LAW AND GOVERNANCE
HIGH COURT TO HEAR PLEAS CHALLENGING DISCHARGE IN CORRUPTION CASE
The Bombay High Court is set to hear petitions challenging the discharge of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal and his family members in the Maharashtra Sadan scam case. Activist Anjali Damania and Shiv Sena MLA Suhas Kande filed the petitions, questioning the legality of the discharge. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had not filed an appeal against the discharge, prompting Damania and Kande to file the pleas.
During the hearing, Bhujbal’s lawyers raised two preliminary issues. Firstly, they questioned Damania’s right to file an appeal as she claimed to be a complainant in the case. Secondly, they highlighted a delay in filing the appeals, with Kande’s appeal facing a delay of 562 days. However, Kande’s lawyer explained that the delay was due to pursuing action against the Bhujbals before the state assembly.
In response, Damania’s lawyer argued that she had the right to file an appeal as the entire case against the Bhujbals was being investigated based on her complaint. The High Court will hear the preliminary issues raised by Bhujbal’s lawyers before deciding on the appeals.
COURT GRANTS INTERIM PROTECTION IN RAPE CASE
The Bombay High Court granted interim protection from arrest to a woman who had accused Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) MP Rahul Shewale of rape. Shewale and his wife had filed FIRs against the woman in 2022, alleging blackmail and tarnishing his image. The court directed the woman to cooperate with the police investigation and not make defamatory statements against Shewale.
During the hearing, Shewale’s advocate accused the woman of tarnishing his image. The woman’s lawyer argued that she should be granted similar relief as in another case where she was granted interim protection with certain conditions. The High Court granted interim protection to the woman and scheduled a further hearing on her anticipatory bail petitions for June 20.
PATANJALI FACES LICENCE CANCELLATION IN UTTARAKHAND
The Uttarakhand licensing authority suspended licences of 14 products manufactured by Patanjali’s Divya Pharmacy with immediate effect. This action was taken in connection with a misleading advertisements case. The banned products include Drishti Eye drop, Swasari Gold, Mukta Vati Extra Power, and others.
The Supreme Court will hear related matters soon, including the apology published by Yoga guru Ramdev and his associate Acharya Balkrishna. The Court had directed Patanjali to stop advertisements of its products that claimed to treat ailments and disorders specified in the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, during the hearing of a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in November 2023.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship
(Ministry Of Science And Technology)
Objective:
The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship aims to support 100 young researchers aged 27-32 with Ph.D. qualifications to conduct independent research for 5 years in various scientific areas. It seeks to establish them as independent researchers and enhance high-quality scientific manpower in India.
Benefits:
Selected fellows receive a monthly fellowship of ₹1,25,000 with an annual increment of ₹2,000, along with a research grant of ₹7,00,000 per year for 5 years. The fellowship is taxable as per the Indian IT Act.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Indian citizens or People of Indian Origin (PIO) with Ph.D. degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, pharmacy, medicine, or agriculture-related subjects. They should have a minimum of 60% marks throughout their academic career and demonstrate outstanding research potential through publications in reputed journals. The upper age limit is 32 years for General Category, 37 for SC, ST, and Women candidates, and 42 for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD).
ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship
(Ministry Of Science And Technology)
Objective:
The ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship aims to promote scientific collaboration and mobility between India and ASEAN member countries. It offers 50 fellowships annually for young scientists and researchers from ASEAN countries to conduct research in India, enhancing research skills and building collaborations.
Benefits:
The fellowship includes round-trip international airfare, a monthly fellowship of INR 60,000, a one-time research contingency grant of INR 40,000, and institutional overhead charges. The duration of the fellowship is 2 to 6 months.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be nationals of ASEAN member countries, holding at least a Master’s Degree in Natural Sciences or equivalent. They should be affiliated with a national R&D or academic institution in their home country. The upper age limit is 45 years, and applicants should be fluent in English. Applicants who have availed of any fellowship scheme of the Government of India during the last 3 years are not eligible to apply.
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