Emerging laws and JurisprudenceProf Upendra Baxi says the striking feature of today’s new normal is the exercise of suo motu jurisdiction by courts in matters concerning dignity, livelihood and freedom costs for the impoverished, thereby upholding basic rights
Also: A Paperless, People-less Court by Justice Bhanwar Singh
LOOMING CATASTROPHE:
an already slowing economy has been dealt a body blow by the pandemic as production and employment are hit, severely affecting the unorganised sector. In-depth analysis by noted economist Prof Arun Kumar
- Crash Landing: The aviation sector is among the worst hit as fleets are grounded and airline crew laid off or salaries cut. Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
- Migrant Labour: The Supreme Court steps in to issue orders intended to help migrants and ease their fears. Is it working?
Emerging laws and JurisprudenceProf Upendra Baxi says the striking feature of today’s new normal is the exercise of suo motu jurisdiction by courts in matters concerning dignity, livelihood and freedom costs for the impoverished, thereby upholding basic rights
Also: A Paperless, People-less Court by Justice Bhanwar Singh
LOOMING CATASTROPHE:
an already slowing economy has been dealt a body blow by the pandemic as production and employment are hit, severely affecting the unorganised sector. In-depth analysis by noted economist Prof Arun Kumar
- Crash Landing: The aviation sector is among the worst hit as fleets are grounded and airline crew laid off or salaries cut. Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
- Migrant Labour: The Supreme Court steps in to issue orders intended to help migrants and ease their fears. Is it working?
The Covid-19 Emergency
- Do legal provisions or the Constitution allow the government to take more serious measures than a 21-day total lockdown if the pandemic worsens?
- How Kerala is showing the way
- Does stamping of forearms and pasting of quarantine notices on
residences violate human rights?
- The curse of the black market- The SAARC initiative on COVID -19 and why Pakistan is playing spoilsport
Judges and lawyers in courts are struggling to dispense justice as COVID-19 fears increase. Courts are reducing benches, curtailing crowds, and only listing urgent matters. The article also discusses the Supreme Court Annual Report and analyses citizenship in India through a special supplement tracing its history and examining its legal position.
Justice Venkatachaliah ‘‘Keep Faith in the Judiciary’’: Justice Venkatachaliah, who served as chief justice of India, is one of India’s most respected jurists. An avid champion of human values and rights, he spoke to RAJSHRI RAI, MD, INDIA LEGAL on the judiciary, religion, Ayodhya, upbringing of children and why the Supreme Court should be trusted to do the right thing.
Law and DisorderCrucial matters that came up in the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court indicate a crisis in India’s basic governance. The CrPC and Police Acts clearly lay down that it is the job of DMs and SDMs to maintain law and order, but their role has been taken over by the police with questionable results.
The Iron Fist
Increasingly, Section 144 is been used by politicians and bureaucrats to deprive citizens of their fundamental rights. Now the courts have stepped in to stem the misuse, but is it enough?
Outing the CriminalsFlagging an “alarming rise in the criminalisation of politics,” the Supreme Court lays down strict instructions on making public details of a candidate’s criminal history. What impact will it have on political parties and future elections?
A Question of Bail
A five-judge Constitution bench takes a fresh look at pre-conviction bail. By insisting on avoidance of reflexive reasons for denying bail, the apex court has acted progressively, says Prof Upendra Baxi
HANGING FIREThe trend among death row convicts to get their execution delayed through appeals and curative petitions is a major talking point in legal circles with even the CJI saying it is extremely important in such cases to have some finality
Reaffirming LibertyThe Supreme Court has revived faith in the constitutional ideas of freedom of expression in their judgment on internet shutdown in Kashmir, says Prof Upendra Baxi
The Legal ChallengeFollowing Kerala’s lead, Punjab and Chhattisgarh have joined non-BJP states that have challenged the constitutional validity of the CAA and the National Investigation Act 2008 in the Supreme Court. How strong is the legal argument?
BLOOD ON THE CAMPUS
JNU symbolised citizenship, democracy and freedom, writes noted columnist Shiv Visvanathan, who analyses the reasons why the University has become a political and ideological battleground
Parallel Power Centres?
The Kerala governor’s support of the CAA and similar statements by BJP-appointed governors is a worrying sign. Has the time come to implement the Sarkaria Commission’s recommendations?
This document provides a summary of some of the important judgments delivered by the Supreme Court of India in 2019. It discusses judgments related to telecom regulatory fees, the scope of the Right to Information Act, criminal sentencing practices, caste-based atrocities laws, and housing projects. The document also mentions that the Chief Justice of India was cleared of sexual harassment charges in May 2019. It aims to capture the key legal developments and events of the year through analyses by legal experts.
In his 1893 speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Swami Vivekananda said that he was proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered refugees of all religions and nations of the earth. He said that sectarianism, bigotry and fanaticism have sent whole nations to despair. Vivekananda believed that one person certainly understood what India was all about - his name was Vivekananda. He reproduced a portion of Vivekananda's speech emphasizing tolerance and universal acceptance of all religions. The article argues that Vivekananda's words should guide India's judges, politicians and decision-makers in determining the nation's destiny.
CAB Coup
The Opposition is caught napping as the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 gets parliamentary approval. The protests against its discriminatory clauses expose its flaws and minority fears. The Supreme Court remains the only hope to salvage India’s secular credentials
No Woman’s Land
The gang rape of a Hyderabad doctor has once again demonstrated that between patriarchal law and urban anomie, such events will recur to compound the hollowness of governance and rights in India
CONSTITUTIONAL MORALITY
How the Supreme Court check-mated the brazen display of naked political muscle power in Maharashtra by standing up for the rule of law