"We Worship Game, But Does It Mourn Us?” Chinnaswamy Stadium Tragedy Through A Legal Lens

On June 4, 2025, a city's joy turned to horror. What should have been a jubilant celebration of Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL title win at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium ended in a deadly stampede that claimed eleven lives and injured at least thirty-three more. Within hours, outrage rippled through the city and beyond—not just over the incident, but over how preventable it...

Need For A Refugee Law And Sensitisation Of Higher Judiciary

Recently, while dealing with a matter pertaining to the asylum of a refugee from Sri Lanka, the Supreme Court Justice Dipankar Dutta has made a remark that “Is India a Dharamshala to host refugees from all over the world? We are struggling with 140 crore population”. The petition was to allow a Tamil refugee to stay as an out-camp refugee so that he can make necessary arrangements to...

Snipped And Sued: The 10-Second Clip That Sparked A Copyright War

The Mohak Mangal and ANI controversy has grabbed national interest and sparked debates across platforms regarding the 'fairness' of the use of a 10 second clip owned by ANI in a video made by Mangal spanning close to 30 minutes. On one side we have a party seeking compensation for use of its copyrighted material whereas proponents of the opponent side claim that the usage of the clip...

Surrogacy Law In India: Navigating Complexities Amidst Legal Reforms

In the evolving terrain of reproductive rights and biotechnology, India has emerged as both a frontier and a flashpoint for global surrogacy arrangements. The nation's surrogacy landscape has been punctuated by legal grey zones, ethical dilemmas, and emotionally charged courtroom dramas that have challenged the contours of parenthood, nationality, and dignity. A 76-year-old woman giving...

Love Or Crime? The Legal Dilemma Of Teenage Relationships Under POCSO

A 19 year old boy finds himself in jail, charged with rape, not because he actually committed the offence, but because his minor girlfriend (17 years 11 months old) agreed for a consensual sexual relationship. Her parents, after finding out, filed a case under POCSO, putting a big stain on his character and ruining his whole life that lies ahead- all for loving someone who is just a few days...

Reviewing New Access And Benefit Sharing Regulations, 2025

India had the early mover's advantage when it came to developing a suo-motu legislation to protect and manage its bio-resources, i.e. the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (BD Act). Though BD Act contained provisions depicting the three pillars of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which are conservation of biological diversity; the sustainable use of the components of biological...

A Reformist Critique Of Samuel Kamalesan V. Union Of India: Balancing Secularism And Military Discipline

The Delhi High Court's judgment in Samuel Kamalesan v. Union of India (W.P.(C) 7564/2021), delivered on May 30, 2025, upheld the dismissal of an army officer for refusing to participate in religious rituals, prioritizing military discipline over individual religious freedom. The judgement needs a reformist critique, as the ruling reflects an outdated judicial mindset that privileges...

Justice In English: Indian Courts, Language And Accessibility

It is intriguing that after seventy-five years of independence, a person from rural background would be hesitant to argue before the apex court of this country due to his lack of proficiency in one particular language. It becomes even more bewildering and concerning that this hesitation is not only institutionalized through practice but also legally mandated and prescribed by the constitution...

Right Of Decree Holder For Post Decree Interest When Judgment Debtor Deposits Decretal Amount Into Court

Whether a decree holder is entitled to post decree interest when the judgment debtor deposits the entire decretal amount into court, and what is the effect of such deposit if the decree holder is not permitted to withdraw the same ? More often it is seen that the judgment debtor in a money decree deposits the decretal/awarded amount into court for securing a stay on the same before the...

Disability, Mental Health, And Gender Identity Laws In India: A Decade Of Transformation

Over the last decade, India has witnessed a significant transformation in its legal landscape concerning disability rights, mental health, and gender identity. This shift marks a broader change in societal attitudes—one moving toward inclusion, dignity, and autonomy. From the antiquated provisions of the Lunacy Act to the more progressive Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and the evolution...

Yes! My Lord Is Right. Something Is Certainly Wrong

Several High Courts that supported the minimum practice requirement, told the Supreme Court that fresh law graduates, when directly appointed to the Bench, often behave disrespectfully towards the Bar. It was argued that mandatory practice would instill professional humility and improve judicial conduct. Accordingly the Supreme Court directed all State Governments to amend their respective...

David's Slingshot- What Universities In India Can Learn From Harvard-Trump Row

In its David-Goliath battle against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over the revocation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), Harvard University secured a much-needed reprieve. The U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs granted a restraining order. She held that the University “will sustain immediate and irreparable injury” if the government were permitted...