Corruption law changes being considered

The government is considering changes to the Prevention of Corruption Act. One of the proposals includes constituting a separate authority to grant permission for prosecution of elected representatives. Currently the power is excercised by the government of the day.

Demand for bipartisan EC selection

The Chief Election Commissioner has demanded an NHRC-model bipartisan selection process for the members of the Election Commission.

Temples under RTI

Temples in Goa will be covered by the Right to Information Act.

SC clarifies anti-defection law

The Supreme Court disqualified the defected MLAs in the UP legislature in a judgment clarifying the application of the anti-defection law.

SLP jurisdiction limited

The SC has clarified that its Special Leave Jurisdiction under Article 136 is discretionary and is available in very limited cases.

Administrative Reforms Commission Report

The Administrative Reforms Commission has recommended the creation of a Rashtriya Lok Ayukta to ensure accountability in government. It has also recommended a law to protect whistle blowers.

Police Reforms - States up in arms

This article criticises the negative response of most state governments to the progressive measures of police reforms ordered by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Union government is planning to bring a model Police Act in the next Parliamentary Session, which will be applicable only to Union Territories.

SC judge wants contempt power clipped

Justice Katju of the Supreme Court wants the power of the court to punish for its contempt to be limited to extreme cases where the functioning of the court would become impossible.

No prior approval for corruption charges

The Supreme Court has narrowly interpreted the requirement of prior government approval for criminal prosecution of public servants to exclude corruption charges from such requirement.

Nyaya Panchayats

The Government is planning to decentralise the justice system to the village - however, scepticism over the influence of caste and gender prejudices remain.

Judicial review of power of pardon

In a far-reaching judgment, the Supreme Court has held that the exercise of the power of pardon is judicially reviewable.

SC orders clean-up of university elections

The Supreme Court has ordered the reform of student elections.

SC orders police reforms

The Supreme Court has ordered far-reaching police reforms that have implications for the entire criminal justice system. In so doing, it has also pre-empted the efforts of the Committee to Draft a new Police Act set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Internal party democracy

This piece argues for a law to ensure democracy within political parties.

Law Commission on witness protection

The Law Commission has submitted a report on a witness protection programme.

Public Services Bill for bureaucratic reforms

The Department of Personnel and Training has initiated a dialogue on bureaucratic reforms by drafting the Public Services Bill, 2006. Reforms have been welcomed, though some scepticism exists on their potential efficacy.

9th Schedule Power to be examined

The Supreme Court is set to examine the extent of the Parliament's power to put a law under the 9th Schedule of the Constitution, and therefore beyond the purview of judicial review.

Amendments withdrawn, RTI still under attack

After the government failed to carry the amendments to dilute the RTI Act, other ways are being employed to weaken the legislation.

RTI amendment dropped

The government has dropped the controversial amendment that would have diluted the Right to Information Act that came under severe criticism. Arun Jaitley argues that the amendments would have been unconstitutional.

Panchayati Raj

The Panchayati Raj Amendment Bill, which seeks to introduce more accountability into the local self-government, was long overdue.