Legal Notes - July 2019

Does a track record of only four death penalties since the inscription of the Constitution of India create the fear of the law in the eyes of the citizens? While countries across the world are banning this form of punishment, why is India still practicing it? With figures nowhere near the countries that give out the death penalty, is it time to question the validity of such sentences? But then how would a balance be maintained in providing justice to a victim's family and the collective conscience of a society? The cover story in the July issue of Legal Notes presents these and many other complex issues giving a complete scenario about the death penalty in India. In addition, a PIL has been filed for the protection of endangered lions dying unnatural deaths in the Gir sanctuary. Legal Notes traces this PIL and another filed last year (for elephants), giving a perspective on the inhumane approach used by authorities in "protecting" these endangered species. On the international front, California passed a new act that prohibits discrimination based on hair and the Pakistan judiciary is going through its déjà vu moment where a reference has been made against the proposed Chief Justice of Pakistan. Plus all the regular features.