Author: ForumIAS

Nabbing absconders Context Approval of the promulgation of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Ordinance (FEOO), 2018 by the Union Cabinet Who is a fugitive under the FEOO? A fugitive is defined as someone who has left India to avoid criminal prosecution or who is already overseas and refuses to return to face the law The need… Continue reading Nabbing absconders

Centre seeks suggestions on long term capital gains clause Context Proposed clause in Income Tax act What has happened? The Centre has opened for public discussion its proposed clause in the Income Tax Act that would give the government the power to specify the applicability of the long term capital gains tax and the security… Continue reading Centre seeks suggestions on long term capital gains clause

Back to the court Context Rejection of impeachment motion by Chairman of Rajya Sabha The controversy: Can a presiding officer reject the motion? Section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, says the presiding officer may admit or refuse to admit the motion after holding consultations with such persons as he thinks fit, and considering… Continue reading Back to the court 

Master of the next steps Context Impeachment motion against CJI What has happened? The impeachment motion initiated against CJI has been rejected by chairman of the Upper House Removal of judge of SC A judge of the Supreme Court can be removed from his office by an order of the President. But the President can… Continue reading Master of the next steps 

Death by hanging not barbaric: govt. Context Petition challenging the constitutionality of death penalty Public Interest Litigation The PIL was filed by advocate Rishi Malhotra challenging the constitutionality of hanging to death as a mode of execution Section 354 (5) of the Code of Criminal Procedure mandates that a person sentenced to death shall “be… Continue reading Death by hanging not barbaric: govt.

U.S. to end work permits for H-1B spouses Context Change in H1B rules What has happened? U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is considering changes in the rules that allowed a certain category of H-4 visa holders — spouses of H-1B visa holders — to obtain Employment Authorisation Documents (EAD) Impact Close to 1 lakh… Continue reading U.S. to end work permits for H-1B spouses

BARC develops cheaper, lightweight bulletproof jackets Context Bhabha Kavach What has happened? The Bhabha Atomic Reseach Centre (BARC) has developed a next-generation bulletproof jacket for the Indian armed forces, which is not only cheaper but also much lighter. Bhabha Kavach Bhabha Kavach, named after nuclear physicist Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, the jacket was developed at… Continue reading BARC develops cheaper, lightweight bulletproof jackets

Mediterranean citrus under threat Context Citrus greening disease What has happened? After decimating orange groves in Florida and trees in California and Brazil, citrus greening disease now threatens the key producing region of the Mediterranean, according to researchers Mediterranean region According to the trade magazine FruitTrop, just over one fifth of the oranges, clementines and lemons… Continue reading Mediterranean citrus under threat

3-D map of Milky Way shows 1.7 bn stars Context 450 scientists from 20 countries were involved in the project to catalogue solar system objects What has happened? Europe’s Gaia satellite has produced a 3-D map of more than a billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy — complete with their distance from Earth, colour,… Continue reading 3-D map of Milky Way shows 1.7 bn stars

Revisit AFSPA Context Its revocation in some areas is welcome,but should it be on the statute books at all? What has happened? The Centre’s decision to revoke the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Meghalaya and reduce its ambit in Arunachal Pradesh is welcome insofar as it signifies a willingness to reconsider the use of… Continue reading Revisit AFSPA