The Punjab and Haryana High Court has elevated seventy-six lawyers to the distinguished rank of Senior Advocate, marking one of the most significant rounds of such designations in recent years. The decision, made after careful evaluation by the court’s permanent committee and subsequently approved by the Full Court, underscores the institution’s commitment to recognizing professional…
By Vickram Kilpady Born out of a grassroots struggle that began in 1996, the Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2005 recently completed 20 years—a landmark that should have been a celebration of transparency and accountability. Instead, it stands as a story of dilution and decay. When enacted, the RTI Act promised citizens access to…
By Sujit Bhar The alleged gang rape of a young medical student from Odisha in Durgapur’s IQ City Medical College on October 10 has once again torn open India’s festering wound—the absence of safety, respect and dignity for women in public and private spaces alike. What began as a horrifying allegation of gang rape of…
By Sanjay Raman Sinha Chief Justice of India BR Gavai recently raised a critical concern that has long simmered beneath India’s justice system: the urgent need for stronger judicial infrastructure and closer coordination between the judiciary and the executive. While the doctrine of separation of powers dictates independence, in reality, the judiciary remains financially tethered…
By Kumkum Chadha It is difficult to disassociate Nripendra Misra from Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi who actually went ahead and had the Telecom Act amended to induct Misra into the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). It was in 2014 that Modi handpicked Misra as his principal secretary. But there was a technical glitch: The Telecom…
By Dr Swati Jindal Garg Mere presence at a crime scene involving a mob does not automatically make one a participant in the “unlawful assembly”. This crucial clarification came from the Supreme Court in the case of Zainul vs State of Bihar, setting a precedent that safeguards innocent bystanders from wrongful criminal liability. A bench,…
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of digital arrests in the country after a senior citizen couple were duped of Rs 1.5 crore in Haryana’s Ambala. The bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to the Union Home Ministry, the CBI, the Haryana Government, and the Cyber Crime…
By Neeraj Mishra With the arrest of Kunjam and surrender of CPI (Maoist) Politburo member Mallojula Venugopal Rao, also known as Bhupathi or Sonu, another chapter of the tribal armed uprising in India may be coming to a close. Home Minister Amit Shah has unequivocally announced that Bastar will see the end of naxalism by March 2026…
The Supreme Court has rejected a petition that sought to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Attorney General R. Venkataramani. The plea, filed by a petitioner appearing in person, claimed that the Attorney General’s conduct in court amounted to contempt under Article 145 of the Constitution. A bench comprising Chief Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice…
The Delhi High Court has imposed a penalty of ₹20,000 on the Central Government for concealing crucial facts in its review petition challenging the promotion of former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede. A bench of Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Madhu Jain dismissed the Centre’s plea, criticizing it for withholding information about the status of departmental…