Death Penalty
Context: A special court awarded the death penalty to 38 convicts and sentenced 11 others to life imprisonment until death, for the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts in which 56 persons were killed and over 200 injured. Special court termed it ‘rarest of rare’ case. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Judiciary, Important Judgements) Dimensions of the Article: What […]
Krishna Water Dispute
Context: The Supreme Court asked if the States of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka could amicably settle their quarrel over the allocation of the Krishna river water. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Inter-State relations, Functions & responsibilities of the Union and the States, Issues and challenges of federal structure), GS-I: Geography (Water sources) Dimensions of […]
Mullaperiyar Dam Dispute
Context: After a statement by Kerala governor that the state will go ahead with the plan — and discussions with Tamil Nadu — to build a new dam in Mullaperiyar for the “safety of people”, the Tamil Nadu government issued a statement, strongly condemning the Kerala stand and calling it “contrary to the Supreme Court’s […]
SC: Tribunal Appointments Being Taken Lightly
Context: The Supreme Court said its judicial intervention saw the government make abrupt efforts to fill vacancies in tribunals some time back and nothing after that. Earlier, The Supreme Court accused the Centre of “cherry-picking” names for appointments to tribunals groaning under backlog and left almost defunct by long-pending vacancies. Relevance: GS-II: Governance (Government Policies […]
Anti-lynching Bills
Context: Bills passed against lynching in the past four years by at least three States ruled by BJP rivals and one by the party itself have not been implemented, with the Union government taking the view that lynching is not defined as a crime under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The Union Home Ministry informed […]
Karnataka HC: Ban on Online Gaming Unconstitutional
Context: Recently, a division bench of the Karnataka High Court delivered a judgment striking down major portions of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021, a new law that was introduced by the State government to ban online gambling and skill-based gaming platforms like rummy, poker and fantasy sports that involved any wagering or risking of money on an […]
What is Public Order: Constitutional Provision for Curbing Freedoms
Context: The Karnataka High Court is hearing a challenge to the constitutionality of the state government’s ban on students wearing a hijab in educational institutions. In recent hearing, the judges heard an argument on whether the state can justify the ban on the ground that it violates ‘public order’. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance […]
Uniform Civil Code
Context The Uttarakhand CM has promised a uniform civil code for the state if BJP is voted back to power. Relevance: GS II- Polity Dimensions of the Article: What is Uniform Civil Code (UCC)? Positive aspects of Uniform Civil Code include Challenges in Implementing Uniform Civil Code Include Does India not already have a UCC […]
Modernisation of Police Forces Scheme
Context: The Government under the leadership of Prime Minister has approved continuation of umbrella scheme of Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF) for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26. This scheme comprises all relevant sub-schemes that contribute to modernization and improvement with a total Central financial outlay of Rs.26,275 crore. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of […]
Collegium System for the Appointment of Judges
Context: Recently, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended appointing Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari as Chief Justice of Madras High Court. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Indian Judiciary) Dimensions of the Article: What is the Collegium System? Working of the Collegium System and NJAC Appointment procedure of HC Judges Transfer procedure of HC Judges What is the Collegium […]