Author: Hrithik

Introduction In the transition from the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in 2023, one provision silently disappeared — Section 377[1], which criminalised sexual acts “against the order of nature,” including bestiality. While much of the public discourse around Section 377 has rightly focused on its unjust use against the LGBTQ+ community, its complete omission has also inadvertently left animals without legal protection from sexual abuse. A Troubling Legislative Gap What is worrying is that this gap may not be the product of deep deliberation but of bureaucratic oversight. The removal of bestiality from India’s penal…

Introduction The practice of policymaking involves answering big questions. One such question is how the process of selection and appointment of judges to our constitutional courts is to be done. Our framers didn’t leave this question open at the time of adoption of the Constitution. However, as our jurisprudence grew around the doctrine of independence of the judiciary and our appointment system got politicised, the Hon’ble Supreme Court under a series of cases (namely, First Judges Case (1982), Second Judges Case (1993), Third Judges Case (1998)) established the Collegium System. Overview of the Collegium System In this system, senior judges…