Maharashtra gets notice in 26/11 case

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on the Maharashtra government's appeal challenging the Bombay high court order acquitting two people accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on the Maharashtra government's appeal challenging the Bombay high court order acquitting two people accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

A bench headed by justice Aftab Alam, however, made it clear that the state government's case was weak.

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"With regard to the seriousness of the matter, we issue notice but you (Maharashtra government) have a weak case," the bench observed, issuing notice to Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, the alleged Indian conspirators in the attack.

The court, however, refused to pass any order on Ajmal Kasab's letter in which he has challenged his death sentence in the case.

Women army officers
In a boost to the women officers fighting for permanent commission, the SC on Friday directed the army to reinstate 11 of its officers who retired while their petition was pending before the Delhi high court. The 11 were amongst the petitioners who had moved HC seeking direction to the government to give them permanent commission.

UP cabinet secretary
The SC on Friday issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre on the appointment of Shashank Singh as the state's cabinet secretary on a petition seeking his removal on the ground he wasn't an IAS officer. A petition, filed by Uttar Pradesh resident Harish Chandra Pandey, alleged that despite being a non-IAS Singh had been appointed at posts meant for IAS cadre candidates.

Plea for Anna
The SC on Friday declined to entertain a plea challenging Anna Hazare's arrest, hours before his anti-corruption fast. The petitioner claimed it was violation of his fundamental rights. A SC bench turned down the public interest litigation as none of the aggrieved persons were before the court.