Explained: How Section 144 CrPC works

Why in news? Recently various state governments sought to tamp down on the demonstrations by issuing prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code Of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973.  What is Section 144? Section 144 CrPC, a law retained from the colonial era, empowers a district magistrate, a sub-divisional magistrate or any other executive magistrate specially empowered by the…

Should the government exit navratna companies?

Why in news? Last month, the Cabinet approved sale of the government’s stake in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, a navratna public sector company with oil refining and marketing operations. Backgrounder The Public Sector Enterprises are run by the Government under the Department of Public Enterprises of Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. The government…

Relevancy of death penalty

Why in news? Supreme Court dismissed of review petitions by all four convicts in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case. Why is capital punishment not the solution? It is clear that death penalty as a measure to end sexual violence has completely failed. In 1965, only 23 nations had abolished the death penalty. But, subsequently,…

A duty to publish: On RTI

The Right to Information Act’s role in fostering a transparency has never been in doubt ever since its role out in 2005. Section 4 of the Act calls for pro­active and voluntary dissemination of information but only a few Central and State institutions have published relevant information; here, Rajasthan has taken a lead through its…

ROHINGYA CRISIS

ROHINGYA CRISIS Why in News? Case regarding The Genocide in 2017 committed by the Myanmarese military on Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine valley, Mayanmar - was taken to International Court of Justice (ICJ) by a tiny west-African state Gambia on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Background Rohingya is ethnic Muslim minority group, largely comprising…

GUJARAT MODEL TO CHECK METERNAL MORTALITY RATE

Why in news? Recent advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry to States to adopt the Gujarat model of “non­interventional approach during the final stages of labour” as the best obstetric practice to deal with the high incidence of maternal mortality rate. What is it? Obstetricians say the advisory runs contrary to WHO recommendations and…

Destruction of public property: What the law says

Why need to read? Despite a law against the destruction of property, incidents of rioting, vandalism, and arson have been common during protests across the country. Important for: GS Paper 3 (Internal Security), Public Administration Paper 2 (Law and Order) What the law says The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 punishes anyone…

The widening fissure in India’s rule of law

What is all about? Many times it has been observed that police used to arrest people on charges of sedition. Some times even fake encounters take place. Even after seven decades of Independence, the relationship between the individual and the state is marked by a deep and pervasive imbalance of power. Indian state retains a…

Explained: How cars can run on hydrogen

Explained: How cars can run on hydrogen Why in news? Ahead of next July’s Tokyo Olympics, Japan is gearing up to put on its roads thousands of vehicles based on a hydrogen cell technology, also known as ‘fuel cells’. How it works? Fuel used: Hydrogen + Oxidant Process:  Produced electricity by an electrochemical process Fuel…

This day in History: 16 December

16th December 1971: India defeated Pakistan in Bangladesh War ‘Jai Bangla! Jai Bangla!’ From the banks of the great Ganges and the broad Brahmaputra, from the emerald rice fields and mustard-coloured hills of the countryside, from the countless squares of countless villages came the cry. ‘Victory toBengal! Victory to Bengal!’ They danced on the roofs…