Jedhe had filed a bail application claiming that he had nothing to do with the sex racket run by Varsha Shirsath, and he had no criminal record. Special Judge and Additional Sessions Judge Kavita D. Shirbhate, however, dismissed the bail plea citing the need for a detailed investigation into the facts that police have found so far.

According to the prosecution, the minor girl came in contact with Varsha Shirsath when the girl was 14 years old, and subsequently Varsha introduced the girl to Anil Jedhe. This duo initially lured the girl with money and then pushed her into prostitution at various lodges in Pune and Chinchwad. The prosecution also submitted that a fake Aadhaar card had been prepared in her name, showing her as an adult.

Current developments suggest the case may extend far beyond the initial arrest because the girl has told police about at least 17 other girls who are stuck in the sex racket, according to the court order. While rejecting the bail, the court cited the need for further investigation into this aspect and noted that the chargesheet had not yet been filed.

Source PR Agency Maharashtra Media

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SONIPAT: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, and Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Hon’ble Minister of State for Law & Justice, inaugurated the world’s largest Moot Court, NYĀYĀBHYĀSA MANDAPAM – The Grand Moot Court, and dedicated it to the nation. The event also saw the inauguration of IMAANDAAR (International Mooting Academy for Advocacy, Negotiation, Dispute Adjudication, Arbitration, and Resolution) in the presence of more than 200 international judges and jurists from India and the world. The Chief Justice of India also inaugurated the International Convention on the Independence of the Judiciary: Comparative Perspectives on Rights, Institutions, and Citizens at O.P. Jindal Global University. A Commemorative Plaque was released by the Chief Justice of India and the Law Minister to mark the special occasion.

Across the two days of the Convention, 26 sitting Judges and former judges of the Supreme Court of India including the Chief Justice of India (sitting in two separate 13-judge benches), 10 former Chief Justices of India, 10 Chief Justices, Judges & former Judges of High Courts, 14 International Judges & Jurists, 5 Ministers & Parliamentarians, 61 Senior Advocates, and 91 academicians, lawyers participated and spoke at various thematic sessions. 

The two-day International Convention on the Independence of the Judiciary explored how this concept forms the cornerstone of Indian democracy. As a newly independent nation and a nascent democracy, the framers of the Constitution wanted the Judiciary to function without any influence from external or internal forces. This concept and its application form the basic structure of the Constitution of India.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, inaugurated the Convention and the world’s largest moot court and said, “I laud the inauguration of the world’s largest moot court housed in O.P. Jindal Global University and Jindal Global Law School. Integrity is the very ideal that the practice of law and indeed the pursuit of justice is based upon. In an era where truth must compete with knowledge, where deep fakes distort, misinformation multiplies, and digital arrests have become disturbingly routine, integrity and honesty are no longer lofty ideals. The Basic Structure doctrine has allowed our Constitution to grow without losing its centre, to stretch toward new realities, yet remain tethered to its founding spirit. As this momentous conference reminds us, the basic structure of a document is not to be a relic of the past but a map for charting our future. It is the consensus that keeps our democracy from drifting into dissolution as we modernize our institutions and open new frontiers. This very ethos must now animate how we address the new constitutional questions of the 21st century, whether it is the digital state’s reach into privacy, AI’s hand in shaping truth, or the climate crisis testing our notions of justice between generations. The Constitution’s strength lies not in resisting changes but in ensuring that every change honours its foundational promises: namely, Human Dignity, Equity, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.”

The Guest of Honour, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Hon’ble Minister of State for Law & Justice, Government of India, said, “As citizens, we must uphold constitutional faith — the belief that the Constitution protects our rights and guards against tyranny. However, freedom is not a license to do whatever we want. To ensure our judiciary remains competent, the government is working tirelessly to modernise our legal infrastructure. We are moving towards a system that is fully future-ready through initiatives like the E-Courts project and AI-driven tools, which will help overcome language barriers. Our civilisation carries a deep commitment to justice, embedded in our constitutional framework. The Preamble solemnly resolves to secure justice — social, economic, and political — reflecting a holistic vision of ensuring equality, fairness, and dignity for all. Dr. Ambedkar said that justice is the embodiment of liberty, equality, and fraternity; it is equality in value, fairness in proportion, and righteousness in governance. I congratulate JGU on the world’s largest Moot Court and the name you have chosen: IMAANDAAR, which reflects the institution’s foundation on the principle of integrity toward knowledge, justice, and one’s duty.”

On this momentous occasion, inspiring messages of appreciation were received from the Hon’ble President of India and the Hon’ble Vice President of India. The occasion was further inspired by a message from the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji, who wrote, “I am delighted to learn about the International Convention on ‘The Independence of Judiciary: Comparative Perspectives on Rights, Institutions and Citizens’ at O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat. The inauguration of a massive Moot Court alongside the conference, which sees the participation of eminent jurists worldwide, creates an opportunity for greater synergy. It is an occasion for seasoned and senior professionals to engage in a vibrant interaction with young students, mentoring them while imbibing the energy of our Yuva Shakti. Instilling a passion for justice delivery and a sense of pride about our Constitution in our youth will inspire them to strengthen democratic values throughout their lives. As one of the pillars of governance, the judiciary has played an important role in our democracy. From the guidance of village elders to modern courts, fair and timely justice delivery is a value that our society has always held as sacred. One of the most important aspects of justice delivery mechanisms is to take justice to the people in a way that there is an ‘ease of justice’ for even the poorest of the poor. I am confident that such conferences will bring together the finest minds of our judiciary, legal fraternity, and all other stakeholders to make our justice delivery system even more people-centric.”

Naveen Jindal, Founding Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University and Member of Parliament, welcomed the distinguished Chief Justice of India, the Minister of State for Law, and other luminaries and said, “Justice Suryakantji is the first son of the soil to rise to the nation’s highest judicial office, from Hisar to Kurukshetra. His academic and professional journey reflects both the intellectual strength of Haryana and the constitutional possibilities that open when institutions nurture talent with sincerity. As a citizen of India, I wanted every Indian to have the right to display the national flag and in 2004, the Supreme Court of India gave a historic judgment, declaring the right to display the national flag as a freedom of speech and expression enshrined in the Constitution and it was the first time that we Indians got the right to display the national flag. Judicial independence draws its real strength from this quiet faith that people place in the courts, the belief that it will remain principled, impartial, and fearless, regardless of who stands before it. It is this trust that gives a judiciary its moral authority, which is firmly anchored in the rule of law. India’s justice system is among the world’s most respected. The way forward lies in procedural reform, wider use of mediation and ADR, and smarter use of technology, including artificial intelligence, supported by close cooperation between the lawmakers, the judiciary, the bar, and the academic institutions. Universities like ours must become laboratories of democracy, where ideas are generated and tested, values are strengthened, and the next generation is prepared to serve the people.”

Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University, welcomed the august gathering to the special occasion and said, “This moment is essentially for celebrating education, democracy, and the strength of our institutions. By inaugurating the world’s largest moot court on the campus of JGU and JGLS, we are recognising that the foundations of the rule of law and access to justice are built in academic institutions where the youth of India and the world receive education. The presence of 26 sitting and former judges of the Supreme Court of India, along with the Chief Justice of India and the Law Minister, at a Law School and University campus is both historic and unprecedented. The law students at JGU, the professors who are teaching, and other mentors will be shaping the future of India and the future of the world. Our Chancellor and benefactor, Mr. Naveen Jindal’s contributed to strengthening the rule of law reached its zenith through this endeavour of establishing the world’s largest moot court on our campus. This initiative builds on the initiative of establishing India’s First Constitution Museum, which was inaugurated in 2024 to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India. Today’s initiative of inaugurating IMAANDAAR will democratise access to training and capacity building for law students and lawyers to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to become competent, committed, and transformative leaders in advancing the cause of promoting excellence in legal profession and legal profession.” 

The Chairman of the Bar Council of India and Member of Parliament, Manan Kumar Mishra, said, “I have the privilege to speak on two integral pillars of our constitutional democracy: independence of judiciary and access to justice. These are not merely legal doctrines. They are the lifeblood of the rule of law. The shield that protects rights. True independence is not achieved merely through constitutional safeguards. It also requires judicial courage, ethical integrity, and professional competence. A fearless bar ensures a fearless bench. Advocates assist the court not merely by presenting cases, but by upholding truth, exposing injustice, and defending constitutional values. An independent judiciary can flourish only in the company of an independent, ethical, strong, and competent bar.”

The event witnessed the historic enactment of the Kesavananda Bharati Case and its impact on Indian Constitutional History, highlighting the legacy of this landmark case and examining its role in ensuring judicial independence. It was enacted by Mr. R. Venkataramani, Attorney General for India; Mr. Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India; Dr. Abhishek M. Singhvi, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India; and Mr. Sidharth Luthra, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India.

In an unprecedented historical discourse, the enactment was followed by Reflections by the 13-Judge Bench, highlighting the legacy of the Kesavananda Bharati Case and judicial independence. The Kesavananda Bharati judgment, delivered on 24 April 1973, is a landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of India. The Supreme Court, in a historic decision, propounded the basic structure doctrine of the Constitution, which holds that certain fundamental features of the Constitution, such as democracy, secularism, federalism, independence of the judiciary, and the rule of law, cannot be amended by Parliament. The court also held that the power of judicial review is an integral part of the basic structure of the Constitution and cannot be taken away by Parliament through constitutional amendments.

In a historically significant initiative, a 13-Judge Bench presided by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India and 12 Judges of the Supreme Court of India — Hon’ble Ms. Justice B.V. Nagarathna, Hon’ble Mr. Justice M.M. Sundresh, Hon’ble Mr. Justice P.S. Narasimha, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Dipankar Datta, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Karol, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rajesh Bindal, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Aravind Kumar, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Augustine George Masih, Hon’ble Mr. Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Hon’ble Mr. Justice R. Mahadevan and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Joymalya Bagchi were present to share their reflections on the Enactment of the Kesavananda Bharati Case on the first day of the International Convention – 29 November 2025. 

On the second day of the Convention, another 13-Judge Bench comprising Sitting and Former Judges of the Supreme Court of India—Hon’ble Mr. Justice Saurabh K. Bhatti, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Prasanna B. Varale, Hon’ble Mr. Justice M.M. Sundresh, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Atul S. Chandurkar, Hon’ble Mr. Justice D.K. Jain, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Swatanter Kumar, Hon’ble Ms. Justice Ranjana P. Desai, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Madan B. Lokur, Hon’ble Mr. Justice U.U. Lalit, Hon’ble Ms. Justice Indira Banerjee, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Hemant Gupta, and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ajay Rastogi presided over the mock proceedings presented by four students of Jindal Global Law School: Ms. Jianna Bajaj, Mr. Akshat Indusekhar, Ms. Paridhi Jain, and Mr. Harsh K.

On the second day of the Convention, 30th November, Professor R. Sudarshan, Dean, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, provided a historical evolution of the Supreme Court of India, and Professor (Dr) S.G. Sreejith shared the jurisprudential foundations of the Kesavananda Bharti Case.

Professor (Dr.) Dipika Jain, Executive Dean, introduced the Jindal Global Law School, and the vote of thanks was given by Professor Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik, Registrar, O.P. Jindal Global University.

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• Principal Secretary, of Public Health and Family Welfare advised instituting a departmental inquiry against Dr. Sharad Dwivedi, Member of the District Medical Board
• Medical Council of India advised to initiate appropriate action against Dr. Balkrishna Dang
• The matter was referred to the State Bar Council for taking action against Adv. Shri Manoj Shivhare
• The Director General of Police issued direction to constitute a high-level team in the form of S.I.T. to investigate the three-party nexus

JABALPUR: In a landmark judgment that could lay the rules for motor claims settlement, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has asked the DGP of the State to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a malicious nexus between doctors, lawyers, and police officials in motor claims cases. Shriram General Insurance Company (SGIC), part of the Shriram Group, won this landmark judgment in its favor from the High Court of Madhya Pradesh in a fraudulent Motor Insurance claim.

The case also exposed a nexus between a Hospital, Police Officials, and Lawyers to claim motor vehicle accident insurance money by submitting forged documents, fraudulent certificates, and medicine bills. The Hon’ble High Court taking cognisance of discrepancies in the claim documents submitted ruled that the claim was fraudulent and ruled in favour of Shriram General Insurance.

The Hon’ble Court in its Order (attached along with) has referred the matter to the Principal Secretary, Public Health and Family Welfare and Medical Council of India to initiate appropriate action against Dr. Sharad Dwivedi and Dr. Balkrishna Dang’s false and forged medical certificates.

The Hon’ble High Court has also referred the matter to the State Bar Council for taking action against Adv. Shri Manoj Shivhare for obtaining a forged and fabricated medical certificate as well as directed the Director General of Police to form a high-level S.I.T. to investigate cases of false implication involving the collusion of three parties: the claimant, police officials, and the doctors concerned.

The claimant, Rakesh Valtiya, had sought compensation for injuries sustained in a road accident involving a pickup vehicle. However, upon examination of the evidence, the court identified discrepancies, particularly with respect to a disability certificate provided by Dr. Sharad Dwivedi, a Member of the District Medical Board without actually examining the patient.

The discharge card by Dr. Balkrishna Dang submitted was from Sudha Hospital and not Suvidha Hospital where he worked. The glaring discrepancy between the date of admission and the date of discharge in the discharge card vis-à-vis the same on the bill proved beyond doubt that the discharge card was a forged document.

The Claimant’s own testimony that he had never visited the hospital and that all the necessary certificates, etc were organized by the Counsel further proved that Dr. Sharad Dwivedi has never examined the Claimant and all certificates issued by him, in conjunction with Adv. Shri Manoj Shivhare was fraudulent with the intent of defrauding the Insurance Company. The State Bar Council has been instructed to take appropriate action against the claimant’s counsel, Manoj Shivhare, for his role in obtaining the forged medical certificate.

The Court directed that the Director General of Police constitute a high-level team in the form of S.I.T. to investigate the cases of false implication where three parties are necessarily in connivance namely the claimant, police, officials of the region, and the concerned Doctors. Besides this, sometimes claimants act at the behest on provocation of their counsel who are practicing in the field of motor accident claim cases or in the field of criminal law. Thus, S.I.T. be requested to examine these frauds within the system which are being perpetuated day in and day out causing a dent in the credibility of the judicial system.

Commenting on the decision of the court, Ashwani Dhanawat Executive Director, Shriram General Insurance Company said, “This outcome is a testament to our ongoing efforts to safeguard policyholders and ensure the long-term stability of the state’s insurance system. As stewards of both policyholder and shareholder funds, we bear the responsibility of ensuring these resources are allocated to legitimate claims. This reinforces our commitment to a robust claims management framework, which is focused on identifying and preventing fraud while ensuring that our resources are directed towards those policyholders who genuinely require protection.

The High Court’s ruling underscores the critical importance of maintaining the highest standards of professional ethics and strict adherence to medical guidelines in the assessment and certification of disabilities. This decision serves as an important reminder that both the legal and medical professions must work collaboratively to uphold the values of integrity, transparency, and public trust.”

Additionally, Dhanawat highlighted, “The compensation to motor accident victims is a beneficial act, designed to support genuine claimants. However, scamsters often try to exploit this by indulging in fraudulent activities. The Hon’ble court recognized this in the case and took cognizance of the same, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding the integrity of such beneficial Act.”

Compensation Adjustments and Deductions:

While the court upheld the fact of the accident and compensation for loss of income, it made significant deductions from the total compensation due to the fraudulent bills. A total amount of ₹52,053/- was deducted from the claimant’s awarded compensation. After considering the deductions, the final compensation payable to the claimant is ₹2,22,043/-. SGI had appealed against the order of the tribunal for compensation of ₹2,74,096/-.

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Why is this happening? The reasons range from irreconcilable differences to changing societal norms, refusal of empowered women to stick on with abusive relationships as they traditionally did, and sometimes even the misuse of legal mechanisms such as Section 498A of the IPC by different parties.

As relationships head south, including marriages of several decades, they show up for the final reckoning in the Family Court— an institution that bears mute testimony to an unparalleled range of cases. From the heartrending to the cruel and bizarre, these stories spotlight a society’s hidden crevices and contradictions in rapid transition.

Through candid, first-person narratives combined with legal insight, When Love is Lost: Cases from the Family Courts of a Changing India by journalist-writer Kalyani Sardesai sheds light on the emotional and psychological toll of separation and divorce, as experienced by men, women, and lawyers in the eye of the storm. 

Additionally, counselors, lawyers, and mediators weigh in with valuable inputs on conflict resolution within marriage. “Thus, the book offers an unflinching view of today’s domestic battles and the socio-legal landscape that shapes them. It not only examines different cases of divorce ranging from adultery and bigamy to domestic violence, abandonment, fraud, but also provides information on the legal aspects of splitting marriages, and knowledge of an estranged spouse’s rights as enshrined in the law,” says Sardesai.

Sardesai’s interest in the Family Courts has its genesis in her stint as a journalist covering the Family Court for various national dailies. “As a reporter and writer, one is always interested in stories that reflect changing trends and shifts in priorities. The institution of marriage is a leading example of the same,” she says. “No longer is it a case of ‘till death do us part’. Women are increasingly vocal about their rights, refusing to put with abuse as they traditionally did. Add to that the stresses of modern-day living and the increased emphasis on individuality as opposed to prioritizing the family unit above all. On the other hand, some abuse the provisions meant to protect them. When children are involved, battle lines are drawn even more tightly,” she says.

A well-rounded, comprehensive take covering different communities and socio-economic strata of society, each narration is different, but what runs like a common thread through them all, is the emotional cost of the courtroom battle and subsequent outcome.

Section I has 24 first-person accounts of the narrators along with the relevant legal information. The cases in the book cut across various communities and socio-economic strata and include instances of LGBTQ as well as live-in relationships.

Meanwhile, Section II of the book has mediators, lawyers, counselors, and married and estranged couples sharing valuable perspectives on the battles worth fighting—for not every divorce is a bad thing, and some issues indeed deserve a firm stand.

“When Love is Lost is thus a unique relationship guide for navigating marital relationships with the law as a cornerstone,” rounds off Sardesai.

When Love is Lost: Cases from the Family Courts of a Changing India is available on Amazon at Rs 275.

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Guyana’s request for provisional measures seeks to prevent Venezuela from proceeding with a consultative referendum planned for December 3, 2023, in its present form. Specifically, Venezuela is asked not to include the First, Third, or Fifth questions in the referendum, nor any question encroaching upon the legal issues to be determined by the Court in its Judgment on the Merits. Additionally, Venezuela is asked not to take any actions that are intended to prepare or allow the exercise of sovereignty or de facto control over any territory that was awarded to British Guiana in the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Venezuela, on the other hand, has asked the Court to reject Guyana’s request for provisional measures, citing its objections to the admissibility of Guyana’s Application. The Application, filed on March 29, 2018, requests the Court to confirm the legal validity and binding effect of the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899, which established the boundary between the Colony of British Guiana and the United States of Venezuela.

The ICJ will now deliberate on the matter and deliver its decision at a later date. The Court’s decision will be delivered at a public sitting, the date of which will be announced in due course. The ongoing land dispute between Guyana and Venezuela has been a contentious issue for decades, and the ICJ’s decision on the matter is eagerly awaited by both parties.

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Moot Courts are a vital training ground for aspiring lawyers and students, enabling them to hone their advocacy skills and develop a deeper understanding of legal principles. The simulation is typically used in law schools, legal competitions, and some advanced undergraduate programs to prepare students for the real-world demands of litigation. The new Moot Court Hall at NMIMS School of Law Hyderabad is a state-of-the-art infrastructure that provides students with a realistic courtroom experience, including modern technology, professional resources, and expert guidance.

Expressing gratitude, Dr. Mohammed Samiulla Arab, Associate Dean, School of Law, Hyderabad, NMIMS, said, “It is focused on imparting invaluable skills to the students, preparing them for a successful legal career.” Established in 2018 by NMIMS University, the programs offered in the law school have all the qualities and niceties of the programs offered by world-class universities all over the world. The school’s faculty members are well qualified and experienced with a wide range of quality legal publications and are also associated with social justice legal education.“

The newly built Moot Court Hall at NMIMS Hyderabad School of Law is a pivotal addition to the prestigious institution’s academic and legal landscape. The hall is aimed at fostering critical skills such as legal research, persuasive argumentation, and public speaking among students. The NMIMS student community is diversity-rich irrespective of region, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

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Armenia has asked the ICJ to indicate several provisional measures, including refraining from taking any actions that may breach CERD obligations, facilitating the safe and expeditious return of displaced ethnic Armenians, and recognizing civil registers, identity documents, and property titles established by the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The measures also include withdrawing all military and law enforcement personnel from civilian establishments in Nagorno-Karabakh occupied as a result of Azerbaijan’s armed attack, facilitating the access of the United Nations and its specialized agencies to ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, and not altering or destroying any monument commemorating the 1915 Armenian genocide or any other Armenian cultural artifact or site present in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia has also requested that Azerbaijan submit a report to the ICJ on all measures taken to give effect to the provisional measures within one month from the date of the order and thereafter every three months until a final decision on the case is rendered by the Court.

The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, established by the UN Charter in June 1945. Its role is to settle legal disputes submitted to it by States in accordance with international law and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs and agencies. The Court is composed of 15 judges elected for a nine-year term by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been in a long-standing dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which escalated into a military conflict in 2020. The conflict resulted in the displacement of ethnic Armenians from the region and the occupation of civilian establishments by Azerbaijan’s military and law-enforcement personnel. The ICJ has previously issued orders in the case, including on 7 December 2021 and 22 February 2023, reaffirming Azerbaijan’s obligations under CERD.

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THE HAGUE: On Thursday 30 March 2023, the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will deliver its Judgment in the case concerning Certain Iranian Assets (the Islamic Republic of Iran v. United States of America).

A public sitting will take place at 3 p.m. at the Peace Palace in The Hague, during which Judge Kirill Gevorgian, Vice-President of the Court and acting President in this case, will read out the Court’s decision.

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