Committed Crimes And Over-Committed Courts: How Far Can My Lord Bend The BNSS – Part II

-Mayank Khichar Part IV: Harmonising Kishun Singh and Ranjit Singh Through The “Active” and “Passive” Role of the Magistrate in Dharam Pal Further, the tension between Kishun Singh and Ranjit Singh found partial resolution in Dharam Pal v. State of Haryana, at para 27 and 28, where the Court introduced a nuanced distinction between the “active” … Continue reading Committed Crimes And Over-Committed Courts: How Far Can My Lord Bend The BNSS – Part II

Committed Crimes And Over-Committed Courts: How Far Can My Lord Bend The BNSS – Part I

-Mayank Khichar “Jurisdiction is not given for the sake of the judge, but for that of the litigant.”- Blaise Pascal Introduction This article examines one of the core and contentious issues often involved in criminal trials. Namely, it centres around the focal point that (a) which forum may call ‘the accused’ to answer, and (b) when … Continue reading Committed Crimes And Over-Committed Courts: How Far Can My Lord Bend The BNSS – Part I

Inherited Guilt? Criminal Liability of Acquiring Companies for Pre-Merger Wrongs Under Indian Law

-Arham Anwar When one company absorbs another through a merger or amalgamation, the acquiring entity inherits a great deal of assets, contracts, employees, and often, reputation. But what about sins of the past? If the target company committed criminal offences before the deal closed, does the acquirer step into the dock as well? Under Indian … Continue reading Inherited Guilt? Criminal Liability of Acquiring Companies for Pre-Merger Wrongs Under Indian Law

Between Text and Purpose: Interpreting “Public Servant” Under POCSO

-Bhushan Raut Introduction The most difficult cases in criminal law are not the ones where the law is silent, but where it speaks and it produces an answer that feels normatively unsatisfying. The Delhi High Court’s order in the Unnao rape case is one such instance. Few cases more starkly demonstrate the abuse of power, … Continue reading Between Text and Purpose: Interpreting “Public Servant” Under POCSO

ADMISSIBILITY OF DNA EVIDENCE BEYOND DNA PROFILING: IS EVIDENCE PROCURED USING NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING ADMISSIBLE?

-Ritwik Sharma, Gurdeep Rai Introduction The use of advanced forensic genomics can expedite trials and has necessitated modernising existing procedural and evidentiary laws in India. Currently, classical DNA Profiling methods involving identification via fingerprinting are used in criminal investigations, and the evidence collected is admissible under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (‘BSA’). However, it remains … Continue reading ADMISSIBILITY OF DNA EVIDENCE BEYOND DNA PROFILING: IS EVIDENCE PROCURED USING NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING ADMISSIBLE?

From 375 to 377: right to orientation conflicting with right to consent? Part- II

-Dhruv Madan and Maya Sarmah In Part I of this two-part post, we examined the shifting jurisprudence under Sections 375 and 377 IPC, through the cases of Imran Khan @ Ashok Ratna v. State of U.P. and Mohd. Mustafa & Ors. v. NCT of Delhi. Both these cases take a contradictory stance on whether the … Continue reading From 375 to 377: right to orientation conflicting with right to consent? Part- II

From 375 to 377: right to orientation conflicting with right to consent? Part- I

-Dhruv Madan and Maya Sarmah Introduction The law on sexual offences in India has witnessed substantial doctrinal shifts, yet certain judicial interpretations remain anchored in outdated binaries. Despite reforms via the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 and Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India, Indian High Courts continue to inconsistently distinguish between ‘natural’ and ‘unnatural’ … Continue reading From 375 to 377: right to orientation conflicting with right to consent? Part- I

Trading Shadows: Money Laundering & Insider Deals in the Metaverse’s Legal Void

-Advait Sharma and Bhadra Anil “In a world coded without consequence, shadows become the currency and silence the law.”  Introduction In any society where substantial transactions occur, be it in markets, industries, or the virtual world, in the absence of robust regulatory oversight, crime inevitably concurs to exploit the system or leverage it for greater … Continue reading Trading Shadows: Money Laundering & Insider Deals in the Metaverse’s Legal Void

From Mandate to Discretion: How Imran Pratapgadhi Reconfigures the Understanding of FIR Jurisprudence

- Kush Taparia, Hanshita Sharma “The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.” - Justice Louis D. Brandeis Introduction The recent ruling of the Supreme Court ["SC"] in Imran Pratapgadhi v. State of Gujarat [“Imran Pratapgadhi”] has once again brought into focus the ambiguity and uncertainty … Continue reading From Mandate to Discretion: How Imran Pratapgadhi Reconfigures the Understanding of FIR Jurisprudence

Criminalising Critique: Sedition and the Ashoka Professor Controversy

-Sarah Unhelkar and Hitanshi Jain The Supreme Court recently granted interim bail to Ashoka Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad with specific conditions. Mahmudabad was arrested on May 18th, following two FIRs being registered against him with the Haryana Police for his social media posts. While sharing his thoughts via his X (earlier “Twitter”) account, he applauded … Continue reading Criminalising Critique: Sedition and the Ashoka Professor Controversy

Milgram Project: Why the “Manifestly Unlawful Order” Doctrine Fails When Authority Demands Obedience

-Rea Agarwal Introduction Law and psychology ought to be framed in tandem. The Milgram Project is a classic case study that demonstrates the unsettling dynamics of authority and obedience and reveals a pothole of basic Human psyche that law fails to account for. It is this loophole that the article attempts to bring to light. … Continue reading Milgram Project: Why the “Manifestly Unlawful Order” Doctrine Fails When Authority Demands Obedience

How Judicial Permissiveness Sustains Solitary Confinement in Indian Prisons

-Ayush Gupta Introduction The long and contentious aspect of solitary confinement has always been a topic of debate in criminal law jurisprudence, which raises serious human rights and legal concerns. Keeping inmates in confinement for prolonged hours without meaningful human contact has been criticized globally for its harmful physiological and psychological effects. This practice is … Continue reading How Judicial Permissiveness Sustains Solitary Confinement in Indian Prisons

Penalising Adolescent Bodily Agency: Is It Time to Revisit Consent under the POCSO Act?

- Vaani Negi Introduction Adolescence, the latest four-episode miniseries on Netflix, has been rapidly gaining acclaim, and deservedly so. The series delves into the harrowing aftermath of a 13-year-old boy being accused of murder.  The narrative reveals school-going children looking for direction from a digital world that warps their perceptions, rather than from teachers no … Continue reading Penalising Adolescent Bodily Agency: Is It Time to Revisit Consent under the POCSO Act?

WHO GOT IT WRONG—THE ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT OR US?

-Aarya Dubey & Kush Shanker. INTRODUCTION Recently, in a judgement delivered by the Hon’ble Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra J. of the Allahabad High Court, it was observed that groping breasts, snapping off the girl’s pyjama strings and dragging her beneath the culvert prima facie do not constitute an attempt to rape under the relevant provisions … Continue reading WHO GOT IT WRONG—THE ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT OR US?

Digital Platforms and Dirty Money:  Addressing Financial Non-Regulation within Social Media Platforms

-Tanya Sara George Introduction As per a 2024 FATF report, most domestic money laundering operations are conducted through open sources and social media networks. Initially designed as neutral forums for communication under Section 2(w) of the IT Act of 2000, these platforms have evolved into dual-purpose entities, facilitating not just digital interactions but financial transactions. … Continue reading Digital Platforms and Dirty Money:  Addressing Financial Non-Regulation within Social Media Platforms

Adnan Nisar v. Directorate of Enforcement: Highlighting the Cross-Border Implications of the PMLA

~ By Akshat Patria The Delhi High Court recently, in the case of Adnan Nisar v. Directorate of Enforcement, passed a significant verdict expanding the scope of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the PMLA) to the offences committed outside India. The Hon’ble High Court has clearly held that an … Continue reading Adnan Nisar v. Directorate of Enforcement: Highlighting the Cross-Border Implications of the PMLA

REAFFIRMING THE LIBERAL BAIL JURISPRUDENCE

-Mohamed Thahir Sulaiman                                                                                                 INTRODUCTION In its recent judgment in Jalaluddin Khan v. Union of India, the Supreme Court has reemphasized the well-established principle that "bail is the rule, jail is the exception," even in cases arising under special statutes like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (‘UAPA’). However, this ruling conflicts with the Court's earlier … Continue reading REAFFIRMING THE LIBERAL BAIL JURISPRUDENCE

E-SAKSHYA APPLICATION: STREAMLINING JUSTICE WHILE ADDING LAYERS OF COMPLEXITIES

- Insha Pani While the nation’s historic overhaul of the three major criminal laws captured national and international attention, another significant development is breathing its way quietly but powerfully is the introduction of the E-Sakshya Mobile application—part of a broader digital transformation within the criminal justice system. The E-Sakshya app, developed in consonance with Sections … Continue reading E-SAKSHYA APPLICATION: STREAMLINING JUSTICE WHILE ADDING LAYERS OF COMPLEXITIES

Rethinking Consent: Addressing Flaws in India’s POCSO Act for Teenage Relationships

-Akashdeep S R Introduction In India, rape, as defined in Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, is a punishable offence. The requirement is that the victim should not have consented to the alleged sexual act. If the victim is under 18, she would be considered a minor, and her consent would not … Continue reading Rethinking Consent: Addressing Flaws in India’s POCSO Act for Teenage Relationships

REDEMPTION AND REFORM: ANALYSING THE ‘SECOND CHANCES’ LEGISLATION IN AMERICA’S CRIMINAL JUSTICE LANDSCAPE

-Yash Sharan Introduction In the first half of 2024, the lawmakers of the United States of America (“US”) have taken cognizance of the cases involving prisoners undergoing long-term sentences. For instance, the state of Oklahoma in the US passed a law that would reduce sentences for those criminals who are victims of domestic violence. This … Continue reading REDEMPTION AND REFORM: ANALYSING THE ‘SECOND CHANCES’ LEGISLATION IN AMERICA’S CRIMINAL JUSTICE LANDSCAPE

From Untrustworthy to Trustworthy? The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam’s Mandatory Corroboration of Accomplice Evidence

- Yushmita Sidar. Introduction “When the only proof against a person charged with a criminal offence is the evidence of an accomplice, uncorroborated in any material particular, it is the duty of the judge to warn the jury that it is unsafe to convict any person upon such evidence, though they have a legal right … Continue reading From Untrustworthy to Trustworthy? The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam’s Mandatory Corroboration of Accomplice Evidence

UNCERTAINTY UNDER-TRIAL: DISCRETION IN DENIAL OF BAIL U/S 436A 

-Jugaad Singh INTRODUCTION Overflowing and overburdened prisons are often a consequence of either an increased crime rate or an increased conviction rate. However, in India, the situation is neither. It is the consequence of a delayed judicial process, as more than 75% of the in-mates are under trial prisoners. While the overflow of prisons is … Continue reading UNCERTAINTY UNDER-TRIAL: DISCRETION IN DENIAL OF BAIL U/S 436A 

Shifting Sands: The Evolving Interpretations of Anticorruption Laws for Insolvency Resolution Professionals 

- Raunaq Bali The fight against corruption hinges on the cornerstone: the definition of a ‘public servant’. Within the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as “the PC Act”), this seemingly straightforward term holds immense weight, determining who falls under its watchful gaze and who remains beyond its reach. However, this line in … Continue reading Shifting Sands: The Evolving Interpretations of Anticorruption Laws for Insolvency Resolution Professionals 

Capital Punishment: Mitigating Factors in Light of The Biopsychosocial Model 

- This blog has been authored by Anmol Yadav. The author is 3rd year student of B.A. L.LB. (Hons.) at Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.  In the complex discourse surrounding capital punishment, the consideration of mitigating factors becomes paramount, particularly when viewed through the lens of the Biopsychosocial Model. This interdisciplinary framework, encompassing biological, … Continue reading Capital Punishment: Mitigating Factors in Light of The Biopsychosocial Model 

Can Companies Commit Homicide: Navigating Corporate Criminal Liability in Cases of Homicide

- This blog has been authored by Vansh Bhatnagar and Gunjan Sharma. The authors are 4th and 2nd year students of B.A. L.LB. (Hons.) at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab, respectively. Introduction The world today is governed by the centers of economic power. In the modern format of heavy reliance on private companies in … Continue reading Can Companies Commit Homicide: Navigating Corporate Criminal Liability in Cases of Homicide

The 283rd Law Commission Report – Better If Not Implemented

- Vedant Choudhary The Law Commission of India in its 283rd report, titled, ‘Age of Consent under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012’ has recommended against amending the age of consent under the POCSO Act. This negative recommendation comes in light of growing cases of romantic relationships between minors, where de facto … Continue reading The 283rd Law Commission Report – Better If Not Implemented

COVID-19 – XV: Atrocities against Healthcare Workers- Why India needs a Comprehensive Legislation?

By Milind Rajratnam and Srishti Bhargav Introduction The healthcare workers across the world are most susceptible to workplace violence, but still their concerns are least discussed and deliberated upon. According to the World Health Organization, around 8% to 38% of healthcare workers suffer physical violence at some point in their careers. A study conducted by … Continue reading COVID-19 – XV: Atrocities against Healthcare Workers- Why India needs a Comprehensive Legislation?

Whether Section 37 of NDPS Act Renders the Provision of Anticipatory Bail Infructuous

By Nayan Grover Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (“NDPS Act”) is a Sue Generis Code and thus anything provided in this act will prevail over the general law. The offences under the NDPS Act are considered to be of more serious nature than usual and also viewed with more scrutiny by the courts. … Continue reading Whether Section 37 of NDPS Act Renders the Provision of Anticipatory Bail Infructuous

Three Strikes and You’re Out: Indian Criminal Legislation Needs Baseball Rules?

By Sri Hari Mangalam Introduction Three Strikes and you are out, a common baseball phrase is also the underlying principle for criminal penalties in America. The measure originally enacted to curb the increase in violent crimes across the country is as of now, centred in a few states. California passed the law in 1994, in … Continue reading Three Strikes and You’re Out: Indian Criminal Legislation Needs Baseball Rules?

COVID-19 – XIII: Domestic Violence: The Unseen Crisis of the Pandemic

By Sneha Singh  Introduction The lockdowns following the COVID-19 pandemic have surged up the number of domestic violence cases among many countries worldwide. The populations were directed to stay indoors at their respective homes as it had been proved to be an effective measure for fighting against the coronavirus. While stopping the spread of the … Continue reading COVID-19 – XIII: Domestic Violence: The Unseen Crisis of the Pandemic

COVID-19 – XII: Some Thoughts on the Ordinance to Protect Health Care Workers

By Abhinav Sekhri On 22.04.2020, Ordinance No. 5 of 2020 was passed to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. It was a response to the most recent pleas by medical professionals for greater legal protection against physical attacks. I say most recent because this issue has been raised on many a prior occasion, but it only seems to have assumed critical importance … Continue reading COVID-19 – XII: Some Thoughts on the Ordinance to Protect Health Care Workers

There are No Right Answers: The Supreme Court and the Purity / Mixture Debate under the NDPS Act

By Abhinav Sekhri On April 22, 2020, a Three Justices' Bench of the Supreme Court decided a reference made to it in Hira Singh [Crl. Appeal No. 722 of 2017, decided on 22.04.2020]. The primary issue before the Court was the correctness an earlier decision by a Two Justices' Bench of the Supreme Court, E. Micheal Raj v. Intelligence Officer [(2008) … Continue reading There are No Right Answers: The Supreme Court and the Purity / Mixture Debate under the NDPS Act

COVID-19 – VII: Is the Indian Legal Framework Capable of Handling the Coronavirus Pandemic

By Devanshu Anada Introduction It was unimaginable for the government of most of the countries that a pathogen not even visible to a naked eye would have the potential to bring even the most developed countries down to their knees and their economies to a virtual standstill. As unprepared the immunity system of our bodies … Continue reading COVID-19 – VII: Is the Indian Legal Framework Capable of Handling the Coronavirus Pandemic

COVID-19 – VI: India’s Decaying Bail System: A Virus Exposes the Truth

By Tanay Singh and Tanya Rathod INTRODUCTION The term bail essentially means the interim release of an accused from the judicial custody and to place him/her under the custody of some monetary assurance to serve the accused person his right to enjoy the personal freedom. Granting of bail in the Indian criminal justice system has … Continue reading COVID-19 – VI: India’s Decaying Bail System: A Virus Exposes the Truth

COVID-19 – IV: Infectious Diseases: Rein on Quarantine & Archaic Laws

By Ranjeet Soni and Rohit Shrivastava INTRODUCTION A clean environment is an indispensable fundamental right which is vested with all the people Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Supreme Court elucidated that any disturbance of basic environmental elements namely air, water and soil would amount to punishment. To prevent disturbance reasonable restrictions may be put … Continue reading COVID-19 – IV: Infectious Diseases: Rein on Quarantine & Archaic Laws

Extra-Judicial killings: A solution for preventing crime in Adityanath’s UP?

By Amrashaa Singh The recent killing of the four accused in the Hyderabad veterinary doctor’s rape case created a huge hue and cry across the nation. While some people praised the incident, others pointed out the human rights violations caused by the incident. Many famous personalities, praised it, including Jaya Bachchan, a Rajya Sabha M.P., … Continue reading Extra-Judicial killings: A solution for preventing crime in Adityanath’s UP?

Are Rights of Victim Subservient to the Rights of Convicts: An Analysis in Light of the Nirbhaya Case

By Kartik Agarwal  India went into a state of despair on December 16th, 2012 when a 23-year-old girl was raped by six men in a moving bus in Delhi. Five of them were sentenced to death in 2013 by the Fast track court and one was sent to the juvenile justice board. The death penalty … Continue reading Are Rights of Victim Subservient to the Rights of Convicts: An Analysis in Light of the Nirbhaya Case

Section 144 Cr.P.C. — Part IV: Public Order and Political Agitation (1901 to 1920)

By Abhinav Sekhri (This is the Fourth Post in a series on the Blog. Previous posts can be accessed here) The previous post expanded upon the officers who dealt with the powers conferred under what, by 1898, was Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code [Cr.P.C.]. The post also elaborated upon the expansion of such powers … Continue reading Section 144 Cr.P.C. — Part IV: Public Order and Political Agitation (1901 to 1920)

The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958- An Extremely Crucial but Underplayed Legislation

By Shreyash Mittal Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Hate the crime, not the criminal.” Introduction The aim of the criminal justice system is the reformation of criminals rather than inflicting punishment on them. Probation is an alternative to the customary form of punishments, where instead of sending the offender into the jail; he is released on … Continue reading The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958- An Extremely Crucial but Underplayed Legislation

COVID-19 – III: Is Use of Lathi by Police During Lockdown Justified?

By Nishtha Gupta “The safety of the people is the supreme law.” -Markus Tullius, Roman statesman and lawyer The Indian state has recently faced the world’s largest lockdown wherein 1.6 billion people have been subjected to an unprecedented lockdown. This has obviously led to a certain protest in terms of people not following the lockdown … Continue reading COVID-19 – III: Is Use of Lathi by Police During Lockdown Justified?

COVID-19 – II: Lockdown and the Wave of Police Brutality

By Yashwanth J With the onset of nationwide lockdown following the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus, various photos and videos have surfaced on the internet and the TV news channels portraying the highhandedness by the police officials against the flouters of the impugned curfew. The Government’s Guidelines on the measures to be taken by … Continue reading COVID-19 – II: Lockdown and the Wave of Police Brutality

COVID-19 – I: Does the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 Call for an Amendment?

By Manan Daga The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) is one hundred and twenty-three years old legislation. It was incorporated by the Britishers to fight the bubonic plague epidemic in 1896 in the Bombay Presidency.[1] This underlines a vital fact which cannot be ignored. The Act was a mechanism for … Continue reading COVID-19 – I: Does the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 Call for an Amendment?

The DNA Technology Regulation Bill, 2019 and its Impact on Marginalised Communities

By Ashima Sharma and Nidhi Pratap Singh The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 ( “Bill”) has been formulated to create a national DNA database for use in criminal investigation and civil matters. DNA technology can be used to ascertain the identity of a person and can be of use in criminal investigation … Continue reading The DNA Technology Regulation Bill, 2019 and its Impact on Marginalised Communities

Looking Beyond Retribution: A Plea To Abolish Capital Punishment

By Ashna D After making innumerable attempts to postpone their execution, Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Kumar Singh, the four convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape case have been hanged to death on 20th March 2020. In recent years, there has been a heightened support in favour of imposing the capital punishment for … Continue reading Looking Beyond Retribution: A Plea To Abolish Capital Punishment

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and Gender-Neutral Sexual Offences in India

By Anmol Mathur Introduction The Constitution of India guarantees all persons the right to personal life and liberty, equal protection of laws and prohibits any discrimination based on sex. The Constitution is not simply a long, celebrated, big-book of ideas on democracy and civil society, but is a tool for social change in the coming … Continue reading The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and Gender-Neutral Sexual Offences in India

The Economics of an Imbalanced Scale of Justice

By Anchal Bhatheja The Law treats civil and criminal matters differently in terms of the degree of burden of proof required, the nature of courtroom procedure to be followed, the punishment to be awarded and so on. This is because civil matters concern only private individuals while criminal matters concern the society at large and … Continue reading The Economics of an Imbalanced Scale of Justice

Rekha Murarka v. State of West Bengal: Arbitrarily Undermining the Victim’s Rights

By Aastha Agarwalla and Daksh Aggarwal Prefatory The principal aim of the administrative and judicial processes is to provide a mechanism to protect the interests, physical and psychological well-being and dignity of the victims of serious crimes. One of the prerequisites to achieve the same is to enable the sufferer to be defended and represented … Continue reading Rekha Murarka v. State of West Bengal: Arbitrarily Undermining the Victim’s Rights

Amidst Tort & Crime: Quasi-Criminal Liabilities in India’s Anti-Pollution Litigation

By Sehaj Cheema and Kuldeep Garg When the Supreme Court expressly dubbed pollution a tort in 1997,[i] the pronouncement was perhaps prophetic of India witnessing the contentiousness that the law of torts entails. Amongst the controversies that have ensued in the field of India’s environmental laws, a fundamental one is the blurring of the line … Continue reading Amidst Tort & Crime: Quasi-Criminal Liabilities in India’s Anti-Pollution Litigation

The Constitution Bench Reference in Sushila Aggarwal v. State

By Abhinav Sekhri A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court decided a reference made in Sushila Aggarwal & Ors. v. State (NCT of Delhi) & Anr. [SLP (Crl.) 7281-82/2017, decided on 29.01.2020], where two questions had been posed for consideration: (1) Whether the protection granted to a person under Section 438 Cr.P.C. should be limited to a fixed period … Continue reading The Constitution Bench Reference in Sushila Aggarwal v. State

Seizure of Motor Vehicles and Violation of Human Rights

By Deeksha The seizure of vehicles by police officers has been a matter of great legal concern in recent years. The police stations around the country are now being converted into dumping yards for seized vehicles with these confiscated vehicles gathering dust over a number of years.[i] Section 102 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 … Continue reading Seizure of Motor Vehicles and Violation of Human Rights