What is Article 25 of the Indian Constitution?

Overview: The Kerala High Court recently observed that the fundamental right under Article 25 of the Constitution to enter a temple for worship does not give the right to any member of the Hindu community to perform the role of Archakas (priests). About Article 25 of Indian Constitution Article 25 says that all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freel

Organ Transplantation

Context: A petitioner seeking a kidney transplant died waiting for permissions to come through. While there are stringent rules for organ transplantation, the court has said that timelines must be followed in the true spirit of the transplant law. Background: The Delhi High Court ruled on a plea from a retired Indian Air Force officer diagnosed with  kidney failure in 2017. By 2019

Caste discrimination in prisons

Context: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said caste-based discrimination of prisoners, segregation of manual work among them according to caste-hierarchy and treatment of inmates from the denotified tribes as “habitual offenders” within the four walls of jails across India is a “very important issue” and needs to be addressed. The current status of Indian prisons is marke

New Ruling On Benami Law May Unearth Old Deals

Context: The Appellate Tribunal on Disputes in Benami Matters has ruled that “Held” used in the Benami Act 2016 also covers the proceeds of crime committed before 2016, and is currently being held or possessed by the beneficiary.  News: Tribunal Decision Regarding Benami Property: The tribunal has decreed that the possession of a Benami proper

International Braille Day

Context: In commemoration of International Braille Day, various National institutions and Comprehensive Regional Centers under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities organized extensive awareness programms focused on Braille literacy. About: International Braille Day is observed on 4th January annually to promote awareness regarding the significance of Braille as a com

Free legal aid in India

Context: Supreme Court judge Justice BR Gavai has been nominated as the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC), replacing Justice Sanjiv Khanna – the seniormost judge of the top court after the Chief Justice of India (CJI). What is the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee: The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, formed under Section 3A of the

Polygraph test

Context: Five of the six people arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the Parliament security breach on December 13 last year gave their consent before a court here on Friday to undergo a polygraph test. About: A polygraph test is carried out on the assumption that physiological responses triggered when one is lying are different from what they otherwise would be. Rather than

Structured negotiation as a boost for disability rights

Context: Structured negotiation is an increasingly employed dispute resolution technique, offering a collaborative and solution-oriented approach as an alternative to litigation. Widely applicable, it has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in settling disability rights cases, particularly in the United States. Success in Disability Rights: Particularly successful in resolving issues re

New Rules for Allocation of Symbols

Context: The Election Commission of India has brought in new rules for allocation of symbols to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs).  New rules: To qualify for the 'concession of common symbol allotment,' these parties must submit audited accounts for the past three financial years, expenditure statements from the last two elections, and the

Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, 1961

Context: Despite the affirmation of the right to privacy in the 2017 Puttaswamy judgment, concerns persist regarding Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, potentially infringing on citizens' fundamental rights. Understanding Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, 1961: Introduction and Historical Context: Introduced to replace the invalidated Taxation on Income (Investigation Commission) Act, 1