Assam Lawyers'

16/01/2026

The Supreme Court has on Friday (January 16) rejected Allahabad high court judge Justice Yashwant Varma’s plea challenging the Lok Sabha speaker’s decision to form a committee in the impeachment motion moved against him in connection with the discovery of unaccounted cash currencies at his official residence, LiveLaw reported.

A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and S.C. Sharma observed that the speaker committed “no illegality in constituting the committee”, and that Justice Varma “is not entitled to any relief”.

Dismissing the plea, the bench said that “no interference is called for” by the court.

Reserving the order in the matter on January 8, Justice Datta had said that “there is some infirmity” in the Lok Sabha Speaker’s constitution of the inquiry committee, but questioned if it “would go to such an extent that this entire committee has to be quashed.”

The bench had further noted, “We have to balance the rights of the judge to be proceeded against as well as the members who have an independent right under the law to move a motion and get it admitted.”

The main point raised in Justice Varma’s petition is that despite impeachment notices being moved in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on the same day (July 21), Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla proceeded to constitute the committee on his own, without awaiting the Rajya Sabha chairman’s decision or holding the mandatory joint consultation prescribed by law. This, he argued, is contrary to Section 3(2) of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

Read more on thewire.in

13/01/2026

Concerning.

Australia has placed India in the “highest-risk” category for student visa applicants, tightening scrutiny under its visa regime and subjecting Indian students to more stringent checks. The revised classification, which also includes Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan, came into force on January 8.

Under the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), the four South Asian countries have been moved from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3, the most restrictive category. The Australian media described the decision as an out-of-cycle reassessment, while authorities said it was prompted by “emerging integrity risks.”

Explaining the rationale, the administration said the change was aimed at strengthening oversight without deterring genuine applicants. “This change will assist with the effective management of emerging integrity issues, while continuing to facilitate genuine students seeking a quality education in Australia.”

“The Australian government wants all students to have a positive study experience during their stay in Australia and receive a high-quality education. It is important that Australia’s international education system and Student Visa Program has the right settings to provide international students with confidence they are investing in the best possible education,” it added, emphasising the broader objective.

For Indian students, the reclassification means a more intensive visa assessment process. Applications will now be subject to closer examination, with authorities likely to seek additional documentation and conduct detailed background checks.

Read more on thewire.in

13/01/2026

Australia has placed India in the “highest-risk” category for student visa applicants, tightening scrutiny under its visa regime and subjecting Indian students to more stringent checks. The revised classification, which also includes Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan, came into force on January 8.

Under the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), the four South Asian countries have been moved from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3, the most restrictive category. The Australian media described the decision as an out-of-cycle reassessment, while authorities said it was prompted by “emerging integrity risks.”

Explaining the rationale, the administration said the change was aimed at strengthening oversight without deterring genuine applicants. “This change will assist with the effective management of emerging integrity issues, while continuing to facilitate genuine students seeking a quality education in Australia.”

“The Australian government wants all students to have a positive study experience during their stay in Australia and receive a high-quality education. It is important that Australia’s international education system and Student Visa Program has the right settings to provide international students with confidence they are investing in the best possible education,” it added, emphasising the broader objective.

For Indian students, the reclassification means a more intensive visa assessment process. Applications will now be subject to closer examination, with authorities likely to seek additional documentation and conduct detailed background checks.

Read more on thewire.in