Unusual points of the SC hearing in #Hathras case: 1. SC questioned the locus of Sr. Adv. Indira Jaising's client [an intervener] but not of the Petitioner. [Though, none of them are affected parties]
2. SG [for State of UP] did not consider the petition as adversarial.
3. Does it mean that the petition is collusive?
4. The SC ignored the precedence of sending the petitioner to jurisdictional HC -Allahabad HC. Despite the jurisdictional HC having taken suo motu cognizance of the very same incidence & notices to UP State have already been issued
5. Judicial restraint in so far as the HC's jurisdiction is concerned - was conspicuous by its absence.
6. On the same day, the same Bench, in other matter, indicated its' choice to observe the judicial restraint and wanted the Petitioner to approach the jurisdictional HC.
#FarmBills2020 - Impulsive Take: 1. No. The stated objective of the Bills - creation of 'free market for agricultural goods' which will benefit the farmers - cannot be achieved with the legislations. 2. #DeMo , #GST , #ElectoralBonds , #20LacCrorePackage - none of it achieved.
3. As it turned out, all were an exercise in irrational policy decisions at best & sinister legislations at worst.
4. No. APMCs are not the 'mafia-dens' as they are being branded. APMCs play a vital role in India's unique agricultural marketing system.
5. There's NOT 1 farmer in India who's lost his money after selling his produce in APMCs.
6. The APMCs have powers to acquire & sell assets of Aratiyas, in case they fail to pay the farmers or fellow Aratiyas or traders.
While we are discussing PILs:
Every developer of MHADA buildings in Mumbai is required to surrender a portion of built up area post redevelopment to MHADA.
Hardly anyone does it. A massive 1000s of Crores loss to public exchequer.
A client approached me & filed PIL b4 Bombay HC
As expected, 4 Senior Advocates representing 4 big developers appeared for hearing. The Petitioner's brother being a small time builder was the only issue hammered to question the locus.
A benevolent Bench did not allow me to make submissions. I persisted.
Court: Mr. Counsel, if you continue - we'll dismiss the PIL with heavy cost of Rs.10 lacs.
I persisted.
Court : Mr. Counsel, we'll issue contempt notice.
Me: Very well Lordships, but do it after hearing my submissions.
Court : Don't waste our time.
Time spent on @Twitter isn't a waste by any stretch. I will list my personal experiences about what all things @Twitter has enabled : 1. Made friends in faraway places. 2. Assigned cases to some very brilliant lawyers. 3. Got reference / cases from esteemed lawyers
4. Got in touch with some fine agri scientists. 5. Got acquainted with some very fine journalists. 6. Got knowledge of diverse subjects which o/w I would have never been exposed to. 7. Voiced my opinion on diverse issues w/o fear or favor.
8. Got Authorities to act expeditiously. 9. Got acquainted with some fine people from the financial & economic world, including equity investors / fund managers, 10. Got writing assignments. Speaking assignments. 11. Helped many people who face vindictive State.
1. FYJC Science at Andheri Bhavan's college. First biology lecture. Having studied biology in vernacular language till Std 10th, everything was a bouncer.
Bole toh ... sab upar se jaa raha tha.
It was a shock for a ' brilliant' 'School Topper's small town boy.
Nearly similar situation in all other subjects as the language of education was English.
Being a hostelite prevented from getting into depression.
Bhavan's had a girl's hostel in the campus then.
Not sure if it's still there.
Some of my hostel mates were from the same public school in Panchagani as some of the girls from the girl's hostel.
They were a group. Soon I became a part of the group.
[I still wonder why & how of it]
But, it worked like a miracle & by the end of first year - I was cool.