Sikkim High Court Issues Directions To Address Indiscriminate Felling Of Trees Under Gangtok Smart City Project

On Monday (10th January), the Sikkim High Court issued directions to the Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim to prevent indiscriminate felling of trees in order to implement the Gangtok Smart City proposal. A letter petition from Kailash Pradhan, an Architect from Sikkim concerned about the erratic and rampant felling of trees in...

Recovery Based On Disclosure Statement Made In Another Crime: Supreme Court Acquits Accused In Murder Case

On Thursday (9th December), the Supreme Court opined that recovery under Section 27 of the Evidence Act would not be admissible if the disclosure statement was made in connection to a crime undergoing separate trial, especially when such statement was not made to the jurisdictional police officer. A bench comprising Justices U.U. Lalit, S. Ravindra Bhat and Bela M. Trivedi...

Hope Govt Will Continue To Take Curative Strides In Containing Pandemic: Sikkim High Court Suspends Suo Motu Monitoring Of Covid-19 Situation

The Sikkim High Court has suspended its suo motu monitoring of the Covid-19 situation in the State, upon being convinced that the State Government has taken appropriate steps for establishment of all requisite infrastructure and other necessities to control the situation.A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai and Justice Bhasker Raj Pradhan disposed of the Public...

Rule Making Reevaluated Candidates Ineligible For Award Of Rank/Prizes Unconstitutional: Sikkim High Court

The High Court of Sikkim held that a Sikkim University regulation that made Reevaluated candidates ineligible for the award of Rank/prizes and medals is unconstitutional.The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai and Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan court held that the provision violates Article 14 of the Constitution since it creates an impermissible classification between...

Permission To Extract Ground Water Must Record Reasons by Ground Water Board Under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: Sikkim High Court

The High Court of Sikkim observed that permission to extract groundwater granted to the industries in the State must record satisfaction and assign reasons by Central Ground Water Board as per Section 3(2) and Section (5) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari and Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai expressed surprise on grant of...

Protect Inmates & Staff In All Care Facilities From COVID-19: Sikkim High Court To State

The Sikkim High Court has expressed concern over spread of Covid-19 in various 'Care facilities' and has directed the State to take immediate steps for protection of inmates and staff thereof. A Division Bench comprising of Justices Meenakshi Madan Rai and Bhaskar Raj Pradhan while hearing its suo moto PIL for COVID-19 management, took cognizance of the situation based on a news piece...

'No Progress': Sikkim High Court Expresses Displeasure At Steps Taken By Govt For Construction Of Old Age Homes

Observing that it is the duty of the State Government to produce relevant policies made for the benefit of senior citizens based on Centre's directions, the Sikkim High Court on Friday sought response of the State on its policies as regards to the construction of old age homes. A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari and Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai...

Government Tackling Covid-19 In An Unplanned Fashion Despite Studies & Experiences Of Other Countries: Sikkim High Court

"We do not see nor are we provided with a rational and planned thinking process. Emergent situation seem to have been met on need basis," commented the Sikkim High Court with respect to management of the Covid-19 crisis in the State. It observed that although the State Government took several steps to ramp up the health infrastructure and facilities to deal with the deadly virus, it...

'Can't Enter Into A Fishing Enquiry Based On Conjectures': Sikkim High Court Dismisses Plea Alleging Misappropriation Of Covid-19 Funds

The Sikkim High Court recently dismissed a PIL seeking enquiry into alleged misappropriation of funds under Covid-19 package provided to the State Government by the Centre. In the absence of any material evidence on record in support of the allegations, a Bench of Justices Meenakshi Madan Rai and Bhaskar Raj Pradhan observed, "We cannot enter into a fishing and roving enquiry...

Population Of Sikkim Meagre Yet Vaccines Not Available: High Court Asks State To Take Proactive Steps For Procurement; Frame Policy To Combat Third Wave Of Covid-19

The Sikkim High Court on Friday expressed concern over unavailability of Covid-19 vaccine in the State and directed the authorities to take proactive steps in this direction so that the vaccination drive can be taken up on "mission mode". "Although the population of the entire State stands at a meagre number of approximately 7 lakhs, we are informed that presently vaccines are...

Up RT-PCR Testing; Bring Dedicated Ambulances, ICUs: Sikkim High Court Urges State To Take Steps On A War Footing Against Covid19

The Sikkim High Court has urged the State Government take all necessary steps to augment its resources to meet the present situation of Covid-19 pandemic on a "war footing". A Division Bench of Chief Justice Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari and Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan has taken note of various shortcomings in the medical resources in Sikkim. Firstly, it has expressed concern...

Covid-19: Woefully Low Number Of Hospital Beds, No Supply Of Oxygen: Sikkim High Court Seeks State's Response

The Sikkim High Court has expressed concern over the 'woefully low' number of hospital beds that are available for treatment of Covid-19 patients in the State. In a suo moto PIL for Covid-19 management, a Division Bench comprising of Justices Meenakshi Madan Rai and Bhaskar Raj Pradhan observed, "The beds identified for patients with Covid in the STNM Hospital and District...