Flying Blind

Even as many countries start to lift coronavirus restrictions, airline travel, in particular business travel, is unlikely to ever regain the status and numbers that prevailed before the pandemic.

A Free Spirit, Mentor & Respected Scientist

An advocate of Safety as a Human Right, this man of science argued with data and passion on behalf of the populace. If he was at all contrary, it was because he opposed the opinion of the “oppressors”

More Warriors Want Protection

Following an application from the Delhi Judicial Services Association, the Delhi High Court has asked the state to declare judicial authorities as frontline workers as they are at risk

“Prepare for the Worst”

Even as courts are pulling up governments for dereliction of duty during these tumultuous times, they are laying the groundwork for future course of action and the third wave which will affect children

“Beg, Borrow, Steal but Provide Oxygen”

A division bench constituted to take up matters related to Covid-19 has for the last two months been industriously and on a daily basis trying to ensure that citizens are saved at any cost

Relieving the Pain

With the second wave of Covid-19 putting further stress on the economy, the Reserve Bank of India has launched measures to enhance fund flow for the healthcare sector and inject more liquidity into the system. Will they help?

Who Governs Delhi?

In several cases, the Supreme Court has observed that the governor or lieutenant governor cannot override the chief minister in parliamentary democracy but the Delhi lieutenant governor has now become the master of the chief minister who will have to plead before him for getting approval of his policies and decisions

Oh! Jerusalema

Jerusalem has been the scene of violent confrontation between the Jews and the Arabs for 100 years and remains one of the most bitterly contested cities on earth.

Missing the Target

The recent resuscitation move by the Reserve Bank of India may not be enough to help small businesses stay afloat. A petition filed in the Supreme Court wants a fresh moratorium on interest on bank loans

Health Equality For All

A US plan to waive IP protections for Covid-19 vaccines could see more of them being produced. But Germany, the EU Commission and leading pharma companies are up in arms and WTO will have to sort it out

Contrasting Fortunes

The contrast could not be starker, or crueller. While countries like India face catastrophic conditions with the rapid surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths, Europe is opening up and returning to what passes for normal these days.

Bhima Koregaon case: SC dismisses Navlakha bail plea

Aplea for statutory bail filed by activist Gautam Navlakha (above right)—challenging the Bombay High Court’s rejection of his bail plea—was dismissed by the Supreme Court.

A Delicate Balance

While the Quad meets India’s aspiration of becoming “a stabilising power”, the “India way” is not only being tested by China, but by other members of the group, particularly the US

“Beg, Borrow, Steal... Make Oxygen Available”

A distressing spectacle has unfolded itself as citizens fight for oxygen, hospital beds and medicines. Even as insensitive governments looked on, it was Courts that gave the much-needed succour

The Variant Scare

Adding to the fear and concern about the Covid-19 pandemic, what is scarier are the number of mutations and variants that have emerged. It is not unexpected: All viruses mutate by making copies to thrive. We have the Indian variant (B1.617) that is spreading fast—to 21 countries according to the GISAID global database—and causing other countries to shut its borders to travellers from India. We also have the UK or Kent variant (B.1.1.7) seen across much of Britain, which spread to more than 50 countries and appears to be mutating again. The South Africa variant (B.1.351) has been found in at least 20 other countries, including the UK, while the Brazil variant (P.1) has now been found in other countries.

“The State is Morally Bound to Uphold the Fundamental Rights of the People”

Former Attorney General of India and renowned jurist SOLI JEHANGIR SORABJEE, 91, passed away at a private hospital in New Delhi on April 30, 2021 due to Covid -19. The legal luminary started his career in the Bombay High Court in 1953 and rose to become India’s highest law officer, the Attorney General of India (AGI), first during 1989-90 and then from 1998 to 2004. Also known for championing human rights, he was appointed the UN Special Rapporteur for Nigeria in 1997. He was also a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague from 2000 to 2006. He was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in March 2002 for his defence of freedom of speech and protection of human rights. A prolific writer, he has written on various subjects such as the Emergency, censorship, the press, fundamental rights, the Constitution and human rights. In an exclusive interview with RAJSHRI RAI, editor-in-chief, APN News that appeared in India Legal (June 22, 2020 issue), he had talked about the migrants’ plight, judicial activism and the Supreme Court. Excerpts:

Restoring Credibility

The tenure of the previous chief justices of India revealed a lack of consensus among the collegium members. The new chief justice needs to take this seriously, along with other judicial issues that need to be addressed urgently to restore the credibility of the Supreme Court

A Tale of Two States

The gangster turned politician has numerous cases against him in UP and Punjab, leading to a tug of war between them to get his custody

SC permits Vedanta to produce oxygen at Tuticorin plant

The Supreme Court allowed Vedanta Limited to operate its Sterlite Plant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, to manufacture medical grade oxygen amidst the national Covid-19 crisis. Senior advocate CS Vaidyanathan, who appeared for the state of Tamil Nadu, placed a memorandum before the bench, which read that Tamil Na du will constitute a monitoring committee to monitor operations at the Sterlite plant.

The return of protectionism

This will emerge as the new reality and the global village concept, at least as far as trade goes, may have reached its “use by” date. Protectionism won’t be an evil word anymore.

India Gasps for Oxygen

Images of breathless people scrambling to hospitals have shocked the nation. As the macabre dance of death continues, what is obvious is the lack of planning in every sphere by our bumbling governments

The Loneliness of the Long-distance Lawyer

While law is a noble profession, it is a long and winding road. A new entrant would do well to read good books or browse through a lawyer’s personal library to keep his mind from getting stale

Criminal Lack of Reforms

The Criminal Reform Committee set up in Ma y 2020 has been shrouded in secrecy. The five-person committee has been criticized for its lack of diversity and its lack of transparency. It’s in keeping with the history of judicial reform.

Vaccination from Home?

Showing its concern for senior citizens, the Bombay High Court asked the centre if it was possible to inject them at home. It took the example of Los Angeles and Israel

The Case for Vaccine Passports

Rather like the passports of today, these would function as verifiable, credible, digitised records of inoculation that will be accepted across countries and enable one to bypass quarantine requirements

Balancing Act

In a verdict that balances business and consumer interests, the Court ruled that there would be a waiver of compound interest on loans from March 1 to August 31, 2020 due to Covid-19

INDIAN-AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER VANITA GUPTA CONFIRMED AS ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF US

VANITA GUPTA, a prominent Indian-American civil rights lawyer, has been confirmed by the US Senate as Associate Attorney General, making her the first person of colour to occupy the third-highest position at the Department of Justice.

Gag Order

In a laudable order, the apex court has warned states and the police against curbing the media or calls for help during the pandemic and said any such move would invite contempt of court

The Challenges for the New Designate

The CJI is now looked upon to make a difference by challenging the status quo and bringing in newer approaches, modern methods and fundamental changes to the judicial system

SC dismisses PIL seeking CBI probe into death of Arunachal CM Kalikho Pul

The Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation, which had sought an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the death of Kalikho Pul (right), former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister.