Rule of Law

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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

The open letter has alleged that peaceful protests were met with fake encounters, abductions and demolition of houses belonging to the protesters by police and other government instrumentalities

Granting bail to writer and activist, Gautam Navlakha in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case (Bhima Koregaon case), the Bombay High Court, found insufficient evidence to prima facie indicate Navlakha's involvement in conspiring or executing terrorist acts

In August 2021, 19 year old Pooja Sahu had claimed that she stumbled upon the Aadhaar card of her husband and found that he was a Muslim. This was followed by frequent fights between the couple.

As many as 1,01,39,843 cases have been pending in the Supreme Court and  High Courts for a duration between 5 to 20 years, Parliament was informed