The Delhi High Court granted jailed Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid the permission to visit his ailing father at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on October 3, 2023. This decision comes under strict police escort and reflects the court’s consideration of humanitarian grounds.

The court emphasized the crucial need for adequate security arrangements during the visit, aiming to ensure both Rashid’s safety and compliance with judicial protocols. While addressing the plea, the judges clearly stated that the visit should be time-bound and strictly supervised to maintain order.

Engineer Rashid, currently held in judicial custody, filed his appeal stressing his father’s grave health condition. The plea detailed the urgency of the situation, seeking temporary relief for the visit, which the court ultimately granted, subject to specific restrictions.

In its ruling, the High Court acknowledged the importance of the situation and approved the request while highlighting the need for strict adherence to security protocols. This reflection of concern underscores the human aspect within the legal framework, revealing the court’s balance between justice and compassionate considerations.

The exact duration and modalities of the visit are yet to be determined by the relevant authorities. As authorities prepare for this supervised visit, further statements and guidelines are anticipated to ensure that everything proceeds within the established legal framework.

 Panic gripped several schools in Shimla on Monday after they received bomb threat emails warning of explosives planted on campus, police officials said.

Following the threats, school authorities promptly alerted the police, who evacuated students and staff as a precautionary measure. Teams conducted extensive searches of the premises, but no suspicious objects were found.

Parents were informed immediately, leading many to rush to schools to take their children home. Bomb disposal squads were also deployed and carried out mock drills to ensure preparedness and safety.

Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh said efforts are underway to trace the origin of the email. The threat message did not include any identifying details, making the investigation more challenging.

Authorities have assured the public that all necessary precautions were taken and the situation remains under control.

The Supreme Court of India on Monday took note of significant vacancies in the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) and sought responses from the Centre and other authorities on a plea demanding timely appointments.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi agreed to hear the petition and requested R Venkataramani to assist the court in the matter.

Concern Over Functioning of Tribunal

The plea, filed by the Armed Forces Tribunal Bar Association (Regional Bench), highlighted that out of the 11 AFT benches across the country, only three may remain functional by the end of the year if vacancies are not filled promptly.

The bench directed the petitioner’s counsel to share a copy of the petition with the Attorney General’s office and scheduled the next hearing in two weeks.

Demand for Time-Bound Appointments

The petition urges the government to complete the selection process and fill vacant posts in a time-bound manner, in compliance with provisions of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007.

Section 5 of the Act governs the composition and functioning of the tribunal and its benches. The plea also requested that existing judicial and administrative members be allowed to continue in their roles—with their consent—until new appointments are made.

Impact on Justice Delivery

The issue of vacancies is seen as critical, as delays in appointments could severely impact the tribunal’s ability to handle cases related to service matters and disputes involving armed forces personnel.

The court’s intervention is expected to expedite the appointment process and ensure that the tribunal continues to function effectively without disruption.