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Two judgments and the principle of accountability M.R. Madhavan is with PRS Legislative Research, New Delhi Two Constitution Benches of the Supreme Court of India delivered important judgments last week. The first case decided that the Delhi government headed by the Chief Minister — and not the Lieutenant Governor appointed by the central government — will control civil services working for the Delhi government. The second case involved the formation of the current government in Maharashtra following the “split” in the Shiv Sena party. Contradiction of a core principle Both judgments, which were unanimous, were authored by the Chief Justice…

Khasi council order on father’s surname sets off war of words in matrilineal Meghalaya The Khasis, numbering about 1.39 lakh, are one of the three indigenous matrilineal communities in Meghalaya. Ritu Raj Konwar RAHUL KARMAKAR GUWAHATI A tribal council’s order not to issue a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate to any Khasi person who adopts the surname of her or his father has triggered a war of words in matrilineal Meghalaya. The Khasis, numbering about 1.39 lakh, are one of the three indigenous matrilineal communities in the north-eastern State. The other two are Garos and Jaintias. KHADC criticised The Voice of the…

A Court recall that impacts the rights of the accused   Preeti Pratishruti Dash is an Assistant Professor of Law at the National Law School of India University where she teaches criminal law and procedure The Supreme Court of India’s order on May 1, seeking to recall its own decision in Ritu Chhabaria vs Union of India upon the insistence of the Solicitor-General of India, Tushar Mehta, that central investigation agencies were ‘facing difficulties’, has caused concern among legal professionals. Besides the questionable legality of the Court ‘recalling’ its own decision, what is of concern too is how this order would impact…

Summer boost Reason to cheer: Buoyed by summer showers, tribal farmers sowing ginger at Manjaguda village near the Araku Valley, 130 km from Visakhapatnam, in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. K.R. Deepak Many killed in riots in Manipur; govt. issues shoot-at-sight order Vehicles set afire in the State capital Imphal on Thursday. PTI Clashes broke out after a march was taken out by tribes against decision to grant ST status to the majority Meitei community; Army and RAF deployed RAHUL KARMAKAR GUWAHATI The Manipur government on Thursday issued a shoot-at-sight order in “extreme cases”, as escalating ethnic violence following a tribal solidarity march displaced over…