Supreme Court Denies Bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in Delhi Riots Case: A Legal Perspective By Advocate Ganesh Mishra Practising in the Supreme Court of India and Delhi High Court The recent decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India denying bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the Delhi riots larger conspiracy case has once again brought the jurisprudence of bail in serious offences , particularly under special statutes, into sharp public and legal focus. Background of the Case Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are accused in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots , and are being prosecuted under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code along with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) . The allegations primarily relate to their purported role in planning, instigating, and coordinating activities leading to communal violence. While several co-accused have been granted bail at different stages, the Supreme Court declined to extend simi...

Supreme Court's Verdict on Circumstantial Evidence In the intricate tapestry of evidence law, where shadows of doubt can unravel convictions, the Supreme Court of India recently delivered a landmark ruling that reaffirms the sanctity of procedural rigor. On October 6, 2025, in Nazim and Ors. v. The State of Uttarakhand (Criminal Appeal No. 715 of 2018), a bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and S.C. Sharma acquitted three appellants in a grisly child murder case, spotlighting the frailties of circumstantial evidence , the "last seen" theory, the absence of Test Identification Parades (TIP), and the pivotal role of scientific evidence . This decision, authored by Justice S.C. Sharma, serves as a clarion call for courts to tread cautiously, ensuring that suspicion never masquerades as proof. As India grapples with evolving forensic capabilities and witness vulnerabilities, this judgment underscores the enduring principles governing convictions built on inference rat...

The recent Supreme Court proceedings on Delhi’s stray dog issue highlight a delicate balance between humanity towards animals and the constitutional duty to protect human life and safety. Context of the Supreme Court case The Supreme Court is hearing a suo motu matter titled “In Re: ‘City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price’” (SMW(C) No. 5/2025), triggered by disturbing reports of dog bites and rabies in Delhi, especially affecting children. The Court has already recorded that recurring incidents of dog bites in schools, hospitals, railway stations and sports complexes indicate serious administrative lapses and systemic failure in securing citizens’ right to safety under Article 21. The LiveLaw report and court exchange During the latest hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal challenged the rules framed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) as “very very inhuman”, arguing they run contrary to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.[1] The bench (Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sand...

Delhi’s startup and professional community today is living through two equally disturbing truths: founders Vaibhav Chawla who feel forced to shut down functioning businesses once the criminal process is turned against them, and ordinary citizens who watch their life’s savings flow to sophisticated fraudsters while the police machinery moves at a glacial pace, if at all.  Both experiences point to one central failure—a policing culture that can be hyper‑active where there is pressure and influence, yet strangely comatose when a victim seeks nothing but protection under law. When process becomes the punishment In one set of cases, entrepreneurs narrate how a dispute that should have remained commercial is rapidly escalated into a criminal battle, with the system appearing to run on a presumption of guilt and a readiness to use coercive tools at the complainant’s bidding. The message they receive is brutal : it is not enough to build a healthy business; one must also survive a process...

Dear Friends, In the wake of the recent floods, countless families are in urgent need of relief and support. The New Delhi District Legal Services Authority (DLSA)—a statutory body under the Legal Services Authorities Act—is organizing a donation drive this festival season to help those affected. How You Can Help:   - Please contribute new and unused items such as clothes, shoes, dry ration, hygiene products, bedsheets, blankets, and packaged food items (biscuits, tea, sugar, etc.), strictly as per DLSA guidelines.  - Contributions may be delivered at our office:    107-B, Vikrant Enclave, Mayapuri, New Delhi - 110064 Please Note:   From our office, all collected contributions will be delivered to the Office of New Delhi DLSA, Room No. 302, 3rd Floor, Patiala House Courts Complex, New Delhi, up to 19th September 2025. Let’s join hands to make a meaningful impact on the lives of flood victims and others in distress. Your generosity and support can bring hope and...

Supreme Court to Decide: Should Practical Experience Be Mandatory for Judicial Service Entry? By Ganesh Mishra, Advocate, Supreme Court & Delhi High Court   Founder, Mishra & Associates   Contact: +91 9136273395 | advocateganeshmishra@gmail.com   www.advocateganeshmishra.in   107B, First Floor, Vikrant Enclave, Mayapuri, New Delhi – 110064 The Supreme Court of India is set to deliver a significant judgment on whether a minimum period of legal practice should be mandatory for entry into the judicial service at the Civil Judge (Junior Division) level. This comes after years of debate: while a practice requirement was removed in 2002 to attract fresh legal talent, many High Courts and members of the Bar now argue that practical experience is essential for judicial effectiveness. Supporters of reinstating the practice requirement believe that real courtroom exposure is crucial for developing the skills and maturity needed on the be...

Advocate Ganesh Mishra Supreme Court & Delhi High Court Practitioner Email: advocateganeshmishra@gmail.com | Website: www.advocateganeshmishra.in Protecting Your Rights: Key Supreme Court Rulings of 2025 Every Indian Should Know As an advocate practicing before the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court, I am privileged to witness the evolving landscape of Indian law, where landmark judgments shape the lives of ordinary citizens. In 2025, the Supreme Court delivered rulings that not only clarified legal principles but also reinforced the rights of the common man. These decisions touch on diverse areas-insolvency, taxation, personal liberty, and senior citizens’ welfare-making them relevant to every Indian. Let’s explore these rulings in a simple yet engaging way, showcasing how the law protects you and why staying informed is crucial. 1. Safeguarding Your Business in Insolvency Imagine you’re a business owner acquiring a struggling company to give it a fresh start. What happens if old ...

As a practicing advocate at the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court, I am pleased to share insights from a significant recent judgment by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Rohit Sharma Alias Raju v. State of Punjab (2025 NCPHHC 61133). This case underscores the judiciary’s commitment to balancing legal rigor with constitutional protections, particularly under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.In this case, the petitioner, accused under Section 22(c) of the NDPS Act, 1985, for possessing a commercial quantity of Tramadol tablets, sought regular bail after nearly three years in custody. The court, presided over by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sandeep Moudgil, granted bail, emphasizing that “bail is the rule and incarceration the exception.” Key factors influencing the decision included the petitioner’s lack of prior criminal history, the prolonged custody period (2 years, 11 months, and 3 days), and the anticipated delay in trial completion, with only 3 of 16 prosecution witnesses examine...

  By Advocate Ganesh Mishra,                                Founder, Mishra and Associates,  New Delhi advocateganeshmishra@gmail.com www.advocateganeshmishra.in Mob +91-9136273395 Introduction The accession of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) to India in 1947 remains one of the most significant and debated chapters in Indian history. While official narratives have often focused on the events following the Pakistani tribal invasion, a closer look at historical records and testimonies reveals a more nuanced story-one that challenges many popular perceptions and raises important questions about political decisions at the highest level. The Maharaja’s Dilemma and Early Steps Toward India Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of J&K, faced a complex situation in the months leading up to independence. With partition violence raging and his state’s Muslim-majority demography, he initially sough...