Author: Md. Imran Wahab

Abstract The enforcement of arbitral awards remains a cornerstone of the international arbitration system, ensuring that parties to a dispute can rely on a final and binding resolution. While legal frameworks such as the New York Convention and UNCITRAL Model Law have significantly contributed to the global recognition of arbitral awards, practical challenges in enforcement persist—especially in cross-border scenarios. These include jurisdictional hurdles, judicial interference, delays, and lack of transparency. In response, the integration of emerging technologies—such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), digital enforcement databases, smart contracts, and online dispute resolution (ODR) platforms—is reshaping the landscape of arbitral enforcement. This…

Introduction In the realm of contemporary investigations, recorded surveillance footage – commonly known as Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) – has solidified its position as an exceptionally vital piece of digital forensic evidence. However, its ultimate credibility and utility within judicial proceedings hinge not merely on the visual content it provides, but critically on the integrity of its entire post-acquisition lifecycle. This encompasses every phase: from the initial secure recovery, through careful handling and transportation, meticulous preservation, and ultimately, its strategic presentation for adjudication. Each distinct step along this trajectory is fraught with inherent risks that, if overlooked or mishandled, possess the…

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) has stepped in to replace the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, ushering in updated legal frameworks designed to expedite justice, clarify procedures, and enhance the efficiency of criminal proceedings. Among these advancements is Section 514, which establishes timeframes within which cognizance can be taken for specific types of offenses. The underlying principle behind these time limits is to prevent the prosecution of cases that are too old, protect individuals from prolonged legal uncertainty, and ensure that justice is pursued without undue delay. The Provisions of Section 514: Section 514 stipulates that: No court…

The First Information Report (FIR) is the foundational document that ignites criminal justice machinery, enabling police to investigate cognizable offenses. A frequent point of legal discussion, however, centres on the timing of FIR registration. Despite the legal requirement for prompt reporting, delays are common, influenced by social dynamics, personal apprehensions, or systemic inefficiencies. This prompts the question of whether an FIR can be filed after a certain period and how courts address the consequences of such delays. For example, if a sexual assault survivor delays reporting for a week due to fear of societal stigma, a court will likely consider…

Historically, India’s immigration framework was governed by four separate laws: the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; the Foreigners Act, 1946; and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000. Rooted largely in the colonial era and scattered across different enactments, these legislations were increasingly seen as inadequate to meet modern challenges such as transnational crime, irregular migration, terrorism, and the demands of digital information management in border control. To address these gaps, a comprehensive new law – The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 (IFA, 2025) – was enacted and brought into force on 1 September…

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, marks a significant legislative shift, replacing India’s longstanding Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973. While retaining the core framework for criminal investigations, it introduces key enhancements, including clear guidelines on pre-FIR investigations. A long-standing question in India’s legal landscape is whether police can initiate preliminary inquiries or gather facts before officially recording a First Information Report (FIR). This is not merely theoretical – it has practical implications: Example 1 (Complex Crime): Police intelligence indicates a large-scale cyber fraud involving multiple individuals. Conducting initial surveillance or discreetly interviewing witnesses before filing an FIR may…

On March 24, 2015, a Germanwings airplane flying from Barcelona to Düsseldorf crashed into the French Alps. All 150 people on board – 144 passengers and 6 crew members – died. What Happened on the Plane? The pilot left the cockpit for a moment. The co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, then locked the cockpit door. The pilot tried to get back in, but the strong door, made safer after the 9/11 attacks, wouldn’t open. Lubitz remained silent inside as the plane flew towards the mountains. The last sounds heard were passengers screaming as the plane hit the ground at full speed. What…

Albert DeSalvo is remembered in history for very tragic and terrifying reasons, as he is widely believed to be the infamous Boston Strangler, a serial killer who terrorized Boston, USA, during the early 1960s. Between 1962 and 1964, a series of brutal murders of women shook the city, leaving the public living in constant fear. The victims were mostly women who were found strangled in their homes, often with pieces of their own clothing used as ligatures. The sheer number of murders and the mystery surrounding the killer’s identity created a climate of panic and insecurity in Boston, making the…

Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) for a cognizable offense is generally mandatory. However, there are limited and legally defined exceptions where a police officer may refuse to register an FIR. Preliminary Inquiry for Specific Offences: Section 173(3) of the BNSS, 2023 allows a police officer to conduct a preliminary inquiry before registering an FIR, but only in a very specific scenario: The offense is punishable with 3 years or more but less than 7 years imprisonment. The officer must obtain prior written approval from a superior officer, not below…

Sydney River McDonald’s Murders – 1992 In the peaceful town of Sydney River, Nova Scotia, the spring of 1992 was torn apart by a crime so terrible and random it changed Canadian crime history forever. What started as a poor idea to get money quickly turned into a night of pure horror. Three people died, one person was badly hurt, and the whole town felt the pain. The people who did it – Derek Wood, Darren Muise, and Freeman MacNeil – were not career criminals. They were young men whose sudden turn to violence shocked everyone in the country. The…