What do you think?
Rate this book
Anita Gets Bail: What Are Our Courts Doing? What Should We Do About Them?
The judiciary has been the one sturdy dyke that has saved us from the excesses of rulers. But recent events remind us of the cracks that have formed: the quality of individuals apart, even the institutional arrangements that had been put in place to preserve the purity and independence of the institution—the collegium, conventions governing the way cases are to be assigned among judges—have frayed. These cracks provide a dangerous opportunity to political rulers to suborn this institution also.
Through actual cases and judgments—of subordinate courts, High Courts, the Supreme Court—Arun Shourie enables us to see how frail and vulnerable this ‘last pillar standing’ has become.
A judge who by a brazen manipulation of facts lets a prominent politician off … Events and a judgment that let the convicted choose the prosecutor who is to conduct the case against them … Courts that turn a blind eye to life-and-death reforms even as they preoccupy themselves with trivia … Courts that deliver ringing judgments and then do not care to look if their directions are being implemented … Courts that disregard their own judgments on penalizing persons for perjury, for dragging out cases … Courts that do not think through the consequences, even the predictable consequences of their judgments … Judges who prevaricate, who look the other way when some of their own fraternity come under a cloud … A judge who is manifestly unbalanced, judges whose knowledge of the most elementary facts of science is laughable, a judge whose prose even the Supreme Court is unable to comprehend—all of them continue to hand down rulings that affect the fortunes and lives of thousands … Judges who disregard well-settled principles to such an extent that their colleagues are compelled to make their grave misgivings public…
And the non-bailable warrants that are issued for the arrest of Anita, Arun Shourie’s ailing wife, for evading summons that were never served, summons that were ostensibly issued for their having built a house that was never built, on a plot they did not own…
Through the meticulous examination that is a hallmark of his writing, Arun Shourie leads us through judgments and instances-some hilarious, so many infuriating-and points to things that each of us-judges, lawyers, laypersons like us-can do to retrieve this most vital of institutions.
Through actual cases and judgments—of subordinate courts, High Courts, the Supreme Court—Arun Shourie enables us to see how frail and vulnerable this ‘last pillar standing’ has become.
A judge who by a brazen manipulation of facts lets a prominent politician off … Events and a judgment that let the convicted choose the prosecutor who is to conduct the case against them … Courts that turn a blind eye to life-and-death reforms even as they preoccupy themselves with trivia … Courts that deliver ringing judgments and then do not care to look if their directions are being implemented … Courts that disregard their own judgments on penalizing persons for perjury, for dragging out cases … Courts that do not think through the consequences, even the predictable consequences of their judgments … Judges who prevaricate, who look the other way when some of their own fraternity come under a cloud … A judge who is manifestly unbalanced, judges whose knowledge of the most elementary facts of science is laughable, a judge whose prose even the Supreme Court is unable to comprehend—all of them continue to hand down rulings that affect the fortunes and lives of thousands … Judges who disregard well-settled principles to such an extent that their colleagues are compelled to make their grave misgivings public…
And the non-bailable warrants that are issued for the arrest of Anita, Arun Shourie’s ailing wife, for evading summons that were never served, summons that were ostensibly issued for their having built a house that was never built, on a plot they did not own…
Through the meticulous examination that is a hallmark of his writing, Arun Shourie leads us through judgments and instances-some hilarious, so many infuriating-and points to things that each of us-judges, lawyers, laypersons like us-can do to retrieve this most vital of institutions.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2018
54 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Arun Shourie
38 books301 followersIndian economist, journalist, author and politician.
He has worked as an economist with the World Bank, a consultant to the Planning Commission of India, editor of the Indian Express and The Times of India and a Minister of Communications and Information Technology in the Vajpayee Ministry (1998–2004). He was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1982 and the Padma Bhushan in 1990.
Popularly perceived as one of the main Hindu nationalist intellectuals during the 90s and early 2000s.
He has worked as an economist with the World Bank, a consultant to the Planning Commission of India, editor of the Indian Express and The Times of India and a Minister of Communications and Information Technology in the Vajpayee Ministry (1998–2004). He was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1982 and the Padma Bhushan in 1990.
Popularly perceived as one of the main Hindu nationalist intellectuals during the 90s and early 2000s.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 27, 2018
Although India is a democracy and a vibrant opposition is necessary to question the government, we have seen in recent times that singing the praises of the "Dear Leader" has become more of a norm than opposing the damaging policies implemented by that leader. In such an atmosphere, Arun Shourie has emerged as a strong voice in opposition to the current government. Listening to him gives me hope that there are still people left who command respect and have the guts to speak against the wrong-doings being done by the Modi government. It is because of these reasons that I picked "Anita Gets Bail".
In short, this book is a scathing indictment of the state of the Indian judicial system. He starts with the case from his personal life. He writes about how his ailing wife was embroiled in a case of flouting the environmental laws for building an illegal structure on a plot which they had very clearly sold before anything was built. Shourie's detailed description of this case took me through the harrowing experience a person goes through for years that the case runs in the court. In doing this, Shourie highlights the pathetic conditions in which the district and other lower courts operate in India. He brings to light the troubles the common man has to go through if they are involved in a case before the lower court. I thought justice system was to help the common man and not harass them.
Shourie then takes us through the fascinating Disproportionate Assets case in which the prime accused was Jayalalitha. This case became a playbook for "How to Make a Case Go On for an Unrealistic Amount of Time?". The final verdict in this case was delivered 20 years after the first hearing was held. By this time, Jayalalitha was already dead. I urge everyone to read through the details of the case as it gives a glimpse into how the rich and powerful even the bend the justice system to their will. What is the value of such justice?
In one of Shourie's recent interviews to Madhu Trehan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSyt4...), he quoted his father who said "In India, only true private sector is the public sector, because the government in power uses it for their private gains". He demonstrates this in the book by giving the examples of National Police Commission case and the Law Commission. In both these cases, Supreme Court had given orders to the state governments to implement certain guidelines mentioned in the commission reports. But the government realizes that the judiciary is so much dependent on the executive branch to carry out its orders, that if the state governments choose not do it, there is no effective ways in which it can ensure the implementation of its orders.
After this, the book gets even more interesting when Shourie discusses the cases of Kalikho Pul and Judge Loya. These are the 2 cases Shourie uses to describe how the judiciary would avoid or delay taking up cases that relates to their own peers. This leads to public mistrust in the judiciary. Not just these cases, Shourie mentions a bunch of other cases in which the judiciary failed to take action against one of their own.
But the funniest part of the book by far was about the judgments given by some of our justices including the honourable Supreme Court Chief Justice Dipak Misra. Shourie argues that any judgement given out by a judge should be crisp, to the point and should take into account all the facets of a case. However, that is not the case when it comes to judgments given by some of our judges. Shourie has put entire judgments in his book to showcase the kind of language used by certain justices. I was literally laughing while reading this as they did not make any sense and just confused everybody. The important part Shourie highlights is that judges don't think through the consequences of their judgments. For example, when the Supreme Court gave the verdict that the national anthem should be played before the start of any movie in the theatres or when selling alcohol was banned within 500m of any national highway, they did not think of the bizarre situations that these might lead to.
Finally, Shourie urges everyone to get involved in activism. He understands that in India it is very difficult for the people to do so because so many are just struggling in their daily life to care about anything else. But he says that at least one member of each family should take up the responsibility and do it. We should either pick a topic or a particular judge and examine the judgments that are being made. We should analyze and provide our opinion so that the judges are on their toes and think through the consequences before giving their verdicts. The website livelaw.in is a great place to read verdicts and provide your opinion. I hope that after reading this book, people will try and get involved more in activism and make India a better place.
In short, this book is a scathing indictment of the state of the Indian judicial system. He starts with the case from his personal life. He writes about how his ailing wife was embroiled in a case of flouting the environmental laws for building an illegal structure on a plot which they had very clearly sold before anything was built. Shourie's detailed description of this case took me through the harrowing experience a person goes through for years that the case runs in the court. In doing this, Shourie highlights the pathetic conditions in which the district and other lower courts operate in India. He brings to light the troubles the common man has to go through if they are involved in a case before the lower court. I thought justice system was to help the common man and not harass them.
Shourie then takes us through the fascinating Disproportionate Assets case in which the prime accused was Jayalalitha. This case became a playbook for "How to Make a Case Go On for an Unrealistic Amount of Time?". The final verdict in this case was delivered 20 years after the first hearing was held. By this time, Jayalalitha was already dead. I urge everyone to read through the details of the case as it gives a glimpse into how the rich and powerful even the bend the justice system to their will. What is the value of such justice?
In one of Shourie's recent interviews to Madhu Trehan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSyt4...), he quoted his father who said "In India, only true private sector is the public sector, because the government in power uses it for their private gains". He demonstrates this in the book by giving the examples of National Police Commission case and the Law Commission. In both these cases, Supreme Court had given orders to the state governments to implement certain guidelines mentioned in the commission reports. But the government realizes that the judiciary is so much dependent on the executive branch to carry out its orders, that if the state governments choose not do it, there is no effective ways in which it can ensure the implementation of its orders.
After this, the book gets even more interesting when Shourie discusses the cases of Kalikho Pul and Judge Loya. These are the 2 cases Shourie uses to describe how the judiciary would avoid or delay taking up cases that relates to their own peers. This leads to public mistrust in the judiciary. Not just these cases, Shourie mentions a bunch of other cases in which the judiciary failed to take action against one of their own.
But the funniest part of the book by far was about the judgments given by some of our justices including the honourable Supreme Court Chief Justice Dipak Misra. Shourie argues that any judgement given out by a judge should be crisp, to the point and should take into account all the facets of a case. However, that is not the case when it comes to judgments given by some of our judges. Shourie has put entire judgments in his book to showcase the kind of language used by certain justices. I was literally laughing while reading this as they did not make any sense and just confused everybody. The important part Shourie highlights is that judges don't think through the consequences of their judgments. For example, when the Supreme Court gave the verdict that the national anthem should be played before the start of any movie in the theatres or when selling alcohol was banned within 500m of any national highway, they did not think of the bizarre situations that these might lead to.
Finally, Shourie urges everyone to get involved in activism. He understands that in India it is very difficult for the people to do so because so many are just struggling in their daily life to care about anything else. But he says that at least one member of each family should take up the responsibility and do it. We should either pick a topic or a particular judge and examine the judgments that are being made. We should analyze and provide our opinion so that the judges are on their toes and think through the consequences before giving their verdicts. The website livelaw.in is a great place to read verdicts and provide your opinion. I hope that after reading this book, people will try and get involved more in activism and make India a better place.
June 7, 2018
Simple, thought provoking book about judiciary. Book starts with a case involved with judiciary. The book deals with various cases as case studies to analyse. The book at the end gives various pointers one can follow that are lessons one can learn. The book contains various cases details that are referred in the book.
October 17, 2019
"If possible, don’t buy a plot of land or build a house.
If you do, do not leave it to the developers to keep track of circulars,
notifications etc. ;train someone in your family in this art.
When you build that house, build a separate room to store every scrap of paper, every notice you receive and every reply you send.
Be sure that no one in that government department will read any of your replies."
The author Arun Shourie's disabled wife was served a warrant for constructing a house on a plot she didnt own and moreover not a single brick had been laid. After detailing the case in the first chapter, Shourie discusses court judgements and accountability in the subsequent chapters. As usual Shourie's writing is forceful and detailed. As in his earlier books, I sometimes had to skim thru the details and understand the gist of the issue.
An unexpected source of great humour was the section on eloquence , "science" in judgements. A High Court judgement was declared incomprehensible by the Supreme Court because of its language, a judge sitting with a thesaurus and dictionary when Shourie called upon him at his house, and Supreme Court benches being constituted twice to understand an earlier 11-bench judgement :)
In my opinion, India is a society that values honour over truth (and show-off over simplicity). The trajectory of how playing national anthem became compulsory behind closed cinema-hall doors was such a fun read :) A petitioner filed a case against the producers of "Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham" for insulting our national anthem. The Madhya Pradesh High-Court gives an elaborate judgement against the producers. It is thrown out by the Supreme Court. In poetic revenge, MP High Court judge Misraji becomes our CJI and the same petitioner lands up once again to make national anthem and standing up for it in cinema-halls compulsory. Dale Carnegie once said "The law doesnt bother about trivialities" - aao kabhi Haveli pe :)
A must-read ! And will be reading his other book Courts And Their Judgements: Premises, Prerequisites, Consequences too.
If you do, do not leave it to the developers to keep track of circulars,
notifications etc. ;train someone in your family in this art.
When you build that house, build a separate room to store every scrap of paper, every notice you receive and every reply you send.
Be sure that no one in that government department will read any of your replies."
The author Arun Shourie's disabled wife was served a warrant for constructing a house on a plot she didnt own and moreover not a single brick had been laid. After detailing the case in the first chapter, Shourie discusses court judgements and accountability in the subsequent chapters. As usual Shourie's writing is forceful and detailed. As in his earlier books, I sometimes had to skim thru the details and understand the gist of the issue.
An unexpected source of great humour was the section on eloquence , "science" in judgements. A High Court judgement was declared incomprehensible by the Supreme Court because of its language, a judge sitting with a thesaurus and dictionary when Shourie called upon him at his house, and Supreme Court benches being constituted twice to understand an earlier 11-bench judgement :)
In my opinion, India is a society that values honour over truth (and show-off over simplicity). The trajectory of how playing national anthem became compulsory behind closed cinema-hall doors was such a fun read :) A petitioner filed a case against the producers of "Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham" for insulting our national anthem. The Madhya Pradesh High-Court gives an elaborate judgement against the producers. It is thrown out by the Supreme Court. In poetic revenge, MP High Court judge Misraji becomes our CJI and the same petitioner lands up once again to make national anthem and standing up for it in cinema-halls compulsory. Dale Carnegie once said "The law doesnt bother about trivialities" - aao kabhi Haveli pe :)
A must-read ! And will be reading his other book Courts And Their Judgements: Premises, Prerequisites, Consequences too.
March 21, 2019
Great document on the state of our judiciary
Complaints about Indian judiciary aren't new. But never were they so well written, so well detailed, and so vividly described. The author convinced me to
1. Take up an issue and follow related cases and judgements, and
2. Read other books of his.
Complaints about Indian judiciary aren't new. But never were they so well written, so well detailed, and so vividly described. The author convinced me to
1. Take up an issue and follow related cases and judgements, and
2. Read other books of his.
June 22, 2018
Arun Shourie made himself known during the early seventies with his brilliantly written pieces taking down the then reigning deity Indira Gandhi. Over the years he joined a political party, became a Minister for a few years, and then a dissident in his own party. Having been part of the establishment hasn't mellowed him down or dulled the edge of his criticism of the establishment.
For a country that is the envy of the world for its high rate of economic growth the mood in India is characterized by extreme cynicism. Nobody believes that anything good can happen. Politicians, bureaucrats, journalists, lawyers, policemen, businessmen are all seen as crooks. All institutions from the Parliament downwards have lost credibility. The judiciary, particularly the higher judiciary, is one institution that still commands some respect, but even that bastion is showing cracks. In this collection of short pieces Shourie begins with his own family's travails with law, and then takes us through the follies and foibles of the honorable judges.
The eponymous Anita is Shourie's wife, who is not in good health and suffers from limited mobility. She receives a legal notice for raising a construction on a plot of land in violation of environmental regulations. As it happens, the plot had been sold by her without any construction, and the building had been constructed by the buyer. Commonsense would say that something so simple and obvious would be resolved as soon as the facts were brought to the notice of the court. But no! She and her family have to suffer repeated visits to the court while proceedings continue against others. The court refuses to entertain her plea for a discharge until all the other accused are summoned and proceedings completed against them. Finally, after a long time, the expected order comes and she is discharged. As a judge of the High Court remarked on hearing of this chain of events - if this could happen to someone of Shourie's standing, what chance does the common man have!
The funniest and most interesting pieces in this collection are towards the end - titled 'Eloquence', 'So much science' and 'Thinking through'. It goes to Shouries credit that he has maintained a dignified decorum in his comments while giving us samples of some of the most bizarre writing from the Bench. The champion is Justice Dipak Misra, the present Chief Justice of India, who is fond of big words and uses them almost at random, without much regard to context or content. The one judge who does better than him is Justice Mahesh Sharma of Rajasthan High Court whose observations on mating practices of peacocks gave him abiding national fame.
Having showed us the weaknesses of the hallowed institution - like the boy who pointed out that the Emperor had no clothes - Shourie gives some prescriptions for improvement in the final chapter. However, like most such works, the prescriptions come as an anticlimax after the brilliance of the criticism.
For a country that is the envy of the world for its high rate of economic growth the mood in India is characterized by extreme cynicism. Nobody believes that anything good can happen. Politicians, bureaucrats, journalists, lawyers, policemen, businessmen are all seen as crooks. All institutions from the Parliament downwards have lost credibility. The judiciary, particularly the higher judiciary, is one institution that still commands some respect, but even that bastion is showing cracks. In this collection of short pieces Shourie begins with his own family's travails with law, and then takes us through the follies and foibles of the honorable judges.
The eponymous Anita is Shourie's wife, who is not in good health and suffers from limited mobility. She receives a legal notice for raising a construction on a plot of land in violation of environmental regulations. As it happens, the plot had been sold by her without any construction, and the building had been constructed by the buyer. Commonsense would say that something so simple and obvious would be resolved as soon as the facts were brought to the notice of the court. But no! She and her family have to suffer repeated visits to the court while proceedings continue against others. The court refuses to entertain her plea for a discharge until all the other accused are summoned and proceedings completed against them. Finally, after a long time, the expected order comes and she is discharged. As a judge of the High Court remarked on hearing of this chain of events - if this could happen to someone of Shourie's standing, what chance does the common man have!
The funniest and most interesting pieces in this collection are towards the end - titled 'Eloquence', 'So much science' and 'Thinking through'. It goes to Shouries credit that he has maintained a dignified decorum in his comments while giving us samples of some of the most bizarre writing from the Bench. The champion is Justice Dipak Misra, the present Chief Justice of India, who is fond of big words and uses them almost at random, without much regard to context or content. The one judge who does better than him is Justice Mahesh Sharma of Rajasthan High Court whose observations on mating practices of peacocks gave him abiding national fame.
Having showed us the weaknesses of the hallowed institution - like the boy who pointed out that the Emperor had no clothes - Shourie gives some prescriptions for improvement in the final chapter. However, like most such works, the prescriptions come as an anticlimax after the brilliance of the criticism.
November 10, 2019
Very informative. Anyone interested in how courts function and even those who arent should read this for an easy understanding of some of the most important and impactful judgements of the court in the 21st century
June 11, 2018
An excellent book. A 'Must Read' for all those interested in the wayward functioning of Indian Judiciary. It describes how influential people manipulate the judiciary, the misplaced eloquence of the Judges while writing judgments (in one case the Supreme Court itself terming a High Court judgment as incomprehensible), Court's pronouncing judgments that are unimplementable, Court's inability to ensure that its orders are complied with, why the edifice of judiciary is on the verge of crumbling.
Shourie quotes Court judgments extensively to prove the points he is making reading of which will infuriate you and shake your confidence in Judiciary. If you find the judgments boring, you may well skip the lengthy quotes because the author gives his analysis and assessment very cogently.
The opaque Collegium system for appointment of Judges to High Courts and Supreme Court is the main reason for the dwindling standards of Judiciary. Those who appoint such incompetent judges must take the responsibility but strangely, Shourie glosses over this major faultline of Indian judiciary. He actually supported the Supreme Court's rejection of the NJAC alleging that NJAC attempted to give dominant say to the Executive in selecting the Judges. The author gives detailed description of every aspect of Judiciary's shortcomings, but strangely omits giving reasons for is agreement with the wholesale rejection of NJAC by the Supreme Court. Indeed, if the political executive is given bigger say, the Court could have quashed that part of the law but instead, quashed the whole. A great opportunity to streamline the appointment system was wasted. I suggest that Mr. Shourie should check the list of Judges in HCs and SC. It will reveal a closed sytem in which relatives, former juniors etc are appointed to the Bench. A Judge who retired last month from Kerala High Court said publicly that he and most of his colleagues in the Bench have not seen the 5 Lawyers recommended by the HC collegium for elevation to the Bench, implying that the 5 were far from being distinguished lawyers. But Shourie ignores this root cause for the current state of affairs in Judiciary.
That doesn't take away the overall merit of this excellent book. I hope all Judges and Lawyers read this book.
Shourie quotes Court judgments extensively to prove the points he is making reading of which will infuriate you and shake your confidence in Judiciary. If you find the judgments boring, you may well skip the lengthy quotes because the author gives his analysis and assessment very cogently.
The opaque Collegium system for appointment of Judges to High Courts and Supreme Court is the main reason for the dwindling standards of Judiciary. Those who appoint such incompetent judges must take the responsibility but strangely, Shourie glosses over this major faultline of Indian judiciary. He actually supported the Supreme Court's rejection of the NJAC alleging that NJAC attempted to give dominant say to the Executive in selecting the Judges. The author gives detailed description of every aspect of Judiciary's shortcomings, but strangely omits giving reasons for is agreement with the wholesale rejection of NJAC by the Supreme Court. Indeed, if the political executive is given bigger say, the Court could have quashed that part of the law but instead, quashed the whole. A great opportunity to streamline the appointment system was wasted. I suggest that Mr. Shourie should check the list of Judges in HCs and SC. It will reveal a closed sytem in which relatives, former juniors etc are appointed to the Bench. A Judge who retired last month from Kerala High Court said publicly that he and most of his colleagues in the Bench have not seen the 5 Lawyers recommended by the HC collegium for elevation to the Bench, implying that the 5 were far from being distinguished lawyers. But Shourie ignores this root cause for the current state of affairs in Judiciary.
That doesn't take away the overall merit of this excellent book. I hope all Judges and Lawyers read this book.
January 21, 2019
I'm aware that Shri Shourie has written a few more books earlier on the subject of Indian judiciary but this book was my first of his works on the subject.
The book is replete with examples of how judiciary falters where it has to deliver, how it pokes a nose when it has to stay out and manages to make things worse, etc. It's a scathing indictment of our juidicary as it stands.
Reading through the book one can't also escape the notion, at least a few times, that Mr. Shourie at times expects the judiciary to step in and take a bigger role that, in my opinion clearly, would exceed its mandate. Made me wonder if the doyen's current political opinions perhaps influenced his thoughts while penning those ideas.
Otherwise the book is a must read. More so if you are a student of law, lawyer or a judge.
Our judiciary really needs to look in the mirror and this book is a life-sized one.
The book is replete with examples of how judiciary falters where it has to deliver, how it pokes a nose when it has to stay out and manages to make things worse, etc. It's a scathing indictment of our juidicary as it stands.
Reading through the book one can't also escape the notion, at least a few times, that Mr. Shourie at times expects the judiciary to step in and take a bigger role that, in my opinion clearly, would exceed its mandate. Made me wonder if the doyen's current political opinions perhaps influenced his thoughts while penning those ideas.
Otherwise the book is a must read. More so if you are a student of law, lawyer or a judge.
Our judiciary really needs to look in the mirror and this book is a life-sized one.
April 4, 2019
To encapsulate this blazing writing of Mr Shourie I would further divide in three parts-1)abysmal condition of Indian judicial system containing all the disfigured,uncertainty and sub judice forum of working including the judicial accountability.Indian judiciary never faces its own diluted methods and chances of exploration comes to a standstill 2)The political association-how much we believe that at last courts scripts human beings mental stillness and development it still work on political,self centered,and within the shell of class society 3)The base-when a judicial officer fail to perform his duty.the judgement part of this book is absolutely eye opener,disturbing for those who are intentionally or unintentionally part of this pillar of our system.
Good thing-putting question mark
Bad thing-putting question mark
Good thing-putting question mark
Bad thing-putting question mark
September 28, 2019
I used to believe that unlike the other pillars of Indian democracy, our courts are standing strong. Enter Arun Shourie, as India's John Oliver (albeit not funny at all), to ruin it for me.
The book is a journalistic endeavor, quite an excellent one, but it also makes it a dry read for the most part. However, the insights and the instances discussed by Shourie aren't being talked of by anyone at large. He discusses how a lot of our justices lack scientific temparament, how the system lacks compassion, how the lawyers game the courts to work against delivering justice, and how politicians and the court themselves have undermined their powers.
A depressing read, but of the sort that is necessary, for today's youth, the generations that are doomed to be failed by these systems out to protect them.
The book is a journalistic endeavor, quite an excellent one, but it also makes it a dry read for the most part. However, the insights and the instances discussed by Shourie aren't being talked of by anyone at large. He discusses how a lot of our justices lack scientific temparament, how the system lacks compassion, how the lawyers game the courts to work against delivering justice, and how politicians and the court themselves have undermined their powers.
A depressing read, but of the sort that is necessary, for today's youth, the generations that are doomed to be failed by these systems out to protect them.
July 1, 2018
This is (yet another) must read book by Arun Shourie. Triggered perhaps by a personal incident, which he covers in detail in the first chapter, the book then ventures into analyzing multiple ills plaguing our judiciary. Shourie maintains a fine balance between a forthright critique of the high priests of our legal system and not stepping over and inviting accusations of contempt.
It certainly makes the reader think. Makes him want to DO something about cleaning up the rot. And on that last part - Shourie offers a number of practical suggestions.
The book's focus is especially on the current decade. So in that sense it is also a good review of the reforms, or non-reforms, that the present Modi Government has undertaken in the Law ministry.
Highly recommended read.
It certainly makes the reader think. Makes him want to DO something about cleaning up the rot. And on that last part - Shourie offers a number of practical suggestions.
The book's focus is especially on the current decade. So in that sense it is also a good review of the reforms, or non-reforms, that the present Modi Government has undertaken in the Law ministry.
Highly recommended read.
May 9, 2019
ANITA gets BAIL..
A really very interesting and must read book written by eminent journalist, economist and farmer minister. It is depicting variety of exemplary cases handled by Trial courts, High Courts and honorable Supreme court. How lawyers intentionally get the cases delayed, how facts are misinterpreted and how few judges hear cases and writes judgement with their prejudice and people in power influence it. Sometimes its funny and sometime very serious and that seriousness will make you think laugh and think deeply about Indian judicial system.
Recommended for everyone interested in knowing understanding the different Colors of Indian Judiciary.
A really very interesting and must read book written by eminent journalist, economist and farmer minister. It is depicting variety of exemplary cases handled by Trial courts, High Courts and honorable Supreme court. How lawyers intentionally get the cases delayed, how facts are misinterpreted and how few judges hear cases and writes judgement with their prejudice and people in power influence it. Sometimes its funny and sometime very serious and that seriousness will make you think laugh and think deeply about Indian judicial system.
Recommended for everyone interested in knowing understanding the different Colors of Indian Judiciary.
August 17, 2018
I for one as a common citizen used to have lots of faith in our judicial system.Though I used to come across the various judgements in news paper,mocking judiciary,I used to be of the opinion that by and large judiciary is above lots of inadequacies of our system..
But this book narrated with proof,in a style which makes one to ponder over,again and again,made me to realize,how even the citadel of judiciary fell into the rot.I only wish that some thing good happens and the judiciary saves the right from the wrong
But this book narrated with proof,in a style which makes one to ponder over,again and again,made me to realize,how even the citadel of judiciary fell into the rot.I only wish that some thing good happens and the judiciary saves the right from the wrong
May 19, 2018
Short but a powerful treatise. Arun Shourie has launched a scathing attack on the Indian judiciary. He has exposed the farcical nature of adjournments, criminal politics behind the manipulation of our legal framework, powerlessness of the judges, corruption prevalent in the legal system and last but not the least, the ‘eloquence’ of some of the judgments which ramble around without substance. A must read for anyone interested to know how the judiciary has degenerated over time.
November 21, 2018
My uncle once said ' You will have the utmost faith in the country's judiciary only till the time you have had the first hand encounter yourself.'
This book is a must read for a newbee( who is outside of the judiciary system) , and wants to understand the judicial system of the country . It raises many paradoxes that the current system faces. The book provides a very good alternative to the biased , loud and fake news media.
This book is a must read for a newbee( who is outside of the judiciary system) , and wants to understand the judicial system of the country . It raises many paradoxes that the current system faces. The book provides a very good alternative to the biased , loud and fake news media.
July 1, 2018
A fantastic compilation and analysis by Arun Shourie. Arun Shourie has been a giant of right-wing thinking in India. This time he takes up Indian judiciary and delivers a judgement on judgments of sorts. While some of his analysis is debatable, one couldn't help but agree to most part with him. One can only hope, people with influence and power are listening to him.
August 18, 2018
Gives an very good view of Indian court functions and the malaise that is there in the judiciary. Book also gives areas of improvement and plausible solution for reviving the judiciary and making it vibrant ‘ the take on National anthem and its course thru courts were eye openers
December 31, 2018
It's a wonderful place to witness the ineffable facts of law in India, added humor and none to second. It's classy and rich in content.
The writer is a veteran, an amazing use of words.
Worth every moment of read.
The writer is a veteran, an amazing use of words.
Worth every moment of read.
July 7, 2019
The book is an eye opener to the problems facing the judiciary and the problems within the judiciary. The book shows the deeper problems and the intended and unintended consequences of some of court's decisions. It also exposes some of India's legal figures, famous and infamous. A brilliant read.
October 2, 2018
Must read to understand how Apex court of the county is functioning
October 15, 2018
Brilliantly written. Indian Judiciary has a long way to go.
July 9, 2022
Mr Shourie: Judges are the law. Period. I don’t know how this book is available for reading. Be grateful for the small mercies. From shoddy judgements, whimsical interpretations of law, couching fiats as legal orders, writing abstruse philosophical tomes not clear to their own selves, occupying media space for simply “issuing notices to Governments”, humiliating public servants for not wearing suits in court, determining their own salaries/pensions/ allowances (spectacle allowance for example), questionable appointments, lecturing others without following anything themselves, they have been there and done that. Can one be a judge for others without being a judge of others? I doubt it. Finally it doesn’t matter because the citizens of this country are too educated. They will be more interested in a book on how to hunt for benches, how to fix lawyers and how to influence judges. Right book for wrong country.
February 10, 2020
This book is an eye opener. It brings you out into the reality from the slumber of indifference, negligence of the state of judiciary. This book paints a kafkaesque picture of judiciary and raises points to help you question the everlasting judicial proceedings, the judge made laws without regard to their consequences, the rampant corruption and the minimal accountability towards public or any other organ of the state and the unquestionable image of the judges. Do read.
December 17, 2019
കോടതി അബലന്റെ അവസാനത്തെ ആശ്രമയെന്���ാണ് പല്ലവി.
പണവും പവറും കാലക്കേടും അടിച്ചേൽപ്പിക്കുന്ന അതിക്രമങ്ങളെ
നേരിടാൻ സാധാരണക്കാരന്റെ മുന്നിലുള്ള ആശ്രയം.
അതുകൊണ്ടാണ് നിഷ്പക്ഷമായ നീതി ന്യായ വ്യവസ്ഥ
ഓരോ നാടിന്റെയും അഭിവാജ്യ ഘടകമാകുന്നത്.
ഇപ്പറയുന്ന സാധനം ഇന്ത്യയിൽ ഫലപ്രദമായി നിറവേറ്റപ്പെടുന്നില്ല
എന്ന് ബോധ്യപ്പെട്ട് അരിശം കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്പോഴാണ്
അനിത ഗെറ്റ്സ് ബെയ്ൽ എന്ന പുസ്തകം കണ്ണിലുടക്കിയത്.
കണ്ണുകെട്ടി നിൽക്കുന്ന നീതി ദേവതയുടെ തുലാസ്
ഭരണകൂടത്തിനും ഭരണകൂട തൽപരർക്കും അനകൂലമായി
ഒരു കൂസലുമില്ലാതെ ചാഞ്ഞു നിക്കുമ്പോൾ അരുൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ
'ഒടുവില് അനിതയ്ക്ക് ജാമ്യം കിട്ടി' എന്ന വിമർശനത്തിന് ഏറെ പ്രസക്തിയുണ്ട്.
ജനാധിപത്യത്തെ താങ്ങി നിർത്തുന്ന സ്തഭംങ്ങളിലൊന്നിനാണ് ബലക്ഷയം
സംഭവിക്കുന്നതെന്ന് ബോധ്യപ്പെടുത്തും വിധം വിശകലനങ്ങലും
പരിഹാസങ്ങളും നൊന്പരങ്ങളും ലളിതമായി വിവരിക്കുന്നതാണ് അരൂൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ രചന.
ദുർബലന്റെ ആശ്രയ കേന്ദ്രത്തിന് ബലക്ഷയം സംഭവിക്കുന്പോൾ
തോൽക്കുന്നത് നീതി ന്യായ വ്യവസ്ഥ മാത്രമല്ല. പാവപ്പെട്ടവന്റെ വിശ്വാസമാണ്.
സത്യം ജയിക്കുമെന്ന ആത്മവിശ്വാസം കൂടിയാണ്.
നിയമത്തെ തെറ്റായി വ്യാഖാനിക്കുക. പണവും അധികാരവും ദുർവിനിയോഗം ചെയ്ത് നീതി നിർവഹണം അട്ടിമറിക്കുക.
സുപ്രീംകോടതികളില് പോലും ന്യായാധിപന്മാർ അഴിമതി ആരോപണ വിധേയരാവുക.
മിച്ച ശന്പളവും പദവിയും സൗകര്യങ്ങളും നൽകി ഒരു തൊഴിലേൽപ്പിച്ചത്
മറ്റൊന്നിലും വശംവതരാകാതെ, നിയമവും നീതിയും ഇഴകീറി പരിശോധിച്ച്,
നീതി നടപ്പിലാക്കാനും അതിന് ഉത്തരവിടാനുമാണെന്ന് മറക്കുന്ന സമൂഹമാണ്
ഇന്നത്തെ ജുഡീഷ്യറിലെ പലരുമെന്ന നീരീക്ഷണം കാണാം അനിത ഗെറ്റ്സ ബെയ്ലിൽ.
ഒറ്റവാചകത്തിൽ പറഞ്ഞാൽ ഇന്ത്യൻ നീതി ന്യായ വ്യവസ്ഥയെ പ്രതിക്കൂട്ടി നിർത്തുന്ന പുസ്തകം.
ന്യായാധിപ നിയമനത്തിലെ അധികാരികളുടെ കൈ കടത്തലുകൾ,
ജഡ്ജിമാരെ സ്റ്റേസ്റ്റിന്റെ ഇംഗിതത്തിനായി പരിവപ്പെടുത്തലടക്കം നടക്കുന്ന
സാഹചര്യങ്ങളിൽ, നീതി നിർവഹണം അപകടത്തിലാണെന്ന് വിളിച്ചു പറയുന്നു
അരുൺഷൂരി. ഒപ്പം ജുഡീഷ്യറിയുടെ പ്രവർത്തനം അടിമുടി മാറണമെന്ന ഗ്രന്ഥകാരൻ
അതിയായി ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. വായനക്കാരനും ആ തോന്നൽ സമ്മാനിക്കാനും
അരുൺ ഷൂരിക്ക് കഴിയുന്നുണ്ട്.
ഹൃദയം കൊണ്ടൊരു തലക്കെട്ട്
....
കേസുകൾ ഇഴകീറി പരിശോധിച്ചാണ് അരുൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ ചോദ്യ ശരങ്ങൾ .
കോടതി വ്യവഹാരത്തിന്റെ ഭാഷയോടാണ് അരുൺ ഷൂരിക്ക് വലിയ അവമതിപ്പ് ഉള്ളത്.
ഭാഷയും വ്യാകരണവും ലളിതമായി ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്ന കാലത്ത് കോടതി ഭാഷ പക്ഷേ അങ്ങനെയല്ല.
സാധാരണക്കാരന് എളുപ്പം മനസ്സിലാകില്ലെ കോടതി ഭാഷയെങ്കിൽ ഒന്നാം നീതി നിഷേധം
അതു തന്നെയല്ലേ എന്ന പരിഹാസം അരുൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ വരികളിൽ ഉടനീളം കാണാം.
കോടതിക്ക് അകത്തെ ചിട്ടവട്ടങ്ങൾ , കലാപരിപാടികൾ ഒട്ടും ആകർഷണീയമല്ല എന്നാണ്
അരൂൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ പക്ഷം. സാധാരണക്കാരന്റെ മതിപ്പ് പിടിച്ചു പറ്റുന്നതല്ല കോടതിമുറിയെന്ന്
ഷൂരി സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്ന് സ്വന്തം കോടതി അനുഭവത്തിൽ നിന്ന് തന്നെയാണ്.
സ്വന്തം കോടതി അനുഭവമാണ് പുസ്തകത്തിന് തലക്കെട്ടായതും.
'അനിത ഗെറ്റ്സ് ബെയ്ല്'.
അരുൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ ഭാര്യയാണ് അനിത. പാർക്കിൻസൺ രോഗബാധിച്ച് കിടപ്പിൽ.
2013 ല് ഫരീദാബാദ് കോടതിയിൽ നിന്ന് അനിതയ്ക്കൊരു അറസ്റ്റ് വാറണ്ട് വരുന്നു.
ദില്ലി അരാവലിയില് ചട്ടലംഘനം നടത്തി ഫാം ഹൗസ് നിർമ്മിച്ചെന്നാണ് കുറ്റം.
ഫാം ഹൗസ് പാരിസ്ഥിതിക പ്രശ്നങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നു എന്നതടക്കം കുറ്റങ്ങൾ.
തൊണ്ണറുകളിൽ അനിതയുടെ പേരിലുണ്ടായിരുന്ന ഒരു ഭൂമി .
2008 ൽ അവര് മറ്റാർക്കോ വിൽക്കുന്നു; ഒരു കൂരപോലും പണിയാതെ.
എന്നിട്ടാണ് പരിസ്ഥിതിക്ക് ദോഷമുണ്ടാക്കുവിധം നിർമ്മാണം
നടത്തിയെന്ന പേരിൽ കേസും അറസ്റ്റ് വാറണ്ടു.
അനിതയുടെ നിരപരാധിത്വം തെളിയിക്കുന്ന രേഖകൾ പലത് സമർപ്പിച്ചു.
കോടതി ഒന്നും പരിശോധിച്ചില്ല. പാർക്കിസൻ രോഗം ബാധിച്ച കിടക്കുന്ന അനിത നേരിട്ട് ഹാജരാകണം എന്നായിരുന്ന ശാഠ്യം .
രോഗിയായ അനിതയുമായി അരൂൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ കോടതി വരാന്തകളിലെ കാത്തു നിൽപ്പ് .
കോടതി മുറികളിലെ വിചാരണ, ദുരിതം അനുഭവിക്കുന്നത് ഇല്ലാക്കുറ്റത്തിന്റെ പേരിൽ.
ഭൂമി വിറ്റതിന്റെ രേഖകൾ ഒറ്റയടിക്ക് പരിശോധിച്ചിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ തള്ളിക്കളാമായിരുന്ന ഒരു
കേസ് രണ്ട് വർഷം നീണ്ടു പോകുന്നു. ഒടുവില് അനിതയ്ക്ക് ജാമ്യം കിട്ടു. നിരപരാധിത്വം തെളിയിക്കുന്നു.
അതാണ് അനിത ഗെറ്റ്സ് ബെയിലെന്ന് പേരിലെത്തിച്ചത്.
കക്ഷികൾ ഹാജരാകാത്ത സാഹചര്യം, കോടതി അവധികള്. പല കാരണങ്ങൾ കൊണ്ട് നീണ്ടു പോകുന്ന
നീതി നിഷേധം ആദ്യ അധ്യായത്തിൽ തന്നെ കാണാം.
ജയലളിതുയായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട അഴിമതിക്കേസും അരുൺ ഷൂരി വിശകലനം ചെയ്യുന്നുണ്ട്.
വിധിക്ക് മേൽ അപ്പീലുകൾ സമര്പ്പിച്ച് അന്തിമ വിധി വരുന്പോൾ ജയലളിത വിധക്ക് കീഴടങ്ങിയിരുന്നു.
കാല താമസം ഇങ്ങനെ എത്രപേരെ രക്ഷിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. എത്ര പേരെ ശിക്ഷിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്.
ഇന്ത്യൻ നീതി ന്യായ വ്യവസ്ഥയിലെ കാലതാമസം സത്യം കണ്ടെത്താനാണ് എന്നാശ്വസിച്ചു പോകുന്നത്
വല്ലാത്ത ദ്രാവിഡാണ്. അതിന്റെ മറവില് തഴച്ചു വളരുന്നത് അഭിഭാഷക വൃത്തിയെന്ന വ്യവസായമാണ്.
കക്ഷികള്ക്ക് ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നത് വലിയ സാന്പത്തിക നഷ്ടവും. ഇങ്ങനെ വരെ ചിന്തിപ്പിച്ച് കളയും
കൂടുതൽ താളുകൾ മറിക്കുന്പോൾ.
നീതി നിഷേധമാണ് ബദിൽ വഴികളെ തേടാൻ ഇരകളെ പ്രേരിപ്പിക്കുന്നത് എന്നൊരു സാമൂഹിക നീരീക്ഷണമുണ്ട്.
അരൂൺ ഷൂരിക്കും ആ അഭിപ്രായമുണ്ട്. ഭീകരമാവദം പോലും എവിടെയോ നിഷേധിക്കപ്പെട്ട നീതിയിൽ
നിന്ന് ഉണ്ടായതാണെന്ന്.
സത്യത്തിൽ വിശ്വസിക്കുക. ആളു തരവും നോക്കാതെ നീതി നടപ്പിലാക്കുക, തർക്കങ്ങളിൽ തീർപ്പ് കൽപ്പിക്ക എന്നവയക്ക് വേണ്ടിയാണ്
നീതി ദേവതയുടെ കണ്ണ് കെട്ടിയതെന്നാണ് ആലങ്കാരിക പ്രയോഗം. പക്ഷേ, അന്ധത ബാധിച്ച നീതി ദേവതയാണ് ഇന്നുള്ളതെന്ന്
പുസ്തകം പറയുന്നു. ഇന്ത്യൻ ജൂഡീഷ്യറി നേരിടുന്ന അപചയങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള തുറന്നു പറച്ചിലുകൾ ഓരോ അധ്യായത്തിലും കാണാം.
കീഴ്ക്കോടതി തൊട്ട് സുപ്രീംകോടതി വരെ നീളുന്ന പിഴവുകളുടെ ഘോഷയാത്രയാണ് അതിൽ ഏറെ രസകരം.
പരിഹാസ്യമായ വിധി ന്യായങ്ങളാണ് ഷൂരി പഠന വിധേയമാക്കുന്നണ്ട്.
വഴിതെറ്റിപ്പോകുന്ന ജഡ്ജിമാർ
....
സോമച്ച് സയൻസ് എന്ന തലക്കെട്ടിലാണ് പരിഹാസം.
കോടതി വിധികളില് ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്ന ഗ്രാൻഡ് ലിക്വൻസ് സാധാരണക്കാരെ നിയമത്തിൽ നിന്ന് അകറ്റി നിർത്തും എന്ന് വിമർശിക്കുന്ന ഷൂരി.
അത്യാവശ്യത്തിനും ആവശ്യത്തിനും അനാവശ്യത്തിനും സ്ഥാനത്തും അസ്ഥാനത്തും കഥയും കവിതയും പതിരുള്ളതെും ഇല്ലാത്തുമായ ചൊല്ലുകളും,
ബൈബിളും ഖുർആനും ഗീതയും ഈ വായിൽ കൊള്ളാത്ത തലയിൽ കേറാത്ത വാക് ധോരണികളൊക്കെ വിധി ന്യായത്തിൽ പറയും.
പറഞ്ഞ് വക്കീലത് വായിച്ച് മനസ്സിലാക്കി ക്ലൈന്റിനെ പറഞ്ഞ് മനസ്സിലാക്കാൻ അധിക സമയമെടുക്കുന്നുണ്ടിയും വരും.
അതുമൊരു തലത്തിൽ നീതി വൈകിപ്പിക്കേലല്ലേ എന്ന് വായനക്കാരനെ തോന്നിപ്പിക്കും വിധം പക്വമാണ് ഷൂരിയുടെ വിമര്ശനങ്ങൾ.
രസകരമായ ഒരുസംഭവം.
.....
രാജസ്ഥാനിലെ ബുണ്ടിയിൽ ഒരു സ്കൂൾ വളപ്പിൽ 12 മയിലുകളെ ചത്തതായി കണ്ടെത്തി.
പതിനേഴ് വയസ്സുകാരനായിരുന്നു കുറ്റാരോപിതൻ. കേസിന്റെ വിധിയ പറയുന്നത് കൃഷ്ണ ഭക്തൻ കൂടിയായ രാജസ്ഥാൻ ഹൈക്കോടതി ജഡ്ജി മഹേഷ് ശർമ്മ.
ബ്രഹ്മചാരിയായ ആൺമയിലിന്റെ കണ്ണീർ നുകർന്നാണ് പെൺമയിൽ ഗർഭം ധരിക്കുന്നതെന്ന് പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു.
( എത്ര വിഢിത്തിം ഒളിഞ്ഞു കിടക്കുന്ന പ്രസ്താവന ആളിത് പ്രജനനം ഇല്ല. മു���്ടയില്ല. പകരം പ്രസവം. )
ആധുനിക ശാസ്ത്രത്തിന്റെ സകല തെളിവുകളേയും തള്ളിക്കളഞ്ഞ് മറ്റൊരു മഹാ വിധിയും ഇതേ ജഡ്ജി നടത്തിയിട്ടുണ്ട്,
ഈ ജന്മത്തിലെ രോഗങ്ങൾ മാറാനും മുൻജന്മത്തിലെ പാപങ്ങൾ നീങ്ങാനും ഗോമൂത്രം ബെസ്റ്റെന്നും അതിനാൽ പശുക്കളെ സംരക്ഷിക്കണം എന്നായിരുന്നു ആ സുന്ദര സുരഭില വിധി.
( അത് ടൈപ്പ് ചെയ്ത സ്റ്റെനോഗ്രാഫറുടെ കാര്യം ഓർത്തു നോക്കൂ..)
ജയ്പ്പൂർ മുൻസിപ്പൽ ഗോ ഷാലയിലെ പശുപരിപാലനം ഫണ്ടില്ലാത്തതിനാൽ വളരെ പരിതാപകരമാണെന്ന മൃഗ സ്നേഹികളുടെ ഹർജിയെ തുടർന്നുണ്ടായ ഉത്തരവിലെ വിശദ്ധവാക്യമായിരുന്നു അത്.
വിധി സാഹിത്യം
.......
പുസ്തകത്തിന്റെ ഒന്പതാം അധ്യായത്തില് മലയാളി കൂടിയായിരുന്ന വി.ആർ കൃഷ്ണയ്യരെ കാണാൻ പോയ അനുഭവം താലോലിച്ചെഴുതിയിട്ടുണ്ട്
.ഒരു പരിപാടിക്ക് ക്ഷണികാൻ പോയതാണ്.അരും ഷൂരി വീട്ടിലേക്ക് കയറി ചെല്ലുന്പോൾ, കാഴ്ച ഇങ്ങനെ; ലുങ്കി ഉടുത്ത് ഒരു ഷർട്ടുമിട്ട് വരാന്തയിലെ ചാരുകസേരയിൽ ചിന്താ വിഷ്ടനായി ഇരിക്കുന്നു.
കയ്യെത്തും ദൂരത്തുള്ള മേശയില് കേസുകെട്ടുകളുണ്ട്, രണ്ടോ മൂന്നോ നിഘണ്ടു. അതേ പോലെ, പര്യായ പദങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള ശൈലീ നിഘണ്ടുവും.
സ്റ്റെനോ ഗ്രഫർക്ക് ഏതോ കേസിന്റെ വിധി ന്യായം പറഞ്ഞു കൊടുക്കുകയാണ മൂപ്പർ. പറഞ്ഞു കൊടുക്കുന്നതിനിടയി ൽ ഇടയ്ക്കൊന്ന് നിർത്തുമത്രെ.
എന്നിട്ട് പര്യായ പദം പരതി, വാക്ക് തിരികി കയറ്റും. ഇതാണ് വി ആർ കൃഷ്ണയ്യരുടെ വിധി ന്യായത്തിലെ ഭാഷ നൈപുണ്യത്തിന്റെ സൂത്രമെന്ന് അരുൺ പരിഹസിക്കുന്നു.
കൃഷ്ണയ്യരുടെ വിധി സാഹിത്യം വിധി ന്യായങ്ങൾ മനസ്സിലാക്കന്നതിന് വലിയ പ്രതിസന്ധി സൃഷ്ടിച്ചിരുന്ന കാര്യം വെറുതയല്ലെന്ന് അരും ഷൂരി ഓർത്തെഴുതി.
കോടതി മുറികൾക്കകത്തെ നിശബ്ദദത മാത്രമല്ല, അവിടെ ഇരിക്കുന്നവരെട തലയിലെ ശ്യൂന്യതെയ കൂടിയാണ് അരും ഷൂരി വിമർശിക്കുന്നത്.
രാജ്യം നേരിടുന്ന പുതിയ വെല്ലുവിളികളുടെ പശ്ചാതലത്തിൽ , നിയമ വ്യവസ്ഥയുടെ സുത്യാര്യതയെ കുറിച്ച് സംശയമുള്ള കാലത്ത്
അനിതെ ഗെറ്റ്സ ബെയിൽ ഒരു മുഴക്കമാണ്. നിങ്ങൾ നീതി തേടുന്നിടം അത്ര പരിശുദ്ധമല്ല എന്ന് തിരച്ചറിവ് വേണമെന്ന ബോധ്യം വായനക്കാരന് സമ്മാനിക്കുകയാണ്.
ആകെ ഉള്ളത് ഒരു ആകാംഷയാണ്. വഞ്ചയൂരിലെ അഭിഭാഷക റിപ്പബ്ലിക്കിൽ ഉണ്ടായ അഭിഭാഷക മജിസ്ട്രേറ്റ് പിണക്കം നടന്നതിന് ശേഷമാണ്
അരുൺ ഷൂരിയ ഇതെയഴുതിയതെങ്കിലും ഏത് വാക്കിന്റെ ഔചിത്യം ഉപയോഗിച്ചാണ് പരിഹസിക്കുക എന്നത് മാത്രം.
പണവും പവറും കാലക്കേടും അടിച്ചേൽപ്പിക്കുന്ന അതിക്രമങ്ങളെ
നേരിടാൻ സാധാരണക്കാരന്റെ മുന്നിലുള്ള ആശ്രയം.
അതുകൊണ്ടാണ് നിഷ്പക്ഷമായ നീതി ന്യായ വ്യവസ്ഥ
ഓരോ നാടിന്റെയും അഭിവാജ്യ ഘടകമാകുന്നത്.
ഇപ്പറയുന്ന സാധനം ഇന്ത്യയിൽ ഫലപ്രദമായി നിറവേറ്റപ്പെടുന്നില്ല
എന്ന് ബോധ്യപ്പെട്ട് അരിശം കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്പോഴാണ്
അനിത ഗെറ്റ്സ് ബെയ്ൽ എന്ന പുസ്തകം കണ്ണിലുടക്കിയത്.
കണ്ണുകെട്ടി നിൽക്കുന്ന നീതി ദേവതയുടെ തുലാസ്
ഭരണകൂടത്തിനും ഭരണകൂട തൽപരർക്കും അനകൂലമായി
ഒരു കൂസലുമില്ലാതെ ചാഞ്ഞു നിക്കുമ്പോൾ അരുൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ
'ഒടുവില് അനിതയ്ക്ക് ജാമ്യം കിട്ടി' എന്ന വിമർശനത്തിന് ഏറെ പ്രസക്തിയുണ്ട്.
ജനാധിപത്യത്തെ താങ്ങി നിർത്തുന്ന സ്തഭംങ്ങളിലൊന്നിനാണ് ബലക്ഷയം
സംഭവിക്കുന്നതെന്ന് ബോധ്യപ്പെടുത്തും വിധം വിശകലനങ്ങലും
പരിഹാസങ്ങളും നൊന്പരങ്ങളും ലളിതമായി വിവരിക്കുന്നതാണ് അരൂൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ രചന.
ദുർബലന്റെ ആശ്രയ കേന്ദ്രത്തിന് ബലക്ഷയം സംഭവിക്കുന്പോൾ
തോൽക്കുന്നത് നീതി ന്യായ വ്യവസ്ഥ മാത്രമല്ല. പാവപ്പെട്ടവന്റെ വിശ്വാസമാണ്.
സത്യം ജയിക്കുമെന്ന ആത്മവിശ്വാസം കൂടിയാണ്.
നിയമത്തെ തെറ്റായി വ്യാഖാനിക്കുക. പണവും അധികാരവും ദുർവിനിയോഗം ചെയ്ത് നീതി നിർവഹണം അട്ടിമറിക്കുക.
സുപ്രീംകോടതികളില് പോലും ന്യായാധിപന്മാർ അഴിമതി ആരോപണ വിധേയരാവുക.
മിച്ച ശന്പളവും പദവിയും സൗകര്യങ്ങളും നൽകി ഒരു തൊഴിലേൽപ്പിച്ചത്
മറ്റൊന്നിലും വശംവതരാകാതെ, നിയമവും നീതിയും ഇഴകീറി പരിശോധിച്ച്,
നീതി നടപ്പിലാക്കാനും അതിന് ഉത്തരവിടാനുമാണെന്ന് മറക്കുന്ന സമൂഹമാണ്
ഇന്നത്തെ ജുഡീഷ്യറിലെ പലരുമെന്ന നീരീക്ഷണം കാണാം അനിത ഗെറ്റ്സ ബെയ്ലിൽ.
ഒറ്റവാചകത്തിൽ പറഞ്ഞാൽ ഇന്ത്യൻ നീതി ന്യായ വ്യവസ്ഥയെ പ്രതിക്കൂട്ടി നിർത്തുന്ന പുസ്തകം.
ന്യായാധിപ നിയമനത്തിലെ അധികാരികളുടെ കൈ കടത്തലുകൾ,
ജഡ്ജിമാരെ സ്റ്റേസ്റ്റിന്റെ ഇംഗിതത്തിനായി പരിവപ്പെടുത്തലടക്കം നടക്കുന്ന
സാഹചര്യങ്ങളിൽ, നീതി നിർവഹണം അപകടത്തിലാണെന്ന് വിളിച്ചു പറയുന്നു
അരുൺഷൂരി. ഒപ്പം ജുഡീഷ്യറിയുടെ പ്രവർത്തനം അടിമുടി മാറണമെന്ന ഗ്രന്ഥകാരൻ
അതിയായി ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. വായനക്കാരനും ആ തോന്നൽ സമ്മാനിക്കാനും
അരുൺ ഷൂരിക്ക് കഴിയുന്നുണ്ട്.
ഹൃദയം കൊണ്ടൊരു തലക്കെട്ട്
....
കേസുകൾ ഇഴകീറി പരിശോധിച്ചാണ് അരുൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ ചോദ്യ ശരങ്ങൾ .
കോടതി വ്യവഹാരത്തിന്റെ ഭാഷയോടാണ് അരുൺ ഷൂരിക്ക് വലിയ അവമതിപ്പ് ഉള്ളത്.
ഭാഷയും വ്യാകരണവും ലളിതമായി ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്ന കാലത്ത് കോടതി ഭാഷ പക്ഷേ അങ്ങനെയല്ല.
സാധാരണക്കാരന് എളുപ്പം മനസ്സിലാകില്ലെ കോടതി ഭാഷയെങ്കിൽ ഒന്നാം നീതി നിഷേധം
അതു തന്നെയല്ലേ എന്ന പരിഹാസം അരുൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ വരികളിൽ ഉടനീളം കാണാം.
കോടതിക്ക് അകത്തെ ചിട്ടവട്ടങ്ങൾ , കലാപരിപാടികൾ ഒട്ടും ആകർഷണീയമല്ല എന്നാണ്
അരൂൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ പക്ഷം. സാധാരണക്കാരന്റെ മതിപ്പ് പിടിച്ചു പറ്റുന്നതല്ല കോടതിമുറിയെന്ന്
ഷൂരി സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്ന് സ്വന്തം കോടതി അനുഭവത്തിൽ നിന്ന് തന്നെയാണ്.
സ്വന്തം കോടതി അനുഭവമാണ് പുസ്തകത്തിന് തലക്കെട്ടായതും.
'അനിത ഗെറ്റ്സ് ബെയ്ല്'.
അരുൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ ഭാര്യയാണ് അനിത. പാർക്കിൻസൺ രോഗബാധിച്ച് കിടപ്പിൽ.
2013 ല് ഫരീദാബാദ് കോടതിയിൽ നിന്ന് അനിതയ്ക്കൊരു അറസ്റ്റ് വാറണ്ട് വരുന്നു.
ദില്ലി അരാവലിയില് ചട്ടലംഘനം നടത്തി ഫാം ഹൗസ് നിർമ്മിച്ചെന്നാണ് കുറ്റം.
ഫാം ഹൗസ് പാരിസ്ഥിതിക പ്രശ്നങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നു എന്നതടക്കം കുറ്റങ്ങൾ.
തൊണ്ണറുകളിൽ അനിതയുടെ പേരിലുണ്ടായിരുന്ന ഒരു ഭൂമി .
2008 ൽ അവര് മറ്റാർക്കോ വിൽക്കുന്നു; ഒരു കൂരപോലും പണിയാതെ.
എന്നിട്ടാണ് പരിസ്ഥിതിക്ക് ദോഷമുണ്ടാക്കുവിധം നിർമ്മാണം
നടത്തിയെന്ന പേരിൽ കേസും അറസ്റ്റ് വാറണ്ടു.
അനിതയുടെ നിരപരാധിത്വം തെളിയിക്കുന്ന രേഖകൾ പലത് സമർപ്പിച്ചു.
കോടതി ഒന്നും പരിശോധിച്ചില്ല. പാർക്കിസൻ രോഗം ബാധിച്ച കിടക്കുന്ന അനിത നേരിട്ട് ഹാജരാകണം എന്നായിരുന്ന ശാഠ്യം .
രോഗിയായ അനിതയുമായി അരൂൺ ഷൂരിയുടെ കോടതി വരാന്തകളിലെ കാത്തു നിൽപ്പ് .
കോടതി മുറികളിലെ വിചാരണ, ദുരിതം അനുഭവിക്കുന്നത് ഇല്ലാക്കുറ്റത്തിന്റെ പേരിൽ.
ഭൂമി വിറ്റതിന്റെ രേഖകൾ ഒറ്റയടിക്ക് പരിശോധിച്ചിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ തള്ളിക്കളാമായിരുന്ന ഒരു
കേസ് രണ്ട് വർഷം നീണ്ടു പോകുന്നു. ഒടുവില് അനിതയ്ക്ക് ജാമ്യം കിട്ടു. നിരപരാധിത്വം തെളിയിക്കുന്നു.
അതാണ് അനിത ഗെറ്റ്സ് ബെയിലെന്ന് പേരിലെത്തിച്ചത്.
കക്ഷികൾ ഹാജരാകാത്ത സാഹചര്യം, കോടതി അവധികള്. പല കാരണങ്ങൾ കൊണ്ട് നീണ്ടു പോകുന്ന
നീതി നിഷേധം ആദ്യ അധ്യായത്തിൽ തന്നെ കാണാം.
ജയലളിതുയായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട അഴിമതിക്കേസും അരുൺ ഷൂരി വിശകലനം ചെയ്യുന്നുണ്ട്.
വിധിക്ക് മേൽ അപ്പീലുകൾ സമര്പ്പിച്ച് അന്തിമ വിധി വരുന്പോൾ ജയലളിത വിധക്ക് കീഴടങ്ങിയിരുന്നു.
കാല താമസം ഇങ്ങനെ എത്രപേരെ രക്ഷിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. എത്ര പേരെ ശിക്ഷിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്.
ഇന്ത്യൻ നീതി ന്യായ വ്യവസ്ഥയിലെ കാലതാമസം സത്യം കണ്ടെത്താനാണ് എന്നാശ്വസിച്ചു പോകുന്നത്
വല്ലാത്ത ദ്രാവിഡാണ്. അതിന്റെ മറവില് തഴച്ചു വളരുന്നത് അഭിഭാഷക വൃത്തിയെന്ന വ്യവസായമാണ്.
കക്ഷികള്ക്ക് ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നത് വലിയ സാന്പത്തിക നഷ്ടവും. ഇങ്ങനെ വരെ ചിന്തിപ്പിച്ച് കളയും
കൂടുതൽ താളുകൾ മറിക്കുന്പോൾ.
നീതി നിഷേധമാണ് ബദിൽ വഴികളെ തേടാൻ ഇരകളെ പ്രേരിപ്പിക്കുന്നത് എന്നൊരു സാമൂഹിക നീരീക്ഷണമുണ്ട്.
അരൂൺ ഷൂരിക്കും ആ അഭിപ്രായമുണ്ട്. ഭീകരമാവദം പോലും എവിടെയോ നിഷേധിക്കപ്പെട്ട നീതിയിൽ
നിന്ന് ഉണ്ടായതാണെന്ന്.
സത്യത്തിൽ വിശ്വസിക്കുക. ആളു തരവും നോക്കാതെ നീതി നടപ്പിലാക്കുക, തർക്കങ്ങളിൽ തീർപ്പ് കൽപ്പിക്ക എന്നവയക്ക് വേണ്ടിയാണ്
നീതി ദേവതയുടെ കണ്ണ് കെട്ടിയതെന്നാണ് ആലങ്കാരിക പ്രയോഗം. പക്ഷേ, അന്ധത ബാധിച്ച നീതി ദേവതയാണ് ഇന്നുള്ളതെന്ന്
പുസ്തകം പറയുന്നു. ഇന്ത്യൻ ജൂഡീഷ്യറി നേരിടുന്ന അപചയങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള തുറന്നു പറച്ചിലുകൾ ഓരോ അധ്യായത്തിലും കാണാം.
കീഴ്ക്കോടതി തൊട്ട് സുപ്രീംകോടതി വരെ നീളുന്ന പിഴവുകളുടെ ഘോഷയാത്രയാണ് അതിൽ ഏറെ രസകരം.
പരിഹാസ്യമായ വിധി ന്യായങ്ങളാണ് ഷൂരി പഠന വിധേയമാക്കുന്നണ്ട്.
വഴിതെറ്റിപ്പോകുന്ന ജഡ്ജിമാർ
....
സോമച്ച് സയൻസ് എന്ന തലക്കെട്ടിലാണ് പരിഹാസം.
കോടതി വിധികളില് ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്ന ഗ്രാൻഡ് ലിക്വൻസ് സാധാരണക്കാരെ നിയമത്തിൽ നിന്ന് അകറ്റി നിർത്തും എന്ന് വിമർശിക്കുന്ന ഷൂരി.
അത്യാവശ്യത്തിനും ആവശ്യത്തിനും അനാവശ്യത്തിനും സ്ഥാനത്തും അസ്ഥാനത്തും കഥയും കവിതയും പതിരുള്ളതെും ഇല്ലാത്തുമായ ചൊല്ലുകളും,
ബൈബിളും ഖുർആനും ഗീതയും ഈ വായിൽ കൊള്ളാത്ത തലയിൽ കേറാത്ത വാക് ധോരണികളൊക്കെ വിധി ന്യായത്തിൽ പറയും.
പറഞ്ഞ് വക്കീലത് വായിച്ച് മനസ്സിലാക്കി ക്ലൈന്റിനെ പറഞ്ഞ് മനസ്സിലാക്കാൻ അധിക സമയമെടുക്കുന്നുണ്ടിയും വരും.
അതുമൊരു തലത്തിൽ നീതി വൈകിപ്പിക്കേലല്ലേ എന്ന് വായനക്കാരനെ തോന്നിപ്പിക്കും വിധം പക്വമാണ് ഷൂരിയുടെ വിമര്ശനങ്ങൾ.
രസകരമായ ഒരുസംഭവം.
.....
രാജസ്ഥാനിലെ ബുണ്ടിയിൽ ഒരു സ്കൂൾ വളപ്പിൽ 12 മയിലുകളെ ചത്തതായി കണ്ടെത്തി.
പതിനേഴ് വയസ്സുകാരനായിരുന്നു കുറ്റാരോപിതൻ. കേസിന്റെ വിധിയ പറയുന്നത് കൃഷ്ണ ഭക്തൻ കൂടിയായ രാജസ്ഥാൻ ഹൈക്കോടതി ജഡ്ജി മഹേഷ് ശർമ്മ.
ബ്രഹ്മചാരിയായ ആൺമയിലിന്റെ കണ്ണീർ നുകർന്നാണ് പെൺമയിൽ ഗർഭം ധരിക്കുന്നതെന്ന് പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു.
( എത്ര വിഢിത്തിം ഒളിഞ്ഞു കിടക്കുന്ന പ്രസ്താവന ആളിത് പ്രജനനം ഇല്ല. മു���്ടയില്ല. പകരം പ്രസവം. )
ആധുനിക ശാസ്ത്രത്തിന്റെ സകല തെളിവുകളേയും തള്ളിക്കളഞ്ഞ് മറ്റൊരു മഹാ വിധിയും ഇതേ ജഡ്ജി നടത്തിയിട്ടുണ്ട്,
ഈ ജന്മത്തിലെ രോഗങ്ങൾ മാറാനും മുൻജന്മത്തിലെ പാപങ്ങൾ നീങ്ങാനും ഗോമൂത്രം ബെസ്റ്റെന്നും അതിനാൽ പശുക്കളെ സംരക്ഷിക്കണം എന്നായിരുന്നു ആ സുന്ദര സുരഭില വിധി.
( അത് ടൈപ്പ് ചെയ്ത സ്റ്റെനോഗ്രാഫറുടെ കാര്യം ഓർത്തു നോക്കൂ..)
ജയ്പ്പൂർ മുൻസിപ്പൽ ഗോ ഷാലയിലെ പശുപരിപാലനം ഫണ്ടില്ലാത്തതിനാൽ വളരെ പരിതാപകരമാണെന്ന മൃഗ സ്നേഹികളുടെ ഹർജിയെ തുടർന്നുണ്ടായ ഉത്തരവിലെ വിശദ്ധവാക്യമായിരുന്നു അത്.
വിധി സാഹിത്യം
.......
പുസ്തകത്തിന്റെ ഒന്പതാം അധ്യായത്തില് മലയാളി കൂടിയായിരുന്ന വി.ആർ കൃഷ്ണയ്യരെ കാണാൻ പോയ അനുഭവം താലോലിച്ചെഴുതിയിട്ടുണ്ട്
.ഒരു പരിപാടിക്ക് ക്ഷണികാൻ പോയതാണ്.അരും ഷൂരി വീട്ടിലേക്ക് കയറി ചെല്ലുന്പോൾ, കാഴ്ച ഇങ്ങനെ; ലുങ്കി ഉടുത്ത് ഒരു ഷർട്ടുമിട്ട് വരാന്തയിലെ ചാരുകസേരയിൽ ചിന്താ വിഷ്ടനായി ഇരിക്കുന്നു.
കയ്യെത്തും ദൂരത്തുള്ള മേശയില് കേസുകെട്ടുകളുണ്ട്, രണ്ടോ മൂന്നോ നിഘണ്ടു. അതേ പോലെ, പര്യായ പദങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള ശൈലീ നിഘണ്ടുവും.
സ്റ്റെനോ ഗ്രഫർക്ക് ഏതോ കേസിന്റെ വിധി ന്യായം പറഞ്ഞു കൊടുക്കുകയാണ മൂപ്പർ. പറഞ്ഞു കൊടുക്കുന്നതിനിടയി ൽ ഇടയ്ക്കൊന്ന് നിർത്തുമത്രെ.
എന്നിട്ട് പര്യായ പദം പരതി, വാക്ക് തിരികി കയറ്റും. ഇതാണ് വി ആർ കൃഷ്ണയ്യരുടെ വിധി ന്യായത്തിലെ ഭാഷ നൈപുണ്യത്തിന്റെ സൂത്രമെന്ന് അരുൺ പരിഹസിക്കുന്നു.
കൃഷ്ണയ്യരുടെ വിധി സാഹിത്യം വിധി ന്യായങ്ങൾ മനസ്സിലാക്കന്നതിന് വലിയ പ്രതിസന്ധി സൃഷ്ടിച്ചിരുന്ന കാര്യം വെറുതയല്ലെന്ന് അരും ഷൂരി ഓർത്തെഴുതി.
കോടതി മുറികൾക്കകത്തെ നിശബ്ദദത മാത്രമല്ല, അവിടെ ഇരിക്കുന്നവരെട തലയിലെ ശ്യൂന്യതെയ കൂടിയാണ് അരും ഷൂരി വിമർശിക്കുന്നത്.
രാജ്യം നേരിടുന്ന പുതിയ വെല്ലുവിളികളുടെ പശ്ചാതലത്തിൽ , നിയമ വ്യവസ്ഥയുടെ സുത്യാര്യതയെ കുറിച്ച് സംശയമുള്ള കാലത്ത്
അനിതെ ഗെറ്റ്സ ബെയിൽ ഒരു മുഴക്കമാണ്. നിങ്ങൾ നീതി തേടുന്നിടം അത്ര പരിശുദ്ധമല്ല എന്ന് തിരച്ചറിവ് വേണമെന്ന ബോധ്യം വായനക്കാരന് സമ്മാനിക്കുകയാണ്.
ആകെ ഉള്ളത് ഒരു ആകാംഷയാണ്. വഞ്ചയൂരിലെ അഭിഭാഷക റിപ്പബ്ലിക്കിൽ ഉണ്ടായ അഭിഭാഷക മജിസ്ട്രേറ്റ് പിണക്കം നടന്നതിന് ശേഷമാണ്
അരുൺ ഷൂരിയ ഇതെയഴുതിയതെങ്കിലും ഏത് വാക്കിന്റെ ഔചിത്യം ഉപയോഗിച്ചാണ് പരിഹസിക്കുക എന്നത് മാത്രം.
October 30, 2025
The book is a must read for those who are part of the legal world and also for ones not part of it. Highly recommended for students of law. The initial chapter of the book explores into Arun Shourie's personal experience in a case involving his wife as one of the accused and points out how one has to go through the painful and slow process of litigation.
Further, J. Jayalalithaa's (former CM of Tamil Nadu) disproportionate assets case, which took 20 years for our justice system to go all the way from trial court to Supreme Court, was discussed in great detail. The author highlights the intricacies that exist within the legal system used as a tool by the rich to prolong the litigation for longer periods. The author suggests levying hefty costs upon the litigants and lawyers who bring vexatious and speculative claims and defenses before the court.
Arun ji explored the importance of judicial activism and how the directions from the Apex court in the case of the National Police Commission (established to review and reform the police system) are openly flouted and disobeyed by the states. This type of disregarding the orders of the Supreme Court by states can be seen in many instances in environmental cases.
The interesting part comes with the parts of the book discussing persons holding the position in the constitutional court involved in corruption and the language used by justices in their judgements to extent one has to use thesaurus to understand them.
The concept of degree of separation states that if a ship or vessel deviates one degree from its course, it will drift from its intended path, and as the journey continues, the ship will deviate further (resulting in a ship travelling from the port of Mumbai to Port Blair ending up in Thailand or Malaysia). The same can be inferred in following chapters of the book, where the Apex court opens a Pandora's box while adjudicating an issue without proper course, which results in further clarifications, modifications, variations, and nullification, which is a sign of expanding the litigation.
Finally, The DK Basu case is a classical example of judicial activism in which the Apex court with respect to custodial violence (including death) issued 11 guidelines (rights of arrested persons) for all states and additional guidelines for the establishment of State Human Rights Commissions. Arun ji provided a fresh perspective on the same case in final chapter.
Further, J. Jayalalithaa's (former CM of Tamil Nadu) disproportionate assets case, which took 20 years for our justice system to go all the way from trial court to Supreme Court, was discussed in great detail. The author highlights the intricacies that exist within the legal system used as a tool by the rich to prolong the litigation for longer periods. The author suggests levying hefty costs upon the litigants and lawyers who bring vexatious and speculative claims and defenses before the court.
Arun ji explored the importance of judicial activism and how the directions from the Apex court in the case of the National Police Commission (established to review and reform the police system) are openly flouted and disobeyed by the states. This type of disregarding the orders of the Supreme Court by states can be seen in many instances in environmental cases.
The interesting part comes with the parts of the book discussing persons holding the position in the constitutional court involved in corruption and the language used by justices in their judgements to extent one has to use thesaurus to understand them.
The concept of degree of separation states that if a ship or vessel deviates one degree from its course, it will drift from its intended path, and as the journey continues, the ship will deviate further (resulting in a ship travelling from the port of Mumbai to Port Blair ending up in Thailand or Malaysia). The same can be inferred in following chapters of the book, where the Apex court opens a Pandora's box while adjudicating an issue without proper course, which results in further clarifications, modifications, variations, and nullification, which is a sign of expanding the litigation.
Finally, The DK Basu case is a classical example of judicial activism in which the Apex court with respect to custodial violence (including death) issued 11 guidelines (rights of arrested persons) for all states and additional guidelines for the establishment of State Human Rights Commissions. Arun ji provided a fresh perspective on the same case in final chapter.
April 25, 2020
A renowned author, known for his in-depth study and integrity has made one more attempt. This book belongs to genera of serious academic work, combined with fearless observations. This is a book, which dwarfs all the well-known academicians of India.
As you can see three parts in the title of the book, similarly book starts with authors struggle to get bail for his wife, it’s a tryst with the judicial system of India. Later parts deal with adventures and misadventures of Indian Judiciary.
Author has discharged his duty under three of the four pillars of Indian democracy, as a Journalist and as a minister (also as legislature). He is known for right leanings in his writings and speeches. But this book exhibits most balanced commentaries on the Indian Judiciary.
Some authors keep readers in mind while writing the book, but some shows more loyalty to subject rather than readers. This is one such book which is loyal to subject, and subject only. This book contains pages and pages of judgments produced from original text. This makes reading laborious. The author’s main attempt is to convey the message; he has sacrificed continuity and engrossing reading and made way for contents.
However, the research is impeccable. Most part of the book is must read for advocates and students of law. The collection of Judgments showing flaws with functioning of judiciary is goldmine for researcher.
The book paints a dark sky. But it also flashes numerous stars in the dark sky. He has shown the power of honesty. How honesty of one person can derail the meticulous plan of 100 strong and well-connected persons. this has happened again and again throughout the book.
The book is non-fictional, contemporary and wrote with the intention of highlighting flaws and suggested changes in Indian judiicary. This book demands patience, but the reader who wades through the pages of this book, will come out as a learned person.
As you can see three parts in the title of the book, similarly book starts with authors struggle to get bail for his wife, it’s a tryst with the judicial system of India. Later parts deal with adventures and misadventures of Indian Judiciary.
Author has discharged his duty under three of the four pillars of Indian democracy, as a Journalist and as a minister (also as legislature). He is known for right leanings in his writings and speeches. But this book exhibits most balanced commentaries on the Indian Judiciary.
Some authors keep readers in mind while writing the book, but some shows more loyalty to subject rather than readers. This is one such book which is loyal to subject, and subject only. This book contains pages and pages of judgments produced from original text. This makes reading laborious. The author’s main attempt is to convey the message; he has sacrificed continuity and engrossing reading and made way for contents.
However, the research is impeccable. Most part of the book is must read for advocates and students of law. The collection of Judgments showing flaws with functioning of judiciary is goldmine for researcher.
The book paints a dark sky. But it also flashes numerous stars in the dark sky. He has shown the power of honesty. How honesty of one person can derail the meticulous plan of 100 strong and well-connected persons. this has happened again and again throughout the book.
The book is non-fictional, contemporary and wrote with the intention of highlighting flaws and suggested changes in Indian judiicary. This book demands patience, but the reader who wades through the pages of this book, will come out as a learned person.
February 6, 2020
A masterful treatise dealing with the surprising aberrations in India's justice system. The pertinent observations and sharp witticisms contained in this book, lay bare the fallacies of the manner in which justice is meted out in India. Mr. Shourie charts out the inconsistencies in the procedure followed by various courts in dealing with various notable trials and other instances where the law of the land was called into question. We are taken into the depth and detail of cases ranging from the Jayalalithaa trial to the murder of Justice Loya.
One will learn about how certain laws come to attain the hallowed position of being 'settled positions' of law despite the fact that the very germination of such positions are mired in controversy and uncertainty. One will also feel the reach and grasp of the law, and how certain legal pronouncements by courts transcend both time and place to ensnare their tentacles around people caught in situations which were never fathomed by either the people passing the law or those who later interpreted it.
The author's piercing gaze doesn't fail to point out even the most minor of errors in the courts' actions/reasoning in these cases, thus making this book a must-read for both lawyers and laymen. The language used in this book is easy to understand for a layman, yet having the technical astuteness which will be appreciated by the legal community.
Being a practicing lawyer, I have felt several of my thoughts about the justice system being echoed by Mr. Shourie through his criticism of it. Sadly, I feel several fears which regular people have about our courts are brought to life and reaffirmed by the truthfulness of this critical treatise.
One will learn about how certain laws come to attain the hallowed position of being 'settled positions' of law despite the fact that the very germination of such positions are mired in controversy and uncertainty. One will also feel the reach and grasp of the law, and how certain legal pronouncements by courts transcend both time and place to ensnare their tentacles around people caught in situations which were never fathomed by either the people passing the law or those who later interpreted it.
The author's piercing gaze doesn't fail to point out even the most minor of errors in the courts' actions/reasoning in these cases, thus making this book a must-read for both lawyers and laymen. The language used in this book is easy to understand for a layman, yet having the technical astuteness which will be appreciated by the legal community.
Being a practicing lawyer, I have felt several of my thoughts about the justice system being echoed by Mr. Shourie through his criticism of it. Sadly, I feel several fears which regular people have about our courts are brought to life and reaffirmed by the truthfulness of this critical treatise.
May 27, 2021
4.5 stars actually. Overall an interesting read with episodes that leave one dumbfounded at the state of some members of the esteemed higher judiciary and their decrees. The book slightly predates the current phase where the neutrality of higher courts has come into question repeatedly. Yet there are numerous examples of biasness, incompetence and impropriety that make one realize that by being away from reporting at large, the judiciary often gets away with a lot of flak.
A chapter on judicial selections (kith & kin) with some data that Mr. Shourie's meticulous research can easily churn up, would have nicely rounded up the entire scene.
Only blip are the long passages of court judgements that, though produce the intended effect of cringe and boredom, are difficult to get through.
If you have ever wondered about the possibility of justice in this country, go for it.
A chapter on judicial selections (kith & kin) with some data that Mr. Shourie's meticulous research can easily churn up, would have nicely rounded up the entire scene.
Only blip are the long passages of court judgements that, though produce the intended effect of cringe and boredom, are difficult to get through.
If you have ever wondered about the possibility of justice in this country, go for it.
April 25, 2020
Mandatory reading for every citizen of the Democratic Republic of India.
Arun Shourie, ex-Minister in the Vajpayee era NDA government, journalist & Economist, through very lucid prose takes us through the judgements of the venerable judicial system of India and explains to laymen what is not working in the judiciary. Deciphering court judgements is an arduous task for someone who doesn't understand the nuances of the law but if you stay with the prose, Mr Arun explains it clearly to you and what that means for the freedom you enjoy in this great democracy of India.
In the age of Twitter and hashtag journalism, important issues like what ails our judiciary get drowned amongst the noise. Some of the judgements that are studied are funny and some are downright head-scratchingly weird but more importantly some of them make you question yourself, that if you ever need to ask for justice from our courts, will you see justice be done and in a timely fashion ? That's the question you will ask yourself at the end of this book.
Kudos to Arun Shourie.
Arun Shourie, ex-Minister in the Vajpayee era NDA government, journalist & Economist, through very lucid prose takes us through the judgements of the venerable judicial system of India and explains to laymen what is not working in the judiciary. Deciphering court judgements is an arduous task for someone who doesn't understand the nuances of the law but if you stay with the prose, Mr Arun explains it clearly to you and what that means for the freedom you enjoy in this great democracy of India.
In the age of Twitter and hashtag journalism, important issues like what ails our judiciary get drowned amongst the noise. Some of the judgements that are studied are funny and some are downright head-scratchingly weird but more importantly some of them make you question yourself, that if you ever need to ask for justice from our courts, will you see justice be done and in a timely fashion ? That's the question you will ask yourself at the end of this book.
Kudos to Arun Shourie.
February 18, 2021
Most of us know or atleast would have a broad idea as to how Indian courts function. Undue delays, huge costs, multiple adjournments and resulting frustrations are some of the characteristics that define our Judiciary. While we accord great respect and look up to courts, are they living up to the expectations? Are they delivering the right judgements and more importantly, are they monitoring the adherence to such orders issued by them? Arun Shourie raises more such relevant and valid concerns in his book “Anita Gets Bail- What are our Courts doing and What should we do about them. “
Read my full review here: https://www.mindchirps.com/blog/book-...
Read my full review here: https://www.mindchirps.com/blog/book-...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews