Asserting that it had nothing to fear, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday lashed out at the Congress over the 'snoopgate' probe issue, accusing it of "stooping low" in "desperation" and said the next government would be within its rights to review the "malafide" last-minute decision.
India has ranked 59th in the Rule of law index 2015 compiled by The World Justice Project gaining an overall score of 0.51 out of 1.
The Supreme Court on Thursday sought an unconditional apology from a private TV channel and its reporter for carrying out a sting operation allegedly showing corruption in the lower judiciary.
Leaders from the Opposition celebrated after the BJP strong man resigned on the floor of the assembly.
With allegations of corruption echoing in the higher echelons of the judiciary, the government for the first time this year sought to draw a legislative line bringing judges within the purview of legal scrutiny.
'There is no doubt that he commands respect. He's on the ball.'
'The selection process of the CBI chief has not been appropriate.' 'Three successive CBI directors have been found in corrupt moral practices.' 'A thorough investigation needs to be done before appointing anyone to such a post.'
Justice Gogoi will be sworn in as the next CJI on October 3, a day after Justice Misra's tenure ends.
Khan stressed on taking austerity measures, working on tax reforms instead of taking loans, rooting out corruption.
Singh's wife Pratibha Singh was also summoned as accused.
Police on Thursday filed chargesheet in the Louis Berger pay-off scandal naming former Goa chief minister Kamat as the "prime conspirator".
The CM contended that the raids on his residence and other premises were conducted with 'mala fide intentions and political vendetta' by the CBI.
The Bharatiya Janata Party asked former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Congress to answer allegations of "improper compromises" by three former chief justices of India during the United Progressive Alliance rule, saying the matter was "unfortunate".
Speculation over Justice Gogoi's appointment as the next CJI arose after the court's four most senior judges, including Justice Gogoi, called a press conference in January and criticised Justice Misra on various issues.
Decision-making has to be much quicker, the finance minister said.
The warrants were the outcome of a sting operation by a television journalist to expose corruption in the lower judiciary in Gujarat.
JUstice Kurian Joseph favoured setting up of an administrative committee to assist the office of Chief Justice of India in effectively handling the affairs of the top court.
'What is the problem in getting the UK to extradite our citizens?' asks Aakar Patel.
Verdicts paving the way for construction of a Ram Temple at Ayodhya and India's multi-billion dollar Rafale fighter jet deal with France were 2019's landmark imprints of the Supreme Court, which also found itself at the centre of a controversy with then Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi being accused of sexual harassment before getting the clean chit.
'Constitutional values will remain vibrant and strong as long as the checks and balances on Executive Power are not weakened,' says Constitution expert Anil B Divan.
'No government should be viewed as authoritarian, rather as a collective institution of people,' says Pinarayi Vijayan.
Our precipitous decline is being noticed and recorded abroad with alarm. It is strange that within India we are carrying on as if it is business as usual, observes Aakar Patel.
Despite the BCCI imposing him a life ban on spot-fixing charges in the IPL, Indian Test pacer S Sreesanth has said he still hopes to play for the country.
Independent of what the Karnataka high court and the Supreme Court might decide in Jayalalithaa's conviction and sentencing in the coming days, weeks and months, political arguments based on 'popular mandate' theory are plain untenable, says N Sathiya Moorthy.
The agency's poor track record in convictions is the only light at the end of a rather long tunnel for the couple, observes Shyamal Majumdar.
If the Aam Admi Party has gained popularity in Delhi, its symbol -- the broom (jhadoo) -- has become a bone of contention in Uttar Pradesh, where a regional party has staked claim to it.
Sameer Bhujbal was arrested after over six hours of questioning under the provision of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act at the agency's office in Ballard Tiar here. He will be produced in court on Tuesday, official sources said.
'What is holding this government to ransom is the Parivar. It is this group's thought process, ideals and philosophies that course through the veins of India's elected government. And it is this that is holding the government, and through it the country, to ransom.'
President Yameen declared the emergency on February 5 after the Supreme Court ordered the release of a group of opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials. Among them was exiled ex-President Mohamed Nasheed. The court said his 2015 trial had been unconstitutional.
'If governments choose to spend our money on cow meat detection kits or hugely expensive statues, it is also a form of corruption.' 'A betrayal of our hopes and aspirations,' says Amit Mehra.
'No one institution can cleanse it: Not the courts, government or activists.' 'And least of all the Indian Police Service,' argues Shekhar Gupta.
The Bombay high court on Friday set aside the sanction granted to the Central Bureau of Investigation by Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao to prosecute senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan in the Adarsh housing society scam.
'The government has to take effective steps to strengthen democracy, rule of law, maintain communal harmony and safeguard the security of the country and its people.' 'The government has to carry all sections of the people with it irrespective of their race, caste, community, region or language,' and try to unite them by promoting fraternity among them,' says legendary Constitution expert P P Rao.
In a golden moment in Pakistan's chequered 66-year political history, President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday left the presidency after successfully completing his five-year term, paving the way for India-born Mamnoon Hussain to take over.
'... while leaving the dirty work he orders to his subordinates.'
We asked you to tell us your reason for choosing not to vote. This is what our readers shared.
'The army has been open about its determination to keep the PML-Nawaz out of power at all costs.' 'Both the military and the higher judiciary have indicated a preference for Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik e Insaaf,' says Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan Desk at the Research and Analysis Wing, India's external intelligence agency.
Panneerselvam had opposed the petition saying the whip was issued only to the 122 MLAs who were then camping in a resort and not his erstwhile group.
