V. Venkatesan

V. Venkatesan is Senior Associate Editor with Frontline and has close to 30 years’ experience as a journalist, with 27 years in Frontline . Apart from covering the courts and legal facets of controversies that make headlines, he considers it his duty to unravel and demystify subjects he writes on.

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Narendra Modi addresses a meeting in Chennai on March 4, 2024. The PM’s speech, wherein he accused Rahul Gandhi of insulting Hinduism, has resulted in complaints that the former violated the Model Code of Conduct.

Are religious appeals to voters an electoral offence?

Did Prime Minister Modi’s speech in Tamil Nadu, where he accused Rahul Gandhi of insulting Hinduism, violate the Representation of the People Act?

The Top Court’s 1998 judgment was challenged and overruled in the Sita Soren case, highlighting corruption in India’s Legislature.

Supreme Court corrects course, ends immunity for bribe-taking legislators

A landmark ruling in the Sita Soren case overturns 1998 judgment that shielded MPs from prosecution, upholds principle of equality before law.

The Supreme Court building in New Delhi. A Constitutional Bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, D.Y.Chandrachud, and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai, J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, on February 15 declared electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional.

Supreme Court declaring electoral bonds unconstitutional is a monumental defence of democracy

A landmark verdict demanding transparency in political funding challenges the Modi government’s moral high ground on fighting corruption.

People use mobile phones after restoration of 4G mobile internet in Srinagar on February 6, 2021. The 4G internet ban lifted in Jammu and Kashmir after 550 days. Internet service was suspended in Kashmir in August 2019.

Supreme Court wants transparency regarding internet shutdowns in Jammu and Kashmir

A court order mandating publication of the orders of the Review Committee overseeing internet shutdowns in the region is a win for civil society.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (right) with supporters in Thane on January 11, celebrating the Speaker’s decision on the “real Shiv Sena”.

Maharashtra Speaker’s decision on ‘real Shiv Sena’ is legally vulnerable

Did Speaker Rahul Narwekar misread the Supreme Court?

A slap on the face of the Union and Gujarat governments, the judgement brings long-sought judicial relief for Bilkis Bano and her family.

Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Bilkis Bano case sets higher bar for remission in gruesome cases

The verdict highlights the need to adopt institutional remedies by the apex court to correct its erroneous orders in time.

The five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice of India Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant. The bench admitted that Article 370 was an instance of asymmetric federalism but skipped any discussion on why lack of “internal sovereignty” should deprive Jammu and Kashmir of its asymmetrical federalism.

Supreme Court’s Article 370 judgment leaves crucial questions unanswered on federalism and sovereignty

Despite recognising asymmetric federalism, the verdict overlooks concerns about sovereignty, Parliament’s powers, and the future of statehood.

Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit addresses a press conference at Circuit House in Jalandhar on July 27. A Supreme Court bench indicted him for casting doubt on the validity of the Assembly session.

Opportunity arises before Supreme Court to clearly define Governor’s powers

As opposition-ruled States seek effective curbs, the apex court considers stipulating guidelines to check misuse of such powers.

Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud pays tribute to B.R. Ambedkar on his death anniversary at the Supreme Court in New Delhi on December 6, 2023.

Judiciary vs. Executive: Turf war intensifies over judge appointments

Supreme Court Collegium faces government’s “pocket vetoes” and bench-hunting tactics, as battle for control escalates.

In light of R.N. Ravi’s continual refusal to grant assent to Bills passed by the Assembly, the government has approached the apex court for a solution.

Can Governors ‘kill’ Bills passed by Assembly?

The Supreme Court’s strictures on the conduct of R.N. Ravi expose the Tamil Nadu Governor’s scant regard for the Apex court’s rulings.

Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit in Jalandhar on July 27, 2023. The elected government in Punjab was aggrieved on the ground that the Governor neither assented to or returned four Bills passed by the State Assembly.

Supreme Court ruling on Governor powers will be a game changer for federal disputes

This landmark decision could reshape the relationship between Governors and State governments across India.

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N.Ravi at a Raj Bhavan event in Chennai on September 23, 2023.

Can a Governor withhold assent without reasons?

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi’s decision to withhold assent to several Bills passed by the Assembly has ignited a constitutional controversy.

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