INSHORT

sc orders trial of us vessel crew in arms act

New Delhi: The 35 crew members of a vessel owned by a US firm, arrested in 2013 for allegedly carrying a huge cache of weapons illegally onboard, will be prosecuted under the Arms Act, the Supreme Court has said. The apex court said this while setting aside an order of the Madras High Court which had quashed the charges under the provisions of the Arms Act, as alleged by the Tamil Nadu CID in its charge sheet.A bench of justices Vikramajit Sen and Abhay Manohar Sapre noted that the high court’s observations were “wholly unwarranted” and cannot be upheld.

‘erring state will pay for land acquisition’

New Delhi: The consequence for delay in awarding compensation in land acquisition by the Governments has to be borne by the “errant State” and not the “innocent land owners”, the Supreme Court said. Terming the delay in paying compensation as an act of “carelessness and callousness” by the state, a bench of justices Vikramjit Sen and Abhay Manohar Sapre set aside the land acquired in Bihar’s Khagaria district way back in 1987 for construction of government quarters by invoking urgency clause of the land Acquisition Act.

FTII alumni meet jaitley over Gajendra row

New Delhi: Stepping up pressure, a delegation of agitating students and alumni members of FTII-Pune on Friday met Information & Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley seeking removal of TV actor and BJP’s Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of the governing council of the prestigious institute. The members included Oscar-winner Resul Pookutty and filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli. The delegation also held an “inconclusive” meeting for two hours with the senior Ministry officials, who heard their demands, according to sources. However, some who attended the meeting said there were some “positive” indications of resolving the issue.

kerala’s reply sought in Mullaperiyar dam case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court sought response from the Kerala Government on Tamil Nadu’s plea that security of Mullaperiyar dam be handed over to CISF. A Bench headed by Chief Justice Hl Dattu issue notice on the plea which also sought that the Government be not allowed to seek environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests for constructing a new dam.

states asked to name towns for smart cities

New Delhi: The Centre has asked the State Governments to nominate cities and towns for inclusion under Smart Cities Mission as the first stage of the competition has started. The Stage-1 of Smart City Challenge competition has started.