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The recent hostage crisis in Mumbai’s Powai area involving Rohit Arya , a 50-year-old project director, has reignited debates surrounding mental distress, administrative accountability, and the limits of police force under Indian law . While the tragedy ended with the safe rescue of 17 children and Arya’s subsequent death in police firing , several legal and ethical questions emerge regarding state responsibility, unpaid contractual dues, and the use of lethal force in hostage situations . The Incident: From Protest to Tragedy According to reports, Rohit Arya had previously worked as the Project Director for Project Let’s Change – PLC Swachhata Monitor , an initiative under the Majhi Shala, Sundar Shala campaign of the Maharashtra government’s primary education department . Arya allegedly held grievances over unpaid dues worth ₹2 crore , claiming that his project work had been completed but never compensated. During negotiations, Arya released a video statement , asserting: ...

Background of the Case The Union government has informed the Supreme Court of India that it cannot investigate corruption and nepotism allegations against Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu , as the matter pertains to state jurisdiction. The Centre clarified that issues concerning the Code of Conduct for Ministers and public procurement rules fall within the state government’s domain , not the Centre’s. The statement came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by two non-profit organisations — Save Mon Region Foundation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena — seeking a probe into alleged irregularities in the award of public contracts to firms linked to Khandu’s family members. The Petition and Allegations The petitioners accused Chief Minister Pema Khandu , his father’s second wife Rinchin Drema , and his nephew Tsering Tashi of benefitting from public contracts awarded by the Arunachal government. They alleged that such actions violated: The Code of ...

Introduction: A Political Demonstration Turns Legal A political controversy unfolded in Maharashtra after Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Rohit Pawar publicly demonstrated how fake Aadhaar cards could allegedly be generated online. During an October 16 briefing, Pawar showcased a fabricated Aadhaar card in the name of former U.S. President Donald Trump to highlight what he termed “rampant identity fraud” and misuse in voter registration processes. However, what began as a political demonstration quickly turned into a legal matter when BJP social media cell co-convener Dhananjay Wagaskar filed a complaint alleging that the video misled the public and spread false and inflammatory claims. The FIR and Criminal Allegations Following the complaint, Mumbai Cyber Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against two unidentified individuals under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, 2000 . The ...

Introduction A major shift in the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy is set to affect thousands of Indian professionals and their dependents living and working in the US. The decision to end the automatic extension of Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) marks one of the most significant changes to the work authorization framework in recent years. This policy, taking effect from October 30, 2025 , will particularly impact Indian nationals—many of whom rely on timely EAD renewals to continue employment while awaiting green card approvals or visa transitions. What the New Rule Says According to the DHS rule , individuals filing for renewal of their EADs on or after October 30, 2025 , will no longer be eligible for automatic extensions. The Employment Authorisation Document is the legal work permit that allows non-US citizens to be employed within the country. Previously, applicants whose EADs had expired could continue to work legally for up to 540 d...

Introduction In a chilling case from Delhi, a forensic science student , inspired by crime web series and armed with academic knowledge of investigation techniques, meticulously plotted the murder of her live-in partner. What she believed to be a foolproof plan soon crumbled under the weight of forensic science — the very field she studied. The Delhi Police’s scientific precision exposed every layer of deceit, proving that no crime is ever perfect when science intervenes. The Plot: A Murder Disguised as an Accident The accused, a young woman studying forensic science, conspired with her ex-boyfriend and another associate to kill her 32-year-old live-in partner at his flat in north Delhi’s Gandhi Vihar. After strangling the victim, the trio attempted to stage the death as an accidental fire . To execute the cover-up, they doused the body with a mix of oil, ghee, and alcohol and set it ablaze near a gas cylinder , intending to simulate a cylinder blast. Her forensic background ga...

Introduction: The Case for Judicial Parity The Supreme Court of India has initiated hearings on one of the most significant reform issues concerning the district judiciary —the disparity in promotions between judges recruited as Civil Judges and those appointed as Direct District Judges . A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R. Gavai , along with Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, K. Vinod Chandran, and Joymalya Bagchi , is examining this anomaly, which has long been a structural imbalance in the judicial hierarchy. The issue arises from the fact that civil judges , despite decades of service, often do not reach the higher positions such as Principal District Judge (PDJ) or High Court Judge , whereas direct recruits progress faster in rank and remuneration. The Problem: Inequality in Judicial Promotions The Court highlighted the lack of equal opportunity within the judicial system, particularly in the career progression of judicial ...

Introduction The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the alarming rise in “digital arrest” scams , a new-age cybercrime where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or judicial authorities to extort money from unsuspecting victims. Recognizing the seriousness of the issue, the apex court has sought detailed information from all states and union territories (UTs) within one week on pending investigations related to such cases. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi has also indicated the possibility of assigning the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to undertake a nationwide probe, given the cross-border nature and complexity of these crimes. Understanding the ‘Digital Arrest’ Phenomenon The term “digital arrest” refers to a sophisticated cybercrime method where perpetrators impersonate police officers, CBI officials, or judges , often using forged court orders , fake video calls , and fabricated legal documents to deceive victims. ...

1. Background of the Case The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Bhushan R. Gavai, has severely criticised the Maharashtra Government for its poor record in carrying out compensatory afforestation in the Aarey region. The issue came up during the hearing of an application filed by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) seeking permission to cut trees for the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project, a tunnel connecting Filmcity in Goregaon with Khindipada in Mulund. An inspection report presented by Anitta Patil , Director of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) , revealed that out of 20,460 saplings planted as compensatory afforestation, only 50% survived . Most surviving trees were poorly maintained, with stunted growth, low height, and little ecological recovery due to lack of maintenance, poor soil conditions, water scarcity, and grazing . 2. Supreme Court’s Observations The bench comprising CJI Bhushan R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran expres...

1. Background of the Incident The Delhi Police recently arrested a 19-year-old Class 12 dropout, Aman, from Hisar, Haryana, for allegedly duping multiple individuals by offering heavily discounted iPhones through fake social media pages. Acting on digital trail evidence, the police traced his mobile number to his village and apprehended him through a late-night raid. According to the investigation, Aman had learned online fraud techniques from local cybercriminals. To conceal the proceeds of fraud, he transferred the money through multiple bank accounts. Victims were lured using manipulated images, forged screenshots of previous deliveries, and UPI payment links that appeared legitimate. One complainant stated that he made 29 UPI transactions totalling ₹65,782 , after being persuaded with false explanations regarding shipping and tax charges. No product was delivered, and communication was blocked afterward. The police have so far identified at least eight similar complaints , and...

Introduction India’s rich built heritage—palaces, forts, colonial mansions, temples, ghats—is under serious stress from neglect, institutional fragmentation and inadequate funding. As you outline, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and adaptive reuse have emerged as a possible route to reviving this heritage. The question arises: can the government mandate that eligible companies direct their statutory CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) obligations under the Companies Act 2013 towards heritage revival projects? This article examines the statutory CSR regime, constitutional and jurisprudential constraints, and the feasibility of directing CSR funds specifically to heritage preservation. The CSR Regime in India – Statute and Rules Applicability and key features Under section 135(1) of the Companies Act 2013, every company which, in the preceding financial year, satisfies any of the following criteria must comply with CSR obligations: net worth of ₹500 crore or more, or turnover ...

Introduction The Delhi High Court has permitted JTNL Consumer Health , a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson , to continue marketing its electrolyte drink under the registered trademark “ORSL” , despite the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issuing a ban on the use of the term ‘ORS’ in beverage branding. The High Court order places the FSSAI directive in temporary suspension only with respect to JTNL , until the authority decides on the company’s representation. This interim protection addresses concerns surrounding regulatory compliance, consumer protection, and market impact. Background: FSSAI’s Prohibition on Use of “ORS” On October 14 and 15, 2025 , the FSSAI issued orders directing Food Business Operators (FBOs) to refrain from using the term ORS : In product names On packaging labels In advertisements As part of trademarks The regulator reasoned that electrolyte drinks marketed as “ORS” or similarly named alternatives misled consumers i...