No maintenance for educated wife, HC advises her to work

No maintenance for educated wife, HC advises her to work

Abhinav.Garg@timesofindia.com 20.03.2025

New Delhi : Delhi High Court has underlined that a well-educated wife qualified to work must not deliberately remain idle, only to receive maintenance from the husband. Denying relief to one such estranged wife who did her master’s in international business from Australia and worked in Dubai but preferred not to work, the court stressed that law doesn’t promote idling. “A well-educated wife, with experience in a suitable gainful job, ought not to remain idle solely to gain maintenance from her husband. Therefore, interim maintenance is being discouraged in the present case as this court can see potential in the petitioner to earn and make good of her education,” Justice CD Singh observed on Tuesday. 

The court said wives having the earning capacity and qualification but remaining idle should not set up a claim for interim maintenance. “Section 125 of CrPC carries the legislative intent to maintain equality among the spouses, provide protection to the wives, children and parents, and not promote idleness... A well-educated wife, with ex perience in a suitable gainful job, ought not to remain idle solely to gain maintenance from her husband,” it observed, dismissing the woman’s plea against a trial court order denying her interim maintenance from her husband. HC explained that courts need to be satisfied if the wife is genuinely in need of maintenance and the factors leading to such a need for maintenance and encouraged the petitioner to look for a job to become self-sufficient, saying she had wide exposure and was aware of worldly affairs, unlike other uneducated women who were completely dependent on their spouses for basic sustenance. 

“This court is unable to comprehend the fact as to why, despite being able-bodied and well qualified, the petitioner has chosen to remain idle since her return to India,” the bench noted, acknowledging her qualifications and past employment record. “There is no reason why she ought not to be in a position to also maintain herself in the future.” It added that though the woman claimed she was trying to find a job, neither did she place any evidence to support her claim nor resume her business activities. “Mere assertion of job-seeking, without corroborative evidence, is insufficient to establish genuine efforts of self-sufficiency,” it noted. The court highlighted WhatsApp chats between the woman and her mother where the latter advises that employment would jeopardise the alimony claims. 

“This communication, preceding the maintenance petition, strongly suggests a deliberate attempt to remain unemployed to seek maintenance claims,” the court said. The couple married in Dec 2019 and left for Singapore. The woman said she returned to India in Feb 2021 allegedly because of the cruelty meted out to her by her estranged husband and his family members. In June 2021, she filed a petition for maintenance.

Missing fee records: GU withholds degrees

Missing fee records: GU withholds degrees 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  20.03.2025

Ahmedabad : A new controversy has emerged at Gujarat University’s animation department regarding fee-related issues of reserved category students. Recently, students raised concerns about their mark sheets and degree certificates being withheld due to unpaid fees. However, university officials have now admitted that they do not have any statistical data on how many students paid their fees. A student leader formally requested the exact figures, but the university failed to provide any details. It was also revealed that the former coordinator, Kawaljit Lakhtariya, did not maintain proper records regarding fee payments. Due to this lack of data, the department has withheld the mark sheets and degree certificates of all students, causing severe inconvenience. Additionally, the newly appointed in-charge registrar has also confirmed that no official records of fee payments are available. As a result, only students who can personally provide proof of payment are receiving their mark sheets, while others remain deprived. The incident has raised serious concerns about the university’s administrative efficiency, and students are demanding an immediate resolution to the issue.

High court stays GST action against Gujarat Medical Council, other boards

High court stays GST action against Gujarat Medical Council, other boards 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 20.03.2025

Ahmedabad : The Gujarat high court on Thursday stayed the Goods & Services Tax (GST) department from taking any action against five different councils and boards that regulate and register practitioners of different systems of medicine in the state over payment of taxes. According to the case details, the director general of GST Intelligence (DGGI) issued notices to the Gujarat Medical Council, the Council of Homeopathic System of Medicine, the Gujarat Board of Ayurvedic and Unani System of Medicine, the Gujarat State Dental Council and the Gujarat State Council for Physiotherapy under Section 74 of the GST Act. 

It stated that these bodies are corporates and have GST numbers as well, for they provide services in lieu of charging fees. Hence, their services are taxable under the GST law. After getting expert opinion, these councils and boards replied to the department and conveyed that they are not liable to pay GST because they are not private corporate bodies but were formed under the statutes and they act as extended govt bodies. However, the department insisted that these councils and boards are not govt companies, but body corporates and therefore are liable to pay taxes on the services they offer. According to advocate Neel Lakhani, who appeared for DGGI, the councils and boards filed petitions in the HC claiming that they are not taxable persons and demanded that the communication issued by the GST department be quashed. 

After a preliminary hearing, Justice Bhargav Karia and Justice D N Ray issued a notice seeking a reply from the department by May 1, and directed the department not to take any coercive action against the petitioners until then

‘Two with criminal records selected for panel to choose VC’ HC ISSUES NOTICES

‘Two with criminal records selected for panel to choose VC’  HC ISSUES NOTICES 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 18.03.2025

 Bhopal : A division bench of MP high court issued notices to respondents in a petition charging that persons with criminal background have been selected in the committee formed to suggest a panel of names for the post of vice-chancellor, Indira Gandhi national tribal university. The court further said that appointment of vice chancellor will be subject to the final decision of the court on the petition. Ajay Mishra from Anuppur town in his petition said that a three-member committee has been constituted to suggest names for the post of vice-chancellor to Indira Gandhi national tribal university. The two names of the committee were recommended by the executive council of the university while the third name was chosen by the President of India. 

The two members recommended by the executive council have criminal cases pending against them, he said, praying the court that they be dropped from the committee. The union education ministry, vice-chancellor, registrar and three professors of Indira Gandhi national tribal university have been named as respondents in the case. The bench comprising chief justice S K Kait and Justice Vivek Jain, while asking respondents to give a reply to the petition within three weeks on an affidavit, said appointment of V-C of the tribal university will be subject to court decision on the petition.

HC orders TN to consider making woman prof RGGGH dean

HC orders TN to consider making woman prof RGGGH dean

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  18.03.2025

Chennai : Madras high court has criticised the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) for not considering the administrative experience of a petitioner to include her in the panel for appointment as dean to Rajiv Gandhi Govt General Hospital (RGGGH) in Chennai. Justice N Anand Venkatesh observed that the petitioner’s name was dropped ‘like a hot potato’, and the authorities are taking a hypertechnical stand that the petitioner holding the incharge position cannot be considered. 

“The authorities have virtually used the services of the petitioner as the HoD whenever it is favourable to them and are denying her position as the HOD when it comes to recognising her administrative experience. Such a stand taken by the authorities is quite un- fortunate and cannot be entertained,” the court said. 

The issue pertains to a plea moved by Dr Priya Pasupathy challenging a GO issued by the department dated Oct 1, 2024, as it does not include the petitioner’s name in the panel for the post of dean in RGGGMC, Chennai. The department clarified that the petitioner completed five years as a professor; however, she was not qualified as she does not possess 1-year mandatory administrative experience for the post. Opposing the stand, the petitioner submitted that she served as a director, Institute of Community Medicine, Madras Medical College (MMC) from May 1, 2020, to Aug 18, 2020. This apart, she also served as chief warden of the women’s hostel in the MMC, as a deputy warden of the ladies hostel at Kilpauk Medical College, and as the head of the department (HOD) of community medicine at the MMC. 

Recording the submissions, the court said if the stand of the authorities is taken to its logical conclusion, then the recognition and the renewal obtained from the NMC based on the signature subscribed by the petitioner as the HOD will become questionable. “It would mean that such recognition and renewal were obtained by portraying an unqualified person as the HOD before the NMC,” the court said. The court then allowed the plea and directed the department to include the name of the petitioner for the post of dean in the GMC by placing her in the appropriate position as per the seniority within four weeks.

‘Physiotherapists are docs, can seek Dr. title from ministry’

‘Physiotherapists are docs, can seek Dr. title from ministry’ 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 17.03.2025 .BHOPAL 

Bhopal :The Madhya Pradesh govt clarified its position on the recognition of physiotherapists as “doctors” in response to inquiries from Brajendra Pratap Singh, MLA of Panna. The Public Health and Medical Department, in a written response during the budget session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, stated that physiotherapists are recognized as doctors by law according to the gazettes of both the Indian and Madhya Pradesh govts, according to Vidhan Sabha reply from MP health minister Rajendra Shukla. These gazettes define physiotherapy and the scope of a physiotherapist’s practice. 

“Physiotherapy is defined as a person who practices, provides treatment and advises on physical therapy by means of a comprehensive examination and appropriate investigation of individuals using physical modalities including exercise, mobility, manual therapy, electrical and thermal agents and other electro-therapeutic techniques for the prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, health promotion and recovery of movement or functional dysfunction, dysfunction, disorder, disability, trauma and disease and for the purpose of recovery and pain.” The gazette further states that a physiotherapist can operate independently or within a multi-disciplinary team and must hold a minimum of a graduate degree. 

The Madhya Pradesh Nursing Home Act 1973 mandates that any facility offering physiotherapy services must employ a physiotherapist with a bachelor’s degree. Madhya Pradesh clarifies the legal recognition and employment status of physiotherapists. 

The state govt confirmed physiotherapists are legally recognized as doctors under the National Commission for Allied and Health Care Professions Act-2021. This recognition grants them authority to practice, diagnose, and treat independently. The Madhya Pradesh Allied and Health Care Professions Rules 2024, enacted under the 2021 Act, are in effect. 

The state govt stated, “Clear instructions regarding permission to physiotherapists to use the title Dr. with their name can be obtained from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and action can be taken accordingly.” Regarding employment, the Madhya Pradesh Paramedical Council has 3,028 registered physiotherapists: 286 with master’s degrees and 2,742 with bachelor’s degrees. As of March 13, 2025, no regular physiotherapist positions are approved in Primary Health Centers or Community Health Centers under the 2024 state-approved standard. Data on registered physiotherapist clinics are currently being compiled. The National Health Mission has approved 107 contractual physiotherapist positions, 94 of which are filled, leaving 13 vacancies.

AI ethical monitoring system a must to curb academic dishonesty

AI ethical monitoring system a must to curb academic dishonesty

Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com 17.03.2025

With the Supreme Court highlighting technology integration, lower courts will use technically inclined lawyers as their number rises. AI is gradually transforming the legal education system but there is still a wide technical divide that needs to be bridged. The lack of formal integration of AI into legal education in Indian colleges is the biggest challenge that needs to be addressed. Vageshwari Deswal, professor, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, says, “Colleges can enhance students’ understanding of complex legal theories, case laws, and statutes using AI tools. These technologies provide swift access to vast data, making legal research simpler. Simulated classrooms, techenabled virtual client counselling sessions, and mock sessions with AI chatbots can better equip students for real courtroom experiences. Students must learn that AI cannot contextualise data nor replace human reasoning or judgment.” 

“The integration of AI is a work in progress that demands adapting to the technology while preserving the core principles of legal education,” says V Shyam Kishore, dean, Alliance School of Law, Alliance University, Bengaluru. Before incorporating AI into the curriculum, it is crucial to educate students, faculty, and administrators about AI’s benefits, and limitations. “Understanding and using AI tools will become a fundamental skill in future, just like how legal professionals today are expected to know how to use MS Office, legal research databases, and citation tools,” he adds. The legal sector is rapidly adopting AI-driven tools, with several software applications already available for legal research, litigation support, and compliance monitoring. Kishore says, “Many of these tools are already being used by legal firms and institutions to streamline processes, improve research, and enhance efficiency. 

However, most of these AI-powered solutions are designed for global markets and must be tailored to India’s unique legal framework.” Currently, there is no national regulatory framework governing the use of AI in law schools, as the BCI is yet to update its policies to reflect the growing role of AI. Kishore says, “The establishment of AI governance mechanisms in law schools is required to regulate AI’s ethical and pedagogical use. AI ethics committees should be formed to monitor AI-assisted legal research and prevent academic dishonesty. These committees should align with ethical AI guidelines, such as those from NITI Aayog, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and international standards like OECD and UNESCO.”