Law is not often associated with literature. And neither is the appreciation or criticism of the verdict of a court. However, at times they need to be! Like in the case of the unanimous judgment of February 15 of a Constitution bench of five judges of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice of India Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai, J.B.
Pardiwala and Manoj Misra on the constitutional validity of the Electoral Bonds Scheme. I have had the benefit of going through the concurring judgments of the court, one by the chief justice on behalf of himself and three of his colleagues and the other by Justice Khanna. Without being too laudatory, permit me to say something in the language of Shakespeare.
"A Daniel come to judgment! Yea, a Daniel.
O wise young judge, how I do honour thee!" Electoral bonds are monetary instruments that individuals, citizens and corporate groups can buy from a bank and donate to a political party of its choice-which the political party is then free to redeem for money. And, in the aggregate, this is big money. The electoral bonds case was initiated in 2017 by a public-spirited organisation, the Association for Democratic Reforms, and it was followed by several other petitioners, including individuals and political parties. But the case had little to do with politics. What was challenged was the legitimacy and constitutionality of the amendments made for the Electoral Bonds Scheme by the Finance Act of 2017 (along with the Finance Act of 2016).
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock