NEWS

In a sharp criticism of the UP government, the Supreme Court Friday asked why accused Ashish Mishra, son of Union minister Ajay Mishra, hadn’t been arrested yet in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.

Noting Ashish had been booked under Sec 302 of IPC (murder), the bench of CJI N V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli said it is not satisfied with the action taken and the state’s claims appear to be “only in words”. It added, “We hope it (the state) will take necessary steps”.

Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the UP government, admitted there were lapses on part of the administration and said “what they have done is a hash”. Remedial action will be taken, he assured the court.

The SC also objected to the SIT’s composition, saying only local cops are part of it. It said it will study other investigation modes. A CBI probe is not a solution due to “some reasons”, the SC said, perhaps because senior Mishra is a central minister.

As the Centre agreed to open the gates of military-run schools and colleges for girls, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Centre to start the process from this year itself and not wait for next year as pleaded by the government.

On the line of its direction for allowing women candidates to take NDA entrance examination from this year, a bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M M Sundresh said the armed forces establishment is capable of doing the required task and would be able to do the needful to convert ‘all-boys’ educational institutions into co-education by putting in place the infrastructure.

It said a beginning had to be made from this year itself and directed that girls be allowed to appear for entrance examination for Rashtriya Indian Military College, scheduled in December.

In a quest to match the right talent with the right role in the government, UPSC has recommended the appointment of 31 candidates on lateral entry basis to the posts of joint secretary, director and deputy secretary in various central ministries and departments.

The appointments — which include three joint secretaries, 19 directors and nine deputy secretaries — will be on contract or deputation basis. A total of 295 applications for joint secretary level posts, 1,247 applications for director level posts and 489 for deputy secretary level posts were received. UPSC

shortlisted 231 candidates for the interviews, based on which 31 candidates were recommended.

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued guidelines on granting bail to accused who cooperated in the investigation process and were never arrested during the probe.

It said that if an accused had cooperated in the investigation and was not arrested during the probe then he should not be taken into custody at the time of filing chargesheet. A bench of Justices S K Kaul and M M Sundresh issued guidelines for different categories of offences.

Referring to A category of offences (punishable with imprisonment of seven years or less), the court said ordinary summons be issued to him to appear through lawyer at the time of filing chargesheet and if no appearance is made then first bailable warrant be issued and later non-bailable warrant.