Former Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, discussed the distinction between judicial activism and judicial overreach, highlighting the judiciary’s responsibility to bring about constructive change while respecting boundaries. He emphasized the transformative impact of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and the need for timely justice to uphold public trust and the rule of law.
At the 2024 ABA-India Conference, Justice Hima Kohli emphasized the Indian judiciary’s commitment to sustainable economic development and the interdependence of economic progress, environmental preservation, and individual rights. She highlighted the potential for collaboration with the United States to enhance economic development and strengthen democratic and legal foundations. The judiciary’s focus on sustainable growth can position India as a global leader in environmentally conscious economic development.
Supreme Court Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gaval stressed the crucial role of judicial review in India’s governance at a Harvard Kennedy School lecture, highlighting its impact on executive accountability and policy shaping. He emphasized the judiciary’s duty to ensure legality and constitutionality of government actions, and the transformative influence of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in empowering citizens and upholding constitutional vitality.
“If not for giving representation to Scheduled Castes, I would have been elevated maybe two years later,” : Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai emphasized the role of reservation and affirmative action in elevating marginalized individuals in India’s government. He credited his own advancement to these principles and highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusion in the judiciary. Justice Gavai also addressed challenges such as media manipulation and emphasized the CJI’s duty to provide equal leadership.
On Tuesday (26th March): Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai highlighted the integral relationship between the right to free speech and the right to information, especially in the context of elections and the Electoral Bonds case. Emphasizing the evolution from colonialism to democracy, he reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to upholding constitutional values and encouraging citizen participation.
On Thursday(14th March), The Bombay Bar Association held a tribute meeting at the Bombay High Court lawns to honor the legacy of Fali Nariman. Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya described Nariman as an inspiration, while senior advocates shared personal anecdotes, highlighting his humanity, pursuit of perfection, bravery, and professional acumen. The tribute served as a reminder of the values at the core of the legal profession.
On March 11th, the Supreme Court of India made a significant decision regarding a same-sex couple from Kerala, emphasizing the importance of respecting individual sexual orientations. The ruling reiterated the decriminalization of homosexuality and discouraged the use of counseling to alter one’s sexual orientation. The Court also dismissed the petition concerning the same-sex relationship case.
On International Women’s Day 2024, Indian courts took significant steps to support women’s rights, emphasizing gender equality and empowerment. Landmark judgments addressed workplace gender equality, reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, and combatting gender-based violence. Notable cases such as Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan, Suchita Srivastava v. Chandigarh Administration, and Durga v. State of New Delhi contributed to women’s empowerment in India.
Chief Justice Chandrachud, at the Supreme Court’s Diamond Jubilee, highlighted the judiciary’s need for independence beyond constitutional safeguards. He emphasized the necessity for judges to be free from social and political pressures. He also expressed concerns about increasing case pendency and underscored the court’s role as a final arbiter for liberation and inclusion, not oppression.
In a recent exclusive interview with India Today TV’s Preeti Choudhary, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, a distinguished former judge of the Supreme Court of India, expressed his concerns regarding the current state of bail jurisprudence in the Indian judiciary. Justice Kaul, who retired from the Supreme Court in the third week of December 2023, highlighted […]