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.
Updated on Jun 03, 2023 12:32 AM IST
Utkarsh Anand, 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”
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.
Updated on May 27, 2023 06:14 AM IST
Utkarsh Anand, 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
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
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.
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
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
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.
Updated on May 20, 2023 04:37 AM IST
Utkarsh Anand, 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”.
Updated on May 20, 2023 04:53 AM IST
Utkarsh Anand, 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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”
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.
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
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.
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
Updated on May 16, 2023 10:08 AM IST
Utkarsh Anand, 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.
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.
Updated on May 16, 2023 01:33 AM IST
Utkarsh Anand, 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’
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.
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.
Updated on May 12, 2023 05:46 AM IST
Utkarsh Anand, 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.
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.
Updated on May 12, 2023 12:13 AM IST
Utkarsh Anand, 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
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
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
Updated on May 11, 2023 12:13 PM IST
