Bigamy and the Civil Servant

In a far-reaching order, the Delhi High Court said that bigamy cannot cause a government servant to lose his job as ethical standards had changed since the time the Conduct Rules were framed over 50 years ago

Taking on the Dragon

China’s expansion in South China Sea has riled many nations which have come together to form groupings such as Quad and a future Indo-Pacific one. The recently concluded Malabar Exercise was also part of this strategy

Accelerating the “Avalanche of Evils”: Towards Covid-19 Constitutionalism?

Judicial exasperation was seen in many orders, be it dealing with the Covid-19 situation or the EC’s conduct during polls. The judiciary has tried to ensure that constitutional discipline on power becomes an asset, not a liability, during the pandemic

Another fight

Now that she is back as chief minster once again, Mamata Banerjee must put an end to the post-poll violence, shore up facilities to save lives hit by the raging pandemic and restore the economic health of the state

NEW CJI: THE ROAD AHEAD

THE theme of this issue’s cover story could not be more apt. As we wait for NV Ramana to take over as chief justice of India (CJI) in the third week of this month, it is only appropriate and necessary to observe his record not only as a jurist but also the prominent aspects of his personality.

Adieu, Soli!

I shared a warm and cordial friendship with this votary for human rights and multi-faceted personality. He not only protected the freedom to dissent but practised remarkable hospitality to public criticism

A Star of the Bar & Bench

The former judge of the Supreme Court, who passed away on March 26, 2021, will be remembered for his politeness and persuasive delivery at the Bar and compassion and fairness on the Bench

A Healthcare Revolution

The landmark law will recognise the skills of over 56 types of frontline health workers, increase their employment opportunities and enhance their true worth within India and globally

Be Cautious, Don't Panic

The emergence of new variants has made vaccination and Covid-appropriate behaviour all the more imperative. The second wave will be more transmissible than the first, but may not last long

Tackling Pendency

In an effort to reduce the backlog of cases, the Court has cleared the appointment of ad-hoc judges for High Courts and said the procedure laid down in the MoP should be followed

Make an Informed Choice

With the impending arrival of Sputnik V, people will have more choice. They will have to select the vaccine they prefer in consultation with their doctor and after seeing efficacy levels and the supply chain

Emerging Dimensions

Life has many facets and dimensions and an individual must enjoy all those in his life. Right to Life means the right to lead meaningful, complete and dignified life. It does not have restricted meaning. Merely being alive is not life. It is something more than mere survival or animal existence.

“Now I am become Death”

THE immortal line from the Bhagavad Gita goes on to be translated as “Now I become Death, the destroyer of worlds”.

An Unequal War

Repeated attacks on the forces by Maoists have shown that counter strategies haven’t worked. Without a proper security doctrine, clear leadership and good intelligence, this war will see more bloodshed

When No Means No

India is considered the worst country for women due to sexual violence. Women are often seen as chattel and raped. In some nations, violence is needed for the crime to be seen as rape. Only a change of mindset can tackle this horrendous crime

The Hand of Justice

In a significant judgment, a trial court invoked the POCSO Act against an accused for holding her hand. The Delhi High Court upheld it

The Fundamental Right to Speedy Trials: Endless Investigation Vs Fair Prosecution

While the Constitution abhors the idea of indefinite incarceration, there is a culture of opposition by law enforcement agencies to deny bail. Indeed, time is at hand to redress this state of affairs, with firm judicial leadership

The Economic Disparity

Women-led MSMEs in India need special attention and a foolproof mechanism, involving support from central banks, to financially shore up this weak sector

Debilitating Delays

Due to Covid-19, the functioning of all courts has been badly hit, with case pendency reaching all-time highs. In district and taluka courts alone, it has reached 3.81 crore cases

Online Pedagogy: The Way Forward

Online learning is the future. While it has advantages such as accessibility, affordability and flexibility, difficulties in downloading, slow net speed and digital inaccessibility should be tackled first

A leader with a heart

As the Chief Justice of India-designate readies to take over the country’s top judicial position, the system prepares for a balanced, humane approach to issues

Compensate First

Taking a tough stand, the Court told the centre to deposit the Rs 10 crore Italy had paid it as compensation for the 2012 shooting incident in which two Indian fishermen were killed

Apex court agrees to hear petition for CBI probe into 2016 Rafale deal

The Supreme Court will hear plea for a CBI probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal that was inked in 2016.

Striking a Balance

The Maharashtra imbroglio has shown the need to keep a balance between institutions. It is best to apply the first principles of criminal law here—police investigate, judges decide

“His Leadership Will be Catalytic for Us All”

There is considerable hope and anticipation concerning Justice NV Ramana taking over as the next chief justice of India on April 24. India Legal spoke to internationally-known legal scholar, teacher and writer Professor Upendra Baxi, on what to expect. Excerpts:

Quick Rollback

Even as the centre reversed a move to reduce interest rates on small savings schemes, experts warn that these cuts will be implemented soon. Investors should invest in high-interest yielding small savings instruments

Jab We Met

While the manufacturer of Covaxin got itself in a jam with Brazil following an inspection of its Hyderabad facility, AstraZeneca’s vaccine was put on hold in several nations after reports of blood clots. How safe are these vaccines?

An Unconstitutional Platform?

Though meant to protect citizens from cybercrime and digital bullying, the Rules infringe on the fundamental right to privacy and freedom of speech and expression. They should have been introduced in Parliament

America's Legal System on Trial

You can believe your eyes and ears but our experts and their words are more accurate, defense lawyers are telling the 12 jurors in the Minneapolis murder trial of police officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd by keeping his knee on the victim’s neck for over nine minutes

Calcutta High Court goes online

Amid the sudden upsurge in coronavirus cases, the Calcutta High Court, on recommendations of its Covid committee, decided to go online.