HC orders progress report on measures for safety of lions The Gujarat HC expressed concern over the recent deaths of Asiatic lions due to illness in the Gir forest region.
A division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice D N Reshi, hearing a suo motu petition registered in 2018, reviewed conservation efforts and scrutinised safety measures by the state government, the railway department and forest authorities.
The government informed HC that Intrusion Detection Devices are being installed along railway lines passing through lion habitats. The fiber-optic cable project is slated for completion by August. The court directed the joint committee to submit a progress report.
SIT submits report on Deesa 2025 fire tragedy in HC
The Gujarat High Court has begun hearing a PIL into the April 1, 2025, fireworks warehouse fire in Deesa, Banaskantha, which claimed 27 lives, among them seven children. The case, initially filed in the Supreme Court by a Madhya Pradesh petitioner who lost six relatives, was transferred to a bench led by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice DN Reshi.
During the court proceedings, the SIT submitted its report in a sealed cover. The state government told the court that a high level inquiry had held seven officials from the labour and revenue departments responsible, with show cause notices issued. Investigators also flagged structural lapses in licensing.
The matter has been adjourned for further hearing in July.AM
Asaram withdraws bail plea
Self styled godman Asaram on Friday withdrew his application before the Gujarat High Court seeking an extension of his temporary medical bail. The plea related to a 2013 Gandhinagar rape case in which he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Appearing before a division bench of Justice Gita Gopi and Justice LS Pirzada, Asaram's counsel cited the Rajasthan HC's recent ruling that upheld his conviction and life sentence in a separate 2013 rape case.
With the application in Gujarat now officially withdrawn and his convictions upheld, the self-styled spiritual leader will remain behind bars to serve out his concurrent life sentences.AM