Deep Association of Money and Politics

The fear of reprisal and vindictiveness does not evaporate. The so-called protection exists only on paper. – Hon’ble Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India, [Writ Petition (Civil) No. 880 of 2017]. Constitution guarantees a right to informational privacy of political affiliation. Can such right be extended to contributions to political […]

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Pardon Jurisprudence IV

“The finest hour of rule of law is when law disciplines life and matches promise with performance.” A woman deserves respect. Bilkis Yakub Rasool, being an unfortunate victim of heinous crimes, is challenging en-masse remission granted to Respondent Nos. 3 to 13. The place of occurrence of an incident or place of imprisonment are not […]

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Adani Group of Companies

‘Acceptance of a Brief by a Lawyer’ in 2007 cannot be construed to reflect ‘bias’ or even a ‘likelihood of bias’ in 2023. There is an absence of proximity both in terms of time and subject matter. Writ Petitions filed before this Court raised concerns over precipitate decline in investor wealth and volatility in share […]

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The Fundamental Right to Marry

Supriyo @ Surpiya Chakraborty v. UoI Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1011 of 2022 My Lord, LGBTQ persons have a right to marry a person of their choice regardless of religion, gender and sexual orientation? No. A thing, an occurrence, or a practice is ‘Indian’ when it is present in India, takes place here, or is […]

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The Writ of Mandamus IV

The role of Judiciary is to ensure, Legislature and Executive function within constitutional limits. Court has held, effect of Judgments can be nullified. However, nullification of Mandamus would be an impermissible legislative exercise. Respondent No. 1 could not have issued Orders, dated 17.11.2021 and 17.11.2022, in breach of Mandamus issued. – Hon’ble Justice B.R. Gavai, […]

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Magic Formula

My Lord, Political Question? No. Justice Y.V. Chandrachud, as Lordship then was, speaking in Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975) Suppl. SCC 1 held, “principle of separation of powers is not a magic formula.” Irrespective of consequences, an honest person would, ordinarily, unrelentingly take on high and mighty and persevere in righteous path. Appointment […]

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Five Judges in February

Half-baked Lawyers serve no purpose. – Hon’ble Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Bar Council of India v. Bonnie Foi Law College, [Civil Appeal No. 969 of 2023]. _____ We may note, CJI B.P. Sinha’s Dissent in Sardar Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb v. State of Bombay, AIR 1962 SC 853: The right of ex­-communication vested is not […]

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Judges Judged Everyday

Anna Mathews v. Supreme Court of India, [Writ Petition (Civil) No. 148 of  2023] Invariably a number of shoot down and dismissive letters and communications from all quarters are received. Only thereafter, and on consideration, Collegium of Supreme Court takes a final call, which is then communicated to Government. When eligibility is put in question, […]

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Rana Ayyub

The Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 provides for a two-pronged approach, one for dealing with ‘proceeds of crime’ and other for dealing with persons guilty of offence of money-laundering. As articulated in Kaushik Chatterjee v. State of Haryana, (2020) 10 SCC 92 jurisdiction of a Criminal Court is determined by (i) offence and/or (ii) offender. […]

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The Nature of Judicial Power: Hon’ble Justice B.V. Nagarathna

Tirath Ram Rajindra Nath, Lucknow v. State of U.P., AIR 1973 SC 405 held, there is a distinction between encroachment on judicial power and nullification of effect of a judicial decision by changing law retrospectively. The former is outside competence of Legislature. The latter is within its permissible limits. It would be permissible for Legislature […]

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Public Document

Saurav Das has prayed States to enable free public access to a Charge Sheet, filed as per Section 173 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, in furtherance of rationale as established in Youth Bar Association of India v. Union of India, (2016) 9 SCC 473. Reliance on Youth Bar Association of India; Sections 74 […]

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Unchartered Ocean of Policy Decision V / The Demonetization Recommendation

Shri P. Chidambaram submits, result of demonetization was disastrous. But, if Notification No. 3407(E) [08.11.2016] had a nexus with objectives to be achieved, Notification No. 3407(E) [08.11.2016] would not be bad in law merely because some citizens suffered through hardships. It will not be proper for Court to enter into an area which should be […]

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Ethnic

Mumbai witnessed mob frenzy, violence, communal tension and riots from 06.12.1992 to 10.12.1992 and from 06.01.1993 to 20.01.1993. When citizens of Mumbai were about to breathe a sigh of relief, there were serial bomb blasts on 12.03.1993.   The meaning of ‘ethnic’ according to Merriam­-Webster Dictionary is, “of or relating to large groups of people […]

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