In this episode, Ninni Susan Thomas interviews Advocate Vikram Hedge, an Advocate-on-Record at the Supreme Court who practises at courts in Karnataka and Delhi, as well as in other High Courts and Tribunals. The conversation begins by shedding light on the lesser-known aspects of a lawyer's tasks, leading to discussions on common challenges faced by lawyers, litigants, and the public when accessing courts. Issues such as lack of adequate notice before hearings and the uncertainty surrounding court dates are explored. The importance of causelists in addressing these challenges is emphasised, along with suggestions on how they can be improved. Furthermore, the conversation delves into the necessity of listing rules to enhance transparency in the functioning of courts.

If you like our podcast, do consider supporting us with a donation at the link below: https://www.dakshindia.org/donate/

References:

1. On issues of listing at the Supreme Court: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/on-the-listing-of-cases-in-the-supreme-court-explained/article67625314.ece
2. Need for listing practices in courts:: https://www.dakshindia.org/with-a-huge-backlog-of-cases-the-indian-judiciary-should-revisit-the-listing-practices-of-courts/
   
   

CREDITS:

Host: Ninni Susan Thomas

This is a Maed in India production.

Producer: Sean D’mello

Sound Design & Mixing: Vijay Doiphode

Project Supervisor: Shaun Fanthome

Our guest for this episode is Justice (retd.) S Muralidhar, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Orissa and former Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and Delhi High Court. In this episode we're diving into a topic that's at the heart of India's legal framework: the rule of law. What ensures that you, me, and every individual we pass on the streets or meet in our workplaces are all bound by the same set of legal rules? That's the rule of law in action. It's the glue that holds our diverse society together, ensuring that justice isn't just a lofty ideal but a tangible reality for every citizen, regardless of their background or influence.

If you like our podcast, do consider supporting us with a donation at the link below: https://www.dakshindia.org/donate/

Rule of Law in India: A Quest for Reason, OUP India, 2018

Rule of law index https://worldjusticeproject.org/rule-of-law-index/

CREDITS:

Host: Leah Verghese

This is a Maed in India production.

Producer: Sean D’mello

Sound Design & Mixing: Lakshman Parsuram

Project Supervisor: Shaun Fanthome

In this episode, Ninni Susan Thomas speaks to Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran, a former Additional Solicitor General and who has been involved in influential cases related to constitutional law at the Supreme Court for more than 3 decades. Some nuances about the Marriage Equality Case which was heard by the Supreme Court where the legal recognition of same-sex marriages in India was sought for and he represented one of the petitioners were discussed. Other topics of discussion included whether the Supreme Court was the right forum for this adjudication, the impact of the judgement on other constitutional and discrimination cases, the Supreme Court choosing not to decide on the notice provisions in the Special Marriage Act and his thoughts on the Supreme Court having asked for a decision on the issue to be made by a Committee to be constituted by the Union Government.

References:

1. Supriyo & Anr. v. Union of India, judgement in the Marriage Equality Case: https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2022/36593/36593_2022_1_1501_47792_Judgement_17-Oct-2023.pdf
2. Round-up of the hearings and constitutional issues: https://indconlawphil.wordpress.com/2023/11/22/the-supreme-courts-marriage-equality-judgment-round-up/
3. Delinking personal laws: https://www.scobserver.in/journal/adjudicating-marriage-equality-an-opportunity-lost-or-a-bullet-dodged/
4. Effect on fundamental rights: https://www.scobserver.in/journal/marriage-equality-judgement-overlooking-fundamental-rights-justice-bhat-on-marriage-equality/#:~:text=There%20were%20four%20opinions%20among,of%20LGBTQIA%2B%20persons%20to%20marry.
5. Effect on the queer community: https://repository.nls.ac.in/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1046&context=popular-media
6. Court not dealing with the notice provisions in Special Marriage Act: https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/same-sex-marriage-supreme-court-special-marriage-act-provisions-notice-objections-228449

CREDITS:Host: Ninni Susan Thomas

This is a Maed in India production.

Producer: Sean D’mello

Sound Design & Mixing: Lakshman Parsuram

Project Supervisor: Shaun Fanthome