Author: Hemalatha Mahur
When Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz on March 1, 2026, most Indians were still asleep. But by the time kitchens lit up across the country — or tried to — the geopolitical earthquake halfway around the world had already begun rattling pots and pans from the hills of Himachal Pradesh to the bustling restaurant lanes of Bengaluru and Chennai. A distant war had crashed through the front door of everyday Indian life, and it arrived as a gas shortage. The Centre’s Assurance — And the Legal Architecture Behind It On March 11, Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma of the Ministry…
In the shadow of escalating US-Iran hostilities, a landmark partnership has emerged, blending American ambition with Indian ingenuity. President Donald Trump, fresh from his 2025 reelection triumph, unveiled on March 10, 2026, a colossal $300 billion oil refinery project in Brownsville, Texas—America’s first major new facility in five decades. Backed by Reliance Industries, India’s corporate titan led by Mukesh Ambani, this deal isn’t just bricks and barrels; it’s a strategic masterstroke amid global chaos. Picture this: Iranian missiles streak across Gulf skies, tankers dodge mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and crude prices flirt with $200 per barrel. The conflict,…
There is a particular kind of silence that precedes a major corporate transaction — the kind where lawyers burn the midnight oil, advisors run numbers through the night, and boardrooms hum with a quiet, purposeful tension. That silence recently broke in India’s fast-moving consumer goods landscape when Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) completed the full acquisition of Southern Health Foods Private Limited, the Hyderabad-based company behind the iconic ‘Manna’ brand. And at the centre of the deal’s legal architecture stood one of India’s most formidable law firms: Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. (SAM). Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. (SAM). The…
MUMBAI – In a legal system often defined by rigid deadlines and procedural hurdles, the Bombay High Court has delivered a poignant reminder that the fundamental rights of a child cannot be sacrificed at the altar of “delay.” In a landmark ruling, the Court has clarified that a plea of juvenility is not a strategic card to be played within a timeframe, but a persistent right that can be invoked at any stage of legal proceedings—even years after a conviction. The decision arrives as a breath of fresh air for human rights advocates, reinforcing the philosophy that the law’s primary…
The Supreme Court of India has taken a firm stand against what it sees as a reckless attempt to tarnish the judiciary’s image in school textbooks. In a suo motu contempt case, the court expressed deep dismay over the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)’s handling of a controversial Class 8 Social Science chapter on “corruption in judiciary,” ordering strict oversight and barring key individuals from future projects. Court’s Sharp Legal Rebuke Chief Justice Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, voiced strong disapproval of NCERT’s affidavit claiming the chapter had been “duly rewritten” for…
For thirteen long years, Harish Rana has existed somewhere between life and death — a 32-year-old man whose body breathes but whose mind has long ceased to respond. His parents have not slept peacefully in over a decade. His father has haunted hospitals, courtrooms, and corridors of power, carrying a grief too heavy for words. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India finally heard him — and in doing so, made legal history. In a watershed ruling, a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan granted India’s first-ever judicially approved passive euthanasia order, permitting the withdrawal of all…
In a heartfelt ruling that blends modern technology with age-old family law, the Gujarat High Court has opened doors for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) facing marital breakdowns. Imagine a husband oceans away, yearning to mend or end a troubled marriage, yet shackled by distance—this is the human story behind a landmark decision allowing virtual conciliation in mutual divorce proceedings. Legal Breakthrough for NRI Couples The case spotlights Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which governs mutual consent divorces. Traditionally, courts insist on physical presence during the mandatory conciliation phase to explore reconciliation chances. But for NRIs, international travel often…
Waived notice sparks questions over corporate safeguards Pieter Elbers’ abrupt departure from IndiGo, with his notice period reportedly waived and no successor named, has left India’s largest airline confronting not just a leadership vacuum but also a thicket of legal and governance questions. For thousands of IndiGo employees, the development adds an unexpected layer of uncertainty to an industry already used to volatility in fuel prices, competition and regulation. Externally, investors and passengers may see only a brief announcement and a change of nameplate, but in corporate law terms, a sudden exit at the very top of a listed company…
In a powerful assertion of judicial oversight and human empathy, the Supreme Court of India has issued a stern warning to the Union Secretaries of Defence and Finance. The bench, led by Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, expressed profound “disapproval” over the bureaucratic inertia stalling financial and medical benefits for military cadets who are “boarded out” due to injuries sustained during training. The Legal Crux: A Gap in Protection At the heart of this suo motu proceeding is a glaring legal disparity. Currently, soldier recruits who suffer disabilities during training are entitled to certain pensionary and medical benefits. However,…
In a landmark ruling that balances public health safeguards with victims’ rights, India’s Supreme Court has ordered the government to establish a no-fault compensation policy for serious adverse events linked to COVID-19 vaccinations. This decision, delivered on March 10, 2026, by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, addresses long-standing pleas from grieving families while upholding existing monitoring systems. The Human Stories Fueling the Fight Picture families shattered by sudden tragedies: Rachna Gangu and Venugopalan Govindan lost their daughters in 2021 after the first Covishield dose, alleging vaccine-induced harm. Similarly, Sayeeda K.A. mourned her husband’s death post-vaccination. These petitioners approached the…