tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58267592530427744162024-03-27T15:17:34.193+05:30Desi Kanoon- Your Daily Dose of LawA Multi-authored Blog from India on Trade law, Economics, Constitution, Jurisprudence and much more.Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.comBlogger613125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-11649312585518107232023-10-23T17:09:00.003+05:302023-10-23T17:09:35.879+05:30Not Disclosing Criminal Case In Application Form Can Lead To Rejection - Supreme Court<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qpvHnH9ErWzsyf8TxRV27glVXmp-DXQOxTxVHGvG_Mktm2zQRAwNOnksE9OUAKmQap_or5sZg5vGSld4YoK5axDdiFyCXJ87thd6Gl3FujBKWf8kf9spsRpKaLkPHO530i195guoit83bmQGgI6u5DGnBEf8gJwd0ZsBRx9aYp4hfLBIWoy4mWiDSA/s1920/woman-1283234_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qpvHnH9ErWzsyf8TxRV27glVXmp-DXQOxTxVHGvG_Mktm2zQRAwNOnksE9OUAKmQap_or5sZg5vGSld4YoK5axDdiFyCXJ87thd6Gl3FujBKWf8kf9spsRpKaLkPHO530i195guoit83bmQGgI6u5DGnBEf8gJwd0ZsBRx9aYp4hfLBIWoy4mWiDSA/s320/woman-1283234_1920.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In
a recent judgment (<b><i>Director General of Police Tamilnadu, Mylapore v. J.
Raghunees</i></b>, 2023 SCC OnLine SC 1379), the Hon’ble Supreme Court
discussed the importance of disclosing true and correct information in any
Application Form regarding the criminal antecedents of any candidate. The court
discussed the consequence of non-disclosure or suppression of such material
information on the employment of the candidate in the following manner: - <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1.
If the service conditions require consideration of criminal antecedents of a
candidate, then even if the candidate has been acquitted in a particular criminal
case, he ought to disclose such information to the employer in the relevant
column of the Application Form.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2.
Acquittal in a criminal case does not take away the responsibility to inform
about the same in the relevant column of the Application Form. <i>“His honorable
acquittal or acquittal by giving benefit of doubt is not material and relevant
but what is relevant is the full and complete disclosure of the information
regarding his involvement in a criminal case which has been suppressed by him.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3.
The Court also cited the earlier landmark case of <b><i>Avtar Singh v. Union of
India</i></b>, (2016) 8 SCC 471, wherein three important points were laid down:
- <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">a.
<i>“Information given by the candidate to the employer as to his conviction,
acquittal, arrest or pendency of a criminal case, whether before or after
entering into service must be true and there should be no suppression or false
mention of required information.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">b.
<i>“In cases where conviction or acquittal had already taken place before
filling the application/verification form, the employer may consider all
relevant facts available as to antecedents and may take appropriate decision as
to the continuance of the employee.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">c.
<i>“Even if the employee had made truthful declaration of a concluded criminal
case, the employer still has the right to consider antecedents of the
candidate/employee and cannot be compelled to appoint him/her.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3.
So, here we have the understand the purpose why information regarding criminal
antecedents is sought by the Employer. It is because sometimes the nature of
employment is such that persons with criminal antecedents may not be suitable for
a job. Thus, an employer may unfavorably consider the criminal antecedents of
a candidate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4.
However, that may not always be the case. The ultimate discretion vests with
the employer. If in the opinion of the employer, the criminal antecedents of a
candidate are not relevant, then the same may be ignored.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Therefore,
it is always advisable to fill correct particulars and details in a form. When
you are acquitted in a criminal case, you may think that now you do not have to
carry the burden of a criminal case on you anymore. But be that as it may, you
may still be required to provide those details to your prospective employer.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-88536086599021309482023-09-21T12:08:00.003+05:302023-09-21T12:08:33.683+05:30Supreme Court On Propriety & Procedure Of Media Briefings By Police Personnel<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I2GzNxMyNV2WHqOwScvWlj4kRZ4jEUbQvEphN7ThTF8uqGjYtxUDnwAF0hkr4qWqYP0X2BMYqFgu3dYDW_2Nw96U2Y1WFaRR3AXaTxVv2R33XbmbPnomNCSyrRv9miaoLiLVwWSD6kH-PPyzEvtSG7sKAByUm2o4Hzfu44bSYXIm9nmqTYpLIDGLHA/s1920/cop-1016218_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1277" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I2GzNxMyNV2WHqOwScvWlj4kRZ4jEUbQvEphN7ThTF8uqGjYtxUDnwAF0hkr4qWqYP0X2BMYqFgu3dYDW_2Nw96U2Y1WFaRR3AXaTxVv2R33XbmbPnomNCSyrRv9miaoLiLVwWSD6kH-PPyzEvtSG7sKAByUm2o4Hzfu44bSYXIm9nmqTYpLIDGLHA/s320/cop-1016218_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Recently,
in the case of </span><b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>People's Union for Civil Liberties and Another v. State of
Maharashtra and Others</i></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">, 2023 SCC OnLine SC 1166, the Hon’ble Supreme
Court discussed a very pertinent question relating to the propriety and
procedure of media briefings by police personnel in our country.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
Court observed that there is <i>“a need to have a uniform policy which can be
adopted for nominating nodal officers who would be available to share the
official version at the stage of investigation, consistent with the need to
ensure that the disclosure itself does not derail the course of the
investigation.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In
this regard, the Hon’ble Supreme Court floated certain suggestions that came up
during the course of the hearing of the matter: - <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1.
Each district or town ought to have a Media Briefing Cell (MBC) for
interactions with the media. Such interaction/Press Releases must be in writing
and with the authorization of a senior police officer. Press Briefs must be
prepared on each case, which will be the basis of any media briefings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2.
The briefing of the press can be done at any stage after an FIR has been
registered, an arrest effected or a raid conducted. However, at the earliest
stages, very little information must be parted with, as facts would need full
and complete confirmation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3.
Notwithstanding anything else, the primary concern of the police ought to be
the fair administration of justice without compromising on individual rights of
privacy or of presumption of innocence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4.
Information ought not to be released which would portray the police as
insensitive or vindictive or which would suggest the pre-judging of an issue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">5.
The location of the offence, especially in the context of harassment, domestic
violence, stalking etc., ought to be avoided as it would compromise the victim.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">6.
In no circumstances may the identity of victims of sexual offences and juvenile
cases be divulged by the police. The same may apply to the victims of
continuing offences, i.e. abductions and kidnapping. The police would also be
careful to share details of ongoing operations or investigative strategy that
would alert the offenders or compromise witnesses confidential informants.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">7.
The Press Briefs will be maintained as permanent records of the media
interactions of the police, with one copy at the Police Station in question,
one at the MBC and one at the District Headquarters. All such briefs will be
provided online as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">8.
Any breach of the above Guidelines must be strictly dealt with departmentally,
so that any such misadventure may be deterred.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">On
the basis of above-stated suggestions, the Court has asked all the Police
Departments to communicate their suggestions as well in this regard to the Ministry
of Home Affairs for the preparation of appropriate guidelines.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-21875067763863980882023-09-10T14:24:00.004+05:302023-09-10T14:29:36.949+05:30What is the Meaning of 'Undertaking'? - Views of Supreme Court<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyNnyBrplZjFHzpngR6832Oq3c2ygq_7Mox3o3LPVHQ3rU_NElC7II6qZIZWo_CN2psHySJLCCejf-5pFa_rtLDjVjaynF6tsrTijITcodCxRM3S5dWUi8NMI06-wr5Z-NJyc43cePToBJ1t-RZ6exA1GkUC3-VZ-wuV6Y2M0s9o-FmHrZj2rukq5WA/s1920/man-593333_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1920" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyNnyBrplZjFHzpngR6832Oq3c2ygq_7Mox3o3LPVHQ3rU_NElC7II6qZIZWo_CN2psHySJLCCejf-5pFa_rtLDjVjaynF6tsrTijITcodCxRM3S5dWUi8NMI06-wr5Z-NJyc43cePToBJ1t-RZ6exA1GkUC3-VZ-wuV6Y2M0s9o-FmHrZj2rukq5WA/s320/man-593333_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In
the <b><a href="https://www.desikanoon.co.in/2023/09/supreme-court-lays-down-principles.html" target="_blank">last post</a></b>, I discussed the principles governing the Contempt Jurisdiction
as were laid down in the case of <b><i>Balwantbhai Somabhai Bhandari v. Hiralal
Somabhai Contractor (Deceased) rep. by Lrs. and Others</i></b>, 2023 SCC OnLine
SC 1139. Today, I will explain a similar concept that is often involved in
Contempt Proceedings, ‘<b>Undertaking</b>’ that was discussed in the same case.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
Court quoted the <b>Black's Law Dictionary</b> to explain the meaning of ‘<b>Undertaking</b>’.
It is as follows: - <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“A
promise, engagement, or stipulation. An engagement by one of the parties to a
contract to the other, as distinguished from the mutual engagement of the
parties to each other. It does not necessarily imply a consideration. In a
somewhat special sense, a promise given in the course of legal proceedings by a
party or his counsel, generally as a condition to obtaining some concession
from the court or the opposite party. A promise or security in any form.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Suppose
there is a property dispute between A and B. The Court orders A to vacate his
possession of the property. A undertakes and promises the Court that it will
vacate the property within one month. Now, one month has passed and A has still
not vacated the property. Here, B can approach the Court under Contempt Jurisdiction
and argue that A has committed breach of undertaking given before the Court by failing
to vacate the property within the time promised by him. Now, A comes to the
Court and replies that he has not committed any breach of Undertaking because
such Undertaking was given by his Advocate/Counsel without consulting or informing
him. Is such a plea acceptable? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">No.
Such a plea is not acceptable because in <b><i>M. v. Home Office</i></b>,
[1992] Q.B. 270, it was observed that: - <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“If
a party, or solicitors or counsel on his behalf, so act as to convey to the
court the firm conviction that an undertaking is being given, that party will
be bound and it will be no answer that he did not think that he was giving it
or that he was misunderstood.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Basically,
you cannot wriggle out of any statement given either by you or your counsel
before the Court. You cannot say that such a statement was given casually
because both the Court and the Opposite Party are relying upon your statement/undertaking.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">According
to the Court, <i>“the expression <b>“when a party undertakes</b>” is used to
give an undertaking to the Court as distinct from when a counsel states that he
undertakes on behalf of his client. When a person gives an undertaking to the
Court, it is not given to the other side but to the Court itself, and that
being said must carry sanctity. Therefore, when a Court passes a decree after
an undertaking was embodied in the consent terms, it would show that the Court
had sanctioned the particular course and put its imprimatur on the consent
terms.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Further,
the Court distinguished an ‘<b>Undertaking’</b> from a <b>Consent Order</b> recording
Compromise. Coming back to the example of A and B. Suppose instead of a Court, both
A and B decide to resolve their dispute amicably and tell the same to the Court.
The Court may record that the parties out of their own volition wish to settle
the matter without any order of merits by way of a Compromise Agreement. So, if
later on, one of the parties’ breaches that Compromise Agreement, the other
party cannot invoke Contempt Jurisdiction. It would be a contractual matter rather
than a matter of contempt of court.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It
is also trite that there should not be any doubt in the mind of the Court
regarding breach of ‘<b>Undertaking’</b>. If at all any doubt persists in this
regard, the Contempt Proceedings would not be maintainable. Ultimately, there
should be a false representation made before the Court in a clear and
deliberate manner. [<b><i>Rita Markandey v. Surjit Singh Arora</i></b>, (1996)
6 SCC 14]<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sometimes
there may even be a case of <b>Implied Undertaking</b>. Coming back to the
example again, suppose A tells the Court that it will not sell off the property
during the pendency of the case if B deposits Rs. 5 Lakhs in his Bank Account.
Now, if B deposits that money, then it is <b>implied</b> that A has bound himself with
those words. Later on, he cannot contend that there was no specific order of
the Court stopping him from selling that property.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">That
is all about the meaning of ‘Undertaking’ in the context of Contempt
Proceedings.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-17655047180136887052023-09-10T12:20:00.002+05:302023-09-10T12:20:21.837+05:30Supreme Court lays down the Principles Governing Contempt Jurisdiction (Civil)<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2N9mGbT-flhryho4fy4JSYzUQD2jrivHt5r0hujfRD2ym2ym-cM1xvGUA_IWwZg1o7TnpAf2Y3cjTTJLYKsDfWM5R9uOip5DMkANRaJJloOETrHSwRsE0Q8ANd6p6Ybb93VA6FmkCyNhH3PKHWBn7shDos54inFLGUiruS2-sAZrSfWFlhC187KMzA/s1920/igromania-1894847_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2N9mGbT-flhryho4fy4JSYzUQD2jrivHt5r0hujfRD2ym2ym-cM1xvGUA_IWwZg1o7TnpAf2Y3cjTTJLYKsDfWM5R9uOip5DMkANRaJJloOETrHSwRsE0Q8ANd6p6Ybb93VA6FmkCyNhH3PKHWBn7shDos54inFLGUiruS2-sAZrSfWFlhC187KMzA/s320/igromania-1894847_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In
the recent case of <b><i>Balwantbhai Somabhai Bhandari v. Hiralal Somabhai
Contractor (Deceased) rep. by Lrs. and Others</i></b>, 2023 SCC OnLine SC 1139,
the Hon’ble Supreme Court discussed the principles governing the Contempt
Jurisdiction of the Courts, especially in cases involving Civil Contempt. <o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">To know about Criminal Contempt, please read my earlier article </span><b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><u><a href="https://www.desikanoon.co.in/2017/11/kamini-jaiswal-supreme-court-contempt-cbi-corruption-bribery-constitution-recusal-dave-prashant-dushyant-bhushan.html" target="_blank"><i>Kamini Jaiswal v. Union of India</i></a></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Basically, Contempt
of Court simply refers to any conduct that defies the authority or dignity of a
court. Since such conduct interferes with the administration of justice, it is
usually punishable with a fine or imprisonment. In India, the law governing the
contempt of courts is the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In
order to decide any issue involving the contempt of Courts, following
principles need to be kept in mind: - <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1.
<i>“The object of the discipline enforced by the court in case of contempt of
court is not to vindicate the dignity of the court or the person of the Judge,
but to prevent undue interference with the administration of justice.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2.
Public interest necessitates that there should not be any interference with the
judicial process. Judicial Decisions are binding and must not be bypassed or
circumvented.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3.
If a party knows about a judicial decision and still if it chooses to violate
it, then it is termed as wilful disobedience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4.
There are three ingredients for establishing civil contempt of courts, namely,
existence of a judicial decision, disobedience of non-compliance of that judicial
decision and the disobedience or non-compliance must be wilful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">5.
The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, is important to maintain the sanctity of
judicial proceedings. Without it, people would lose confidence in the
administration of justice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">6.
There are two types of contempt, civil and criminal. For civil contempt, establishing
wilful disobedience is a must.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">7.
What is wilful disobedience is to be established by assessing the evidence
available on record and the surrounding circumstances.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In
the next post, we will discuss a similar issue that involves the meaning of ‘<b>undertaking</b>’ before a court and
what happens if there is a breach of such undertaking.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-16011773831122971082023-09-10T00:34:00.002+05:302023-09-10T09:17:35.631+05:30What is Doctrine of Abrogation? - Views of the Supreme Court<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl3pzTu-Y5ThtOqhOi0eJ-IjqAdX9YQ-AKES7x6E-loX2aeuyAr-b99IBGWFBDDuKYur8KkL7TizNcwGhL1DhHwA6yd9m9VVuxcAgfhWJuhdyASJJhUZO_WF-SMcPUzTfkHqhhhsPa2Qdx8iPejcNjiSsaEKKqaria3ew4xTiQPWxcKYDApYY6q2Ejw/s1920/a-book-3101151_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl3pzTu-Y5ThtOqhOi0eJ-IjqAdX9YQ-AKES7x6E-loX2aeuyAr-b99IBGWFBDDuKYur8KkL7TizNcwGhL1DhHwA6yd9m9VVuxcAgfhWJuhdyASJJhUZO_WF-SMcPUzTfkHqhhhsPa2Qdx8iPejcNjiSsaEKKqaria3ew4xTiQPWxcKYDApYY6q2Ejw/s320/a-book-3101151_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Recently, the Hon’ble Supreme Court passed a very interesting
judgment in the case of <b><i>NHPC Ltd. v. State of Himachal Pradesh and Others</i></b>,
2023 SCC OnLine SC 1137.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Court discussed many important constitutional
and legal principles to understand the extent of power that the legislature
enjoys while nullifying or bypassing or overcoming a judicial decision. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Suppose there is a law that imposes a tax, and such tax
has been levied upon certain individuals. Now, those individuals decide to challenge the
validity of that taxation law and the Court passes a judgment holding
such taxation law to be invalid. Thereafter the legislature frames a new law
with retrospective effect validating the imposition of tax on those individuals.
Is such a law valid? Can it be said that the legislature has framed a new law
merely to bypass the effects of the judgment that had held the earlier law to
be invalid? Just because the legislature has the power to frame laws, does it
mean that it can overrule the judicial decisions by exercising such power? Those
were the questions that were answered by the Court in the present case.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We know that the legislature has the power to
frame laws with retrospective effect. However, such power of the legislature is
not unbridled and must be exercised in a reasonable manner. In the present
case, the Court was not concerned with the power of the legislature to frame
laws with retrospective effect. Let us assume that the legislature has framed
the law with retrospective effect in a just and proper manner. If that is the
case, can it overrule a decision of the Court?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here we need to understand the difference between
encroachment on the judicial power and nullification of the effect of a
judicial decision [<b><i>Tirath Ram Rajendra Nath, Lucknow v. State of Uttar
Pradesh</i></b>, (1973) 3 SCC 585]. And this is what the Doctrine of Abrogation
is all about.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Basically, the Doctrine of Abrogation seems to be
a confluence of the following constitutional doctrines and principles: - <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1. <b>Separation of Power</b> – It provides for
division of power and functions between legislature, executive and the
judiciary, which are three co-equal organs of the State. The legislature has
the power to enact laws within the powers set out in Article 245, Article 246,
Schedule VII and other allied provisions of the Constitution of India. This
power also includes power to enact laws with retrospective effect within
permissible limits. Whereas the job of the judiciary is to adjudicate upon the rights
of the parties provided under different laws made by the legislature and the Constitution.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2. <b>Checks and Balances</b> – This is an offshoot
of the Doctrine of Separation of Power that postulates that each organ of the state
has some power to regulate the function of others. Here the role of the judiciary
is to check and balance any unconstitutional or arbitrary exercise of power by
either the legislature or the executive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3. <b>Judicial Review</b> – Though it has been
characterized as a separate doctrine in itself but in essence, it too is an
offshoot of the Doctrine of Separation of Powers and the Principle of Rule of
Law. As stated before, it checks and balances the actions of the legislature
and the executive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4. <b>Rule of Law</b> – Experts have written
treatises on this legal principle, and it would be a sheer travesty to constrict
this principle into few words. Be that as it may, in essence, it simply denotes that
law reigns supreme and nobody is above it. What is law is again a matter of
perennial debate but let us not get into it and simply understand it as a valid
rule that follows certain elementary principles. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">5. <b>Legislative Competence</b> – A law made by a
legislature is valid only when that legislature has sufficient power that could
be traced to relevant constitutional entries. Again, this principle is an
offshoot of the Principle of Rule of Law and Doctrine of Separation of Powers.
The point is that no exercise of power should be arbitrary or unreasonable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, coming back to the Doctrine of Abrogation, it
is a tool of limited utility in the hands of the Court that is used when there
is a law that purportedly seems to nullify the effects of an earlier judicial
decision. The Courts try to understand whether the legislature has nullified the
effects of a judicial decision in a proper manner or not, or in the name of
framing of a law, the legislature seeks to overrule a judicial decision. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Essentially, the Doctrine of Abrogation outlines
the power of the legislature to validate an otherwise invalid law. It is
interesting to note that the power to validate an otherwise invalid law is
vested only with the legislature and not the judiciary. However, the judiciary
can use this doctrine as a tool to understand whether such validation by the legislature encroaches
upon the power of the judiciary to overrule its decision. Just in the way that
an invalid law can only be validated by the legislature, in the same manner,
the judiciary also has the power to overrule its own decisions. Nevertheless,
the power to overrule or the power to validate an invalid law is not an unguided
power. So, let us now understand the principles that need to be followed by the
legislature while validating an otherwise invalid law or a law that has been expressly declared as invalid by the judiciary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>First and foremost</b>, the legislature making the law
must be competent to make that law. If there is no legislative competence, then
on that count alone, any validation of an invalid law would be illegal and struck
down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Secondly</b>, if there is legislative
competence, then the Courts see whether the validation is in form of a mere
declaration, or in the process of validation, the legislature has changed or
altered the conditions in which the Court had earlier struck down that law. If
the conditions are changed fundamentally, then the abrogation of judicial
decision by a subsequent law would be treated as just and proper.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Thirdly</b>, the Courts also need to see that while
validating the invalid law, whether the legislature has made the earlier
judicial decision ineffective by removing the basis on which the decision was
rendered. If such removal of basis is constitutionally sound, then also the abrogation
of judicial decision by a subsequent law would be treated as just and proper.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Fourthly</b>, the legislature cannot directly, by
enacting a law, pronounce a judicial decision as erroneous or a nullity. If that
is the case, then it cannot be said that the abrogation of judicial decision is
proper as it would be simply statutory overruling of a judicial decision that
is anyways impermissible since it would be a violation of Doctrine of
Separation of Power, Rule of Law and Judicial Review.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Fifthly</b>, if the legislature seeks to invalidate an
invalid law retrospectively, then the principles governing the law of
retrospectivity must be meticulously adhered to and the purpose should be to
rectify the defect in law so as to provide a curative and neutralizing effect. <i>“In
this manner, the earlier decision of the court becomes nonexistent and
unenforceable for interpretation of the new legislation. No doubt, the new
legislation can be tested and challenged on its own merits and on the question
whether the legislature possesses the competence to legislate on the subject
matter in question, but not on the ground of over-reach or colourable
legislation.”</i> [<b><i>State of Tamil Nadu v. Arooran Sugars Ltd</i></b>.,
(1997) 1 SCC 326]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Sixthly</b>, a judicial decision is always considered
to be binding <i>“unless the conditions on which it is based are so
fundamentally altered that the decision could not have been given in the
altered circumstances.” </i>[<b><i>Shri Prithvi Cotton Mills Ltd. v. Broach
Borough Municipality</i></b>, (1969) 2 SCC 283]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Seventhly</b>, even if there is legislative competence
and even if the basis of the earlier judicial decision has been removed, yet if the new law is
violative of Part III or any other provision of the Constitution, then also
such law would be invalid. [<b><i>Bakhtawar Trust v. M.D. Narayan</i></b>,
(2003) 5 SCC 298]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Eighthly</b>, abrogation of a judicial decision is
nothing but legislative override, and such override cannot nullify a mandamus.
For example, interim directions passed by the Court cannot be reversed by a
legislative veto. [<b><i>In Re Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal</i></b>, 1993
Supp (1) SCC 96 (2)]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Ninthly</b>, specific directions/mandamus by the Court
applicable <i>inter se</i> the parties cannot be nullified by a subsequent
legislation. Suppose the Court has pronounced that Person X should be removed
from a post because his manner of appointment was declared as illegal as per the then prevailing
law. The legislature and the executive cannot simply ignore such judicial
decision by framing a new law/guideline that retrospectively changes the conditions
necessary for making an appointment. [<b><i>Dr. Jaya Thakur v. Union of India</i></b>,
2023 SCC OnLine SC 813]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Tenthly</b>, any such retrospective amendment or framing
of a law should be reasonable and not arbitrary. Unless the vice in the earlier
legislation is removed, it would be held as transgression of constitutional
limitations and intrusion into judicial power by the legislature by a
legislative fiat. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Eleventhly</b>, the legislature must be <i>“under the
bonafide belief that a defect that crept into the legislation as it initially
stood, may be remedied by abrogation. An act of abrogation is permissible only
in the interests of justice, effectiveness and good governance, and not to
serve the oblique agenda of defying a court's order, or stripping it of its
binding nature.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I would end this article with a quote of Lon L.
Fuller in his famous work, The Morality of Law (1960), cited by the Court while beginning its discussion on the Doctrine of Abrogation: - <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“It is when things go wrong that the
retroactive validating statute often becomes indispensable as a curative
measure; though the proper movement of law is forward in time, we sometimes
have to stop and turn about and pick up the pieces.”</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-18699743737448002182023-09-08T15:16:00.006+05:302023-09-08T15:19:21.117+05:30Supreme Court sets aside the Election of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil - Plough Symbol to be allotted to the National Conference<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mDrHB2ZsdYBtyQvmotGm0QoqF0P4g8QxxS8kXc4NFLTmf09-GakyCftFiLlYXADVxgHoXSKD6kMdMQtKNwEyYcgl8pEYcvuwhPSdKWXqfXyQ5lOSxHxRdsTHSuO4t93dTFBZ8mYBZeoNkrNIaporwM9erDON2VRBEpZvZ-qKSTLNuz0_oUM1yyxR3w/s1142/Farooq_Abdullah_addressing_at_the_presentation_ceremony_of_the_Cash_Prizes_to_the_best_performing_Regional_Rural_Banks_and_Certificates_for_extending_loans_for_SPV_home_lighting_systems_during_2009-10,_in_New_Delhi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="869" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mDrHB2ZsdYBtyQvmotGm0QoqF0P4g8QxxS8kXc4NFLTmf09-GakyCftFiLlYXADVxgHoXSKD6kMdMQtKNwEyYcgl8pEYcvuwhPSdKWXqfXyQ5lOSxHxRdsTHSuO4t93dTFBZ8mYBZeoNkrNIaporwM9erDON2VRBEpZvZ-qKSTLNuz0_oUM1yyxR3w/s320/Farooq_Abdullah_addressing_at_the_presentation_ceremony_of_the_Cash_Prizes_to_the_best_performing_Regional_Rural_Banks_and_Certificates_for_extending_loans_for_SPV_home_lighting_systems_during_2009-10,_in_New_Delhi.jpg" width="244" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A Case Note on <b><i>Union
Territory of Ladakh & Ors. v. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference &
Anr.</i></b>, 2023 INSC 804 <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Facts
<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">1. The
Election Commission of India (ECI) had recognized National Conference as a
State Party only for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">2. Jammu
and Kashmir National Conference/Respondent No.1 (National Conference) applied
for seeking recognition as a State Party in Union Territory of Ladakh and allocation
of the ‘Plough’ symbol for its candidates to contest all elections in the Union
Territory of Ladakh (UT of Ladakh). This representation was made to Chief
Election Officer, UT of Ladakh (CEO).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">3. The
CEO of UT of Ladakh forwarded this representation to District Election Officer,
Kargil (DEO, Kargil) for comments. The DEO Kargil advised the CEO of UT of
Ladakh to approach the ECI.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">4. The
National Conference had also approached the ECI that had opined that it does
not allocate any symbol for any Local Body Elections as there is no legislative
assembly in the UT of Ladakh and the same falls within the domain of the
State/Local Election Authorities. Thus, National Conference could not be
recognized in the UT of Ladakh. However, it was noted that since National Conference
is a recognized party in the UT of J&K, it could avail concession under the
Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 (1968 Order).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">5. Meanwhile,
the General Elections of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil
(LAHDC) that fell within the Union Territory of Ladakh, were announced.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">6. Thereafter
the National Conference made another representation to CEO of UT of Ladakh that
was forwarded to DEO, Kargil. The DEO, Kargil commented by attaching an opinion
of Law Department, UT of Ladakh that was in favour of National Conference.
However, no formal order was passed in this regard by CEO of UT of Ladakh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">7. Later,
a Notification was issued by the UT of Ladakh that provided for reserved and
free symbols that excluded NC’s claim. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">8. Aghast
by the same, the National Conference approached the High Court seeking the writ
of mandamus to notify the Plough Symbol as its reserved symbol for elections to
LAHDC. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">9. During
the pendency of the Petition, the Election Department of Union Territory of
Ladakh notified the schedule of LAHDC Elections.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">10. During
the pendency of the Petition, the Election Department of Union Territory of
Ladakh notified the schedule of LAHDC Elections.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">11. After
that, the High Court passed an Interim Order stating that the National
Conference should approach the Election Authorities and the said Authorities
shall notify the symbol allotted to the National Conference and allow its
candidates to contest on the Plough Symbol already allotted to the party. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">12. The
UT of Ladakh and Election Authorities approached the Division Bench of the High
Court against this Interim Order that dismissed the Appeal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">13. The
matter came up before the Supreme Court.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Basically,
the factual matrix indicates that without deciding some of the Representations
preferred by the National Conference, the Election Authorities went on with the
initiation of electoral process for LAHDC. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Arguments
by the UT of Ladakh and Election Authorities <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">1.
LAHDC elections are being conducted by the UT of Ladakh constituted under LAHDC
Election Rules of 1995, and the ECI is empowered to hold elections to the
Parliamentary and State Assemblies only. For LAHDC, the ECI does not have any
authority.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">2.
The concession under the 1968 Order can only be granted for the purposes of
Parliamentary and State Assembly Elections.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">3.
The opinion of the Law Department of UT of Ladakh is at best advisory and not
binding on the Electoral Authorities of UT of Ladakh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">4.
No candidate has the Plough Symbol or has indicated that it is a candidate of
NC, in the Nomination Form.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">5.
The process of LAHDC Elections has been set in motion. Only the polling remains
on 10.09.2023.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Arguments
by National Conference (NC)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">1.
NC is the incumbent ruling party in LAHDC and was entitled to Plough Symbol.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">2.
Plough Symbol is well-known to the Electorate and denial of the same would
cause unjustified prejudice to NC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">3.
Despite a Contempt Case pending, the Election Authorities have not complied
with the orders of the High Court.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">4.
Appellants cannot approbate and reprobate by saying that one part of the 1968
Order would be applicable and the other would not be. Rule 10 provides that
concession to candidates set up by a State Party at elections in other states
or Union Territories may be given.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">View
of the Supreme Court <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">1.
Opinion of the Law Department of UT of Ladakh is not binding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">2.
The earlier stand of the Electoral Authorities of UT of Ladakh is that ECI is
the competent body to allot symbols. The reason for the change of this stance
is not obvious. It seems a clear case of Approbating and Reprobating stance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">3.
Even if the Election Authorities can take independent decisions without being
influenced by ECI, then also, the discretion to be exercised by them must be
done in a reasonable, equitable and lawful manner, without causing prejudice to
other stakeholders.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">4.
<i>“Elections to any office/body are required to be free, fair and transparent.
Elections lie at the core of democracy. The authority entrusted by law to hold/conduct
such elections is to be completely independent of any extraneous
influence/consideration. It is surprising that the Union Territory of Ladakh
not only denied R1 the Plough symbol, but even upon timely intervention by the
learned Single Judge, has left no stone unturned not only to resist but also
frustrate a cause simply by efflux of time.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">5.
The request of NC bona fide and legitimate because it is already a recognized
State Party having been allotted the Plough Symbol.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">6.
There is no conflict with other stakeholders as such symbol has not been
allotted to any other national or state party.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">7.
It cannot be said that the ECI does not have jurisdiction under the 1968 Order.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">8.
Even if the electoral process has commenced, the court cannot turn a blind eye
to the fact that the NC approached the authorities and the court within time
and despite, orders passed by the High Court, there has been non-compliance of
the same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">9.
<i>“The Court would categorically emphasize that no litigant should have even
an iota of doubt or an impression (rather, a misimpression) that just because of
systemic delay or the matter not being taken up by the Courts resulting in
efflux of time the cause would be defeated, and the Court would be rendered
helpless to ensure justice to the party concerned. It would not be out of place
to mention that this Court can even turn the clock back, if the situation
warrants such dire measures. The powers of this Court, if need be, to even
restore status quo ante are not in the realm of any doubt.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">10.
In case of unjust executive action, the Constitutional Courts are bound to step
in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">11.
<i>“This case constrains the Court to take note of the broader aspect of the
lurking danger of authorities concerned using their powers relating to
elections arbitrarily and thereafter, being complacent, rather over-confident,
that the Courts would not interfere. The misconceived notion being that in the
ultimate eventuate, after elections are over, when such decisions/actions are
challenged, by sheer passage of time, irreversible consequences would have
occurred, and no substantive relief could be fashioned is just that –
misconceived. However, conduct by authorities as exhibited herein may seriously
compel the Court to have a comprehensive re-think, as to whether the self-imposed
restrictions may need a more liberal interpretation, to ensure that justice is
not only done but also seen to be done, and done in time to nip in the bud any
attempted misadventure. We refrain from further comment on the Appellants,
noting the pendency of the contempt proceeding.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">12.
The candidates could not have filled the Nomination with Plough Symbol as the
identity of NC as a political party was eclipsed, right before the elections to
the LAHDC, where it was the incumbent party in power.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">13.
<i>“For the purpose of holding elections, allotment of symbol will find a prime
place in a country where illiteracy is still very high. It has been found from
experience that symbol as a device for casting votes in favour of a candidate
of one's choice has proved an invaluable aid. Apart from this, just as people
develop a sense of honour, glory and patriotic pride for a flag of one's country,
similarly great fervour and emotions are generated for a symbol representing a political
party. This is particularly so in a parliamentary democracy which is conducted
on party lines. People after a time identify themselves with the symbol and the
flag. These are great unifying insignia which cannot all of a sudden, be
effacced.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Held
by the Court <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">1. The
entire election process of LAHDC was set aside and the Court directed for issuance
of a fresh notification. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">2. The NC was declared entitled to the exclusive
allotment of the Plough Symbol in this regard. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">3. Cost of Rs. 1 Lakh was imposed
on the Appellants.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-68109837149077629712023-08-16T22:05:00.003+05:302023-08-16T22:05:57.583+05:30राहुल गांधी पर 'फ्लाइंग किस' के आरोप का सच | मीडिया की FLYING KISS पर गलत रिपोर्टिंग <div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/nJPePNyGPis" width="480"></iframe></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-27545927803682140992023-08-14T20:30:00.003+05:302023-08-14T20:30:23.099+05:30क्या प्रियंका गांधी वाड्रा पर 41 FIR हुई है? | क्या प्रियंका गिरफ्तार हो सकती है? | मीडिया की गलत रिपोर्टिंग<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/cw05GYieKXo" width="480"></iframe></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-86061550068194556872023-08-06T22:04:00.000+05:302023-08-06T22:04:01.209+05:30Rahul Gandhi's Stay on Conviction Order by Supreme Court and its Wrong Reporting by Media<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/Jdt9FmV1mdA" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This show discusses the recent Order passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court wherein it stayed the conviction of Rahul Gandhi. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The link for the Order could be accessed by clicking <a href="https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2023/27941/27941_2023_4_55_45901_Order_04-Aug-2023.pdf" target="_blank">here. </a></span></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-67677617848619444802023-08-01T18:28:00.005+05:302023-08-01T19:18:17.269+05:30Does the word 'India' represent a Colonial Mindset?<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/uIDPoQXSveA" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This show discusses a Proposal floated in Rajya Sabha by MP Naresh Bansal wherein he stated the word 'India' should be removed from the text of Article 1 of the Constitution of India.</span></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-33808339657530585482023-07-29T19:24:00.007+05:302023-07-29T19:24:49.493+05:30What is Indian Antarctic Act of 2022?<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/Ci0iO8j62Vk" width="480"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This show discusses about the Antarctic Treaty and its relevance in framing of a domestic law in India, namely, Indian Antarctic Act of 2022. This law provides for the modalities that are to be followed by Indians and Indian entities in relation to any expedition or research work that is to be done by them on the continent of Antarctica.</span></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-54331166814350212422023-07-26T15:11:00.001+05:302023-07-26T15:11:09.888+05:30सुप्रीम कोर्ट केसेस को तेज़ी से कैसे पढ़े? | How To Read Cases Swiftly? <div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/iMlWjjcyHMM" width="480"></iframe></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">इस शो को देख कर आप यह समझ पाएंगे कि केसेस को तेज़ी से कैसे पढ़ते है । केस पढ़ना एक कला है एवं केसेस को बेतरतीब तरीकों से पढ़ने में समय खराब होता है । यह केस पूरा पढ़ने का लिंक नीचे दिया हुआ है: - </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2018/47421/47421_2018_8_1501_45230_Judgement_18-Jul-2023.pdf " target="_blank">P. Yuvaprakash v. State thr. Inspector of Police</a> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">इस रोचक केस में एक लड़की की शादी होती है जिसकी उम्र को ले कर शंका रहती है । कोर्ट Ossification Test का इस्तेमाल करके उसकी सही उम्र पता करती है जिसके कारण अभियुक्त पति को जेल से छुटकारा मिलता है ।</span></div></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-29969299760514808202023-07-21T14:50:00.003+05:302023-07-21T14:50:20.862+05:30Doctrine of Approbate- Reprobate | जानिए क्या है कोर्ट में सबसे बड़ी गलती | एक ऐसी भूल जो जीता हुआ केस हरा देती है |<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/cKI-mqBsM0c" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What is the biggest reason for losing cases in the Court. This post discusses the case of <b><i>Adani Gas Limited v. Union of India, </i></b><span style="text-align: left;">SLP (C) No(s). 28192-28193 OF 2018<b><i>, </i></b></span>and the manner in which Doctrine of Approbate-Reprobate was discussed in the same.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My earlier Post - <a href="https://www.desikanoon.co.in/2021/09/approbate-reprobate-estoppel-election-meaning-doctrine.html" style="text-align: left;">Desi Kanoon- Your Daily Dose of Law: Supreme Court on the Doctrine of Approbate-Reprobate</a> </span></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-49330985045650337822023-07-19T20:51:00.001+05:302023-07-19T20:51:04.422+05:30माँ ने अपने जुड़वा बच्चों को जान से मारा और करी खुदखुशी की कोशिश !!!! <div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/AhKRCpMYn6M" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">एक माँ ने खुदखुशी करते समय अपने जुड़वा बच्चों को भी मार दिया । जानिए इस दिल दहला देने वाले केस के बारे में।</div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-28119510785844341562023-07-17T02:50:00.001+05:302023-07-17T02:50:21.007+05:30कोर्ट में तीन गलतियों से बचे | सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने बताए केस हारने के मुख्य कारण<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/Ospd0Wod-M0" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Why are cases lost in the Court? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This post discusses the case of <b><i>State of Orissa & Anr. v. Laxmi Narayan Das (Dead) thr. LRs & Ors.</i></b>, 2023 INSC 619.</span></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-29209364003855421882023-07-13T15:25:00.000+05:302023-07-13T15:25:18.474+05:3038 साल बाद हुआ केस का फैसला | मकानमालिक-किरायेदार को मिली तारीख पे तारीख...<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/MZo_Tz6a12I" width="480"></iframe></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Case Notes: - </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">Ravi Khandelwal v. M/s Taluka Stores</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">,
2023 INSC 615 <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Chronology of Events <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A. Respondent – Tenant, Appellant – Landlord <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">B. Date of Purchase of Property by
Landlord – 30.01.1985<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">C. Date of Commencement of Tenancy –
08.06.1982 (Before Trial Court) and 1958 (Before First Appellate Court <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">D. Date of Filing of Suit for
Eviction – 21.05.1985 <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">E. Date of Dismissal of Suit –
30.10.2002 <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">F. Date of Judgment of First Appeal
in favour of Appellant– 18.03.2004 <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">G. Date of Judgment of Second Appeal
in favour of Respondent – 20.04.2020 <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Other Factual Aspects<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1. The Trial Court dismissed the Suit
on the ground that as per Rajasthan’s Rent Law, the Plaint should have been
filed within five years of letting out. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2. The Appellant/Landlord succeeded
in First Appeal on the ground that the Respondent had actually leased out the
premises in the year 1958 rather than 1982. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3. The Tenant/Respondent succeeded in
Second Appeal wherein the Division Bench of the High Court held that there was
a complete prohibition on filing of a suit within five years of the tenancy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4. The matter came to the Supreme
Court. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Question of Law before the Supreme
Court <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Interpretation of S. 14 (3) of the
Rajasthan Premises (Control of Rent and Eviction) Act, 1950. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“14 (3) Restriction on eviction: - <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Notwithstanding anything contained in
any law or contract, no suit for eviction from the premises let out for
commercial or business purposes shall lie against a tenant on the ground set
forth in clause (h) of sub-section (1) of section before the expiry of five
years from the date the premises were let out to the tenant.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">View of the Supreme Court <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">a. S. 14 (3) is for the protection of
tenants with the objective that from the date of tenancy, the tenant must have
a right to continue in the leased premises for a period of five years, subject
to fulfilment of lease conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">b. Even if it is assumed that the
tenancy commenced in the year 1982 and the Suit was filed within five years of
commencement of tenancy, 38 years have lapsed since then. Such passage of time
would wash away the initial impediment against the suit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">c. Tenant’s argument that the
Appellant should be asked to initiate a fresh suit gives the impression that he
wishes to adopt dilatory tactics. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">d. Such an interpretation cannot be
countenanced as it would defeat the very purpose of creating an initial
restriction on filing of the suit. To ask the landlord to initiate fresh
proceedings after 38 years would be a travesty of justice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">e. Imposing the requirement of filing
a fresh suit would lead to unnecessary multiplicity of litigation. The
objective of S. 14 (3) was simply to safeguard the tenant for five years from
the date of commencement of tenancy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">f. The Court allowed the appeal and
set aside the judgment passed by the High Court.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">g. The Court also said that under
normal circumstances, it would have remitted the matter to the lower court to
be decided on the merits of the case. But considering the fact that the parties
have been embroiled in the litigation for the past 38 years, by exercising the extraordinary
power under Article 142 of the Constitution of India to do absolute justice,
the Court asked the Tenant/Respondent to hand over vacant and physical
possession of the suit premises on or before 30.09.2023. </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-6737439753833629372023-07-12T23:00:00.003+05:302023-07-12T23:00:19.346+05:30सुप्रीम कोर्ट का ED पर बड़ा फैसला | ED प्रमुख का एक्सटेंशन गैरकानूनी <div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/RX3t5SvGFr0" width="480"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">CASE NOTES: - </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Dr.
Jaya Thakur v. Union of India</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, 2023 INSC 616 <o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Reportable
Judgment dated 11.07.2023 authored by Hon’ble Justice B.R. Gavai, Bench of
Hon’ble Justices B.R. Gavai, Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">103
Pages Judgment with 122 Paragraphs.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Facts </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(Paras
1 to 14)<b>: - <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Order dated 19.11.2018</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> – Respondent No. 2, Mr. Sanjay Mishra, working as Principal Special
Director of ED was appointed as a director for 2 years. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Order dated 13.11.2020</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> – Period of appointment extended from 2 years to 3 years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Judgment dated 08.09.2021</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> – <b><i>Common Cause v. Union of India & Ors.,</i></b> 2021 SCC
OnLine SC 687 – The Court directed that no further extension shall be granted
to the Respondent No. 2, ED Director.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">14.11.2021</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> –
The President of India promulgated Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) (Amendment)
Ordinance, 2021 and Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) (Amendment)
Ordinance, 2021, inserting certain new provisions in it. These ordinances later
on become Acts on 18.12.2021 when Parliament was in session. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">15.11.2021</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> -
Fundamental (Amendment) Rules, 2021 was passed. On the same date, a Meeting of
the Committee headed by Central Vigilance Commissioner was held and the tenure
of Respondent No. 2, ED Director was extended up to 18.11.2022 in public
interest. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">17.11.2022</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> –
Further extension was granted to Respondent No. 2 till 18.11.2023 by the Union
of India.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These
Amendment Acts and extension of tenure of Respondent No. 2 were challenged in a
batch of Writ Petitions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Issue No. 1</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
– <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Three
laws in challenge, 2 amendments to CVC and DSPE Act and 1 amendment in the
Fundamental Rules. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These
amendments provide for the period for which CBI or ED Director hold office can
be extended for one year at a time in public interest and the maximum period of
appointment will be five years (Para 64). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Any
amendment or law can be struck on three grounds only (Paras 71 to 75): - <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The legislature does not have the
competence to make the law; or<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It takes away any of the fundamental
rights in the Constitution; or<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It violates a Constitutional
Provision being manifestly arbitrary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">However,
in the present case, the Court said that the CVC Act and DPSE Act provide for a
stringent mechanism of appointment and there is no scope for the government to
do the same in an arbitrary manner (Paras 91 to 98). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Therefore,
it cannot be said that Amendments in question grant arbitrary power to the
Government to extend the tenure of director of ED/CBI.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Issue No. 2</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
– Regarding extension of tenure of ED Director, the Court said that in the
earlier case of <b><i>Common Cause (2021)</i></b>, a specific direction was
given by the Court that no further extension will be granted to Sanjay Kumar
Mishra, Respondent No. 2. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Even
if the Parliament changes or amends a law on the basis of which a decision was
given by the Court, still the Parliament cannot change the decision of the
Court that is binding on the parties to the case. Parliament can exercise
legislative power and not judicial power. (<b><i>S.R. Bhagwat v. State of
Mysore</i></b> and <b><i>In Re Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal</i></b> cited,
Para 108).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If
a law has been struck down by the Court, the Parliament is free to make a new
law on that very issue. There is permissibility of Legislative Override.
However, any such new law must not be arbitrary or violative of Fundamental
Rights (<b><i>Madras Bar Association v. Union of India & Another</i></b>, 2022
12 SCC 455 cited, Para 113 & 114).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But
where a Mandamus or a specific direction has been given by a court without
striking down any law, the Parliament cannot nullify such direction by
legislative exercise. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Therefore,
the <b><i>Common Cause (2021)</i></b> Judgment would continue to operate even
after passing of the Amendments as no law was struck down in that judgment and
only direction was given to the parties to the case. Hence, extension of tenure
of ED Director was held as invalid in law.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
Court said that in order to ensure the transition to be smooth in the larger
public interest, the Respondent No. 2 was allowed to continue in office till
31.07.2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Thus,
the Writ Petitions were dismissed to extent of their challenge to the validity
of the Amendments in CVC and DPSE Act, but were partly allowed to the extent
that the grant of extension to Respondent No. 2, Sanjay Kumar Mishra, is
illegal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-21562354804658439462023-07-11T19:03:00.003+05:302023-07-11T19:03:14.146+05:30Ejusdem Generis Explained in Hindi | Law of Interpretation |<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/wIvadLzB6f4" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This Episode discusses the meaning of Ejusdem Generis and Noscitur a Sociis in Hindi.</div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-45250659039642509162023-07-08T20:27:00.007+05:302023-07-08T20:27:51.275+05:30चलती बस में चढ़ने का केस । बस कन्डक्टर की जिम्मेदारियाँ । How to Read Cases<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/keblO1b-AIo" width="480"></iframe></div><div>This Episode discusses a Criminal Case decided by the Supreme Court wherein the victim fell from a bus and got injured. The criminal liability of the conductor was discussed.</div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-45257112422348091692023-07-06T00:06:00.004+05:302023-07-06T00:06:24.753+05:30Casus Omissus Explained | Latin Maxims and Principles in Law<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/tehOxJvraLs" width="480"></iframe></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Show Script:</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ladies
and Gentlemen! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Imagine
you are playing the game of chess in a big Championship. All the rules that are
to be followed are mentioned in its Rulebook. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now,
while playing a game, your opponent accidentally touches a piece on the board
but does not move it, instead he moves some other piece. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You
immediately object to this and tell the Organizers that when a player has
touched a piece, he must move that piece only and no other piece. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
organizers start looking for such a rule in the Rulebook, but to their
surprise, they discover that no such rule exists. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, in absence of such a rule, the Organizers will
dismiss your objection and will allow your opponent to touch pieces without
moving them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My
dear friends, this is what Casus Omissus is. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It
is a Latin term that literally means “case omitted” or in legal sense, “</span>a
matter which should have been but has not been provided for in a statute”<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It
</span>is used by the judges as a tool of statutory interpretation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To explain further, there is another example for
you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Imagine the law of your country prohibits smoking
in public places like parks, roads and restaurants. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But the law doesn't mention whether electronic
cigarette or e-cigarettes could be smoked in public places or not. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Again, such an omission in the law is a Casus
Omissus and to clarify such a confusing situation, the lawmakers should amend
or change the law to explicitly include e-cigarettes in it in order to protect
public health. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">However, due to some unforeseen reason, the
lawmakers do not amend or change the law. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, if you are caught by the Police tomorrow
smoking an e-cigarette in a public place and if the matter goes to the court,
what should the courts do? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Can the Courts fill in the gap that has been left
consciously by the lawmakers or the legislature? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The answer is No. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But it is not as straightforward as it seems to
be. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There are certain exceptions to the Principle of Casus
Omissus that I will tell you in the next few minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Generally speaking, such omissions or defects in a
law cannot be filled in by the courts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But what you need to understand is that <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the courts may interfere in some
situations where the words were accidentally omitted, or the omission of the
words is making the law useless or without purpose. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And
in such situations, the Court should supply some words to that law to the extent
of achieving the purpose for which the law has been framed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now,
let’s come back to the example of e-cigarettes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If
</span>you are caught by the Police smoking an e-cigarette, the Court may say
that the purpose of the law prohibiting smoking was to protect public health
and by smoking <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">e-cigarettes in
public places, the intent and the spirit of such law is being blatantly
violated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Therefore,
</span>by applying the Principle of Casus Omissus, <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the Court may hold that even if </span>e-cigarettes
are not explicitly mentioned in the law, but if someone is found smoking an
e-cigarette in a public place, such conduct would be squarely covered or
punishable under the law that prohibits smoking in general. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thus, if a defect appears in a law, the judge
cannot simply fold his hands and blame the lawmakers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He must find the intention of the Lawmakers in
making of that law and thereafter he must provide additional or supplementing
words to the law so as to give meaning, force and life to that law and its
purpose. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I will give one last example to explain some
related aspects. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Suppose there is a law that prohibits sale of
certain products in shops without a license, but that law is silent on online
sale of such a product. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In such a situation of Casus Omissus, the Court
cannot and should not say that online sale of products is exempted from the
ambit of licensing law because that law does not mention anything about it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Basically, the courts should avoid creating a
Casus Omissus where there is none as it would lead to unregulated e-commerce
that was never the intention of the law makers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Therefore, what you need to know is that while
adding or supplementing the words in a statute, the court should not change the
nature of that law and the original purpose or intent of that law must be kept
intact. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">That is all about Casus Omissus. Let me know your
thoughts in the comments section. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">See you next time. </span></p></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-30283679666647016472023-07-04T22:44:00.007+05:302023-07-04T22:44:57.130+05:30Terra Nullius in International Law Explained | Terra Nullius and Res Communis<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/c_FJtGK_yl4" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Show Script: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ladies and gentlemen!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Imagine there's a magical garden in the middle of your
city, hidden and forgotten by everyone. No body looks after that garden or
claims it as their own. One day, you and your friends find it and amazed by its
beauty, you make it your secret place to hang out or your secret playground
about which nobody else knows. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, what do you call such a garden or a piece of
land that nobody occupies or claims as their own? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is called Terra Nullius, a Latin term that
literally means “the land of no one.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Terra Nullius is an old concept that has been used
to describe places like Australia. You would be surprised to know that when
Captain James Cook came to the Australian shores in the year 1770, he declared
a part of the Australian continent to be British Territory as according to him,
he and his crew were the first ones to occupy the Australian Continent and
before them there was no kingdom or ruler or state that occupied Australia. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">They called it as the legal concept of Terra
Nullius and on the basis of this legal principle, Britian continued its
colonization in Australia more than a century. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Accordingly, <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">International law recognizes territory over which there is no sovereign
or ruler as Terra Nullius. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
method of acquiring this Terra Nullius is called as ‘Occupation.’ There are
four important points that you need to know in this regard. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">First, the occupation of terra nullius must be by
a state and not by private individuals. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Second, the control of the territory or terra
nullius must be effective and permanent. It should not just be on paper, or it
should not just be a photo-op. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Third, the occupied territory should not be res
communis. Res communis is the opposite of terra nullius and it means something
that belongs to everyone. In International Law, it is an area or territory that
is not subject to any legal title or ownership<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.</span> High Seas, Antarctica and Outer Space
are some of the examples of Res Communis. Basically, anything that is the
common heritage of the mankind is considered as res communis. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Fourth, the Terra Nullius that is occupied should
be uninhabited, that is to say, it should not be occupied by any indigenous
communities or tribes. This was also held in the famous Western Sahara Case. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, imagine there is a country, Country A. It was
occupying an Island till the year 1950. However, after 1950, Country A
abandoned its control over that Island. 73 years later, Country B, goes to that
Island and occupies it on the ground that Country A abandoned it a long time
ago. Can Country B occupy that territory now? Yes. It is settled in
International Law that abandonment of territory might render an otherwise
occupied territory as terra nullius. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lastly, you need to know that if any country wants
to establish its occupation or sovereignty or control over a territory, it does
need to prove its occupation in absolute terms, that is to say, there are no
watertight rules that govern the concept of terra nullius. That country simply
needs to establish a better title or a better case before the courts against
its opponents to prove its occupation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">While deciding such cases, the International
Courts generally look into the history, geography and the response or claims of
the International Community with respect to the territory. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, that is all about Terra Nullius. Let me know
in the comments section whether you liked this episode or not.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">See you next time.</span></p></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-67432359573178774062023-07-03T22:06:00.002+05:302023-07-03T22:06:13.339+05:30Difference between Municipal Law and International Law | Monism and Dualism <div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/mWcUVk6T9A4" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Show Script: </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>Ladies and Gentlemen! </div><div><br /></div><div>Today, you will witness an epic clash between two legal heavyweights: municipal law and international law. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, buckle up, hit that subscribe button and prepare to witness this ultimate legal battle that will shine the spotlight on the diverse principles, and perspectives that shape our global legal framework. </div><div><br /></div><div>I guarantee it will keep you hooked until the very end.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story of Municipal Law and International Law began a long time ago when two contrasting philosophies emerged: Monism and Dualism. </div><div><br /></div><div>Think of a rainbow with its beautiful colors. Monism is like understanding that all these colors are actually different shades of light. They may look separate, but they all come from the same source—white light. </div><div><br /></div><div>These Monists believe that there is fundamental unity in the world, and everything could be reduced to a single underlying principle like ‘Sabka Maalik Ek’. Monism rejects duality and promotes oneness or singularity. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, let's think about Day and Night. When the sun shines, it's bright and warm, but when the sun sets, darkness falls, and we experience night. Day and Night represent separate entities, showing the contrast between light and darkness. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is where Dualism comes into play. </div><div>It opposes Monism and believes in the existence of two separate realities, such as heaven and hell, swarg and nark, good and evil or mind and matter. Dualists give emphasis to the distinct and independent nature of these twofold aspects. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will tell you more about it, later in the episode.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next thing you should know about is the meaning of Municipal Law. </div><div><br /></div><div>But before I dive deeper into this topic, let's clear one thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the world of international law, we come across terms like Municipal Law, National Law, Local Law, State Law, Domestic Law, and Regional Law. These terms differ from place to place, but they mean one and the same thing and refer to the laws that govern a specific country or region. </div><div><br /></div><div>Essentially, they are the rules and laws made specifically for your country and by your country. </div><div><br /></div><div>In Indian context, the Constitution of India, laws passed by the Parliament and State Legislatures like IPC and Traffic Rules are some of the examples of Municipal Law. </div><div><br /></div><div>Municipal Law governs individuals and organizations created under it, such as companies, partnership firms, and trusts. </div><div><br /></div><div>Basically, the source of Municipal Law is the will of the State itself as these laws are usually formulated by elected representatives in Parliament or State Legislatures. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hence, Municipal Law is the backbone of any country’s legal framework. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the other hand, International Law is the set of rules that countries agree to follow when they interact with each other. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is like a code of conduct for the entire world. </div><div><br /></div><div>It includes treaties, human rights and international organizations like the United Nations. </div><div><br /></div><div>What you need to know is that it is applicable solely to the countries or nation-states and it is not directly applicable to individuals or local organizations. </div><div><br /></div><div>Further, treaties, customs, decisions of international courts are some of the sources of International Law. </div><div><br /></div><div>To know more about sources of international law, please watch my earlier episode. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, Monism believes that International Law and State Law are two related aspects of a single system, namely, the General Law and any classification of this General Law is useless, whereas the dualists believe that International Law and Municipal Law represent two entirely distinct systems that have no relationship with each other. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will give an example. </div><div><br /></div><div>You and your best friend want to play your favorite game, Teen Patti. </div><div><br /></div><div>Monism would say that there is only one way of playing Teen Patti and there is only one set of rules to be followed. The variations of Teen Patti like Mufliss or Joker variation are simply part of the same game. Whereas Dualists would argue that the different versions of Teen Patti like Mufliss are actually separate games in themselves since they have completely different rules that have no relationship with the original game of Teen Patti. </div><div><br /></div><div>How is this relevant in International Law? </div><div><br /></div><div>Basically, because of the constant tussle between Monism and Dualism, people get confused as to what is more important, Municipal Law or International Law. </div><div><br /></div><div>But don’t worry. I will remove this confusion in the next few minutes. </div><div><br /></div><div>You know that in the field of law, every country is considered as sovereign and equal. And today the world is so interconnected that actions of one country can have far-reaching consequences on other countries. </div><div><br /></div><div>Imagine the Cricket World Cup is going on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Many countries participate in it and follow all the rules. </div><div><br /></div><div>If one country starts breaking the rules or starts to indulge in match-fixing or cheating, then all the other countries will be affected by it since it would affect the outcome of the games and the overall standing of the nations in the tournament. </div><div><br /></div><div>The country breaking the rules might say that Match-Fixing is legal in our country and that is why we are doing it. But would such an approach solve the problem or remove the confusion? No. </div><div><br /></div><div>To solve this problem, the Theory of Harmonization Theory has been developed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let’s say, there is a country, Country A. It signs a treaty to protect the environment with other countries. If country A wants proper implementation of that International Treaty, then it should frame a corresponding Domestic or Municipal Law that furthers the goals of the Treaty. If Domestic Law is not protecting the environment and if the International Law is claiming such protection of environment, then there would be utter chaos and eventually, the countries would lose their trust in International Law. This is where the Theory of Harmonization comes into picture. </div><div><br /></div><div>Theory of Harmonization says that internally, countries can have their own laws, but international cooperation is equally important and cannot be ignored. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thus, both domestic law and international law should be aligned with each other to avoid clashes and conflicts. </div><div><br /></div><div>I find Harmonization THe</div><div><br /></div><div>Just hold on a moment! Do not close this video. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is one last and very important thing that you need to know i.e., the case laws. </div><div><br /></div><div>These cases will help you understand the current position in the battle between Municipal Law and International Law. </div><div><br /></div><div>The first case is the Applicability of the Obligation to Arbitrate case where it was said that the fundamental principle of international law is that international law prevails over domestic law. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is also provided in Article 27 of the Vienna Convention of Law of Treaties, 1969 (VCLT) that provides that a treaty cannot be broken by a country because its domestic law is different from the treaty law. </div><div><br /></div><div>The second case is the Lockerbie case where the Court said that expressing inability under domestic law to follow International Law is no defence to non-compliance with an international obligation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Basically, the supremacy of International Law has been maintained by the International Courts. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are numerous other case laws as well. But I will not overburden your mind any further. </div><div><br /></div><div>That is all about it. The outcome of the battle is also clear. In the sphere of International Law, the International Law prevails, and in the domestic sphere, the Municipal Law prevails. There are grey areas where theories like Harmonization Theory are helpful. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let me know your views in the comments section. </div><div><br /></div><div>See you next time. </div><div><br /></div></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-18653943502829915692023-07-01T14:35:00.002+05:302023-07-01T14:35:21.029+05:30Law of Treaties Simplified<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/FqC0oC-IvTM" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Show Script: </span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ladies and Gentlemen! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My name is Suyash, and I am the Internet’s new Law Teacher. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I will tell you what a Treaty is. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, you might be thinking, 'Treaties? I already know what they are.' </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But hold on a moment! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I am here to take your understanding to a whole new level.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In this show, I will be going beyond the basics and will help you unlock the secrets of the world of treaties and tell you the power they hold in shaping our world. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, friends, get ready for this enlightening journey, subscribe to my channel, hit that notification bell and be a part of our community of curious minds. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">By the way, have you ever wondered how two countries on the brink of war suddenly find a path to peace. How is such a monumental shift possible? The answer lies in the fascinating world of treaties. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Think of treaties as the building blocks of international relations. They serve as the glue that brings nations together, enabling cooperation, resolving disputes, and addressing a wide range of issues that transcend borders. From matters of trade and commerce to human rights, environmental protection, and even disarmament, treaties provide a framework for collaboration and collective action.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, what exactly is a treaty? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At its core, a treaty is a formal agreement between two or more parties, typically countries, that establishes rights, obligations, and expectations among them. These agreements are binding and carry legal weight, playing a crucial role in international relations and shaping the world we live in. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And names are mere formalities! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Whether called an Agreement, Pact, Convention, Protocol, or Charter, the essence of treaties remains the same. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, never judge a treaty by its title and it is the substance of a treaty that matters. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Did you know? </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When two nations engage, it's a Bilateral Treaty but when the party gets bigger, it's called a Multilateral treaty. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, before moving further, you should know that there is an entire treaty that deals with the law of treaties. Amazing! Isn’t it? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Well, Law of Treaties! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What the heck is that? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is called the Vienna Convention of Law of Treaties (VCLT). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Adopted in the year 1969, the VCLT has a rich historical significance and has emerged as a result of lengthy international legal discussions that took place for many years. It is divided into 8 parts and contains 85 articles. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is undoubtedly one of the most important treaties in the realm of International Law as: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1. It codifies the various principles relating to treaties;<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2. Helps in interpretation of new and existing treaties;<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3. Facilitates peaceful resolution of disputes arising from breach of treaties;<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4. It also promotes international cooperation among states by providing for principles for implementation of treaties; and<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">5. While doing all this, it also safeguards the sovereignty of states. It makes sure that the states have control over their treaty commitments. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thus, everything that is to know about the treaties is contained in VCLT.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Though the study of VCLT is a vast subject in itself, yet to dive a little bit deeper, I will tell you five key provisions of VCLT. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">First, Article 2 (1) (a) that defines treaties as an international agreement concluded between States in written form and governed by international law. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Second, Article 26 that states that all the treaties must be observed and performed in good faith. This is called the principle of ‘Pacta Sunt Servanda’. To know more about Pacta Sunt Servanda, please watch my earlier episode on it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Third, Article 53 that talks about the principle of Jus Cogens which simply means a crucial rule that no country can ignore or break. It has been defined as a mandatory and non-derogable rule of International Law that is accepted and recognized by the international community. To know more about Jus Cogens, please watch my earlier episode on it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The fourth legal provision that you should know is Article 62 that talks about fundamental change in circumstances. Basically, if something occurs after signing a treaty that was not foreseen by the parties and that has to change the nature of responsibilities to be performed by the members in the treaty, then it is a fundamental change in circumstances and the parties can take it as a ground for withdrawing from or terminating the treaty. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The last relevant provision of VCLT for you is Article 11 that talks about consent and its modes. Free will and free consent are considered very important in VCLT and countries cannot become party to a treaty without their express consent, that is to say, a treaty cannot be forced upon a state. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Those were the five key provisions of VCLT and there is one more important provision Article 38(1)(a) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice that you should know. This provision has uplifted the status of treaties and it is now considered as one of the sources of International Law. So, if you want to create a new rule in international law, draft a treaty and get it signed by the countries. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, you must be thinking that okay, once a country has entered into a treaty, that is it. That country has to live with that treaty for the rest of its life. Is such an understanding correct? No. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When a country enters into a treaty, it should not be a suffocating relationship and generally speaking, there are four options, depending on the situation. They are: <br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1. Reservations<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2. Amendment or Modification<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3. Invalidation<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4. Termination</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Let’s understand the meaning of these terms with examples. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Imagine the Cricket World Cup is happening with teams from different countries. All countries agree to follow the rules of the tournament, one of which says that all players must wear red jerseys. There is one country A that does not agree to it. It makes a special request that since the national color of their country is Green, their players should be allowed to wear green jerseys. This is what is meant by ‘Reservation’. It is a special request or a unilateral statement at the time of signing of a treaty whereby a member-state may modify a treaty provision as a special case.<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Imagine two countries, A and B, enter into a treaty to protect Elephants and Tigers. The treaty works out fine; however, later on, the countries realize that it is also important to protect rhinoceros. So, they sit together and change the terms of the treaty to include protection of Rhinoceros in it. This is what is meant by amendment or modification in a treaty. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now again imagine that two countries A and B enter into another treaty to share water from a river that flows between their borders. They agree to use the water responsibly and not pollute it. However, if Country A starts dumping harmful chemicals into the river, it would violate the terms of the treaty and make it invalid. <br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, again Imagine "Country A" and "Country B" sign a treaty to promote free trade and eliminate tariffs/taxes on imported goods. However, if Country B imposes high tariffs or taxes on Country A's products, it could lead to the termination of the treaty. In this case, Country A may choose to terminate the treaty to protect its economic interests and explore new trade agreements with countries that prioritize fair and open trade practices.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">That was all about reservation, amendment, invalidation and termination of treaties. Lastly, you should know that there are many case-laws that discuss about the law of treaties such as <i>Qatar v. Baharin (2001), Application of the Genocide Convention (Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia and Montenegro), Anglo-French Continental Shelf case, Belilos v. Switzerland (1980)</i> and the <i>Rainbow Warrior case. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Well, the Law of Treaties is a vast subject in itself and if I started going into its details, it would take hours and hours. What I have told you is Treaty 101 i.e., the basics of treaties. Let me know in the comments section if you want me to record more episodes on treaties. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Stay curious and see you next time. </span></div></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-66037154001037355992023-06-29T18:45:00.003+05:302023-06-29T18:45:31.520+05:30Sources of International Law Explained<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/xxCGE8fpVE0" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sources
of International Law <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">By
‘sources of international law’, I mean the origins or places from which the
rules and principles of international law are derived. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And
these sources help establish the legal framework that governs the relations
between countries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You
must be thinking that why study about the sources of international law, why not
simply study what international law is? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Why
take all this trouble? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It
is because the sources of international law collectively shape the rules and
principles that guide the behavior of nations in the international community. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And
by understanding these sources, you will gain insight into how international
law is formed, applied, and adapted to address global challenges and promote
cooperation among countries. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here,
the most important legal provision you are supposed to remember is Article 38
of the Statute of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). It provides for six
different sources of international law that are to be applied by the courts
while deciding a dispute. Those six sources are: - <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">custom,
treaties, general principles of law, judicial decisions, juristic writings and
equity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Custom<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It
is like the unwritten rules that countries follow because they've been doing it
for a very long time, and everyone believes that it is the right thing to do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For
example, most countries agree that it's not okay to attack other countries
without a good reason. This understanding has become a custom that everyone
expects and follows. Even though there might not be a specific written
agreement or law, it's understood that attacking another country without a good
reason is not permissible in international law.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Malcolm
Shaw, a famous writer, defines custom as a long established and commonly
adopted practice that has acquired the force of law. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thus,
even if something is not a law in the traditional sense of the term, still if
it is treated or equated with a law, then it could be said that it has acquired
the force of law. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Basically,
there are two pre-conditions that need to be met before a custom becomes a
valid custom in international law, State Practice and Opinio Juris. These
reflect the manner in which states behave and incorporate the custom into their
own law. To know more about State Practice and Opinio Juris, watch my earlier
episode the link for which has been provided in the description below. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now,
broadly speaking, there are three types of customs, general, regional and
local. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">General
Customs are followed universally in most places and jurisdictions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Regional
Customs are rules that bind only a particular group of states in a particular
region. For example, North America may have its own Regional Customs distinct
from South America or Asia. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Local
Customs are rules that bind only a smaller number of states have in a limited
geographical area like India Pakistan and Sri Lanka may have a local custom
that may not be followed anywhere else. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lastly,
the importance of custom as a source of law has been discussed in various cases
such as the Lotus Case and Nicaragua v. United States. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Treaty<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It
has been defined in Article 2 (a) of the Vienna Convention of Law of Treaties,
1969 (VCLT) as an international agreement concluded between States in written
form and governed by international law. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thus
essentially, a treaty is a written agreement between two or more countries and
is subjected to various principles of International Law.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
nomenclature of treaties is immaterial, and it may be called an Agreement or a
Pact or a Convention or a Protocol or a Charter or any other similar term. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You
should also know that a treaty between two nations is called a Bilateral Treaty
and a treaty between more than two nations is called a multilateral treaty. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sometimes
even non-state actors may also become part of a treaty. A good example is Paris
Agreement on Climate Change where Civil Society Organizations such as the
Climate Action Network (CAN) are a part of it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here,
you must also know that all the treaties must be observed and performed in good
faith. This is called the principle of ‘Pacta Sunt Servanda’ that has been
provided in Article 26 of VCLT.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There
are various examples of treaties such as the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, Patent
Law Treaty of 2000, VCLT of 1969, Kyoto Protocol of 1997 etc<b>. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
relevance of treaty as a source of international law has been discussed in the North
Sea Continental Shelf Cases. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">General
Principles of Law <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It
is also a term that is hard to define, and simply means general principles that
guide different legal systems such as the principle of good faith, doctrine of
res judicata, principle of estoppel, doctrine of proportionality and principle
of Pacta Sunt Servanda. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">General
principles of law are regarded as a source of international law because the
international law is relatively new and many times issues arise on which is
there is no international law whatsoever, in those circumstances, the Court may
apply a legal principle that is usually applied in domestic or internal legal
systems of countries. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These
general principles have been applied in a plethora of cases to fill the
uncovered gaps arising in international law from time to time such as the Chorzów
Factory case, German Settlers in Poland case,</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the Corfu Channel case and many
others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Judicial
Decisions <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It means the judgments and orders that are
passed by the International Courts in different matters on different points of
law. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You
should know that Article 38 of ICJ Statute regards ‘judicial decisions’ as a
subsidiary means of determining law. Subsidiary means a secondary source of law
rather than an actual source of law. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Further,
Article 59 of the ICJ Statute states that the decision of the ICJ has no
binding force except as between the parties who have submitted themselves to
its jurisdiction. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So,
if India and Pakistan submit a dispute before the ICJ, the decision of the ICJ
would be binding only on India and Pakistan and only for that particular
matter. If a similar matter arises in the future, both the countries will again
have to file a dispute before the ICJ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This
does not mean that ‘judicial decisions’ are not important. They are still
relevant because of the doctrine of precedent according to which courts follow their
previous decisions when deciding similar cases, and generally speaking, the
Courts do not depart from its settled jurisprudence or precedent unless there
are compelling reasons to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today,
various international courts pronounce decisions on different subjects and
these decisions form the jurisprudence which will also influence the future
decisions of the International Courts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
importance of Judicial Decisions as source of international law has been
discussed in detail in cases like the Genocide Convention Case, the Nottebohm
Case and Cameroon v. Nigeria. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Juristic
or Academic Writings<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Again,
like ‘judicial decisions’, Article 38 regards them as a subsidiary means of
determining law and this does not mean that academic writings are irrelevant in
international law. The influence of academic writers in the development of
international law has been immense. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Scholars
such as Gentili, Hugo Grotius, Vattel and Pufendorf were considered as the
supreme authorities of their times on International Law. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">However,
with the rise in the number of international treaties, the significance of
academic writings has been reduced to an extent. Nevertheless, good books on
international law are still being cited by the lawyers before the courts and
whenever a new branch of international law is to be developed, the academic
writers play an important role in giving proper shape to it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Some
of the examples of juristic and academic writings are the Oxford Handbook of
International Law and the Law of Nations by Emer de Vattel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Equity<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
sixth and the last source of international law as per Article 38 (2) of ICJ
Statute is ‘equity’. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Actually,
the term used in Article 38 is ‘ex aequo et bono’ that literally means as per
what is equitable and good. It means the body of principles constituting what
is fair and right and represents the various values present in a legal system.
It includes principles and doctrines such as Rule of Law, Natural Justice,
Peaceful Coexistence etc. Honestly, I find the principles of equity to be quite
similar to general principles of law. Nevertheless, the ICJ statute has made a
distinction. These principles of equity have been applied consistently by the
International Courts in cases such as the Rann of Kutch arbitration between
India and Pakistan in 1968, North Sea Continental Shelf cases, Legality of the
Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons Advisory Opinion etc. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Other
Sources of International Law <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Apart
from the just discussed six sources of international law, there are some other
sources of international law as well that have not been recognized under
Article 38 of the ICJ Statute, yet they are liable to be considered as valid
sources of international law. These sources of international law generally
evolve in development of new laws and from new interpretations of existing
laws. Some examples are: - <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">UN
Security Council Resolutions – These resolutions are considered as binding by
virtue of Article 24 and Article 25 of the UN Charter according to which the
members of UN must accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Then
Soft Laws such as Codes of Practice of Standards, Recommendations and
Guidelines by International Bodies etc. also form as a source of international
law in a limited manner. Soft Law basically indicates an instrument or
provision that is not a law but its importance within the International System
is such that particular attention requires to be paid to it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Further,
Works of International Law Commission and other International Bodies such as
UNCITRAL involved in drafting and formulation of law, also act as a source of
international law in many cases. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lastly,
Unilateral Acts like Annexation of Crimea by Russia may also give rise to
international legal obligations at times and may be considered as a source of
international law. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><br /></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826759253042774416.post-1700967112566791832023-06-27T23:54:00.001+05:302023-06-27T23:54:16.148+05:30What is Jus Cogens in International Law?<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/6cspaOticlQ" width="480"></iframe></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Jus Cogens - Show Notes </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It means “a mandatory or peremptory norm of general international law accepted and recognized by international community as a norm from which no derogation is permitted. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Grotius relied heavily on Roman Law distinction between jus strictum (Obligatory Law) and jus dispositivum (Voluntary Law). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thinking of early International Law scholars was heavily dominated by voluntarist approaches. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1928 – Pablo Najera (French-Mexican Claims Commission) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1934 – Individual opinion by Judge Schucking of PCIJ in 1934 Oscar Chinn Case. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Article 53 of VCLT - Treaties conflicting with a peremptory norm of general international law (“jus cogens”) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“A treaty is void if, at the time of its conclusion, it conflicts with a peremptory norm of general international law. For the purposes of the present Convention, a peremptory norm of general international law is a norm accepted and recognized by the international community of States as a whole as a norm from which no derogation is permitted and which can be modified only by a subsequent norm of general international law having the same character.” </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Article 64 of VCLT - Emergence of a new peremptory norm of general </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">international law (“jus cogens”) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“If a new peremptory norm of general international law emerges, any existing treaty which is in conflict with that norm becomes void and terminates.” </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thus, the Jus Cogens Rule trumps the relevant treaty in question, rendering it void in entirety. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, Jus Cogens is widely accepted among the scholars of International Law. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lauterpacht wrote that “the concept of Jus Cogens operates as a concept superior to both customary international law and treaty. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Therefore, a jus cogens rule may thus override even the most authoritative form of executive action known to international society, should that authority be exercised in violation of that rule. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In addition to the prohibitions against the aggressive use of force and genocide, rules which are today widely accepted as being rules ofjus cogens include the prohibitions against slavery, torture and apartheid.26 These rules play an essential role in the international legal system by defining certain key aspects of that system and making it extremely difficult for States to change the way these rules apply to them. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Opinio Juris seems to be at the root of the non-derogable character of Jus Cogens Rules because States simply do not believe that it is possible to contract out of Jus Cogens Rules. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Most scholars believe that the principal source of Jus Cogens Rules is the process of Customary International Law. </span></div></div><div><br /></div>Suyash Vermahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04878990532251925522noreply@blogger.com0