Vijayanagara district in Karnataka has got its own District Legal Services Authority, which began operations on Saturday to provide free, speedy legal aid, especially to economically weaker and marginalised people. Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur of the Karnataka High Court, the district's administrative judge, inaugurated the office at the district court complex in Hosapete, calling it a step toward quicker access to justice.
The Bombay High Court has asked Maharashtra to assess a proposal for the symbolic immersion of large Plaster of Paris Ganesh idols. Under the plan, floated by PoP artisans, the feet of giant idols would be touched to natural water before civic bodies take them for recycling or eco-friendly storage. Smaller idols under six feet would continue going to artificial tanks.
The Kerala High Court on Monday ordered the State Police Chief to set up special squads in every district to trace and arrest offenders in hit-and-run cases. The Kochi court told the police force to coordinate and alert squads while tracking vehicles and drivers involved. It voiced concern that a growing number of such cases remain unsolved due to inadequate police attention.
Rajasthan's BJP government told the High Court on Monday it will complete the delayed panchayat and urban local body elections by November 15, once the OBC Political Representation Commission submits its report in August to set seat reservations. The court had earlier ordered delimitation finished by December 31 and polls held by April 15, a deadline the state missed.
Gitanjali Angmo said the petition was wrongly interpreted after the Delhi High Court on Sunday declined to interfere with Sonam Wangchuk's treatment at Safdarjung Hospital. She questioned why the government could not have intervened democratically, with the family's trust. Wangchuk was taken there forcibly by Delhi Police on the 21st day of his hunger strike, and a fresh petition is due on July 20.