Defamation in Commercial Suit

T.V. Today Network Limited, incorporated under The Companies Act, 1956, operating ‘AajTak’, ‘AajTak HD’, ‘India Today Television’ and ‘Good News TV’, submitted, Defendants Nos. 1 to 9 tarnished its reputation. The suit is not just for relief against ‘defamation’, which would certainly not constitute a ‘commercial suit’, but is one in which violation of ‘copyright’ […]

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Burden of Proof

It is trite to refer to tenets laid down in Palermo and Vienna Conventions. There has been a consensus, acquisition-possession-use-concealing or disguising illicit origin of illegitimately obtained money to evade legal consequences would be money-laundering. However, growth of jurisprudence in this law did not stop or end…    _____ We hold, Section 24 of The […]

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The Writ of Habeas Corpus

Writ of Habeas Corpus has always been given due signification as an effective method to ensure release of those detained in prison. It’s a swift and imperative remedy in all cases of illegal restraint or confinement [Secretary of State for Home Affairs v. O’Brien, (1923) AC 603]. It has through ages been ‘jealously maintained’ by […]

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Claim of Juvenility III

An unfortunate incident took place on 08.09.2017 in an institution in Gurugram. Bholu’s D.o.B. – 03/04/2001. _____    The ‘preliminary assessment’ made by Juvenile Justice Board under Section 15 of The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 is under consideration. A ’preliminary assessment’ decides on transferring the case of a ‘child’ between […]

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My Name is Abu Salem II

Punishment cannot be disproportionately high or low. A delicate balance has to be kept in mind – an aspect recently discussed in Jaswinder Singh (Dead) v. Navjot Singh Sidhu, 2022 SCC OnLine SC 652.  What happened to Abu Salem in Portugal for some other trial/detention has nothing to do with proceedings against him in India. […]

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Section 1(5) of The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948

Government of Maharashtra, on 18/09/1978, exercising power conferred under Section 1(5) of The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, extended provisions of ESI to certain classes of establishment – hotels, restaurants, shops, cinemas et cetera. Employees’ Insurance Court at Bombay, on 09/09/2021, declared, Board of Control for Cricket of India [BCCI/Board] is covered within meaning of […]

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Review of Death Penalty XXIX

We could only appreciate thoroughness of investigation, where every step was appropriately and punctually taken and all relevant processes were methodically documented. We find criticism against Legal Aid Counsel to be unfair. Manoj Pratap Singh was rightly convicted by Trial Court and his conviction has rightly been maintained by High Court. After final conclusion on […]

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Abhorrent Godhra

There was unrest and violence all across State of Gujarat…   It is only because of Mr. Sanjiv Bhatt and Mr. Haren Pandya, who unabashedly claimed to be privy to utterances made, Court was required to move into action taking serious note of same. But, after thorough investigation by SIT, falsity of such claim has […]

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How Gourango Lost His O

CAUTION: NOT ALL IS REVEALED, NOT ALL IS EXPLAINED “Bhai, I want you to come with me…” he paused, unsure. “Where to?” Gourango blurted out impatiently. “To the Nizamuddin Dargah. Today is Thursday. They have qawwali singers who shall sing for the Saint. I am going. I would be so honoured if you would come […]

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Review of Death Penalty XXVII

For awarding termination of natural life, a careful scrutiny is required. In short, ‘crime test’ and ‘criminal test’ required to be followed before awarding Capital Sentence, did not gather required attention of Trial Court as also High Court. It is true, all murders are inhuman. For imposing Capital Sentence, crime must be uncommon in nature […]

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Compensatory Jurisprudence of Constitutional Courts XIII : Res Ipsa Loquitur II

State Commission relied on principle of ‘res ipsa loquitur’ to affix liability for defect in an airbag system, having regard to nature of collision. National Commission affirmed this finding referring to certain photographs, which showed substantial frontal damage. We do not find any reason to interfere. We are dealing with a case where in a […]

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Political Vendetta

Bhagwati, CJ in Sheonandan Paswan v. State of Bihar, (1987) 1 SCC 288 observed, a complaint being initiated by reason of political vendetta is not in itself a ground for quashing criminal proceedings. It is well-established, a criminal prosecution, if otherwise justified and based upon adequate evidence, does not become vitiated on account of mala […]

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