LEGAL NEWS
Supreme Court restored DRI officers’ powers to recover dues under the Customs Act.
• The Supreme Court reversed a 2021 decision, affirming DRI officers' authority to issue notices and recover dues under the Customs Act, 1962.
• The ruling came from the Canon India Pvt Ltd vs Commissioner of Customs case filed by the Customs department.
• 1999 Circular: A CBEC circular issued in 1999 granted DRI officers the power to issue notices under Section 28 of the Customs Act.
• 2011 Notification: A 2011 notification clarified that DRI officers could function as “proper officers” under the Customs Act.
• The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is India's leading anti-smuggling and intelligence agency.
• Authority Restored: The Supreme Court's ruling restores DRI officers’ powers to act as proper officers for recovering dues.
• The judgment resolves ambiguity over the authority of DRI officers to enforce customs provisions.
• Enhanced Enforcement: This decision strengthens DRI's role in combating smuggling and ensuring customs compliance.
• The ruling allows DRI officers to directly address customs duty evasion by issuing recovery notices.
On failure of the resolution plan, the Supreme Court ordered Jet Airways’ liquidation.
• The Supreme Court has ordered the liquidation of Jet Airways after the resolution plan failed.
• The takeover bid by Kalrock Capital and Murari Lal Jalan has been rejected by the Court.
• The Court found that NCLAT’s approval of the proposal overlooked a January 2023 Supreme Court ruling.
• Liquidation was deemed the best option for Jet Airways’ employees and creditors.
• The NCLAT had improperly allowed the Rs 150 crore performance bank guarantee (PBG) adjustment, against a Rs 350 crore infusion requirement.
• The Jalan-Kalrock Consortium (JKC) had been the resolution applicant for Jet Airways.
• The Supreme Court noted that five years had passed since the resolution plan was approved, but the consortium failed to implement it.
• The Court emphasized that the NCLAT's decision ignored its prior judgment in January 2023.
• The Supreme Court directed the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Mumbai to appoint a liquidator.
• The bench consisted of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justices J.B. Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra.
1967 decision on the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University struck down by the Supreme Court.
• Supreme Court has overturned its 1967 decision on Aligarh Muslim University's (AMU) minority status.
• On November 8, the court ruled 4:3 in favor of revisiting the 1967 verdict in S. Azeez Basha vs Union of India.
• The earlier ruling had classified AMU as a non-minority institution, despite being a central university.
• The Constitution Bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, delivered the judgment.
• The 1967 verdict stated that an institution established through a statute could not be considered a minority institution.
• The key issue in determining minority status is identifying the founders of the institution.
• The court noted that non-minority administration does not strip an institution of its minority character.
• The decision is linked to the 2006 Allahabad High Court ruling, which also denied AMU's minority status.
• AMU was founded in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College.
• The new ruling has significant implications for the status of AMU and other similar institutions.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Radiography Day 2024 observed on November 8.
• World Radiography Day is observed annually on November 8.
• This year’s theme is "Radiographers: Seeing the Unseen," highlighting how radiographers uncover hidden health issues.
• It commemorates the discovery of X-rays by Professor Wilhelm Konrad Roentgen in 1895.
• Roentgen, from the University of Würzburg, Germany, made the groundbreaking discovery of X-rays.
• The day honors radiographers and radiologists for their vital role in diagnosing medical conditions.
• It involves using radiation to create images of the body’s tissues, organs, bones, and blood vessels.
• These images are crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
• International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists first celebrated World Radiography Day on November 8, 2007.
RANKING AND INDEX
QS Asia Rankings 2025
• QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025 include 984 universities from the region.
• India has 22 universities featured in the Asia rankings.
• Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) leads South Asia, securing the highest rank from India.
• IITD ranks 44th overall in Asia, the top spot for Indian universities.
• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) follows closely in 48th position.
• Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) is ranked 56th in Asia.
• Six Indian universities are in the top 100 of the Asia rankings.
• National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad, shares 6th position in South Asia.
DEFENCE
India to launch tri-services military exercise in eastern sector from November 8.
• India will launch the 10-day tri-services military exercise, Poorvi Prahaar, starting November 8.
• The exercise will include assets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• Key Air Force bases in Kolkata, Hashimara, Paanagarh, and Kalaikunda will be operational during the exercise.
• The Indian Navy’s elite MARCOS commandos will actively participate in the drills.
• The exercise aims to demonstrate the operational synergy between the three armed forces.
• The event will highlight the combat preparedness of India’s military forces.
• The exercise signals a move towards a more proactive defence strategy in the eastern sector.
'AUSTRAHIND', a joint military exercise between India and Australia, started in Pune on 8 November.
• The joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND between India and Australia began in Pune on November 8.
• The exercise aims to enhance cooperation and interoperability in sub-conventional operations in semi-urban and semi-desert terrains.
• This is the third edition of Exercise AUSTRAHIND, which will take place in two phases: combat preparation and tactical training, followed by validation.
• Activities during the exercise include response drills for terrorist acts, setting up a joint operations center, and conducting counter-terrorism operations.
• The exercise will run until November 21, with both nations sharing best practices in tactical operations and procedures.
• Exercise AUSTRAHIND is held annually, alternating between India and Australia.
• The last edition of the exercise was conducted in Australia in December 2023.
• The exercise focuses on improving joint counter-terrorism capabilities, including raids, searches, and destruction operations.
STATE NEWS
Sultanganj railway station would be renamed after Ajgaibinath Dham.
• Sultanganj Railway Station will soon be renamed after Ajgaibinath Dham.
• Bihar's Deputy CM, Samrat Choudhary, announced this name change.
• The station is located in Bhagalpur district, Bihar.
• Ajgaibinath Dham is a significant Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• The name change reflects the government's commitment to preserving regional cultural heritage.
• The local municipal council has already approved the proposal.
• The proposal will now be sent to the relevant authorities for final approval.
• Ajgaibinath Temple, an ancient site, is located along the Ganga River, known for its carvings and inscriptions.
MISCELLANEOUS
Government has doubled penalties for farmers involved in Stubble Burning.
• The government has increased penalties for farmers involved in stubble burning.
• The Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change Ministry announced the penalty hike.
• The new penalties are outlined in the Air Quality Management Amendment Rules, 2024.
• Farmers with land holdings of less than 2 acres will face a fine of Rs 5,000, up from Rs 2,500.
• Those with 2 to 5 acres of land will be fined Rs 10,000.
• Farmers owning more than 5 acres will be charged Rs 30,000 for stubble burning.
• The revised rules aim to create a more consistent penalty structure.
• The amendment also considers the challenges faced by farmers with smaller landholdings.
