Suggest alternate mode of transport in Chilika: HC

Cuttack: The Orissa high court has asked the petitioner to suggest what should be the alternative mode of transport at Mangalajodi in the Chilika lake so as not to disturb the movement of birds, if there is a ban on motorised boats. The directive came from the two-judge bench of acting Chief Justice B R Sarangi and Justice M S Raman on Tuesday after the government opposed court’s proposal to use solar or battery-operated boats. The bench was hearing a PIL seeking direction for declaration of Mangalajodi as a silent zone and imposition of ban on movement of motorised fishing boats as that part of the lake attracts lakhs of migratory birds. Debakar Behera, a resident of the area, had filed the petition.The bench also directed Ashis Kumar Mishra, the counsel of the petitioner to “apprise the court the procedure under the law to declare a particular area as a silent zone.”

NGT directs UP govt to file affidavit to extend area of Soor Sarovar bird sanctuary

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file an affidavit within three weeks regarding the issuance of a final notification declaring an area of 337 hectares as part of the Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. The area of the sanctuary had been reduced from 800 hectares to 403 hectares, which had sparked protests from activists. The Supreme Court had accepted a report recommending the expansion of the sanctuary to 800 hectares, but the area has not yet been extended. A petition has been filed with the NGT to address this issue.

Hindenburg-Adani matter: Petitioner seeks early Supreme Court hearing

A petitioner in the Hindenburg report on Adani Group has requested an early listing and hearing before the Supreme Court. The matter was initially scheduled for August 28 but has been deferred. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has filed a status report informing the court that 22 out of 24 investigations arising from the report are final. In March, the Supreme Court directed SEBI to investigate any violations of securities law by the Adani Group following the Hindenburg report, which caused a significant decline in the group's market value.

Supreme Court collegium recommends names of three high court chief justices as Supreme Court judges

The Supreme Court collegium has recommended the names of three high court chief justices as judges of the apex court. The recommended names are Delhi High Court Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice Augustine George Masih, and Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta. The collegium considered the merit, integrity, and competence of the eligible chief justices and senior judges and found them deserving and suitable for the appointment. If approved by the Centre, the Supreme Court will have a full strength of 34 judges. The collegium emphasized the need to fill vacancies to ensure a full working judge-strength and reduce the mounting pendency of cases.