The Legal Today

Other Alternatives to a Private Member’s Bill If you cannot find or contact any Member of Parliament (MP) willing to introduce a Private Members’ Bill, several lawful and effective alternative routes remain available. Under Article 107(1) of the Constitution of India, only an MP can introduce a Bill, whether a Government Bill or a Private Members’ Bill, in either House of Parliament. Thus, a private citizen, advocate, NGO, or institution cannot directly introduce a Bill in Parliament. However, there exist indirect yet powerful mechanisms through which your draft Bill can still reach Parliament. A. When You Cannot Reach an MP Directly You may submit your draft Bill to the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, with a request that it be circulated to MPs who may be interested in sponsoring it. B. Write to Constitutional and Parliamentary Authorities You can formally approach the following authorities with: Your draft Bill, A cover letter, An explanatory note. Authorities you ...

Supreme Court on Touts in Courts 1. Haryana State vs. Bhajan Lal AIR 1992 SC 604 Though primarily on abuse of process of law, the Court emphasized the sanctity of judicial institutions and condemned practices undermining the integrity of the legal process, which includes touting. 2. Bar Council of India vs. High Court of Kerala (2004) 6 SCC 311 The Supreme Court acknowledged the menace of touts operating in and around court premises. It observed that: Touting brings disrepute to the legal profession. State Bar Councils, along with judicial authorities, must take concrete steps to identify and eliminate touts. The Court upheld the power of the judiciary to regulate entry into court premises, including measures to prevent unauthorized agents or touts from influencing litigants. 3. Section 36 of the Legal Practitioners Act, 1879 (Still Applicable in Some States) Recognized by courts as valid statutory authority to prepare and maintain a list of touts, after following due process. Magistra...

Admissibility and Evidentiary Value of a Notarized Document: Requirement of Proper Exhibition and Proof 1. Introduction In civil and criminal proceedings across Indian courts, notarized documents are frequently relied upon as supporting evidence. Parties often assume that notarization by a Notary Public itself renders a document “proved” or automatically admissible. This assumption, however, is legally unsustainable. The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and judicial precedents make it clear that while notarization may create a presumption regarding the execution of the document, it does not dispense with the mandatory requirement of proving the document by legally admissible evidence. A notarized document must be produced, marked as an exhibit, and proved through proper evidentiary procedure, especially when the execution or contents of the document are in dispute. This article examines the statutory principles and authoritative judicial pronouncements governing the admissibility of notarized...