In Shrimati Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Shri Raj Narain, [1976 2 SCR 347] Ray CJ. and Chandrachud J. had laid stress on rule of law in our constitutional scheme. The term ‘rule of law’ is not a magic lamp which can be scratched to invoke a power which brings to any person in need whatever […]
Read more "The Discomfort of ADM Jabalpur II"Hon’ble Justice L. Nageswara Rao in State of Tamil Nadu v. G. Hemalathaa, Civil Appeal No. 6669 of 2019 quoted Chief Justice John Roberts in Caperton v. A.T. Massey, 556 U.S. 868 (2009). “Extreme cases often test the bounds of established legal principles. There is a cost to yielding to the desire to correct the […]
Read more "Hard Cases Make Bad Law"“The circumstances under which an employee can withdraw the resignation tendered by him and what are the limitations to the exercise of such right, have been dealt by this Court in a number of decisions. It is well settled, normally, until the resignation becomes effective, it is open to an employee to withdraw his resignation. […]
Read more "Prospective Resignation"P.S. Malik, Additional District Judge [Dwarka, New Delhi], against whom disciplinary proceedings alleging sexual harassment is underway, filed a Writ Petition under Article 32. Supreme Court was quick to note, expression of opinion by Court on issues relevant and material in a disciplinary inquiry may cause prejudice. An important question was considered, nonetheless. The word […]
Read more "The Revival of Ray XXV"It is admitted, after a personal hearing took place on 30.07.2011, no decision was passed on objections submitted by land-owners, either allowing or disallowing their objections; nor was any communication sent to them. It is abundantly clear, in absence of an order being passed as contemplated by Section 20D of The Railways Act, 1989 no […]
Read more "Non-Communicated File Notings I"“While the powers the High Court may exercise under its Writ Jurisdiction are not subject to strict legal principles, two clear principles emerge with respect to when a High Court’s Writ Jurisdiction may be engaged. First, the decision of the High Court to entertain or not entertain a particular action under its Writ Jurisdiction is […]
Read more "Writ Jurisdiction of High Courts I"“It is the experience of the Judge that comes to his aid and the said experience should be used with care, caution, circumspection and courageous prudence.” – Hon’ble Justice Dipak Misra, Vikram Anantrai Doshi, (2014) 15 SCC 29. _____ I) Shankar, (2019) 5 SCC 166. II) Manjit Singh v. State of Punjab, [Criminal Appeal No. […]
Read more "Compromising the Non-Compoundable"“In Kunhayammed, (2000) 6 SCC 359 this Court held, “logic underlying Doctrine of Merger is, there cannot be more than one Decree or operative Orders governing same subject-matter at a given point of time. Doctrine of Merger is not of universal or unlimited application.” This position of law has been recently affirmed and reiterated by […]
Read more "The Doctrine of Merger II"Uncontrolled and indiscriminate entry of persons, Hindu or Muslim, from Pakistan into India or from India to Pakistan, is fraught with the possibility of espionage and sabotage. When employed for espionage, care is taken to see, he does not know who his real employers are but knows only the name of his contact man, whose […]
Read more "The Golden Lasso of Truth"“Judicial Review, as is well known, lies against the decision-making process and not the merits of the decision itself. If the decision-making process is flawed inter alia by violation of the basic principles of natural justice, is ultra-vires the powers of the decision maker, takes into consideration irrelevant materials or excludes relevant materials, admits materials […]
Read more "The Nature of Judicial Power: Constitutional Ethos I"Indians have been taught the lesson, and rightly so, consensual intercourse, even if not procreative, is inherent for the enjoyment of life and liberty of every individual and is protected under constitutional morality. Mr. XYZ has come up with a film script. Cut short, the script is about an 18-year old Indian, who gets disinherited […]
Read more "#THE377DEBATE III : My Lord, Africa"“The expression ‘Quasi-Judicial Order’ means a verdict in writing which determines and decides contesting issues and question by a Forum other than a Court. The determination has civil consequences. Explaining the meaning of ‘Quasi-Judicial Body’ in Indian National Congress (I) v. Institute of Social Welfare, (2002) 5 SCC 685 it was held, when any body […]
Read more "Quasi-Judicial I"My Lord, Courts should interpret the Constitution as it would have been understood by ordinary, reasonable citizens alive at the time the Constitution was enacted or Courts should interpret the Constitution as a living organism, one meant to evolve to suit the changing needs and values of contemporary society? A standing-room-only crowd of law students and […]
Read more "The Nature of Judicial Power: Hon’ble Justice Antonin G. Scalia"My Lord, Hon’ble Justice A.P. Sen View, Paragraphs 86-87, Express Newspapers v. Union of India, (1986) 1 SCC 133 = Majority View? Yes. “We, consider it apposite to refer to The Guardians of The Poor of The West Derby Union v. The Guardians of The Poor of The Atcham, (1889) 24 QBD 117. The question […]
Read more "Ratio Decidendi I"“It shall be essential, a party invoking Arbitration shall specify amount claimed and shall furnish a ‘deposit-at-call’ for 10% of amount claimed. In event of an award in favour, deposit shall be refunded to him in proportion to amount awarded w.r.t. amount claimed and balance, if any, shall be forfeited and paid to other party.” […]
Read more "Arbitrariness in Arbitration Clauses"This is not the first time that Shri Nedumpara has attempted to browbeat and insult Judges of this Court. He is in the habit of using intemperate language to achieve his ends before several Judges of the Bombay High Court. Contempt when committed in the face of the Court, Judges’ hands are not tied behind […]
Read more "Contempt Jurisdiction III"“It is high time we re-arranged our law so that the ancient but misleading term ‘Contempt of Court’ disappeared from the law’s vocabulary [Lord Scarman, Attorney-General v. British Broadcasting Corporation, [1980] 3 All ER 161]. It is important to remember that while considering the question of disobedience of an Order, what must be regarded is […]
Read more "Contempt Jurisdiction II / The Revival of Ray XV"S. Azeez Basha v. Union of India, (1968) 1 SCR 833 observed, the words “establish and administer” in Article 30(1) must be read conjunctively and so read it gives the right to a religious minority to administer an educational institution provided it has been established by it; Article 30(1) cannot be read to mean, even […]
Read more "Referred to Larger Bench XVI: Decades of Decay"Power of Judicial Review, High Court [Article 226], Supreme Court [Article 32]: Integral and Essential Feature; Basic Structure of Constitution [L. Chandra Kumar, (1997) 3 SCC 261]. Judicial Order [Ad Interim/Interim/Final] Vacated/Varied/Modified/Recalled/Reviewed by Bench of Coordinate Strength/Larger Strength or a Higher Forum. ✔ Judicial Order [Ad Interim/Interim/Final] Vacated/Varied/Modified/Recalled/Reviewed by Smaller Bench of Lesser Strength. ✘ […]
Read more "Judicial – Bench Strength – Decorum I / The Revival of Ray XIV"“For Muslims, place of birth of Hazrat Muhammed, i.e. Saudi Arabia, is the most sacred place. Visiting that place is pilgrimage for Muslim community, which is known as performing ‘Haj’. It is the desire of every person of Muslim faith, living anywhere in this world, to visit Saudi Arabia for performing Haj. Kingdom of Saudi […]
Read more "Unchartered Ocean of Policy Decision I / The Revival of Ray XIII"
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