Areas Of Operation Of UAPA, PMLA, And NIA Act

THE RESPECTIVE AREAS OF OPERATION OF –1. THE UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES (PREVENTION) ACT, 1967 (“UAP ACT”)2. THE PREVENTION OF MONEY-LAUNDERING ACT, 2002 (“PMLA ACT”)3. THE NATIONAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY ACT, 2008 (“NIA ACT”)Sl. No: I N N E R T I T L E SPARA NO:T H E U A P A C T, 1 9 6 7 “Unlawful activity” Notes by the author Terrorist activities Terrorist act Section 15 reproduced Contents of the four Schedules 1111111OFFENCES AND ...

The Chair, The Flow, And The Humility Of Service

There comes a point in every judge's journey when one pauses to reflect on what it means to sit in “the chair.” This is no ordinary piece of furniture, no ordinary position. For those who have walked into courtrooms day after day, it can often feel as though the chair itself alters the very dimensions of one's being. As individuals, we may be beset by ordinary weakness, by self-doubt, by the hesitations that every human being carries. Yet, when we ascend that seat of justice, something within us...

On Pakistan's Judicial Dissent : A Lesson

Pakistan, a nation often characterized by structural weakness, an unstable economy, and repressive laws, has once again enacted a controversial constitutional change: the 27th Constitutional Amendment. This amendment fundamentally alters the balance of power among the State institutions, particularly strengthening the military's role. The ensuing dissent from the country's judiciary serves as a powerful reminder to the Indian judiciary of the importance of never yielding to external forces.The...

Mass Pushbacks In Assam – Denied Rights, Displaced Lives

The National Register of Citizens (NRC) which aimed at identifying undocumented migrants has caused havoc in the North Eastern region of India, especially in Assam, since the day of its enactment. As a concept, NRC was first floated in 1951, with Assam as the first state. The objective of NRC in Assam was to deal with the influx of illegal migrants. It is important to note that that NRC in Assam alone has excluded 19 lakh people in the final list published in 2019. The entire Assam Movement was...

When Tribunals Forget Their Limits: NCLT's Personal Summons And Boundaries Of Statutory Power

The National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench, recently passed an order in Bank of India v B.E. Billimoria & Co. Ltd. (15 October 2025) directing the Chairman of a nationalised bank to appear in person and file a personal affidavit. The summons was issued in the course of a delay condonation application, where the Tribunal described the Chairman's conduct regarding the custody and handling of money as “unsatisfactory and unbecoming”.The order cites no statutory provision empowering such a...

Uneven Implementation And Executive Discretion: Rethinking Restitution Under Section 8(8) Of PMLA

As per Section 8(8) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (“PMLA”), the Special Court is empowered to direct the Central Government to restore property that has been confiscated under the Act to a person or claimant who has a legitimate interest in it, upon conclusion of the trial. To qualify, the claimant must demonstrate that they acted in good faith, were not involved in the money-laundering offence, took reasonable precautions, and suffered a quantifiable loss. This provision seeks...

Resale Price Maintenance Under Competition Law: A Closer Look At Maruti Suzuki Case

Resale price maintenance (“RPM”) is a price maintenance mechanism where the manufacturing company agrees to sell the product on condition that the purchaser can resell for the stipulated price fixed by the producer, unless it is clearly stated that prices lower than those prices may be charged. This means that although the possession of the goods is with dealers, the resale price is controlled by the producer. These types of agreements are suspicious for regulatory bodies since agreements have...

Responding To Child Marriage Structurally

About 86% of victims of child early and forced marriages (CEFM) are girls. Every third child bride in the world is an Indian. Child marriage is any marriage in which at least one party is below the legal age of marriage. It is a violation of human rights and one of India's persistent challenge. Most child marriages involve girls being married to older men, reinforcing patriarchal norms and gender inequality. Marriage at a young age means the end of education, loss of opportunities, and potential...

NCLAT's Firm Message On Liquidation: Lessons From Independent TV Case

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's (NCLAT) recent decision upholding the liquidation of Independent TV Ltd. marks a significant reaffirmation of one of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code's (IBC) core principles time-bound resolution. In dismissing Reliance Realty Ltd.'s appeal and directing that liquidation be completed “in the shortest possible time,” the NCLAT has sent a strong signal to stakeholders: liquidation is not to be stalled by belated claims or procedural...

Sixteen And Illusion Of Maturity: A Collision Of Consent, Health, And Vulnerability

The Supreme Court's ongoing deliberation on whether to reduce the age of consent under the POCSO Act from 18 to 16 has stirred intense debate across the country. The 'age of consent' — the age at which the law recognises an individual's ability to consent to sexual activity — has evolved over time in India, moving from 10 to 12, then 16, and finally 18 years, reflecting the nation's efforts to curb child marriage and sexual exploitation.But today, the issue is far more complex. With rising cases...

The Ghosts of Nithari: When Suspicion Cannot Substitute Justice

"When proof fails, the only lawful outcome is to set aside the conviction, even in a case involving horrific crimes. Suspicion, however grave, cannot replace proof beyond a reasonable doubt."[1] The Supreme Court stated while acquitting the accused in the present case.A Tragedy UnresolvedIn December 2006, India recoiled in horror. Skeletal remains of eight children emerged from a drain behind a bungalow in Noida's Nithari village. The discovery unveiled one of India's most appalling criminal...

The Tryst Renewed: Zohran Mamdani And Hint Of A Nehruvian Democratic Socialist Revival

A Moment Beyond New York: Why Mamdani MattersZohran Mamdani's rise from a grassroots assembly member in Queens to the Mayor of New York City marks not merely a political shift in America, but a philosophical one that resonates across continents. For Indian observers, his victory represents a symbolic renewal of Jawaharlal Nehru's democratic-socialist vision, once inscribed in the Preamble of India's Constitution: to secure justice social, economic, and political liberty, equality, and fraternity...