Principle (AIP) approval to four projects under Make–I, government-funded, and five under Make–II, industry-funded, categories of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 which includes development of a light tank for the Army and communication equipment for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

India’s trade deficit likely to stay high, current account deficit to widen: Nomura

India’s trade deficit, which shot back up to $21.2 billion in February, is expected to stay elevated in coming months and the current account deficit could widen to 2.6% of GDP in 2022-23 from 1.7% of GDP this year, Nomura said in a report on March 3. “The surge in oil prices, amid a pickup in domestic demand, will significantly enhance India’s import bill, aided by the broader rise in commodities and fertilizers and an anticipation that gold imports will remain high as investors look to hedge against market volatility and inflation,” the report said.

Ukraine seeks truce in talks with Russia

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met on Thursday and Kyiv said it would call for a ceasefire and humanitarian corridors to evacuate its besieged citizens, as the war entered its second week with Ukrainian cities surrounded and under bombardment.

LEGAL HEADLINES ON 4 MARCH 2022

1. Supreme Court Asks Punjab Govt To Pay Rs 5 Crore Compensation To Son Of Freedom Fighter Whose Property Was Confiscated By British

On Thursday, the Supreme Court enhanced the compensation amount payable to the son (respondent) of the deceased, Mr. S. Sampuran Singh, India's first Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan.

2. Applying Section 41A CrPC Will Defeat PMLA's Objective : Solicitor General Tells Supreme Court

The Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta continued his arguments in the Supreme Court on Thursday defending the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

3. Relief Of Permanent Injunction Against True Owner Cannot Be Granted When Title Dispute Is Settled Against Plaintiff : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court observed that a suit for permanent injunction is not maintainable against the true owner of the property when the dispute with respect to title is settled against the plaintiff.

4. 'Amazon God Has To Come Down To Talk To Us Lesser Mortals' : Future Retail On Settlement Proposal In Supreme Court

In the Future- Amazon dispute, the lawyers on behalf of the American e-commerce giant Amazon on Thursday proposed to have an informal dialogue with the Future Group to settle the dispute.

5.UP Urban Rent Regulation Act - Landlord Need Not Be Unemployed To Seek Eviction On The Ground Of Bonafide Need : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court observed that a landlord is not required to be "unemployed" to seek eviction on the ground of bona fide requirement under Section 21(1)(a) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Buildings.

6. States Cannot Levy Excise Duty On Alcohol Which Is Not Fit For Human Consumption: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court observed that States have power to levy excise duty only in respect of the alcoholic liquor for human consumption. 

7. Delhi Govt vs Centre : Supreme Court Issues Notice On Plea Challenging GNCTD (Amendment) Act 2021; 3 Judge Bench To Hear Issue Relating To Power Over Services

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice in Delhi Government's petition challenging the Constitutional validity of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021,

8. 'Medical Services' Fall Within Ambit Of Consumer Protection Act, 2019: Kerala High Court

In a significant decision, the Kerala High Court has recently ruled that medical services fall within the purview of the term 'service' defined under Section 2(42) of the Consumer Protection Act.

9.Section 65 Contract Act - Principle Of Restitution Not Applicable When Party Claiming It Is Equally Or More Responsible For Illegality Of Contract: Supreme Court