• 03 Sep 2024

Reassignment of NIA and Habeas Corpus Cases

Why in News?

Recently, NIA (National Investigation Agency) and Habeas Corpus cases at the J&K High Court were reassigned to a new bench in Srinagar following a series of rulings by Justice Sreedharan.

Key Points

• Roster Change: An order modified the existing roster for NIA and Habeas Corpus cases, shifting them from Justice Atul Sreedharan's bench to a new Special Division Bench of Justices Rajnesh Oswal and Mohammad Akram Chowdhary.
  • A roster is a systematic plan for assigning tasks to members of a High court to increase efficiency.
• Rarity of Shift: Midway shifting of cases from a particular bench to a completely new bench is a rare occurrence.
• Significant Rulings of Justice Sreedharan:
  • Public Safety Act, 1978 (PSA) Case: Justice Sreedharan in July 2024 imposed a fine on the District Magistrate for vague and confusing reasoning in a preventive detention case.
  • Fundamentalist Ideology: He challenged the labeling of a detainee as a "fundamentalist" and clarified its meaning in context in the August, 2023 case.
  • Policeman Bail Case: Granted bail to a policeman charged with murder due to a delayed trial, citing a violation of Article 21.
  • Fahad Shah Case: Questioned the application of UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) charges against journalist Fahad Shah, noting insufficient evidence of incitement to violence.

Habeas Corpus

• It is a Latin term which literally means ‘to have the body of’. Under this the court issues an order to a person who has detained another person, to produce the body of the latter before it. The court then examines the cause and legality of detention.
• This writ is a bulwark of individual liberty against arbitrary detention.
• The writ of habeas corpus can be issued against both public authorities as well as private individuals.
• The writ, on the other hand, is not issued where the:
  • detention is lawful,
  • the proceeding is for contempt of a legislature or a court,
  • detention is by a competent court, and
  • detention is outside the jurisdiction of the court.

Landslide in Vaishno Devi Track

Why in News?

Recently, a landslide occurred on the new track to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, affecting the route near Panchi, 3 km ahead of Bhawan.

Key Points

• Vaishno Devi Temple: Temple is located at 5,200 feet in the Trikuta mountains, sees over one crore visitors annually, with a 12 km trek from Katra.
  • Key Landmarks: Darshani Deodhi, Banganga, Chara Paduka, Indraprastha, Adhkuari, Garbha Joon, Himkoti, Haathi Matha, Sanji Chhat Bhavan, Sher ka Panja and Bhairon Mandir.
• Reasi, a town and notified area committee in Jammu and Kashmir, situated on the bank of the Chenab River. It was part of the Bhimgarh state established by Bhim Dev in the 8^th century AD.
  • Bhimgarh State, centered in Reasi, remained independent until 1822 when Raja Gulab Singh unified the small states in the region.

Landslide

• A landslide is a geological phenomenon involving the downward movement of a mass of rock, soil, and debris on a slope. This movement can vary in scale from small, localised shifts to massive and destructive events.
• Landslides can occur on both natural and man-made slopes, and they are often triggered by a combination of factors such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, human activities (such as construction or mining), and changes in groundwater levels.

Mega Industry Players in Bihar

Why in News?

Recently, Bihar received Rs 12,000 crore in investment proposals between 2022 and 2024, a significant rise from the Rs 2,500 crore received between 2016 and 2022.

Key Points

• Investors: Major players like Britannia, PepsiCo, Tata Group, and Medanta are investing in the state.
• Sectoral Focus: Investments are primarily in textile, leather, food processing, and cement industries.
  • Key projects include Ambuja Cements' Rs 1,600-crore unit, Tata Group's Taj hotel, and Medanta's hospital.
  • The entry of private players has significantly improved healthcare, reducing the load on government hospitals.
  • Bihar's strength in food processing, supported by abundant raw materials, is recognised as a key area for future investment growth.
• Government Initiatives for Industry: The state has created a land bank of 5,000 acres and leased out 7,592 acres in the last two years.
  • New industrial areas are being developed in 31 districts, with SEZs (Special Economic Zones) planned in West Champaran and Buxar.
• Challenges: Despite progress, investors face issues with land availability, infrastructure, ease of doing business, and concerns about labor unrest.
  • The government emphasized the importance of enhancing single-window systems and extending government incentives.

Foundation Stone for Drinking Water Project

Why in News?

Recently, the Bihar government laid the foundation for a Rs 1,347 crore project to supply Sone river water for drinking in Aurangabad, Dehri, and Sasaram.

Key Points

• Additional Initiatives: Inaugurated and laid foundations for a state industrial training institute, tech labs, street lights, and Anganwadi centers in Dehri, Rohtas district.
  • Distributed a cheque of Rs 74.17 crore to 1,864 self-help groups under the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (BRLP), known as JEEVIKA.
• JEEViKA: Funded by the World Bank, it is a rural social and economic empowerment programme that comes under Bihar’s rural development department.

Sone River

• The Son River, also known as the Sone River, is a perennial river that flows through central India.
• The Son River is the 2^nd-largest southern (right bank) tributary of the Ganges after the Yamuna River.

18 Langurs Shot Dead in Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

Recently, about 18 Langurs were shot dead in Belgaon village of Chhattisgarh for crop damage, leading the forest department to launch an investigation.

Key Points

• Cultural Context: The incident was unusual because villagers typically avoid killing monkeys, fearing it could bring drought, highlighting the cultural and traditional significance of wildlife.
• Legal Action: A case has been filed against unidentified persons under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  • Schedule I: Protects endangered species with strict penalties; prohibits hunting except in extreme cases (e.g., Black Buck, Snow Leopard).
  • Schedule II: High protection and trade prohibition for certain species (e.g., Assamese Macaque, Indian Cobra).
  • Schedules III & IV: Protects non-endangered species with lesser penalties for violations (e.g., Chital, Flamingo).
  • Schedule V: Lists vermin species that can be hunted (e.g., Common Crows, Rats).
  • Schedule VI: Regulates cultivation and trade of specified plants, requiring prior permission (e.g., Blue Vanda, Kuth).

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

• The Wild Life (Protection) Act, of 1972 provides a legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants, management of their habitats, regulation, and control of trade in wild animals, plants, and products made from them
• The act also lists schedules of plants and animals that are afforded varying degrees of protection and monitoring by the government.

Review Meeting on 17 New Districts of Rajasthan

Why in News?

Recently, a review meeting was held to evaluate the status of the 17 new districts created during the earlier government’s tenure in Rajasthan.

Key Points

• New Districts and Divisions: The new districts in Rajasthan include Anupgarh, Gangapur City, Kotputli, Balotra, Jaipur City, Khairthal, Beawar, Jaipur Rural, Neemkathana, Deeg, Jodhpur City, Phalodi, Didwana, Jodhpur Rural, Salumber, Dudu, Kekri, Sanchore, and Shahpura.
  • Additionally, three new divisions—Banswara, Pali, and Sikar—have been created.
• Cost and Administration: Creating a district costs approximately Rs.2,000 crore (as per the review committee report).
  • The district of Pratapgarh, established in 2008, is still incomplete and administrative tasks remain pending.
• Future Considerations: Retired IAS officer Lalit K. Pawar has been reappointed to oversee the 17 new districts and gather public feedback.
  • He is responsible for preparing a factual and analytical report for further committee consideration.