Google Appeal, Kishore Biyani “fraud” Tag, Ruckus in Supreme Court & More

“We may say that even a snail may question the speed at which this trial is proceeding"
— Supreme Court commenting on the delays in civil trials

Delhi High Court Becomes Testing Ground for Govt’s Tussle over Colonial Time Leases
The Centre's recent eviction notices to institutions like the Delhi Gymkhana Club and the Ambassador Hotel raise a larger question than mere ownership of prime public land. They showcase a growing pattern of administrative action being tested in court over allegations and apprehensions of inadequate notice, procedural lapses and arbitrary decision-making. 

The Delhi High Court has repeatedly become the first port of call for affected parties seeking protection. With no possibility of having a one-size fit all formula for deciding the issues of ownership-versus-lessor rights particularly in an incredibly prime and important area such as Lutyen’s Delhi, the role of the judiciary to scrutinise executive action and decide on land rights gets reinforced. 

While the government is well within its rights to reclaim public property where warranted, the legitimacy and propriety of that exercise ultimately rests on adherence to due process. The outcome of these cases could influence how future disputes over public premises and long-standing leases are resolved but for now, eviction notices to high-profile properties continue to make headlines.

Courts:  

• Google moves Delhi High Court’s division bench in the trademark keyword advertising case 

• Bombay High Court quashes “fraud” tag on Kishore and Rakesh Biyani attached by Bank of India

• A PIL is filed in the Punjab & Haryana High Court seeking restoration of the controversial film “Satluj” on designated streaming platform Zee5

• Now Ambassador Hotel moves Delhi High Court against eviction notice

• Delhi high Court rejects central government’s rejection over enforcement of $99 million foreign arbitral award in favour of Vedanta and Ravva Oil

• Bombay High Court orders take down of deepfake and Ai-generated content of actor Preity Zinta; Cricketer Abhishek Sharma approaches Delhi High Court for his personality rights; Actor politician Ravi Kishan secures protection to his personality rights from Delhi High Court 

• Delhi High Court orders unblocking of Cockroach Janata Party’s X account after central government says it has no objection

• Delhi High Court seeks Central government’s response on petition by staff and members of the Delhi Gymkhana against eviction notice

Quasi Courts: 

• NCLT Kochi rejects insolvency plea filed by Morgan Securities and Credits Private Ltd against BPL Ltd.

Others:

• Justice Yogesh Khanna appointed Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal

• A litigant creates ruckus in Supreme Court, throws papers, uses unparliamentary language for judges; let go without any adverse action

The Big Listings:

• Jul 15: Delhi High Court to hear Apple Inc.’s plea against India’s competition law’s provisions on global turnover-based penalties on MNC

• Jul 27: Delhi High Court to hear Anil Ambani’s defamation lawsuit against NDTV

• Jul 31: Securities Appellate Tribunal to hear appeal by Jane Street challenging SEBI’s move to allegedly refuse access to important documents to the firm in the case against it

* The dates of hearing can change and a concrete list is prepared just a day before

Legal Moves: 

• Tarunima Vijra joins ArbBoutique as Managing Counsel 

• Gagan Kathuria joins AnantLaw as Partner in Corporate practice

• Jyoti Dastidar joins AquiLaw as partner in New Delhi

• Abhay Chattopadhyay leaves ELP to join Denton Legal Links