Current Legal Update

Urgent Need for Codified Tort Laws in India: Addressing Gaps in Medical Negligence and Civil Wrongs   

Although there are statutes, rules, and court rulings in India, the laws that govern civil wrongs and medical negligence are still dispersed throughout the country. Because of this fragmented approach, victims who are looking for justice, healthcare providers who are dealing with legal uncertainty, and courts that are addressing a variety of claims are all left with a sense of perplexity. There is an immediate requirement to codify tort law in India, which would involve bringing all concepts under the purview of a single, organized statute. To define rights, duties, and remedies for medical negligence and other civil wrongs, codification would streamline litigation and increase accountability. Codification would also streamline the process of litigation. The purpose of this article is to investigate the historical backdrop of Indian tort law, to identify important gaps in medical negligence claims, to investigate the benefits and problems of codification, and to provide ideas for the development of an efficient Tort Code that is suitable to India’s legal and social situation

Current Legal Update

Judicial Restraint in the Spotlight: CJI B.R. Gavai Explains Why Judges Avoid Public Platforms

In this article, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai discusses his thoughts on the reasons why judges have generally refrained from communicating with the public on public venues. Specifically, it investigates the origins of judicial restraint in the context of maintaining impartiality, the difficulties that are presented by live streaming and social media, and the possibility that statements could be taken out of context. Gavai places a strong emphasis on the necessity for judges to maintain a proper distance while remaining acutely aware of the realities of society. Also discussed in this post is the necessity of striking a balance between the integrity of judicial decision-making and the implementation of technological and transparency efforts. In conclusion, it examines the changing nature of judicial behavior in the future, taking into account the advent of instant communication and the extensive monitoring of the public.

Current Legal Update

Byju’s Financial Crisis Unveiled: Understanding the Complex Web of Lawsuits and Bankruptcy Filings  

Byju’s, which was formerly considered the most prestigious company in India’s educational technology sector, is currently in the epicenter of a widespread financial catastrophe. It was a default on a term loan that was worth $1.2 billion that sparked this problem, which ultimately resulted in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States. Following the discovery of a missing $533 million, a flurry of lawsuits were filed in the bankruptcy courts of the United States, alleging that the company’s founders and affiliates had concealed assets. Additionally, regulatory investigations and internal instability have been taking place in India at the same time that insolvency processes and legal challenges have been taking place. The current turbulence that Byju is experiencing is defined by the complex legal battles, regulatory interventions, and operational challenges that are discussed in this article. Additionally, the article explores what the future holds for the troubled company.

Current Legal Update

Justice B.R. Gavai: Tracing the Journey of India’s 52nd Chief Justice from Amravati to the Supreme Court  

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, who was born on November 24, 1960 in Amravati, Maharashtra, ascended from humble beginnings to become India’s 52nd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on May 14, 2025. He was born in Amravati. After graduating from Amravati University with a degree in commerce and law, he started his own practice in 1985 and has steadily climbed through the ranks, holding positions such as standing counsel, additional public prosecutor, and High Court judge. In 2019, he was appointed to the Supreme Court, and since then, he has written hundreds of judgments in a wide range of subjects, including constitutional issues, criminal law, and environmental protection. He is the first Buddhist and the second Dalit to hold the position of Chief Justice, and his tenure as Chief Justice, which has lasted for six months, is a historic first. The author of this article discusses his biography, professional accomplishments, judicial philosophy, and the lasting impact he had on the legal landscape of India.

Current Legal Update

Opening India’s Legal Market: Implications of BCI’s New Regulations for Foreign Lawyers and Firms

Under the new Bar Council of India regulations, foreign lawyers and law firms may advise on foreign law, international law, and participate in international commercial arbitration within India. They are expressly barred from appearing in Indian courts or handling domestic litigation. Eligibility depends on a reciprocity principle, meaning the home jurisdiction of the foreign lawyer or firm must offer similar rights to Indian advocates. Applicants must register with the BCI, submit a no-objection certificate from their home regulator, and provide details of clients and the scope of their work.

Foreign lawyers without a local office are restricted to a cumulative stay of sixty days per calendar year, ensuring that prolonged engagements still involve domestic counsel. Registered practitioners must renew their certificates annually and comply with professional conduct rules as overseen by the BCI. These measures aim to balance the benefits of international expertise with safeguards for India’s legal community.

Current Legal Update

BCI Chairman Manan Mishra’s Plea to CJI Gavai: Barriers Faced by First-Generation Advocates in Litigation

First-generation advocates often find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to securing courtroom assignments. In many high courts and the Supreme Court, case rosters are influenced by informal relationships and long-established networks. Senior advocates and prominent law firms receive priority, while new entrants struggle to gain visibility. Without invitations to argue important matters, these lawyers miss critical opportunities to build reputations, hone advocacy skills, and attract clients.

The absence of transparent criteria for assigning cases exacerbates this imbalance. Clerks and court officers frequently rely on personal discretion rather than a merit-based process, and clients default to familiar names even when fresh talent is available. This perpetuates a cycle where first-generation advocates remain on the periphery, unable to demonstrate their capabilities on high-stakes platforms. As a result, the profession loses out on diverse perspectives, and justice delivery risks becoming insular and less responsive to the needs of a varied populace.

Current Legal Update

J&K Police’s PSA Crackdown in Srinagar: Constitutional Analysis of Public Safety Act’s Role in Mass Detentions Post-Pahalgam Attack

The Public Safety Act empowers senior executive officers to order preventive detention in the name of “public order” or “security of the State.” Under Section 8, a Divisional Commissioner or District Magistrate may detain any person for up to two years if they believe that individual’s activities could disturb peace or incite violence. Detention orders must outline the grounds for arrest within ten days, although Section 13 permits withholding of sensitive details deemed against public interest. Critics argue that such broad discretion enables arbitrary use of power, eroding trust in the legal system.

Once a detention is ordered, Section 16 mandates that an Advisory Board—comprised of members appointed by the State Government—review the case within four weeks. However, detainees are denied access to legal counsel during these proceedings, and the Board’s recommendations are non-binding. Section 22 further shields officials from legal liability for actions taken “in good faith” under the Act. Together, these provisions create a framework where procedural safeguards exist in theory but often falter in practice, leaving detainees with limited recourse to challenge prolonged preventive detention.

Current Legal Update

Intensifying Heatwaves in Rajasthan: Constitutional Analysis of India’s Environmental Laws and Climate Adaptation Gaps

The state of Rajasthan has emerged as a climate hotspot, with heatwaves intensifying both in frequency and severity over the past decade. Temperatures exceeding 45°C have become alarmingly common, placing immense pressure on public health systems, water resources, and vulnerable communities. Despite the gravity of the crisis, India’s environmental legal framework has struggled to evolve from a conservation-centric approach to one that adequately addresses climate adaptation and resilience.

At the constitutional level, Article 21—the right to life—has been interpreted by Indian courts to include the right to a clean and healthy environment. Yet, in practice, the application of this right in the context of climate-induced disasters remains limited and inconsistent. While Article 48A of the Directive Principles of State Policy calls for the protection and improvement of the environment, and Article 51A(g) places a duty on citizens to safeguard natural resources, there is a notable absence of enforceable mechanisms that translate these provisions into meaningful climate action, especially at the state level.

This gap is particularly evident in Rajasthan, where legal mandates and disaster management policies remain fragmented and reactive rather than preventive or adaptive. State action has often been guided by short-term relief measures rather than long-term climate resilience planning. Moreover, the lack of climate-specific legislation results in an over-reliance on generic environmental laws and judicial activism, which, while valuable, cannot substitute for a coherent statutory framework.

This excerpt lays the groundwork for a deeper analysis of how constitutional principles and environmental statutes can and must evolve to meet the unprecedented challenges posed by climate change in India’s most vulnerable regions.