LEGAL NEWS

Supreme Court on Speedy Trial and Bail under Article 21

• The Supreme Court reaffirmed that the right to a speedy trial under Article 21 applies to all accused persons, irrespective of the offence involved.

• Granting bail to former Amtek Group chairman Arvind Dham, the Court held that prolonged pre-trial custody can amount to punishment.

• The Bench clarified that the seriousness of allegations cannot override constitutional guarantees, even in economic offences.

• Dham had spent about 16 months in jail, with no realistic prospect of the trial beginning soon due to around 210 witnesses.

• As the case relied mainly on documentary evidence already with investigators, the risk of evidence tampering was considered minimal.

• The ruling came amid debate on strict bail provisions under UAPA Section 43D(5) and PMLA Section 45, which impose high thresholds.

• The Court stressed that statutory bail restrictions cannot justify endless undertrial detention when the state fails to ensure timely trials.

• The judgment reinforces that constitutional courts can grant bail to safeguard personal liberty when trial delays become unreasonable.

APPOINTMENT

Ramesh Kumar Juneja Takes Charge as Chairman of Council for Leather Exports

• Ramesh Kumar Juneja assumed charge as Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) during the 184th Committee of Administration meeting held in Chennai on 6 January 2026.

• CLE functions as an Export Promotion Council under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, representing India’s leather export sector.

• With over 15 years of association with CLE, he earlier served as Regional Chairman (Eastern Region) since 2014.

• Before his elevation, he held the post of Vice-Chairman of CLE from April 2024.

• His leadership has contributed to record export performance in leather goods and safety footwear.

• Founder of the JC Group, Mr. Juneja brings four decades of industry experience and also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce, promoting bilateral business ties.

NATIONAL NEWS

India Post–Rural Development Ministry Pact for Rural Financial Inclusion

• A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 7 January between the Department of Posts and the Ministry of Rural Development to boost rural finance and livelihoods.

• The partnership aims to expand banking, digital and logistics services for Self-Help Groups and village households, supporting faster rural transformation.

• The move supports the government’s “Dak Sewa, Jan Sewa” vision by placing India Post at the centre of the rural economy.

• It echoes Union Budget 2025–26 priorities, which stress using India Post’s nationwide network to deepen financial inclusion and digital access.

• With 1.5 lakh+ rural post offices, IPPB and Gramin Dak Sevaks, India Post will ensure last-mile delivery of doorstep banking services, including savings and remittances.

• SHGs will receive digital tools and PoS devices, while Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras will help them access wider markets and export opportunities.

First Meeting of the Payments Regulatory Board Held

• The inaugural meeting of the Payments Regulatory Board was convened in Mumbai on 5 January, chaired by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.

• The Board was constituted under the amended Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, which became operational on 9 May 2025.

• It has replaced the earlier BPSS, which earlier functioned as a committee under the RBI Central Board.

• During the meeting, members reviewed the working of the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems.

• Discussions covered key issues in domestic and international payment frameworks, including future challenges and opportunities.

• The Draft Payments Vision 2028 and findings from the RBI’s Digital Payments Survey were presented to guide the long-term growth of India’s payment ecosystem.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

National Textiles Ministers’ Conference 2026 in Guwahati

• The National Textiles Ministers’ Conference 2026 will be held in Guwahati, Assam from 8 January and continue for two days.

• It will bring together Textile Ministers from States and senior officials of Union Territories.

• The event is jointly organised by the Ministry of Textiles and the Government of Assam.

• The central theme, “India’s Textiles: Weaving Growth, Heritage & Innovation,” reflects both tradition and modernisation.

• Key discussions will cover policy reforms, infrastructure, sustainability, exports and use of technology, supporting India’s goal of becoming a global textile hub by 2030.

• The opening day will feature a textile exhibition and pavilion, along with a North-East conclave focused on boosting the region’s textile industry.