- SC to states: Consider bail to some prisoners to check overcrowded jails
- The Supreme Court asked states and Union Territories to consider releasing on bail or parole those undertrials whose offence carry a maximum sentence of seven years.
- It also asked them to consider to release prisoners who have been convicted in similar offences but -sentenced for less than the maximum seven-year period.
- The court also exercised its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to extend the limitation period on all legal proceedings with effect from March 15 till further orders.
- Parliament adjourned sine die due to coronavirus
- Parliament was adjourned sine die due to almost two weeks ahead of schedule.
- The action was taken in wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
- Rs 1 lakh-crore Budget Bill for J&K cleared by Rajya Sabha
- The Rajya Sabha approved a Bill for the budget of Rs 1 lakh-crore for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for 2020-21.
- After approval, the Bill was returned to the Lok Sabha.
- Parliament passes amendments to Finance Act
- Parliament on Monday, passed amendments to the Finance Act.
- Several provisions were introduced through the amendments.
- A monetary threshold of Rs 15 lakh taxing Non-resident Indians (NRIs).
- An equalisation levy for e-commerce operators.
- Increased TDS compliance for cash withdrawals by those who have not filed income tax returns for three years.
- Lower rate of tax collected at source (TCS) for remitting education loan money overseas.
- SC judges to hear urgent cases from home office via video conference
- Three benches of the Supreme Court will resume hearing of urgent cases via video conferencing from Friday.
- The three benches will comprise Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta, Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant, and Justices L. Nageswara Rao and Aniruddha Bose.
- They will take up matters from residential office of judges.
- Stranded pilgrims in Iran: SC seeks status report from the Centre
- The Supreme Court on Friday sought a status report from the Centre on measures it has taken or proposes “to alleviate the hardship…. faced” by a group of Muslim pilgrims from India who are stranded in Iran, and of whom about 250 have tested positive for the coronavirus.
- A bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant, which heard the plea via video conferencing, issued notice to the Centre.