In a landmark decision that has sent shockwaves through Tamil Nadu’s legal and law enforcement communities, the Madras High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into a contentious land grabbing case on East Coast Road (ECR). Justice G. Jayachandran’s ruling on August 17, 2024, not only addresses the specific case at hand but also delivers a scathing indictment of the Tamil Nadu police force’s handling of property-related crimes. This article delves into the details of the case, explores the court’s critical observations, and discusses the broader implications for property owners and the justice system in Tamil Nadu. As legal experts at Rajendra Law Office LLP, we break down this significant development and its potential impact on property rights and law enforcement accountability in the region. Madras High Court Orders CBI Probe into Land Grabbing Case, Criticizes Tamil Nadu Police Date: August 18, 2024 Background In a significant development that underscores the importance of fair and effective law enforcement, the Madras High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into a land grabbing case on East Coast Road (ECR). This decision, made by Justice G. Jayachandran on August 17, 2024, comes with strong criticism of the Tamil Nadu police’s handling of such cases. The case in question involves a valuable property spanning 18.25 cents on ECR. The petitioner, T. Karthik, sought police protection for both his life and the property, alleging that it had been forcibly taken over by the henchmen of an individual […]
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Lawyer Solicitation Through Online Platforms: In a landmark judgment passed on July 3rd, 2024, the Madras High Court took a strong stance against lawyers soliciting work through online service providers. The court emphasized that the legal profession is not a business driven by profit, but rather a service to society. The verdict comes in response to a petition filed against websites like Quikr, Sulekha, and Justdial, which offered online lawyer services. Madras High Court Cracks Down on Lawyer Solicitation Through Online Platforms Unethical Solicitation and Violation of Rules: The court, presided over by Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice C Kumarappan, highlighted that such practices violate the Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules. These rules strictly prohibit lawyers from advertising or soliciting work directly or indirectly, including actions like furnishing newspaper comments or publishing photographs related to cases. The bench pointed out the fundamental difference between the legal profession and other professions. Legal services are not a “job” or a “business,” but rather a means to provide social welfare. While lawyers do receive fees, these fees are a token of respect for their knowledge and time invested in a case. Dignity and Integrity at Stake on Lawyer Solicitation Through Online Platforms : The court expressed concern about the growing trend of “business models” within the legal profession. Practices like lawyer rankings and customer ratings were deemed detrimental to the dignity and integrity expected from legal professionals. Justice Subramaniam stated, “It is agonising that some legal professionals today are trying to adopt […]
Six executives of Sterling Holidays, including the managing director and chief executive officer, have been booked by the Entrustment Document Fraud (EDF) wing of the Central Crime Branch on charges of Cheating and Criminal Conspiracy. This action follows a complaint by Velmurugan, founder of Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK), who alleges that the company failed to honor the benefits of his lifetime membership, resulting in widespread deceit of multiple members. 6 Executives Booked for Fraud: Cheating and Criminal Conspiracy TNN / Jun 7, 2024, 04:16 IST Chennai: The Entrustment Document Fraud (EDF) wing of the Central Crime Branch has booked six board members of Sterling Holidays on charges of cheating. This action, taken on Thursday, follows a complaint filed by Velmurugan, founder of Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK). Velmurugan claimed that he obtained a lifetime membership from Sterling Holidays, for which he paid a sum of ₹7.5 lakh. One of the key benefits of this membership was the promise of 15 days of free stay at any of the company’s resorts across the country each year. Velmurugan stated that he used this benefit for a five-day stay at Sterling Holidays’ Munnar resort in 2019. However, he alleged that he was denied free stays at their resorts for the subsequent five years. In his complaint, Velmurugan accused Sterling Holidays of defrauding him and many other members in a similar manner. He asserted that the company had engaged in a systematic pattern of deceit and betrayal of trust. Based on his allegations, the EDF […]
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (May 8th) delivered a significant judgment regarding witness testimony in criminal trials. The bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta, ruled that a prosecution witness’s evidence cannot be automatically disregarded simply because the prosecution deemed them hostile and cross-examined them. Supreme Court Upholds Conviction Despite Hostile Prosecution Witness Key Points of the Judgment: Impact of the Judgment: Firstly, This judgment clarifies the use of witness testimony in criminal trials. While acknowledging the potential for witness manipulation, the Court allows for the use of reliable portions of such testimonies when supported by other evidence. Case Details: Read More
In a landmark judgment, the Madras High Court clarifies the FIR limitation period for filing First Information Reports in India. The court ruled that the date for calculating the time limit under Section 469 of the CrPC is when the final police report is filed, not the FIR registration date. This Unterscheidung (German for ‘distinction’) between FIRs and complaints filed before a court is crucial. The judgment impacts both individuals facing charges and law enforcement agencies. Individuals may challenge charges based on delayed final reports, while police must prioritize completing investigations within the legal timeframe. Read the full article to understand the implications of this judgment and the reasoning behind it. Madras High Court Clarifies Limitation Period for FIR in Landmark Judgment The Madras High Court recently issued a significant judgment clarifying the calculation of the limitation period for filing FIRs under Section 469 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Justice Anand Venkatesh ruled that the critical date for determining the time limit is the filing of the final police report, not the registration of the FIR itself. Key Points of the Judgment: Impact of the Judgment: This judgment provides clarity for both individuals and law enforcement. Case Details: The judgment arose from two separate petitions. Citation: Case Title: A.Kaliyaperumal v. The Superintendent of Police Case No.: Criminal Original Petition Nos.433 and 543 of 2024 Read More
