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The Supreme Court of India has issued a sharply worded order addressing a shocking 16-year delay in an acid attack case pending in Delhi. Terming the prolonged pendency a “national shame,” the Court has directed all High Courts to furnish updated information on all pending acid attack trials within four weeks. The order emerged during the hearing of a PIL filed by acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik , whose own case registered in 2009 remains unresolved in a Rohini court. Background of the Case During the hearing before a Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi , the Court expressed deep anguish over the systemic delays plaguing acid attack trials. The judges highlighted the disturbing fact that a survivor like Malik has waited 16 years for justice, calling such delays a mockery of the criminal justice system. The Court emphasised that when such delays occur even in the national capital, they reflect a nationwide systemic failure. The Bench issued notices...

The Allahabad High Court has strongly criticised the functioning of Uttar Pradesh’s birth certificate issuance system, describing it as a “mess” and reflective of dishonesty operating at multiple administrative levels. The court’s observations came during the hearing of a writ petition that exposed the ease with which multiple birth certificates with conflicting details can be obtained in the state. Case Background: Two Birth Certificates, Two Different Dates of Birth Facts of the Petition The issue surfaced during the hearing of a writ petition filed by an individual named Shivanki . The Deputy Director of UIDAI, Regional Office, Lucknow, submitted documents that revealed the petitioner possessed two separate birth certificates , both issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, but: from two different authorities, and with two different dates of birth. Details of the Conflicting Certificates Certificate 1: Issued by: Primary Health Centre, Manauta Date of bir...

The Supreme Court of India, in a significant ruling, has reiterated that the gravity of a crime alone is insufficient to impose the death penalty unless the judicial process leading to the sentencing is scrupulously fair, transparent, and in strict compliance with constitutional safeguards . This judgment, delivered in the case involving death row convict Vasant Sampat Dupare , is a reminder of India’s strong constitutional framework that upholds life, dignity, and justice , even for those convicted of heinous crimes. The Fragility of the Death Penalty System A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol, and Sandeep Mehta emphasized the irreversible nature of capital punishment and the risk of wrongful convictions. The judgment pointed out that investigations in India often rely on confessions extracted under opacity, contested recoveries, and forensic material of doubtful rigor , which when coupled with an overburdened trial system, increases the risk of errors. “A Constituti...

Stricter Immigration Rules Coming: Modi Govt’s New Bill Proposes Rs 10 Lakh Fine for Fake Passports Introduction: Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 The Modi government is set to introduce The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in the ongoing Budget session of Parliament . The bill, to be presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah , aims to replace multiple outdated laws and introduce stricter regulations regarding foreign nationals, passports, visas, and national security . Key Provisions of the New Bill 1. Heavy Penalties for Unauthorized Entry & Fake Passports Foreigners entering India without authorization may face a penalty of up to ₹5 lakh . Use of fake or fraudulently obtained passports could result in a fine of up to ₹10 lakh . Overstaying beyond visa duration could lead to three years' imprisonment and a fine up to ₹3 lakh . 2. Replacement of Outdated Laws The new Bill will repeal and replace the following laws: ✅ Passport (Entry into India) Act...

Delhi High Court Upholds Life Sentence for Three Convicts in Rohini Murder-Dacoity Case The Delhi High Court has upheld the life sentence awarded to three individuals convicted for the murder of a woman during a dacoity in her house in July 2012 in the Rohini area . However, the court modified their sentences to run concurrently instead of consecutively . The judgment was passed by a division bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma on February 6, 2025 . The court dismissed the appeals challenging the conviction while modifying the sentencing structure. High Court Modifies Sentences but Upholds Conviction The trial court in Rohini had convicted Rajesh alias Tinku, Ravinder alias Tunda, and Rusy alias Surender for murder, trespass, and dacoity under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) . 🔹 The High Court upheld the conviction but ruled that their sentences should run concurrently instead of consecutively . 🔹 The decision was influenced by...

🚨 Rau’s IAS Study Circle Case: Delhi HC Strikes Down  ₹2.5 Cr Bail Condition for CEO Abhishek Gupta ⚖️ In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has set aside the financial condition of depositing ₹2.5 crore for interim bail granted to Rau’s IAS Study Circle CEO, Abhishek Gupta. This case stems from the tragic death of three UPSC aspirants in the basement of the coaching institute in Old Rajender Nagar, Delhi , in July 2024 . 🔴 What’s Next? The trial court will now decide Gupta’s bail plea on its merits , with the hearing scheduled for Friday at Rouse Avenue Court . ⚖️ High Court’s Key Observations Justice Vikas Mahajan overturned the trial court’s condition, citing the Supreme Court’s precedent , which had already removed a similar ₹5 crore condition for the co-accused. 📌 Key Developments: 🔹 The SC had already set aside the ₹5 crore fund creation order for four co-accused co-owners . 🔹 On January 21, 2025 , the Delhi HC granted them regular bail wi...

Triple Talaq: Supreme Court Seeks Data on FIRs Filed Under the 2019 Law The Supreme Court of India has sought an affidavit from the Centre detailing the total number of FIRs registered and charge sheets filed under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 —the law that criminalizes Triple Talaq and imposes a jail term of up to three years for violators. 💡 Key Question Before the Court: Should Triple Talaq , which is already invalidated , be criminalized ? 🔍 What Is Triple Talaq? Triple Talaq , also known as Talaq-e-Biddat , is an instant divorce practice among certain sects of Indian Muslims , where a husband could unilaterally divorce his wife by simply uttering "Talaq" three times— verbally, in writing, or even over a text message! 📲📞✉️ This practice often left Muslim women in a state of social, financial, and emotional turmoil with no legal recourse . ⚖️ Supreme Court’s Intervention & the 2019 Law 🔹 August 22, 2017 – The S...

SC Seeks Centre’s Response on Muslim Woman’s Plea for Indian Succession Act Over Sharia Law The Case at a Glance The Supreme Court of India has directed the Central Government to respond to a petition filed by a Kerala-based Muslim woman, Safiya PM , who seeks to be governed by the Indian Succession Act, 1925 , instead of Muslim Personal Law (Sharia Law) regarding inheritance. A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna , along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan , has given the government four weeks to file its response, with the hearing scheduled for May 2025 . Why Is the Woman Challenging Sharia Law? The petitioner, a non-believer Muslim , argues that since she does not practice Islam, she should be governed by secular inheritance laws rather than religious laws. ✔️ Sharia Law Restriction – Under Sharia law , a Muslim individual can only bequeath one-third of their property via a will. The remaining two-thirds is distributed according to Islamic inheritance rul...

Uttarakhand Implements Uniform Civil Code: A Historic Milestone Uttarakhand has made history by becoming the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on January 27, 2025 . Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced this significant achievement, which aims to bring uniformity in personal civil laws across the state, eliminating discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, and other factors. What is the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)? The UCC is a set of laws intended to govern personal civil matters such as marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance uniformly across all communities, regardless of religion. The UCC seeks to ensure equality and justice by replacing diverse personal laws with a standardized legal framework. Uttarakhand Leads the Way Historic First for Independent India Uttarakhand is the first state in India to implement the UCC, fulfilling a long-standing commitment by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) . The Chief Minister stated that...

Mumbai Man Arrested for Raping Woman Under  Pretext of Marriage: A Rising Concern In a recent disturbing incident, Mumbai police arrested a 26-year-old man from Ludhiana, Punjab, identified as Raghav Rajesh Agarwal, for allegedly raping a woman on the false pretext of marriage. This heinous act was reportedly committed multiple times between January 2023 and August 2024. The victim and the accused initially met at an exhibition in Delhi, but the alleged deception and abuse continued until the victim sought justice. Growing Crimes Against Women: A National Crisis This case is not isolated. Just last month, the Nalasopara police arrested another man, Firoz Niyazi Sheikh, who allegedly defrauded more than 20 women under the pretext of marriage. Sheikh used fake online profiles to target widowed women, robbing them of their money and jewelry before vanishing. His arrest was the result of a meticulous police operation involving an undercover profile on an online platform. Such incidents...

CJI Chandrachud Suggests Continuation of Judicial Work Despite Bar Member's Demise Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has proposed reconsidering the practice of ceasing judicial work for the rest of the day when a member of the Bar passes away. His suggestion came during the bicentennial celebrations of the Bar Library at Calcutta High Court. Re-thinking Judicial Work Stoppage CJI Chandrachud emphasized the importance of maintaining judicial work despite the unfortunate demise of Bar members. He highlighted that while respecting the deceased is essential, the broader societal impact of halting judicial proceedings should also be considered. "Should we be ceasing work because a member of the Bar has passed away? Of course, we respect our friends, our colleagues, and our seniors; sometimes, unfortunately, they are our peers who have passed away untimely. Do we need to affect the wider society at large?" he questioned. Personal Experience Sharing his personal experi...

Congress Leader Chidambaram Vows to Implement "Bail is the Rule, Jail is the Exception" Principle if INDIA Bloc Comes to Power Former Union Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram made significant promises on Sunday, stating that if the INDIA bloc comes to power at the Centre, it would enact a special law to operationalize the legal principle established by the Supreme Court: "bail is the rule, and jail is the exception." Enacting New Legislation Chidambaram emphasized the need for a special law to ensure that bail is granted as a rule, especially highlighting the plight of undertrial prisoners, a majority of whom belong to marginalized communities. He underscored the importance of implementing this principle effectively in lower courts, where it is often overlooked. Repealing Controversial Laws In addition to promising to implement the "bail is the rule" principle, Chidambaram stated that the INDIA bloc would repeal several contentious laws enacted by ...