Articles
Amidst The Rush Of Robes, She Remains: The Story Of Usha Devi At Allahabad High Court
While waiting for my case to be heard at the Allahabad High Court, I met Usha Devi in the court corridors—a woman whose kindness has touched countless lives. For years, she has been selflessly serving free water to everyone who passes by, from advocates, litigants and even to judges. Last week, I had the opportunity to appear in a matter before the Allahabad High Court, which has a...
Balancing Protection And Autonomy: Rethinking POCSO's Approach To Adolescent Relationships
On February 17th, this year, Bombay High Court granted bail to an accused under POCSO Act on the ground that the sexual act was consensual and the fourteen year old victim was fully capable to consent. The order rationalizes the statutory provisions of POCSO to make space for sexual autonomy of minors.On February 17th this year, the Bombay High Court passed an order granting bail to an...
Launch Of Status Of Policing Report In India Report 2025: Police Torture And (Un)Accountability- Event Report
Common Cause in joint efforts with Lokniti – Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) released the 6th edition of the Status of Policing Report in India Report 2025: Police Torture and (Un)Accountability (SPIR) at India International Centre- Annexe on 26th March. The report launch was followed by a panel discussion on “Police Torture and Accountability: Where are...
The Inimitable Supreme Court Practice
We Advocates on Record seem to be going through an existential crisis these days. We are being subject to lot of criticism and are facing a lot of flak in the courts, among the other advocates, in the social media and among the public. Every day we are faced with questions like 'Why is it that we require an Advocate on Record?' Why can't all Advocates be permitted to file directly in the Supreme Court? Why have another class of Advocates? These are very relevant questions regarding the...
Hidden Cost Of Algorithms: Addressing Supra-Competitive Prices In Non-Collusive Settings
If you've ever tried booking a flight or a cab online, only to make a mistake and go back to the first step to reselect your option, you might notice that the prices suddenly differ from what you started with a few minutes ago. What you've experienced is the effect of an advanced pricing algorithm in action.Flights and cab services like Uber extensively use algorithmic pricing. This allows...
Balancing Reform And Responsibility: Rethinking Land Conversion Policies
The Gujarat Tenancy and Agricultural Land Act, 1948 (hereinafter referred as “the Act”) was enacted with the primary objective of protecting the rights of the tenants by ensuring equitable land distribution in the state. The act regulates the use of agricultural land in Gujarat. Section 63 of the Act bars the transfer of agricultural land to non-agriculturists. However, there is an...
Grabbing Breasts, Breaking Clothes And Dragging Into A Culvert Is Not Enough For Attempt To Rape?
On 26th March 2025, the Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognizance [Suo Moto Writ Petition Criminal No. 01 of 2025] against a recent insensitive judgment of the High Court of Judicature ('HCt') at Allahabad, which arose after a letter was written by the “We the Women of India”. The bench comprising Justice B.G. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih, while granting a stay on the...
A (Cautious) Case For AI In Legal Research
G. K. Chesterton in Miscellany of Men, offers the readers an insight of a modern intellectual (a character in the story) contemptuously speaking of a creature called 'Man' with 'no fur or feather' in the following words,“I doubt if such an animal is worth preserving,” he says. “He must eventually go under in the cosmic struggle when pitted against well-armoured and warmly protected species, who have wings and trunks and spires and scales and horns and shaggy hair. If Man cannot live without...
Legal Battles Faced By Punjab Government Under Former Advocate General Gurminder Singh's Tenure
During the 18-month tenure of former Advocate General Gurminder Singh(who recently resigned as the AG), the Punjab government witnessed several significant developments and challenges in the Courtroom. From the farmers' protest to the accusation of abuse of power by ruling party in Elections, Singh played a pivotal role in the state's legal battles. Here is a look back at the legal...
One Nation One Election
'One Nation, One Election' is much talked about these days and there are efforts to seek to translate the idea into a reality. The idea, and even more the slogan, sounds quite attractive and appealing. It is allright as an ideal and an aspiration to be looked forward to. But it may not stand closer scrutiny both practically and constitutionally.The Constitution of India has adopted...
Preliminary Enquiry Under Section 173(3) Of The BNSS -- The Supreme Court Solves The Riddle
Section 173(3) is a newly introduced provision in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'the BNSS'). This provision has given statutory recognition to the procedure of conducting preliminary enquiry by a police officer. However, the debate has been going on in the legal circles as to how this provision could be reconciled with the judgment of the Constitution Bench of...
To Register Or Not To Register? - MSMEs And Arbitration Act
On multiple occasions, the Supreme Court, followed by various High Courts, has emphasised upon registration being a prerequisite for availing benefits under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as the 'MSMED Act, 2006') especially dispute resolution before the Facilitation Council. However, recently in NBCC (India) Ltd. -v- State of West...