New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) The Delhi High Court has sought to know from the central and city government why it cannot provide publications on homoeopathy free of cost in jail to a prime accused in 2006 Mumbai serial train blasts.
Justice Rajeev Shakdher asked both governments to inform about the problem in providing the free publications to the accused for study.
The court also asked the government to inform it about the status of case of Ehtesham Qutubuddin Siddiqui, lodged in a Mumbai jail.
Siddiqui had written a letter to Delhi High Court, which was converted into a PIL, seeking a direction that he be provided 45 publications on homoeopathy free of cost in jail for studying as he was too poor to afford them.
Hearing the plea, the court suggested advocate Rajdeepa Behura, who appeared for the Delhi government, that jail authorities can purchase the publications and put them in jail liberary from where the accused can study.
"What's the problem in providing the books to accused? Jail must be having a library.. it can purchase the books and put there in library. Take instruction on the issue and also on the status of case in which accused is lodged in the jail," asked Justice Shakdher.
One of the prime accused in the Mumbai train blasts attacks of 2006, in which seven bombs kept in first-class coaches of Mumbai's suburban trains and at railway stations had killed 187, Siddiqui has been lodged in jail since 2006.
Siddiqui had sought copies of books published by the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH), Delhi under the RTI act to study but the council refused on the ground that these were "priced publications" and hence could not be given free. His request for soft copies was also turned down, citing copyright laws.
After his pleas to the CCRH and the Central Information Commission were turned down, Siddiqui drafted a letter and mailed it to the Delhi High Court in April 2012.
Siddiqui argued that since he fell in the below poverty line category, a fact verified by the Bombay High Court registrar, he should be given this "information" free of cost.
He cited Section 7(5) of the RTI Act that said that even for supplying a priced publication, no fee shall be charged from people in the poor category.
Siddiqui also raised questions over invoking of copyright laws, pointing out that providing soft copies does not violate the same unless the copies are published by anyone for financial gains without their permission.
MEA on Afghanistan: Hamid Ansari's statement, foreign ministry's statement on aid to Afghanistan and Ukraine crisis, know what it said?
Hamid Ansari Democracy remark: There was a press conference on many issues from the Ministry of External Affairs. In this, the spokesperson of the ministry, Arindam Bagchi, responded to the statement
DCW Chief was heavy for opposing Sajid: Told - Rape threats are being received only after writing the letter, demanding the police to punish the accused
Delhi Commission for Women Chief Swati Maliwal recently opposed Sajid's stay in Bigg Boss. Since then, the demand for Sajid's exit from the show has intensified. Now recently Swati tweeted that she
LG's rotating phone cheap by Rs 40,000, know how much smartphone is available now
LG may have announced to discontinue its smartphone unit, but the price of its rotating smartphone LG Wing has been reduced significantly. The company has reduced about 40,000 rupees from this phone.
ICC T20I Batting Ranking: Suryakumar Yadav retains the number one position in the T20 batting rankings, and Rizwan continues in second place
ICC has released the batsmen's ranking of T20 International. In this ranking, India's star batsman Suryakumar Yadav continues to hold the number one position. Suryakumar Yadav is holding the first
PM Modi's announcement: 50 percent seats in private medical colleges will attract fees equal to government
The government has decided to give a big relief to the medical students. Now 50 percent of seats in private medical colleges will attract the same fees as government medical colleges. This was
Ram Mandir: There will be a total of 44 doors in the temple...18 doors, out of which 14 are gold studded; But entry is through only one door
Ramlala's temple is not being called divine and grand just like that. The huge temple spread over 70.5 acres will have 44 gates. Of these, 18 gates will be equipped with doors. Of these also 14 will
Israel-Hamas War: 'If needed, Israel will stand alone', Netanyahu said on US threat to stop arms
A fierce war has been going on in the Gaza Strip for more than seven months. Meanwhile, the Israeli army has said it has the necessary weapons to advance its attacks on Gaza's southern city of Rafah.
Questions arose after the Bijapur Naxalite attack: Was the strategy of the security forces weak, the top officers hurriedly launched the operation for adventure?
In the Naxalite attack on 3 April in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, 23 soldiers were killed. The attack has raised questions about the strategy and operation of the officers sitting at the top level.
Bills on e-rickshaws, coal introduced in Lok Sabha
New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) The government on Monday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to facilitate plying of e-rickshaws and e-carts and a bill to provide for allocation of coal mines. The two
Contradiction within BJD over PM's video conference
Bhubaneswar, March 23 (IANS) Leaders of the ruling BJD in Odisha on Monday offered contradictory views over a monthly video conference by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with state chief
