Utkarsh Anand

Utkarsh Anand is Legal Editor at the Hindustan Times. He writes on law, judiciary and governance.

Articles by Utkarsh Anand

Retain sedition in IPC, make it tougher: Panel

The Law Commission of India has recommended that the country's 153-year-old colonial law on sedition be retained, but amended to bring clarity to its interpretation and usage. The non-bailable offence, which carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment or up to three years in jail, is currently on hold due to a continuing interim order of the Supreme Court. Activists and jurists have alleged it is often misused to muzzle dissent. The Commission suggested amending Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code to align it with the Supreme Court's 1962 verdict in the Kedar Nath Case.

HT Image
Updated on Jun 03, 2023 12:32 AM IST
By, New Delhi

On sedition law, govt says repealing can have adverse impact on India's security

The Law Commission of India said that “repealing the legal provision can have serious adverse ramifications for the security and integrity of the country”

Activists and jurists have alleged the provision is often misused to muzzle dissent. (Shutterstock)
Updated on Jun 02, 2023 11:38 AM IST

Justices RD Dhanuka, SV Gangapur to be new CJs of Bombay, Madras high courts

With justice Gangapurwala’s appointment, doors also opened for the appointment of the next most senior judge of Bombay HC, RD Dhanuka, as CJ of the same HC.

The collegium had on April 19 made the recommendations for the appointments of the two Bombay high court judges as chief justices. (HT)
Updated on May 27, 2023 06:14 AM IST
By, New Delhi

SC grants interim bail to Satyendar Jain on medical grounds

Satyendar Jain was put on oxygen support and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Lok Nayak Hospital (LNH) on Thursday after he fell in a bathroom in Tihar jail

Satyendar Jain. (PTI)
Updated on May 26, 2023 01:26 PM IST

Explained: Ordinance must pass test of legislative competence

The issuance of the ordinance opens a new chapter in the protracted battle between the Centre and the Delhi government

In T Venkata Reddy Vs State of Andhra Pradesh (1985), the Supreme Court ruled that an ordinance is as good as a law and cannot be treated as an executive action or an administrative decision. (HTArchive)
Updated on May 21, 2023 01:18 PM IST

Supreme Court halts scientific survey of structure inside Gyanvapi

On May 12, the Allahabad HC set aside a Varanasi district court order rejecting a demand for carbon dating of structure found inside Gyanvapi Masjid complex.

The Supreme Court on Friday put on hold the Allahabad high court order for a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque. (PTI)
Updated on May 20, 2023 02:00 AM IST

District judiciary’s independence part of basic structure: Supreme Court

For most litigants in this country, the court added, the only physically accessible institution for accessing justice is the district judiciary

The top court said the district judiciary performs a key role in upholding the rule of law. (PTI)
Updated on May 20, 2023 04:10 AM IST

Can’t seek immunity from legal provisions because contract in President’s name: SC

Defending the Centre, ASG argued that the contract in the case stands on a different footing as it is entered into in the name of the President

The judgment came on an application filed for the appointment of a sole arbitrator by Glock Asia-Pacific Ltd which had a contract with the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) for the supply of glock pistols. (Sanjay Sharma)
Updated on May 20, 2023 12:46 AM IST

Centre moves ordinance to negate SC verdict on Delhi services

Centre on Friday evening issued an ordinance restoring to itself the power over “services” by way of making a raft of major amendments in GNCTD Act, 1991.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and LG VK Saxena. (ANI)
Updated on May 20, 2023 04:37 AM IST
By, New Delhi

‘Not proved at this stage’: SC panel on Adani issue

The panel, which also found no regulatory failure on the part of Sebi made a distinction between “proved”, “disproved” and “not proved”.

Sebi is investigating Adani companies following the US short-seller Hindenburg Reseach’s report released on 24 January. (REUTERS)
Updated on May 20, 2023 04:53 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Rijiju exits law ministry amid judiciary stand-off

Rijiju was replaced by Arjun Ram Meghwal, who has been assigned independent charge as minister of state for law & justice.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju. (HT PHOTO)
Updated on May 19, 2023 02:25 AM IST

SC rejects Bihar plea against HC’s caste survey stay order

The court’s refusal to stay the high court order deals a major blow to Bihar’s plans of successfully counting the castes of all 104 million people in the state.

A bench of justices AS Oka and Rajesh Bindal noted that the May 4 high court order was an interim directive, based on prima facie findings against the caste-based survey (HT Photo)
Updated on May 19, 2023 04:09 AM IST

SC affirms state laws allowing Jallikattu, other events involving animals

A five-judge bench, headed by Justice KM Joseph, approved of bullock or buffalo races in Maharashtra and Karnataka prohibited following a 2014 judgment of the Supreme Court citing cruelty to animals

The Supreme Court. (REUTERS)
Updated on May 18, 2023 12:50 PM IST

SC to hear appeal against Gyanvapi Mosque’s scientific survey today

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud agreed to urgently list the matter after senior counsel Huzefa Ahmedi mentioned the appeal.

The Supreme Court. (REUTERS)
Updated on May 19, 2023 04:33 AM IST

SC to monitor Manipur relief and rehabilitation measures

It is for the apex court to ascertain that states “do not turn a blind eye” to law-and-order and all endeavours are made to foster confidence in people.

People arrive to board a paramilitary truck at a transit point after being evacuated from Churachandpur, near Imphal, on May 9. (AFP)
Updated on May 18, 2023 05:01 AM IST

Explainer: Anti-conversion laws

At least ten states have laws against forcible conversion, but the apex court is yet to come out with a definitive legal interpretation of the term “propagate”

The Supreme Court has endeavoured to strike a balance between fundamental right to propagate religion and “illegal conversion” (HT File)
Published on May 17, 2023 08:38 PM IST

Supreme Court rejects review pleas on EWS quota verdict

The Supreme Court has refused to reconsider its November verdict that upheld the validity of the central law providing 10% reservation benefits to EWS.

By its judgment on November 7, a five-judge constitution bench ruled 3-2 in favour of the 103rd Constitutional Amendment of 2019, upholding the EWS quota law.
Updated on May 17, 2023 05:33 AM IST

Top court cautions ED: Don’t create an atmosphere of fear

New Delhi “Don’t create an atmosphere of fear,” the Supreme Court told the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday as the Chhattisgarh government claimed that the federal agency was conducting a probe into an alleged liquor syndicate scam in the state without any jurisdiction and with the sole objective of implicating chief minister Bhupesh Baghel

Chhattisgarh govt moved the SC, accusing ED of probing without any jurisdiction. (Representational image)
Updated on May 17, 2023 12:25 AM IST

Collegium recommends two names for SC judges

Supreme Court collegium recommended Andhra Pradesh high court chief justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and senior advocate KV Viswanathan for appointment as judges.

If the Union government clears the recommendations, Viswanathan will be in line to take over as the CJI in August 2030 and will have a tenure till May 25, 2031 (HT File)
Updated on May 17, 2023 05:31 AM IST

SC junks plea seeking action against V-P, Rijiju for remarks on judiciary

The bench affirmed the Bombay HC order of February 9, which emphasised that the credibility of the Supreme Court cannot be impinged by statements of individuals

Shoulders of the Supreme Court are broad enough to deal with inappropriate statements, the top court said on Monday. (HT File)
Updated on May 16, 2023 10:08 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Dishonest to not grant bail if due, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has declined urgent hearing to a judicial officer from Uttar Pradesh who was sent for training at the state judicial academy for denying bail.

On May 2, the SC bench asked the Allahabad high court to send the Lucknow judge “for upgradation of his skills in a judicial academy”.
Updated on May 16, 2023 08:34 AM IST

Did not probe Adani since 2016, Sebi tells SC; row erupts

SEBI denied in an affidavit to Supreme Court that it has been investigating the Adani Group since 2016, contrary to claims made by several opposition leaders.

The matter got adjourned to July 10 due to paucity of time. (HT FIle)
Updated on May 16, 2023 01:33 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Supreme Court maps out poll panel’s power to allot symbols

SC says The EC cannot be ‘prevented from performing its constitutional duties for an indefinite period of time’

Supreme Court (Representational image)
Updated on May 12, 2023 01:03 AM IST

Supreme Court order strengthens Speaker’s authority in anti-defection law cases

The Constitution bench verdict on Thursday in the Maharashtra political crisis case seems to strengthen the hands of the speaker in deciding disqualification petitions under the anti-defection law.

A speaker can examine if the application is bona fide or intended only to evade adjudication, the Supreme Court has said.
Updated on May 12, 2023 12:24 AM IST

Hearing on same-sex union pleas concludes, Supreme Court reserves order

The Supreme Court will remain shut for the summer vacation till June 30, starting May 22. The judgment is expected only after this break.

The Supreme Court. (Representational image)
Updated on May 12, 2023 05:46 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Disqualification plea to ‘real’ Sena: Maharashtra Speaker to take call on key issues

If there is one person who holds all the cards after the Supreme Court verdict in the Maharashtra political crisis case, it is the Speaker of the Maharashtra legislative assembly, Rahul Narwekar.

Maharashtra speaker Rahul Narwekar. (ANI)
Updated on May 12, 2023 12:17 AM IST

Maharashtra political crisis: SC refers 2016 verdict on Speaker’s role to a larger bench

The Nebam Rabia verdict in 2016 laid down the legal proposition injuncting the speaker from exercising his power to decide disqualification petitions moved against the members of the House.

Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais with chief minister Eknath Shinde and assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. (ANI)
Updated on May 12, 2023 12:13 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Sena vs Sena: ‘Lots of violations but can’t restore Uddhav’

The verdict marks a new turn in the political saga which began shortly after Shinde and a clutch of Sena lawmakers went incommunicado in the evening of June 20

Supreme Court on Thursday delivered verdict in the Eknath Shinde vs Uddhav Thackeraty case.
Updated on May 11, 2023 11:37 PM IST

Could have reinstated Uddhav Thackeray had not he resigned as chief minister: SC

Thackeray’s resignation and Eknath Shinde’s dramatic take over as the Maharashtra chief minister within 24 hours last year triggered a spate of petitions

The Supreme Court. (ANI)
Updated on May 11, 2023 12:52 PM IST

SC rules in favour of Delhi govt, says it has control over bureaucrats

A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said all services other than those related to law and order and land are with the elected government

The Supreme Court. (ANI)
Updated on May 11, 2023 12:13 PM IST
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