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.
Stirred: Nepal variant of Corona created panic in Europe, scientists said - even the vaccine does not have an effect
A new variant of the coronavirus has once again created panic in Europe. According to media reports, this variant of Corona was first found in Nepal, which has gradually engulfed Europe as well.
Pakistan: 'Former ISI chief wanted to bring back TTP terrorists', reveals minister Riyaz Peerzada
The round of allegations and counter-allegations between political parties in Pakistan is not taking its name to stop. In this series, Human Rights Minister Riyaz Hussain Peerzada has now denied the
Congress President Election: The race for the post of Congress President became interesting, will Digvijay vs Shashi Tharoor be an election?
Now only one day is left for the nomination of Congress President. The suspense about the presidency is still intact. As Returning Officer Madhusudan Mistry is not in Delhi on 29th September,
Parliament: Parliament's approval for the Family Court Amendment Bill, will get statutory recognition in Himachal and Nagaland
The Family Court (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament on Thursday. Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the amendment bill in Rajya Sabha. Explaining the need for amendment, he said
CM MK Stalin demands the Center to remove Hindi from government offices, appeals to make Tamil the official language.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has made an absurd demand to remove official language Hindi from central government offices. He says that this has happened due to the decisions of the BJP. He said
Sheikh Hasina: Whether to return Sheikh Hasina or not... India should decide, Bangladesh's Yunus government's statement causes panic
Sheikh Hasina, who left the country and the post of Prime Minister on August 5, is currently in India. But Bangladesh is upset with Sheikh Hasina being in India. This is why Bangladesh's Foreign
IMF praised India's direct cash transfer scheme, saying - this scheme is nothing short of a miracle
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday praised India's direct cash transfer scheme. Along with this, it was called a 'Logistical Marvel'. Also said that it is a big deal to successfully
Nirmala Sithraman : Shehnai rang at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's house; daughter parkala married with pratik
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's daughter has tied the knot. Union minister's daughter Parakala Wangmayi tied the knot with Prateek of Gujarat in a simple ceremony held at his Bengaluru
Mika Singh has rejected 150 relationships in 20 years, told - why are you getting married now?
After performing in many weddings, now it seems that soon Mika Singh is also going to tie the knot. In this age of dating apps, Mika Singh has decided to select the princess of his dreams through a
Russia-Ukraine War: America will give another military aid package of US $ 3.75 billion to Ukraine
America has once again extended its hand to give military and economic help to Ukraine. The US has announced more than USD 3.75 billion in military aid for Ukraine and European allies. US Secretary of
