PIL on US snooping: SC says no jurisdiction

The Supreme Court Monday cited its lack of jurisdiction to pass orders

The Supreme Court Monday cited its lack of jurisdiction to pass orders against the US government for snooping on internet data from India. A PIL had sought action against internet firms for sharing information with foreign authorities.

Our jurisdiction is limited to directions against the state for violation of any of the fundamental rights. American people and its government cannot be covered under Article 21 (right to life) and it is available only against the state, said a Bench of Justices A K Patnaik and Ranjan Gogoi.

The court pointed out the need to establish which fundamental right is being sought to be enforced by petitioner Prof S N Singh,former dean of law faculty,DU. It asked Singh to come prepared on the aspect of violation of fundamental rights on June 28.

Singh in his petition has alleged that large-scale spying by the US authorities was detrimental to national security and had urged the SC to intervene. He contended that it was a breach of national security since governments official communication had also come under the US surveillance.

On Saturday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to visit the affected areas and is likely to meet families of the victims.

Bahraich faces new ‘wolf attacks’: 4 children mauled, 16 injured this month

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As many as four children have been killed and 16 injured in wild animal attacks, suspected to be wolves, in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district this month — a chilling reminder of similar incidents that haunted the region last year. The body of one of the children is still missing. All those injured are adults, except for one child.

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