The Supreme Court's recent deliberation raises significant questions about the boundaries of free speech and religious expression in the context of Indian law. On Monday, a bench comprising Justices Pankaj Mithal and Sandeep Mehta engaged in an inquiry into whether the chanting of a religious phrase, specifically “Jai Shri Ram,” constitutes a criminal offense. This issue arose during the hearing of a petition challenging the Karnataka High Court's decision to quash criminal proceedings against two individuals accused of shouting the....
Read MoreSection 498A has traditionally been regarded as a crucial provision for the protection of women. However, in recent times, the section has undergone a shift, and instead of safeguarding women, it has been misused to harass men. This change has become increasingly apparent, especially in light of recent events, such as the tragic suicide of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash, which has sparked nationwide discussions on the matter. Amid this ongoing debate, the Supreme Court has voiced its concern, emphasizing that....
Read MoreThere is a well-known saying that if you keep giving things away for free, people will eventually stop working altogether. This highlights the idea that when the government focuses on providing free resources to individuals instead of creating employment opportunities, the long-term consequence may be a population that becomes reliant on government aid rather than pursuing work or self-sufficiency. When the solicitor general told the Supreme Court in a recent case that about 81 crore people were receiving free or subsidized....
Read MoreThe Supreme Court recently emphasized that police officers must verify the character, background, nationality, and authenticity of documents submitted by candidates selected for government jobs within six months of their appointment. The Court highlighted that this verification should occur at the initial stage to prevent future complications. This ruling came as the Court set aside the termination of an ophthalmic assistant just two months before their retirement. Background of the case The petitioner, who joined public service on March 6,....
Read MoreIn a recent case of Sudha Bai & Others AND State of Karnataka & ANR (CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 7090 OF 2023), the Karnataka High Court interpreted section 498 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and held that merely calling the wife for conciliation does not amount to mental harassment under section 498A of IPC. The case arose from a family dispute between the complainant and her husband. As per the facts of the case, the couple married in the....
Read MoreA writ petition is an application or petition filed by a petitioner in which he prays for a writ to be issued in order to address his problems. The term "writ" refers to a legal document that directs someone to do something, and a writ petition contains sworn claims or assertions in the form of an affidavit. Writ Jurisdiction of Supreme Court and High Court The Indian Constitution provides five types of writs: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Quo Warranto, Certiorari, and....
Read MoreThe Bhopal gas tragedy, which happened 40 years ago on December 3, 1984, remains one of the worst examples of corporate human rights violations. Even after all these years, survivors continue to face the lasting impact of the disaster, and the challenge of providing them with adequate support persists. Background of the disaster In the early hours of December 3, 1984, a deadly gas leak occurred at a pesticide factory near Bhopal, India. Around 27 tonnes of the highly toxic....
Read MoreOn November 25, 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the PAN 2.0 Project for the Income Tax Department with a budget of ₹1,435 crore. The project focuses on upgrading PAN cards with QR codes to establish a completely paperless and online system in India. Understanding what is PAN 2.0 PAN Card 2.0 is an e-governance initiative designed to modernize the taxpayer registration process using advanced technology. It aims to transform PAN and TAN services by offering taxpayers....
Read MoreAlternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a flexible process for resolving disputes without involving formal court proceedings. Its primary aim is to provide justice that is more affordable, accessible, and efficient. ADR methods are non-judicial, focusing on resolving legal issues through mutual agreement between the parties. This approach is driven by the principle that "justice delayed is justice denied." ADR is particularly beneficial for corporate sectors and economically disadvantaged individuals, offering a speedy, transparent, and adaptable mechanism to address conflicts effectively.....
Read MoreOn Monday, the Supreme Court rejected the petitions challenging the 1976 amendment to the Constitution, which added the words “socialist,” “secular,” and “integrity” to the Preamble. A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar had reserved its judgment on November 22 regarding a group of petitions filed by former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, and others, questioning the inclusion of the terms “socialist” and “secular” in the Preamble. Background of the case....
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