The Yakub Hanging

The Last Word: As per standards of Hurra, (2002) 4 SCC 388 a Curative Petition shall be circulated amongst “3 Senior-Most Judges” of SC and “Judges who passed the Judgment complained of, if available”. When a Majority concludes, a hearing is required – it should be listed. Hon’ble Justice Dipak Misra: “Needless to say, the availability […]

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My Name is Memon

Review Petitions, Curative Petitions, Mercy Petitions, Media Petitions are all variations of soft law jurisprudence. Judges are soft. As per standards of Hurra, (2002) 4 SCC 388 a Curative Petition shall be circulated amongst “3 Senior-Most Judges” of SC and “Judges who passed the Judgment complained of, if available”. When a Majority concludes, a hearing is […]

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Oath Against Oath

“It may not always be safe for a Writ Court to decide issues and facts having great impact on general public or a large part of it only on basis of Oath against Oath.” – Hon’ble Justice Dipak Misra, Riju Prasad Sharma v. State of Assam, [Civil Appeal Nos. 3276-3278 of 2013]. ‘Oath against Oath’ […]

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Composite Negligence I

It is settled law, in a case of composite negligence, where injuries have been caused to the claimant by the combined wrongful act of joint tortfeasors, the liability is always joint and several. In Khenyei v. New India Assurance Company Ltd., [Civil Appeal No. 4244 Of 2015] it has been considered, “the claimant has the […]

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Zim Djibouti

On 27.07.2013, 480 drums of Butanone (CH₃CCH₂CH₃) were dispatched from Taiwan by vessel Zim Djibouti, with the port of destination shown as Nhava Seva Port, India. Butanone is a drug percusor, i.e., a substance that can be used to make illicit drugs. Is there an express prohibition on import of a controlled substance, pending grant […]

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Lalita Kumari II

“As per law enunciated in Lalita Kumari v. Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, (2014) 2 SCC 1 registration of FIR is mandatory under Section 154, if information discloses commission of a cognizable offence and Police Officers are duty bound to register same.” 3 Judge Bench, In Re: Indian Woman Gang-Raped, (2014) 4 SCC 786. “Thus, this […]

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Lalita Kumari I

There had been divergent judicial opinions on the issue whether a Police Officer is bound to register a FIR upon receiving any information relating to a commission of a cognizable offence. While some opinions granted the Police Officer the latitude of conducting a preliminary inquiry to test the veracity of the information received, some others […]

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Article 136 and Criminal Appeals I

“It is essential to address the issue of propriety and the conceptual parameters or conceptions based on well-accepted norms and paradigms to exercise the power of this Court under Article 136 of the Constitution. In Arunachalam v. P.S.R. Sadhanatha, (1979) 2 SCC 297 it has been expressed thus: “The power is plenary in the sense that […]

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Journalism/Voyeurism

1999, Assassin Films produced “East is East“, commended as Best British Film at BAFTA Awards. Their recent production, “India’s Daugther”, has received much criticism. East is East. Theodore Bundy’s credentials as a criminal are shocking. Stephen G. Michaud and Hugh Aynesworth received requisite permission to interview him. I do not credit Reporters/Investigators/Politicians with the foresight, years […]

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Section 37 of The NDPS Act I

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 is to “consolidate and amend the law relating to narcotic drugs and to make stringent provisions for the control and regulation of operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances et cetera…” [See, Narcotics Control Bureau vs. Kishan Lal, (1991) 1 SCC 705]. Section 37 has been […]

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The Death of Francesco Montis

The Italian Marine Case has occupied the national consciousness in many ways. Diplomats are feeling the pressure! There are some other Italians too however who have been in the news. Francesco Montis arrived at Varanasi with Tomaso and Elsia on 31st January, 2010. They checked in at Hotel Buddha, Room No. 459. It was unimaginable […]

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The Sting Operator

The expression ‘sting operation’ seems to have emerged from the title of a popular movie called “The Sting” which was screened sometime in the year 1973. The movie was based on a somewhat complicated plot hatched by two persons to trick a third person into committing a crime. Being essentially a deceptive operation, though designed […]

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To, Sanjay Dutt

The Extradition Treaty between Republic of India and Republic of Mauritius was signed at New Delhi on 21.11.2003. The exchange of the Instrument of Ratification of the Treaty took place at Port Louis on 23.06.2008. On 19.04.1993, when Sanjay Dutt was returning after shooting for “Aatish” in Mauritius – there was no Treaty thus. It […]

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Boris and Barbara

In 1993, when admittedly Boris Becker was not entirely focused on Tennis, a German Magazine, STERN, published an article with a picture of Boris Becker posing nude with his dark-skinned fiancée. Sports World and Anandabazar Patrika, in India, reproduced the article and the photograph. Someone in the capacity of an “experienced Advocate and an elderly person” stood his ground on […]

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The Tandoor Murder

Love triangles in a marriage can cut both ways. The ‘woh‘ can be a man too. The incident of Naval Officer K.M. Nanavati gunning down his wife’s paramour, in the late ’50s, has not been forgotten. Truth be told, it is beyond doubt, a man and a woman are both equally likely to wander, and […]

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