Sushovan Patnaik
Sushovan is a researcher and fact-checker at the Supreme Court Observer.
Sushovan Patnaik's Posts
Analysis
The Supreme Courts of South Asia: A comparative look
A ready-reckoner about some of the key features of the top courts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan
Analysis
Kania and Nehru
Nehru’s fraught relationship with the judiciary had its roots in his exasperation with the first Chief Justice on the matter of appointments
Analysis
Justice A.S. Bopanna’s Notable Judgements
From demonetisation to legislative immunity for lawmakers, Justice Bopanna was part of key Constitution Bench cases at the top court
Analysis
When Dr Ambedkar argued in the Supreme Court
In his only known case in the SC, the key architect of the Constitution evoked its ‘spirit’ in a precursor to the Basic Structure doctrine
Analysis
What are the oldest pending cases at the Supreme Court?
The registry’s response to an RTI filed by SCO shows that 24 cases have been pending for 30 years or more. We dig into the details
Analysis
A decade in incarceration: How justice failed Professor G.N. Saibaba
Saibaba speaks about how bail for the marginalised is a major blind spot for the Courts
Analysis
Judiciary must ensure that fundamental rights are closely guarded: Interview with G.N. Saibaba
Professor Saibaba speaks to SCO about how the failures of the judiciary is reflected in prisons
Analysis
Money matters are the oldest matters
Oil companies, realtors and big business have a lot riding on the outcomes of the three longest-pending nine-judge bench cases
Analysis
Five must-reads on sub-classification within reserved categories
A revisiting of the Chinnaiah judgement raises questions about sub-classification in reservations for Scheduled Castes
Analysis
The many legacies of Justice S. Ravindra Bhat
Civil rights champion, ‘black letter’ judge, the man who shook up Indian IP jurisprudence—who was the real Justice Bhat?
Analysis
Supreme Court Review 2023: The diversity problem remained unaddressed
Even in a mostly full-strength Court, there was a startling lack of representation of religious minorities, women & marginalised communities
Analysis
Supreme Court Review 2023: Bail
In a year when the Court has been accused of not walking its talk, its bail decisions stand out as a stark instance of this trend
Analysis
Supreme Court Review 2023: Gender Discrimination and Personal Liberty
In a concerning year for personal liberty, the Court took on gender stereotypes but undid its progressive jurisprudence in an abortion case
Analysis
Justice S.K. Kaul’s Notable Judgements
In a judicial career spanning 20 years, Justice Kaul’s judgements deeply impacted freedom and autonomy
Analysis
36th LAWASIA Conference 2023 | Regulating the right to internet is a deeply political discussion
Panellists discussed various possibilities on the best way to regulate internet shutdowns, net neutrality and hate speech on social media
Hearing Reports
Freebies in Electoral Democracy | Day 8: If inducement of bribery cannot be done directly, it cannot be done indirectly, argue petitioners
Petitioners contended that political parties must be seen as “persons” engaging in corrupt practices by promising freebies
Analysis
On disability rights, we need to look beyond the Supreme Court
While the top Court has commendably steered disability advocacy, stronger localised adjudication is fundamental
Analysis
The perpetual struggles of disability rights litigation
For years, disability rights advocates have claimed weak legal enforcement. A PIL in the apex court has the chance to catalyse a reckoning
Analysis
Equality among equals: five must-reads on the necessity of affirmative action
In the wake of the passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill, we curate some thought-provoking reads on the true intent of affirmative action
Analysis
Many a slip between jail and bail?
The Supreme Court must take into account both structural and practical issues that cause delays at every stage of the bail process
Analysis
What cases will be heard by the nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court?
The nine-judge bench will hear cases on rights of landowners, taxation, power of the state to levy excise fee and industrial disputes
Analysis
The Women’s Reservation Bill has a long history of arguments and stakes
DESK BRIEF: After two years of silence from the government in a PIL, Parliament abruptly passed the bill in a special session
Hearing Reports
Abrogation of Article 370: Arguments Matrix
Breakdown of 60+ hours of arguments in the challenge to the repeal of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status
Analysis
Restricted Information: Six significant judgements from the last decade
Backdoor legislative tweaks, sluggish e-portals, mixed messaging from courts—India’s once-vaunted RTI framework is losing its bite.
Analysis
The Delhi ‘Services’ Bill: How Does it Differ from the Union’s Ordinance?
SCO examines the major differences between key provisions of the Delhi Service Ordinance and the Delhi Service Bill.
Analysis
Supreme Court’s Refusal to Deploy Security Forces in Manipur: Rare or Standard Procedure?
Precedents indicate that the Supreme Court has frequently directed the deployment of paramilitary forces to maintain law and order.