Murali's Writeups...

SAVE THE ENDANGERED RIVER CAUVERY- UNRESOLVED ISSUES EVEN IN A PLENTIFUL YEAR 1. The brimming reservoirs in the Cauvery river basin have definitely made functioning in its first year lots easier for the Cauvery Management Board. Apparently, the water release quota fixed by the Tribunal for June has been fully released and the July quota is also likely to be released in full. But one cannot lose sight of the fact that this year also, the release of water was essentially because Karnataka was not able to hold on to the water. Instead of appreciating this reality, the farmers in Tamil Nadu are very happy and they are preparing themselves for a good cultivation season during 2018-19. 2. The following are the admitted facts and the legal position after many rounds of litigation: a. The average dependable water flow in the Cauvery basin at the Lower Coleroon dam is 740tmc. b. Of this Tamil Nadu should get 419tmc, Karnataka 270tmc, Kerala 30tmc and Union Territory of Puduc

THE CASE OF NIRMALA DEVI DETENTION- OFFICIAL VIGILANTE JUSTICE For those who have not been following the developments in Tamil Nadu, some brief admitted facts. Ms. Nirmala Devi is an assistant professor teaching Mathematics for undergraduate and postgraduate students in a Government aided college of Madurai district. There were WhatsApp and YouTube publications that indicated that while Ms. Nirmala Devi was talking to her students, she suggested to some of them that if they are willing to extend sexual favours to people in higher authority, they would have not only monetary incentives but also higher marks in their University examination. Further, it would be easier to have a good career in academics. Somewhere in the course of the conversation, the teacher mentions the name of the Tamil Nadu Governor and passes a comment to the effect that the Governor is no grandfather. In fact, these publications were in the public domain for more than a month before the Government took co

Legality of gag orders passed by criminal trial courts The recent prayer by the lawyers of Mr Shashi Tharoor before Tis Hazari Courts to ensure that the material that was collected by Delhi police and which was taken cognizance by a Sessions Judge should not be open to the public is likely to open a Pandora’s Box. Surely, this will not be the first time if and when, the trial court passes gag orders and you can be sure this will not be the last time. Hence, it will be interesting to look at the gag orders vis a vis to have a public trial (which is an essential part of a fair trial), unless extraordinary circumstances compel the contrary. Recently, the Honourable Supreme Court of India had said that all The Supreme Court proceedings will be live-streamed so that the litigants (where-ever they are), have a chance to watch, what the Supreme Court does in respect of their case. The Court has in effect upheld and increased the importance of transparency in the judicial process. Unt