Resides in Madras Presidency

Ultimately, question of ‘residence’ in every case depends on facts. But, ‘resides’ usually means something more than a flying visit or a casual stay [Jagir Kaur v. Jaswant Singh, (1964) 2 SCR 73]. V. Prakash could least be said to be a person visiting India casually or as a transit tourist. Term in question about […]

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104 Kilograms of Sea Gold

On receiving an intelligence input, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had intercepted a Pakistan Flag Ship, ‘Al Madina’, in Indian territorial waters on 21/05/2019. Narcotics were being clandestinely brought into Gujarat from Pakistan. During interrogation, Captain stated, delivery had to be made at a particular position on sea for which a communication was to be sent […]

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Hijab I

A person who seeks refuge under umbrella of Article 25 has to demonstrate not only ‘essential religious practice’ but also its engagement with constitutional values. There is absolutely no material placed on record to prima facie show wearing of Hijab is a part of an ‘essential religious practice’ in Islam. It is not so, if […]

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Mafia Queens of Mumbai

There are no materials. A photocopy of a Ration Card, unsupported by any other material, does not even prima facie establish Shri Babuji Rawji Shah was adopted by Gangubai. A film carrying a message and depicting social circumstances of a group of underprivileged women is not impermissible. Nowhere has Shri Babuji Rawji Shah adverted to […]

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Freebies

Court notices, medical practitioners have a quasi-fiduciary relationship with their patients. A doctor’s prescription is considered final, even if cost of such medication is unaffordable or barely within economic reach – such is level of trust reposed. Therefore, it is a matter of great public importance and concern, when it is demonstrated, a doctor’s prescription […]

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Morality of Orchestra Bars

Orchestra Bars are required to secure premises and performance licenses. Court is no stranger to controversies relating to prohibition and restriction in participation of women from performances in establishments in Maharashtra: State of Maharashtra v. Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association, (2013) 8 SCC 519 – Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association v. State of Maharashtra, (2015) […]

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Involuntary Resignation

My Lord, Was Resignation of Ms. X, on 15/07/2014, Voluntary? We are only examining, i) correctness of Order of Transfer, ii) rejection of ‘representations’ and iii) question as to whether ‘resignation’ could be construed to be voluntary or not. Ms. X tendered a ‘resignation’ on 15/07/2014, which was accepted by Government of Madhya Pradesh, Law […]

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Mitigating Death Sentences

Supreme Court of India (SC) held in Deena v. UoI, (1983) 4 SCC 645, hanging by neck is scientific and least painful. SC has also held, only ‘rarest of rare’ issues, literally meaning rarest even in rare, allow passing of a death sentence. A punishment of death is imposed when life imprisonment is absolutely inadequate. […]

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Justice Ranjan Gogoi’s Justice

Dibrugarh offered a simple, uncomplicated lifestyle and we grew up in a milieu with a consistent feel-good ambience. My greatest satisfaction as a Lawyer was, help I could render to my Father outside Court when he had faced a disqualification under Tenth Schedule in 1994. P.K. Goswami, Senior Advocate, represented my Father. Amitava Roy [Retired […]

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91 Predictions

Greenstone Lobo has dedicated 91 Predictions, (Westland, 2021) to a ‘genius scientist’ who will restore Pluto’s dignity, honor and its rightful place as a Planet. The wish is to exhibit, astrology is a science and a subject worthy of attention, exploration, serious study and application. An excerpt. Everything comes in cycles. Indian an Western systems […]

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The Nature of Judicial Power: Pegasus

“If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.” ­- George Orwell, 1984. Orwellian concern. September, 2018 – Citizen Lab released software capabilities of a ‘spyware suite’ called Pegasus, produced by NSO Group. Historically, privacy rights have been ‘property centric’ rather than ‘people centric’. In 1604, in Semayne’s case, 77 […]

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Judgment

‘Judgment’ means a judicial opinion which tells the story of the case; what the case is about; how Court is resolving the case and why. A ‘Judgment’ should be coherent, systematic and logically organized. It should enable the reader to trace the fact to a logical conclusion on the basis of legal principles. Many times […]

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Red Herrings

Recently, Hon’ble Justice Prathiba M. Singh of Delhi High Court in Sulphur Mills Limited v. Dharmaj Crop Guard Limited, [CS(COMM) 1225/2018 & CC(COMM) 9/2019] said, to argue on basis of submissions made before Commissioner of Customs, there is no novelty or inventive step in Indian Patent Number 282429, would lead to an anomalous situation and […]

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Be Kind Rewind, Strict Liability

“The Strict Liability Rule under Common Law is a relic of the past and should not be given effect in the Indian context.” – Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar, Taj Mahal Hotel v. United India Insurance Co. Ltd., (2020) 2 SCC 224. _____ There is certainly a phantom thread concerning the Rule of Strict Liability and […]

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Neena and Vivian

While we were still shooting for Batwara, I attended a dinner party hosted by the Maharani of Jaipur with a few other members of the cast. A few players from the West Indies Cricket Team were also on the guest list, including their Captain at that time, Vivian Richards. I have always been crazy about […]

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