Please Release Me...

In order to reduce undertrials in jail, the prime minister has suggested that district-level panels headed by district judges consider their bails. Courts should presume an accused innocent till he is proved guilty

Is UCC A Distant Dream?

The sticking point is whether there should be a code of personal laws for all or would it infringe the freedom of religion of some. While the Code has been operational for Hindus, if it's imposed and rejected by any other community, it will be a monumental folly

The Abortion Bombshell

A leaked draft of a majority decision in the Court would allow the 50 states to ban abortions. If the Court's decision remains unchanged, it means that Roe vs Wade, which enshrined a woman's rights in medical decisions, is dead

THE US SUPREME COURT'S MOMENT OF TRUTH

President Joe Biden is making his first court appointment. Will ideologically split political parties treat the nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson, to a theatrical takedown over issues which have little to do with jurisprudence or judicial temperament?

PLUG THE LOOPHOLES

Rueing the fact that the law does not provide for any time frame to presiding officers to dispose of cases, when it can be done in three months, the vice president urged that it be amended

DUAL DEGREES

In order to broaden the scope of quality higher education and permit better flexibility, the UGC has increased collaboration between Indian and foreign universities for various courses

WHO'S KEEPING TABS?

Arrested IPS officer Rashmi Shukla has claimed that she tapped the phones of politicians as she had powers to do so under the Act. But was she taking orders from higher ups?

THE WAR GAMES

Economist Raghuram Rajan has recently said that sanctions are also weapons of mass destruction. An analysis of how these impositions can create long-term havoc and imperil commercial, fiscal and industrial activity across the globe. Also, a look into the actual beneficiaries of this war

THE ADOPTION OBSTACLE

Recently , the apex court issued a notice in a matter seeking simplification of the adoption process in India. The current laws pertaining to adoption make it difficult for couples or individuals to adopt orphans and provide them a better life

ACTING INNOCENT

The Malayalam film industry faces a major crisis after actor-producer Vijay Babu was accused of rape. His accuser is an actress, which has added more spice to the saga. The police have acted swiftly, but the case has serious implications

A MATTER OF CONTROL

The CJl has cleared the impression that “judges appoint judges in India" and said the selection process is very democratic. Nonetheless, the executive has often tried to interfere without much success

EVICTION OF ART

Odissi exponent Guru Mayadhar Raut was evicted from his government flat in Delhi's Asiad Village by the Directorate of Estates without looking at his contribution and his 90 years. Other artistes have also been given notice

LOUDSPEAKER POLITICS

When MNS chief Raj Thackeray demanded that loudspeakers be removed from mosques in Maharashtra, few realized it would subsume other states. But it has, and the decibel levels are increasing

PURGING SOCIAL MEDIA

Though it's not possible for an intermediary to regulate all unlawful content, there should be joint efforts by it, consumers and the government to ensure content-neutrality

TALE OF TWO WOMEN

Americans got a unique view of the high drama in the Court recently, all focused on two women, one of whom—Ketanji Brown Jackson—will be appointed as a justice in the top court while the other is married to a justice of the highest court

Royal Snub

Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have encountered some major protests and warnings during their tour of the Caribbean.

LANE DRIVING, SANE DRIVING

In order to regulate the Capital's chaotic traffic, AAP will launch a strict bus lane enforcement drive from April 1. Violators will be prosecuted under the MV Act and fined heavily along with a prison term

PRE-LEGISLATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The law is an example of what effect dragnet laws can cause. It resulted in courts reeling with bail cases and yet, legisprudence and demosprudence seem indifferent to how the laws they make will work in life

ENABLING THE DISABLED

Ahistoric judgment by the apex court has brought hope to millions of disabled people, allowing them access to government jobs they were denied till now

DEPLETING STRENGTH

Parliament's Standing Committee on Defence has noted IAF's squadron strength dropping to 30. “Make in India” and involving the private sector should be considered to secure our borders

BUILDING HOPE

Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana's dream project, the National Judicial Infrastructure Authority of India (NJIAÍ), now seems set to become a reality. The aim of the NJIAl is to upgrade and refurbish the judicial infrastructure of courts. With the law ministry forwarding the Cul's proposal to the states, there is hope that this long-standing problem can be addressed. The NJIAI and its importance was discussed in great detail on the India Legal show on APN channel by a distinguished panel. The show was hosted by the channel's Editor-in Chief, Rajshri Rai. A report

ANYTHING FOR A CLEAN SWEEP

The Cabinet's move to introduce the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2022, which will merge the three corporations, has irked the AAP government. It has gone to the apex court over the unconstitutional move

ANOTHER TAKE ON EDUCATION

A sound educational system should instil constitutional literacy in its students. This literacy will educate people about their constitutional rights, duties and responsibilities to make India a great nation

No Immunity To Husbands

A judgment by the Karnataka High Court has held a manguilty of raping his wife and said marriage is not a licence for such acts. India is one of the few countries that have still not criminalised marital rape

"TRY HATE SPEECH CRIMES IN MILITARY COURTS”

Hate speeches have become the norm over the last few years. Recently, the Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that there was no anti-Muslim hate speech by Sudarshan TV editor-in-chief Suresh Chavhanke and other Hindu rightwing leaders at the Delhi Dharam Sansad organised by the Hindu Yuva Vahini last year in December. No "hate" words were used against any particular community at the event, the Police maintained.

EARTH DAY - A DIARY FROM PURANIKOTI

AS you know, we are the nation's first politico-legal, independent weekly, focussing on controversial issues of national and international importance.

LANKAN LOWS

As the penniless island-nation goes to the IMF with a begging bowl, India is pushing its case. But getting Colombo out of China's clutches will need Delhi to stop behaving like Big Brother

CAPITAL CONFLICT

The adoption of a unanimous resolution by the Punjab assembly to stake a claim over Chandigarh has once again created a political row with Haryana. The city is the joint capital of both states and this time the issue could lead to serious political and legal complications

CASE FILE AT THE CLICK OF A BUTTON

Courts are increasingly turning to Al-assisted mechanisms for faster delivery of justice. With relevant case laws before judges in a matter of seconds, the possibility of judicial infirmity also goes away

HANGING BY A THREAD

More than 60 people were stuck and three people lost their lives on a ropeway in the state following a collision between cable cars. The centre has now outlined the need to have a detailed standard operating procedure and a contingency plan on ropeway operations in the country