[Updated] SC Refuses To Pass Orders For 4G Restoration In J&K; Asks Special Committee To Examine Issues Raised By Petitioners [Read Order]

Refraining from passing positive directions for the restoration of 4G speed internet services in Jammu and Kashmir, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to constitute a "Special Committee" to examine the issues raised by the petitioners. The Committee must be headed by the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.The Court said that a balance has to be struck between the...

Hearing Of Arnab Goswami's Petition [Live-Updates From SC]

SC is hearing ArnabGoswami's plea seeking quashing of FIR filed against him for disturbing communal harmony over the gathering of Migrants in Bandra. Top Court also to hear an application filed by Maharastra Govt. seeking restraining Goswami from interfering in...

Learning At Law School – Of High Tables And Floors

When I was a child, my neighbour used to feed my brother and me whenever my parents went to the village. She would invite me home for food. I would sit on the floor; her entire family would sit at the table.Bahujan scholar and poet Omprakash Valmiki described in his biography, his father's insistence on him pursuing a higher education, despite knowing fully well of the discrimination that his son would inevitably face. A child who had already faced such discrimination from primary school, was...

Migrant Workers Cases : SC Failed To Rise To The Occasion

The unprecedented humanitarian crisis called for a prompt and pro-active response from the judiciary.

A Heartfelt Thank You To A Perfect Mentor, Justice Deepak Gupta

It has been nothing less than an honour for all of us to have been attached with the office of Justice Deepak Gupta. In our tenure we have gotten to learn immensely from him, not just about law but also about being a good person. He never let there be a divide between us and him, and never let us feel intimidated by him. Sir always welcomed our opinions which more often than not, could naturally not match the learned opinions of a Supreme Court Judge. However, he always valued our...

My Ideal Judge

In today's situation in India when the faith of the Indian people in our judiciary has been rudely shaken due to certain events, I would like to mention about a judge, Qazi Sirajuddin, the Qazi-e-Subah of Bengal, as an inspiration and beacon of hope for many upright judges who still exist in the Indian judiciary. Having been a Judge myself for 20 years ( from 1991 to 2011 ) I have studied the lives and works of numerous judges in the world, many of whom are my heroes for their uprightness,...

Not 'Distinguished' Enough? The Tale Of Article 124(3)(c) Of The Constitution

Next month, Professor Andrew Burrows (University of Oxford) shall be sworn in as a Justice/Judge of the United Kingdom Supreme Court. Prof. Burrows is following the footsteps of the great Baroness Lady Hale (former Chief Justice of the Court and author of the judgment quashing the prorogation of the UK Parliament) who had also travelled from the academy to the Bench. Appointment of a law professor or an academician as a Judge is not uncommon. In fact, some of the greatest Judges have been...

Vizag Gas Leak: 'Strict Liability' Or 'Absolute Liability'?

On Friday, the National Green Tribunal ordered LG Polymers to deposit Rs. 50 Crores with the District Magistrate, Vishakhapatnam, in connection to a major leak of Styrene gas from its polymer plant situated in RR Venkatapuram village.However, the NGT observed in the order that the situation attracted the principle of "strict liability"."Leakage of hazardous gas at such a scale...

After COVID-19 Outbreak In Mumbai's Arthur Road Prison, Several Prisoners Seek Release On Bail; Bombay HC Says Even Prisoners Have Right To Life

As over 100 prisoners and staff members of Arthur Road jail have tested positive for Covid-19, it has created a panic amongst the inmates, especially those with a medical condition like hyper-tension, diabetes etc. Justice Bharati Dangre on Friday heard several different applications filed by undertrial prisoners seeking bail on medical grounds. One of the accused who sought release...

Justice Deepak Gupta : An Uncompromising Judge

The average tenure of a Judge of the Supreme Court of India (the Court) is about four years. If a Judge has more than five years, he/she would definitely retire from the front courts (Courts 1 to 5); be a member of the collegium - determine who is elevated to the Supreme Court; if sitting in the first three courts, the person would also have a say in who becomes a High Court judge anywhere in India. If it is the average tenure, the person would preside for about two years and retire,...

'Many Migrants Lost Lives Due To Long Walk & Hunger' : Karnataka HC Directs Govt To Inform Policy On Special Trains [Read Order]

The Karnataka High Court has asked the state government to place on record its policy laying down the manner in which all the migrant workers who wish to travel back to their home States can be allowed to travel back to their respective States."We direct the State to place on record in what manner the State is going to arrange for operation of special trains for the benefit of migrants",...

Despite High Court Direction, Trial Courts in Rajasthan Continue to Mention Caste In Orders

An order passed by the Rajasthan High Court on April 24 adjourning the hearing on a bail application had attracted public attention as the counsel in that case had appeared before the bench in "inappropriate" attire, via video conferencing.This news also brought to highlight a practice followed by the Court to mention the caste of the party in the cause title, which came under serious...