A person does not commit contempt if, during the pendency of certain proceedings, he takes recourse to other judicial proceedings open to him, even though the latter proceedings put the other party at a loss [Pratap Singh v. Gurbaksh Singh, 1962 SCR Supp. (2) 838; Radhey Lal v. Niranjan Nath, (2004) 5 SCC 119; Mehar […]
Read more "Contempt Jurisdiction VII"It is not always affordable to approach a Court of Law. Even if approached, it may be years before a final decision. Imtiyaz Ahmad v. State of Uttar Pradesh, (2012) 2 SCC 688 had a simple answer: “Pendency is merely a localized problem, in the sense that it affects some High Courts far more than […]
Read more "The Persistent Illusion of Judge-Strength"There is a body of case law which clarifies, sans a statutory duty, a positive direction to do something, in a specific manner, cannot be given. It must be shown, there is a statute which imposes a legal duty and the aggrieved party has a legal right under the statute to enforce its performance. – […]
Read more "The Nature of Judicial Power: Hon’ble Justice S. Ravindra Bhat"Pusan raised questions and submitted letters about Busan’s company and his other employees, present and former. Busan was obviously upset. Busan: Pusan, apologize. That’s it. Pusan: No; neither my questions nor my submissions are incorrect. I will happily undergo punishment. Pusan’s Senior Colleague: Pusan has been under your employment for years now. Sir Busan, be […]
Read more "Contempt Jurisdiction VI / Childish Magnanimity"Justice Krishna Iyer, in his inimitable style, has observed, a wise economy of use of the contempt power by the Court is the first rule. The Court should act with seriousness and severity, where justice is jeopardized by a gross and/or unfounded attack on the Judges, where the attack is calculated to obstruct or destroy […]
Read more "Contempt Jurisdiction V / The Revival of Ray L"“We fail to understand how Vijay Kurle can urge that the source of information should be disclosed. His complaint is addressed amongst all others to Judges of this Court which obviously includes the Two Judges who are members of the Bench. There can be no manner of doubt that every citizen is entitled to criticize […]
Read more "Contempt Jurisdiction IV"“When criminality enters into the grass-root level as well as at the higher levels there is a feeling that ‘monstrosity’ is likely to wither away the multitude and eventually usher in a dreadful fear that would rule supreme creating an incurable chasm in the spine of the whole citizenry” [Hon’ble Justice Dipak Misra, 05.02.2015]. In […]
Read more "Monstrosity of Winnability"Review Petition (Civil) No. 3358 of 2018 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 373 of 2006 Essential Religious Practices of a Religious Denomination or Section of a Religious Denomination – Constitutional Protection under Article 26? “In the Indian context, given the plurality of religions, languages, cultures and traditions, what is perceived as faith and essential practices […]
Read more "Referred to Larger Bench XX: The Sabarimala Temple III"During the period 15.06.1992 to 12.06.1994, Judicial Officer, Yogesh M. Vyas, was working as a Civil Judge (JD) and JMFC, Visnagar. There were allegations of corruption against him. The High Court had come to the conclusion that no charge of corruption was made out. Since, Justice Vyas had already been out of the job for […]
Read more "Compensatory Jurisprudence of Constitutional Courts X"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"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"“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. The Kingdom of […]
Read more "Unchartered Ocean of Policy Decision / The Revival of Ray XIII"Contempt, Yes/No ≠ Mechanical Application of Mind [Sushila Raje Holkar, (2008) 14 SCC 392]. Contempt Jurisdiction = Four Corners of Disobeyed Order [Sudhir Vasudeva, (2014) 3 SCC 373]. Contempt Jurisdiction, Disobeyed Order = Willful Disobedience, Non-Compliance. Hon’ble Justice R. Banumathi, Armugam v. Balakrishnan, [Civil Appeal No. 1510 of 2019].
Read more "Contempt Jurisdiction I"“The College has been habitually indulging in foul play. The bravado shown in an attempt to cheat The Medical Council of India, Government, Court has to be condemned. “Apology is an act of contrition. Unless apology is offered at the earliest opportunity and in good grace, the apology is shorn of penitence and hence it […]
Read more "Compensatory Jurisprudence of Constitutional Courts IX : Cringing Coward"Issues of Tribunals: Unresolved. 07.05.2018 “The functioning of Tribunals is required to be reviewed on the test of speedy and inexpensive quality justice. L. Chandra Kumar, (1997) 3 SCC 261 noted that various Tribunals have not evolved up to the expectations which is self-evident and widely acknowledged. Drastic measures were required to elevate the standards. […]
Read more "Rojer Mathew, SLP (Civil) 15804/2017"“This Appeal is filed against the Final Judgment and Order dated 18.12.2007 passed by the High Court of Judicature of Rajasthan. The Appellant is a Government Company, a Sick Company, engaged in manufacture of certain items. The Respondent claimed that he worked with the Appellant Company as a casual helper in its manufacturing plant from 10.06.1976 […]
Read more "Compensatory Jusrisprudence of Constitutional Courts VIII : Ghanshyam Sharma"Let us have Wives of SC Judges visit The Sabarimala Temple and stand by what their Husbands have thought and felt. I shall count the years, the Judgment lasts. I have closely followed Three Rhodes Scholars for Thirteen Years. Arghya Sengupta. V. Niranjan. Gautam Bhatia. I was aware of Arghya Sengupta, personally, even before I […]
Read more "The Sabarimala Temple II: Arghya Sengupta"“Recently on 14 September 2018, the Learned Chief Justice, speaking for the Present Bench of Three Judges handed down a verdict granting compensation of Rs 50 Lakhs to a Space Scientist who was found upon further investigation by the CBI to have been wrongfully implicated and subjected to custodial interrogation. This was on an allegation […]
Read more "Compensatory Jurisprudence of Constitutional Courts VII : James Watson"Writ Petition (Civil) No. 373 of 2006 Hon’ble Justice Indu Malhotra The Petitioners have stated that they learnt of the practice of restricting the entry of women in the age group of 10 to 50 years in the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala from three newspaper articles written by Barkha Dutt (Scent of a Woman, Hindustan […]
Read more "The Sabarimala Temple I"