Rule of Law

“Even a Murderer Wouldn’t Do This”: Ajith Kumar’s custodial death and Tamil Nadu’s shameful culture of impunity

A 29-year-old temple guard was tortured to death in custody over a flimsy theft allegation with his body bearing 44 injuries, his last hours recorded on video. As Tamil Nadu reels, data shows a damning pattern: custodial deaths rise, convictions remain zero

Should the State Government intervene in cases of arbitrary orders by the Foreigners’ Tribunal?

In a recent decision of the Gauhati High Court that noted discrepancies and ignorance of procedure established by law in orders of the Foreigners’ Tribunal, has directed reviews by state government to the orders of the FT wherein “suspected illegal migrants/foreigners” are declared citizens

Justice once more for Bilkis Bano, but what now lies ahead?

Bilkis Bano has fought a hard, challenging battle. As one of the 1,958 women Muslim survivors of the targeted violence in Gujarat in 2002, she can now breathe some sighs of relief, if the convicts are “found” by the Gujarat police and report to prison by January 22 (the deadline set by the Supreme Court). There is also a possibility that these convicts now approach the Maharashtra government for remission under section 432 of the CrPC

Plea to NHRC: Fairly investigate into ‘enforced disappearance’ of youth off Bangla border

In a representation to the National Human Rights Commission...

Delhi HC: Foreigners cannot claim right to reside and settle in India, protections limited to Article 21

In a habeas corpus plea moved against restriction of movement of an alleged foreigner, the bench noted that foreign national cannot claim that he has right to reside and settle in India in terms of Article 19 (1) (e)

Bilkis Bano speaks: First person account, Godhra Relief Camp, March 2002

Twenty-two years ago, almost to the day, Bilkis Bano gave an oral statement recounting the horrors of what she had been through, to Communalism Combat magazine. Given the rather glaring trajectory of the case, where despite Bilkis’ Complaint, FIR with detailed facts, recounting the incident and naming accused, the Godhra police filed a ‘closure’ report (A Summary) which was even accepted by the local court, it is crucial that we re-visit, and read, in Bilkis’ words, her tale. Following the failures of the local administration, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) provided her the legal aid to ensure she finally does find justice, and peace.

Today, I Can Breathe Again: Bilkis Bano on landmark Supreme Court judgement

Through a powerfully worded letter issued through her lawyer, Bilkis Bano thanked the Supreme Court, her family, friends and lawyer as well as the thousands of people who extended their solidarity to her.

Bilkis Bano Case: Supreme Court strikes down remission for gang rape and murder convicts, citing flagrant violation of rule of law

While delivering the verdict, J. Nagarathna slams the Gujarat government to “act in tandem” with the convicts, highlights that it was the very apprehension of complicity of the Gujarat government with convicts that resulted in transfer of case to another state

Punjab & Haryana HC: “Journalism is civilisation’s mirror, and investigative journalism its X-ray”

Quashing the summons and all subsequent proceedings against Indian Express, in a 2008 criminal defamation case, a single bench observed that it is the duty of journalist to uncover the truth; moreoever also, that the Courts should be more vigilant and proactive while safeguarding the interests of such courageous humans

India’s 2023 bad laws: Impact on Individual Freedoms and Indigenous Rights in a weaponised state

Do the 30 bills passed summarily, without due process, in the four sessions of the Parliament paint an even more dismal picture for the future of India, further curtailing our rights and freedoms?

Delhi HC: “Accused cannot be coerced to reveal or disclose the password(s) in view of Article 20 (3) of Indian Constitution”

Highlighting the constitutional protection granted to accused from self-incrimination, the Court granted bail to accused holding that “applicant is innocent till proven guilty”

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“Even a Murderer Wouldn’t Do This”: Ajith Kumar’s custodial death and Tamil Nadu’s shameful culture of impunity

A 29-year-old temple guard was tortured to death in custody over a flimsy theft allegation with his body bearing 44 injuries, his last hours recorded on video. As Tamil Nadu reels, data shows a damning pattern: custodial deaths rise, convictions remain zero

Justice Deferred: J&K High Court stays repatriation of 63-year-old woman deported after Pahalgam attack, following MHA appeal

Despite a scathing ruling that termed her deportation unconstitutional and inhumane, the Ministry of Home Affairs has secured a stay on a High Court order directing the return of Rakshanda Rashid, a long-time resident and LTV holder, raising urgent concerns about due process, state overreach, and judicial inconsistency

No, India Is Not the Fourth Most Equal Country. Here’s the Real Data

Whichever way one looks at the data, the picture is clear: India is a highly unequal country, and inequality is worsening.

Bombay High Court orders FIR in Somnath Suryawanshi custodial death case, slams police for delay and bias

Aurangabad Bench directs FIR within a week; finds prima facie evidence of custodial torture and criticises state police and CID for a biased probe into Somnath Suryawanshi’s death after the Parbhani protests

How the Delhi riots case remains stagnant with close to a dozen student leaders incarcerated

A look back at the trajectory of the Delhi Riots case(s), especially the infamous and belatedly registered FIR 59/2020 reveals a litany of procedural and substantive failures, together resulting in the incarceration without bail, for five long years, ten student activists and human rights defenders and one more politician as “accused”

Development or dispossession? 1,188 days of defiance against forced land acquisition in Devanahalli, Karnataka

As Karnataka’s government inches forward with plans to acquire 1,777 acres of fertile farmland for a Defence and Aerospace Park, farmers from 13 villages in Devanahalli, now backed by workers’ unions, Dalit and Muslim groups, intellectuals and scientists, dig in for the final battle. With promises broken and livelihoods at stake, the countdown to July 15 marks a watershed moment in Karnataka’s agrarian history

Fr. Stan Swamy SJ: Person, Pilgrim, Prophet

On the fourth anniversary of his death, July 5, a targeted act of violence called an ‘institutional murder’, Jesuit activist priest, Stan Swamy is remembered in Tamil Nadu, the place of his birth, and Jharkhand the site of his years of toil, for his commitment and integrity; a recall

Emergency regime and the role of RSS

The RSS’ claim that they were the main force of ‘resistance’ during the 15-month period of the Emergency is not borne out by record