TO DO OR NOT TO DO

The constitutional right to freedom of religion, which is also said to include the right to convert, has been taken up time and again by the Indian courts. The problem, however, arises when a person is forced or lured to convert to another religion

THE LIVE STREAMING DEBATE

The top court live streamed its proceedings for the first time to mark the then Chief Justice of India NV Ramana's last day in office. Some states are also live streaming judicial proceedings, but it needs to become a more permanent feature

THE NEW WORLD DISORDER

The definition of permacrisis is a state of ongoing disruption to political, economic and social life from which there is no foreseeable exit. Covid-19, inflation, the conflict in Ukraine, rising energy and food prices and the destructive impact of climate change are the most obvious signs to show that the world is entering an era of protracted turmoil

Rights Of Victims

A recent order of the Supreme Court raises an important question regarding the rights of victims during criminal proceedings. What needs to be understood is the definition of a victim whose rights are being discussed

NO MUDDYING THE WATERS

Batting for federalism, the Court said that the Council can only make recommendations. This was after the Gujarat High Court pronounced that the levy of IGST on ocean freight was unconstitutional

YET ANOTHER FILTER

After CUET UG, the UGC has come up with CUET PG. Are these common entrance tests a way to filter out some types of students from central varsities and target the cosmopolitan mix there?

UNPRECEDENTED MOVE

Using powers conferred on it under Article 142, the Supreme Court ordered existing members of the Central Administrative Tribunal to continue even after their tenures end. The Article can be used to do 'complete justice' in any case pending before the Court

PRISTINE & PRICELESS

Two key hydel power projects in the state have not compensated for their high environmental impact. The environment ministry has sought a report in this regard after the NGT took "suo motu notice"

MY MASTER'S WISH...

In a disturbing trend, the police are seen as working at the behest of political masters, leading to the arrest of innocent people and muscle-flexing. There is a need for operational independence to ensure an efficient police force

MISUSE OF SEDITION LAW

The sedition law is in the process of being judicially reviewed by the Supreme Court. The India Legal show on APN channel, hosted by the channel's Editor-in-Chief Rajshri Rai, assessed the concerns raised by the flagrant misuse of the infamous Section 124A

FIGHT OVER FOOD

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's doorstep food delivery system is now being contested in court, with pleas claiming that it clashes with similar central government schemes

DEJA VIEW

A plea asking for the removal of the mosque has been upheld in a Mathura court. The plea says the mosque was built adjacent to Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura. It has laid claim to 13.37 acres of land on the ground that it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna

A DOCTRINAL BREACH

The established doctrine of res judicata might need to be overlooked, vis-a-vis the issue of the Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala. Man-made structures change considerably over time, and ground realities do, too. Public safety becomes the primary and only concern

How India Elects Its President

The presidential elections scheduled in July 2022 will be held under a new dispensation as Jammu and Kashmir no longer has a legislative assembly. Selecting a president is an elaborate exercise involving a vast electoral college. Disputes relating to election of president are decided by the Supreme Court

When Justice Is Κeρt Pending

The Supreme Court has sought plans from six High Courts with the highest backlog of cases on how they propose to dispose them quickly. The oldest appeal is pending before the Allahabad HC and is 42 years old

When Marriage Is A Tyranny...

A split verdict by the Delhi High Court on criminalisation of marital rape has led this issue to the apex court. Should the common law understanding of marriage be judicially discarded as in the UK?

Rage Over Rituals

A controversial mutt ritual near Trichy has been banned for being "a violation of human rights". Similar rituals in other places in India have stirred controversies and courts have had to step in to restore order

Free Speech, Finally

The right to freedom of speech and expression is subject to the rigours of hate speech or seditious content. With the apex court boldly moving to suspend the sedition law, free speech will be protected

FULL STRENGTH, FINALLY

With the appointment of two more judges, the apex court has achieved its full strength of 34 judges. But seven more judges are scheduled to retire this year

HARD LESSONS

Approximately 22,500 Indian students were evacuated from Ukraine by the Government of India. Now, some of those students have approached the Supreme Court seeking formulation of a policy as a special measure to enable the Indian medical students who were studying in Ukraine to continue their medical education

DELIMITATION ROW

The Delimitation Commission for Jammu and Kashmir has recommended a division of assembly seats for the Jammu and Kashmir region. Local opposition leaders have cried foul, but how credible was the exercise that led to the decision?

A BALANCING ACT

CERT-In's directions to data centres, VPN service providers and intermediaries for information about customers infringe on privacy. The lack of a Data Protection Authority tilts the power in favour of CERT-In

UNFAIR CLAUSE

The IT major's attempt to stem attrition levels by using a non-compete clause has been criticised. The Indian Contract Act declares as void any pact that restrains a person from exercising a lawful trade

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has put forth three demands to the prime minister and the chief justice of India. They could set the precedent for other states to follow suit

CONVERSION CONTROVERSY

The controversial Bill passed by the Karnataka legislative assembly provides for prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by various means. It has been strongly opposed by leaders of minority communities

A BRIDGE TOO FAR?

There is a faulty understanding of the hybrid system of marriage laws. Votaries of a uniform civil code should see Law Commission reports proposing a central Marriage Registration Act and revision of the Special Marriage Act

JOINING THE MAINSTREAM

With the national anthem being made mandatory in madrasas in the state and the government making efforts to modernise them, students coming out of them can be absorbed into the mainstream

MEDICAL MESS

The dean of a medical college in Tamil Nadu was removed from his post after first-year students there took the "Maharshi Charaka Shapath" instead of the Hippocratic Oath. The Hippocratic Oath is administered to medical students when they transit from pre-clinical to clinical subjects during what is known as the white coat ceremony

MISCARRIAGE OF MERCY

It will not be an overstatement to say that no institution or constitutional office has suffered greater erosion or degradation than the office of the governor in India. The apex court is now considering the constitutional validity of the governor's action of referring a mercy petition to the president

PRAY, WHY WERE RULES FLOUTED?

The Temple saw J&K L-G Manoj Sinha offering prayers there, despite it violating ASI rules. By revitalising sites of Hindu temples, a clear strategy is being etched out which will pay dividends during polls