-The Economic Times   The impending shortage of judges in the Supreme Court might grab headlines. But it is only the most visible aspect of a problem that ails our entire judicial system, right from the lowest to the highest level: the acute shortage of judges. So, come October, when seven of the judges of the apex court are due to retire, the Supreme Court will find itself functioning with less than 75%...

-The Times of India   The Anna Hazare-led civil society movement cannot be faulted for having come up with its version of the Lokpal Bill, because otherwise it would have been accused of campaigning for something essentially negative - the withdrawal of the flawed government version without putting forward an alternative. Frustration with everyday corruption - as well as the spectacular kind that explodes in the public sphere ever so often (...

Is the Bill within the legislative competence of Parliament? Yes. All provisions in Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill are within the legislative competence of Parliament, including the provisions relating to Lokayuktas in the States. Some confusion is being spread in the media that Parliament cannot enact all the provisions of the Jan Lokpal Bill, particularly those relating to the Lokayuktas in the States, a law for which will have to be...

Though Greater Noida Authority claims to have reached an 'out-of-court settlement' with Patwari villagers, over a dozen writ petitions have been filed in Allahabad High Court rejecting the same 'pact'. Farmers have rejected the deal and have appealed to the court that they be given their land back. "I have filed writ petitions on behalf of around 20 villagers from Patwari who have rejected the settlement and have claimed their land...

-ANI   Defending the Central Government, Union Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid has clarified that the notice issued by the income tax department to civil society activist Arvind Kejriwal was not an act of vendetta. "Please do not see this as an act of enmity with Arvind Kejriwal. The government respects all those who are trying to bring about a change in the country and spread awareness and enlighten the people of...