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Technology & LawVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–19

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Rethinking Alternative Dispute Resolution For Consumer Justice In Ai-Enabled Financial Advice In India

Abhishree BasavannaSep 20, 202610.5281/zenodo.22856632

The blend of artificial intelligence (AI) into financial advisory assistance has substantially reshaped the facilities of investment advice, portfolio management, credit assessment and financial planning in India. AI-enabled services, such as robo-advisors and algorithm-driven financial tools. These services promise streamlined, economical and customized decision processes. Although, the gradual increase in the reliance on automated financial advice also amplifies the serious concerns for consumer justice, especially with respect to the algorithmic opacity, biased outcomes, data misuse, deceptive sales tactics and ambiguous attribution of liability in cases of financial harm. Traditional litigation mechanisms are often inadequately equipped to address these challenges that come about from AI-enabled financial services due to their technical complexity, prolonged timelines and gaps in domain-specific judicial expertise in algorithmic decision-making. Consequently, consumers may experience crucial limitations in accessing timely and effective remedies. This paper advances the view that Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) presents a practical and prospective framework to tackle consumer complaints in AI-enabled financial advice. However, provided it is revisited to manage such challenges arising from algorithmic systems. The study analyses remodelling the outlook of AI-powered financial advisory services in India. It also looks into the fundamental consumer safeguards from the challenges posed by the automated decision-making processes. With reference to the existing regulatory frameworks regulating financial services, consumer protection and data privacy, it emphasises the gaps in dealing with concerns particular to AI-driven financial advice. The analysis is further informed by empirical research on consumer engagement with AI-based financial advisory platforms, where proactive disclosure, clarity of decision-making and answerability concerns are shown through the improved adoption. In light of these circumstances, the paper examines how alternative dispute resolution mechanisms address challenges arising from AI-driven financial advice. The paper explores the development of technology-responsive ADR frameworks, including the establishment of specialized fintech mediation panels and the integration of technical expertise into dispute resolution, complemented by regulatory oversight to ensure fairness and protect consumers. It further draws on comparative insights from international practices in fintech dispute resolution to inform and strengthen the Indian context. The paper discusses that rethinking ADR methods for AI-enabled financial advisory challenges are utmost essential for innovation in digital finance with the necessities of consumer justice. A well-developed, comprehensible and transparent ADR framework can become instrumental in protecting the consumer interests while focusing on the responsible growth of AI-driven financial services in India.

#Alternative Dispute Resolution#Artificial Intelligence#Financial Advisory Services

0 citations0 downloads15 min readPDF Available (19 pages)

Human RightsVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–17

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M.S.S. V Belgium And Greece: Non-Refoulement, Systemic Deficiencies And The Limits Of The Dublin System

Asmi ChahalSep 19, 202610.5281/zenodo.22848151

The case of M.S.S. v. Belgium and Greece was an important one for European asylum and human rights law because it considered the interplay between the Dublin system and the rights of Member States under the European Convention on Human Rights. The European Court of Human Rights, Grand Chamber, found a violation of the applicant's right to life (Article 3) in the context of his detention and conditions in Greece, and held Belgium responsible for his transfer to Greece in the absence of any scant information regarding deficiencies in the Greek asylum system. The Court also held that Article 13 used together with Article 3 was violated because of the lack of effective remedies that can address the risks associated with the transfer. This case commentary focuses on the following three aspects of the application of non-refoulement in Article 3, the restrictions on the mutual trust doctrine within the Dublin system and the role of effective procedural safeguards. It also reflects on the significance of the judgment in the context of European asylum law and practice, especially given the recent case of N.S. v. Secretary of State for the Home Department and Tarakhel v. Switzerland. The commentary claims that M.S.S. continues to show the ongoing significance of inter-individual human rights assessment in frameworks of inter-State responsibility allocation.

#M.s.s. V. Belgium And Greece#Non-refoulement#Article 3 Echr

0 citations2 downloads14 min readPDF Available (17 pages)

PolicyVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–16

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Navigating The Grey: Simplifying The Legal Complexities Of Live-In Relationships And Evolving Jurisprudence

Mr. Anubhav PandeySep 19, 202610.5281/zenodo.22847739

The traditional framework of family law, which has historically linked legal rights and responsibilities to formal marriage, increasingly encounters the realities of contemporary cohabitation. Live-in relationships and other de facto unions challenge a legal framework that does not always provide clear rules concerning maintenance, children’s rights, residence, and property. This article looks at the movement from a mainly formalist and morality-focused model to a functional approach that takes into account the real features of domestic relationships. Using functionalism and social constructivism, the article treats the family both as a legally created status and as a social institution whose meaning is shaped by patterns of cohabitation, economic interdependence, caregiving, and public recognition. It looks at three areas of legal uncertainty: the availability of financial support after separation, the protection of children no matter what the parents’ marital status is, and how property is divided when the formal title does not match the domestic contribution. The article gives attention to the Indian framework under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 and the Supreme Court’s treatment of relationships ‘in the nature of marriage.’ It also references Marvin v. Marvin in the United States and Stack v. Dowden in the United Kingdom for comparison. The article points out gaps that arise because there is no statutory regime for adult cohabitation. These gaps include uncertainty about evidentiary thresholds, property consequences, and the legal effect of commitments. It proposes a three-analytical framework that relies on temporal stability, social manifestation, and economic integration. The article concludes that judicial development can reduce vulnerability. It cannot fully replace clear legislation. Predictability would be enhanced through well-designed agreements of cohabitation and statutory criteria without compromising personal freedom.

#Family Law#De Facto Relationships#Cohabitation

0 citations1 downloads14 min readPDF Available (16 pages)

Social JusticeVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–17

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Reassessing Child-Centred Justice Under The POCSO Act, 2012: Implementation Gaps, Institutional Coordination And Access To Justice In India

Richa ShuklaSep 19, 202610.5281/zenodo.22847802

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) created a specialised legal architecture for responding to sexual offences against persons below eighteen years of age. Yet the existence of a specialised statute does not, by itself, guarantee effective protection. This article reassesses POCSO through the connected stages of disclosure, reporting, investigation, medical and psychosocial support, adjudication and post-trial rehabilitation. It argues that the principal implementation problem is not simply the absence of legal rules but fragmentation across institutions that must act at different stages of the same child-protection pathway. The analysis is doctrinal and qualitative and draws upon the POCSO Act, the POCSO Rules, the post-2019/2020 legal framework, selected Supreme Court decisions, government materials and peer-reviewed scholarship. Recent judicial developments also demonstrate the continuing importance of sensitivity, privacy, fair process and careful interpretation of sexual-offence provisions. The article proposes a six-dimension effectiveness model comprising legal, institutional, procedural, judicial, psychological and rehabilitation dimensions. Rather than treating case registration or conviction as the sole indicators of success, the paper proposes a child-centred outcome framework that asks whether a child can disclose safely, participate without avoidable trauma, obtain timely support and receive meaningful protection after adjudication. The article concludes that implementation should move toward an integrated prevention–protection–prosecution–rehabilitation model supported by continuous training, inter-agency protocols, case-management systems, privacy safeguards and evidence-based evaluation.

#Pocso Act#Child Sexual Abuse#Child-friendly Justice

0 citations1 downloads14 min readPDF Available (17 pages)

Technology & LawVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–28

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Digital Deviance And The Algorithmic Panopticon: A New Criminological Theory Of Machine-Driven Offending And Automated Penal Control

Nikita PawarSep 19, 202610.5281/zenodo.22847662

Background: Foundational criminological paradigms presuppose a human offender, physical space, and human institutions of penal control; autonomous systems and algorithmic governance invalidate each premise. Purpose: This article constructs a unified theory, Algorithmic Strain and Digital Deviance Theory (ASDT), of offending and penal control in human-machine hybrid environments, and tests its evidentiary pillar against the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA). Methodology: The study employs doctrinal analysis of the BSA and comparative liability models, combined with theoretical synthesis of criminological, criminal-law, and forensic literature. Findings: The article develops four constructs (machine autonomy gradient, algorithmic strain, system latency, digital agency) and three propositions: deviance can arise without deviant intent; automated labelling through predictive policing and risk assessment is criminogenic, operating through runaway feedback loops; and synthetic media attacks the truth-seeking function of criminal process at the generation layer, a risk that the custody-based certificate regime of Sections 61 to 63 BSA does not address. Implications: The theory supports a layered doctrine of systemic culpability, a provenance-based authentication model for electronic evidence, and statutory reform covering autonomous systemic harm, algorithmic suspicion safeguards, and institutional epistemic security.

#Algorithmic Criminology#Digital Deviance#Machine Autonomy

0 citations3 downloads14 min readPDF Available (28 pages)

PolicyVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–11

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Cross-Border Consumer Protection In E-Commerce: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Local Consumer Laws Against Fraudulent International Sellers

Riya SinhaSep 18, 202610.5281/zenodo.22834751

The rapid proliferation of global e-commerce has fundamentally transformed consumer behavior, enabling seamless transactions across international borders. However, this digital expansion has simultaneously exposed consumers to heightened risks of cross-border fraudulent practices, including non-delivery of goods, counterfeit products, and deceptive marketing. This paper evaluates the operational effectiveness of domestic (local) consumer protection laws when applied to fraudulent international sellers, with a dedicated focus on the evolving Indian regulatory landscape. By examining jurisdictional hurdles, choice-of-law dilemmas, and the systemic challenges of cross-border enforcement, the research highlights a critical regulatory gap. While domestic frameworks—such as India's Consumer Protection Act, 2019 , the EU's Consumer Rights Directive, or the US Federal Trade Commission guidelines—offer robust internal protections, their extraterritorial enforcement remains severely limited. The study analyzes the pivotal role of international cooperation frameworks alongside specific Indian statutory provisions, concluding that safeguarding the digital marketplace requires a shift from isolated local legislation to harmonized international enforcement mechanisms and decentralized, tech-driven dispute resolution platforms.

#Cross-border E-commerce#Consumer Protection#Online Fraud

0 citations1 downloads14 min readPDF Available (11 pages)

Human RightsVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–17

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Role Of Legal Aid In Safeguarding The Prisoners' Rights In India

Ashish ShuklaSep 18, 202610.5281/zenodo.22828444

The idea of legal aid in India is rooted in the principle of ensuring equal access to justice for everyone, regardless of their financial or social position. This becomes especially important in the context of prisoners, whose basic rights are often at risk within the criminal justice system. A significant share of India’s prison population consists of undertrial prisoners who remain behind bars for long periods, largely due to poverty, lack of education, limited awareness of their rights, and inadequate legal support. Legal aid, recognised under Article 39A of the Constitution and given statutory backing through the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, plays a crucial role in protecting key rights of prisoners. These include the right to a fair and speedy trial, access to bail, the ability to file appeals, and the right to be treated with dignity. The Supreme Court, through decisions such as Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar , Sheela Barse v. State of Maharashtra , and Legal Aid Committee v. Union of India , has firmly established that access to legal aid is an essential part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. However, despite these strong legal foundations, the actual delivery of legal aid continues to face several challenges. There is a shortage of adequately trained lawyers, monitoring mechanisms are weak, many prisoners are unaware of their rights, and administrative delays further slow down the process. Addressing these gaps requires practical steps such as strengthening legal aid clinics within prisons, making use of technology for remote legal consultations, and conducting regular awareness programmes for inmates. When effectively implemented, legal aid not only protects the rights of prisoners but also supports the broader goal of reform and rehabilitation, helping to build a more just and humane criminal justice system in India.

#Legal Aid#Prisoners’ Rights#Criminal Justice System

0 citations0 downloads14 min readPDF Available (17 pages)

Constitutional LawVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–9

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Book Review on A Poision Like No Other By Matt Simon Everywhere And Ungoverned: Micro Plastics, Law, And The Unfinished Argument Of A Poison Like No Other

Avula Vishnu SmaranaSep 18, 202610.5281/zenodo.22834704

This book, A Poison Like No Other: How Microplastics Corrupted Our Planet and Our Bodies by Matt Simon, is not a legal document. It's science reporting; a product of the field visits to sampling sites in the atmosphere and interviews with toxicologists, not case histories or legislation. But the book's argument comes down to a legal question (although the question isn't always stated that way): Can such a diffuse pollutant, so chemically anomalous and so completely integrated into consumer life be controlled by the means already available to democracy? As a science writer at Wired, Simon follows microplastic particles to the ocean, to soil, to the atmosphere, to humans' blood, lungs, and placentas, and then in a fifth chapter, poses the question: "What can be done about it? His response, which comes largely not from his analytical voice, but from the voices of scientists and advocates he interviews, is unequivocal: voluntary measures and individual behavior change is not going to address a problem this large, and its only binding regulation that can work, not consumer regulation. Judith Enck, a former EPA regional administrator, explains to him that "individual consumer action, although good, is insufficient to alter the path [1] . “This is a systemic issue” [2] . [1] Matt Simon, A Poison Like No Other: How Microplastics Corrupted Our Planet and Our Bodies 167 (2022). [2] Id.

#Matt Simon#Poison Like#Poision Like

0 citations0 downloads14 min readPDF Available (9 pages)

PolicyVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–16

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Freebie Schemes: A Threat To Constitutional Principles? A Critical Analysis Of Electoral Populism, Welfare State And Fiscal Constitutionalism In India

Mr. Sourav KarSep 18, 202610.5281/zenodo.22829248

The freebie economy is emerging as a contemporary threat to Constitutional Principles. Increasing prominence of “freebie politics” in Indian elections has generated an important Constitutional debate concerning the relationship between welfare governance and electoral competition. The consistent promise of cash transfers, free electricity, subsidised goods and services, loan waivers, free transport, financial assistance and other material benefits in election manifestos by the political parties in the name of development or advancement and social justice in furtherance of Directive Principles of State Policy, is creating serious concerns relating the free and fair elections, equality, public accountability, fiscal responsibility and inter-generational justice. The constitutional difficulty lies in distinguishing legitimate welfare measures from electoral inducements. Generally the judiciary has no power to interfere with the economy policy of the State. However in 2013 the Supreme Court raised a serious concern regarding the voter’s manipulation while denying it as a corrupt practice and direct to modify the Model Code of Conduct to the Election Commission of India. Therefore judiciary accepted the principle that welfare promises cannot be prohibited merely because they involve public expenditure, rather it is permitted while maintaining electoral purity. This article argues that the constitutional answer does not lie in an absolute prohibition of welfare expenditure. Rather, India requires a constitutional and institutional framework that distinguishes rights-based welfare from electorally targeted freebies through the tests of public purpose, rationality, fiscal sustainability, transparency and electoral influence. Applying the Doctrinal Analytical Legal Research and by using various Primary and Secondary Sources it proposes an institutional legal framework, mandatory fiscal-impact statements, electoral manifesto guidelines, strengthened Election Commission guidelines, independent fiscal scrutiny, post-election manifesto accountability and greater legislative regulation.

#Freebies#Electoral Populism#Free And Fair Elections

0 citations3 downloads14 min readPDF Available (16 pages)

Criminal LawVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–19

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When Crime Meets Insolvency: Reconciling PMLA Attachment With Value Maximization Under The IBC

Mohd Malik ChauhanSep 18, 202610.5281/zenodo.22835051

The resolution of a corporate debtor under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“IBC”) increasingly collides with the exercise of attachment and confiscation powers by the Enforcement Directorate (“ED”) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (“PMLA”) [1] . Both statutes carry non-obstante clauses and pursue distinct public objectives — the IBC seeks time-bound resolution and maximization of the value of a corporate debtor's assets for the collective benefit of creditors, while the PMLA seeks to deprive offenders of the economic benefit of crime. This paper examines whether Section 32A of the IBC, inserted in 2020 [2] to grant a “clean slate” to successful resolution applicants, genuinely reconciles these objectives or merely defers the conflict. Tracing the doctrinal architecture of both statutes and the evolving case laws — from Solidaire India through Embassy Property Developments, Manish Kumar, Vijay Madanlal Choudhary, and the recent, procedurally contested Kalyani Transco litigation concerning Bhushan Power and Steel Limited [3] — the article argues that Section 32A protects the resolved corporate debtor and a bona fide resolution applicant, but leaves unresolved the treatment of attached assets during the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process itself, the jurisdictional competence of insolvency tribunals over PMLA determinations, and the risk that unrestrained attachment before plan approval erodes the very asset value the IBC exists to preserve. The article situates this tension within the Committee of Creditors' commercial wisdom and proposes calibrated procedural and institutional reforms. [1] Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016; Prevention of Money-Laundering Act 2002. Both statutes are analysed in detail in Part IV below. [2] Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act 2020 (Act 1 of 2020), s 10, inserting s 32A into the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016, with effect from 28 December 2019. [3] These authorities are cited in full where first discussed in Parts V–VII below.

#Insolvency And Bankruptcy Code#Prevention Of Money Laundering Act#Section 32a

0 citations0 downloads15 min readPDF Available (19 pages)

PolicyVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–27

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When The River Rises: State Liability For Flood Governance In Bihar — A Duty-Based Analysis Through The 2026 Deluge

Chandramani BhaskarSep 17, 202610.5281/zenodo.22815423

In September 2026 the Ganga simultaneously exceeded its all-time highest flood levels at three separate gauge stations in Bihar, submerging fifteen districts and affecting more than 4.6 million people in what the state’s Disaster Management Department described as its largest active flood response on record. [1] This paper uses that flood as a contemporary case study to ask a question that recurs every monsoon in Bihar but is rarely answered with legal precision: does the state’s statutory and constitutional architecture for flood governance create an enforceable duty running to the people who live in the path of its rivers, and what happens, in strict legal terms, when that duty is not met? Using a doctrinal methodology built primarily on statutes, reported judgments, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) performance audits, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, and official flood bulletins, the paper develops a five-element Duty–Breach–Causation–Harm–Remedy (DBCHR) framework and applies it comparatively to the 2008 Kosi breach and the 2026 Ganga flood. It finds that Indian courts have consistently read a duty of rescue, relief, and rehabilitation into Article 21, but that this constitutional duty has never been coupled with a domestic doctrinal mechanism capable of establishing breach and causation with the rigour ordinary liability law demands — leaving a documented and repeated pattern of administrative default, most recently catalogued in CAG Report No. 10 of 2017, without a corresponding legal remedy. The paper’s contribution is threefold: an original liability framework not previously applied to Indian flood jurisprudence; a documented account of the 2026 flood assembled from primary contemporaneous official reporting rather than retrospective secondary commentary; and a set of statutory reforms addressed specifically to the causation gap the framework exposes. [1] More Than 4.6 Million People Across 15 Districts of Bihar Affected by Floods, Business Standard (Sept. 11, 2026); Bihar Floods Displace Four Million as Ganga Breaks All-Time High-Water Marks, Tech Times (Sept. 9, 2026).

#Flood Governance#Disaster Management Act#2005

0 citations0 downloads15 min readPDF Available (27 pages)

Constitutional LawVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–10

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Digital Overreach In GST: Digitized Taxation And Constitutional Guardrails For Taxpayer Rights

Abhishree BasavannaSep 17, 202610.5281/zenodo.22815697

The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, set the stage for the paradigm shift in taxation in India with technology driven framework. This included systems such as Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), automated compliance models and e-invoicing. As this progress aimed to streamline supervisory systems, improve efficiency and restrict tax evasion, it parallelly resulted in a key concern, which was the emergence of “digital overreach”, by which algorithm-driven decision process undermines the taxpayers’ procedural rights lacking proper legal safeguards and judicial oversight. In the light of these circumstances, the study focuses on analysing whether the growing reliance on opaque digital systems for issuing notices, blocking input tax credits, and conducting risk-based assessments are aligned with the guarantees of equality and freedom of trade under Articles 14 and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India. It also aims to analyse the constitutional consequences of such algorithmic tax administration with respect to procedural due process and principles of natural justice. The study adopts doctrinal methodology with an interdisciplinary approach, integrates analysis of constitutional provisions and judicial precedents with insights of the working of digital tax model. Landmark judgements are examined to evaluate the applicability of established principles of fairness, reasoned decision-making, and proportionality in the context of algorithmic governance. The paper discusses that automated decision-making within the GST framework usually works through ambiguous and arbitrary models, which leads to undermining the essentiality of clear and purposeful opportunity to be heard. It further opines those existing standards of judicial review stands limited in resources to deal with the complexities presented by technology-driven administration. The study observes that the lack of transformed judicial scrutiny in the domain creates a major constitutional gap, where efficiency in tax administration risks dominating fundamental procedural protections. It reveals that there is a vital need to realign judicial review by adopting protocols such as mandatory disclosure of reasons in automated actions, the integration of human oversight in critical decisions, and the strengthening of procedural guarantees for taxpayers.

#Gst#Judicial Review#Algorithmic Governance

0 citations1 downloads15 min readPDF Available (10 pages)

Human RightsVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–8

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Constitutional Approach For Sustainable Development And The Role Of Human Rights Defenders

Dr. Dinesh B.Kolte, Mr. Krushnadeep M. SuryawanshiSep 17, 202610.5281/zenodo.22815586

This research paper explains how the sustainable development evolved in developing India since the inception of its constitution. The constitution envisages the philosophy of sustainable development along with several provisions starting from the preamble itself, the fundamental rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, the Fundamental Duties, V & VI Schedules, etc. which deal with the sustainable development. The human rights activists, social activists, judges, lawyers, etc. have contributed for the socio economic justice. The human rights defenders sacrificed everything including their lives for protecting environment, to prohibit exploitation of natural resources. Planting trees, preventing deforestation, excavation, fight against sand mafia, running various movements like, Narmada bachav Andolan, Chipko Movement, Aapiko movement, Hasdev Jungle Bachav andolan are some of the instances where the Human Rights defenders used constitutional philosophy and played their role for sustainable development. Many human rights activists were jailed and many of them faced brutalities for protecting environment after realizing that the environment protection is very important for the sustainable development. The role of Human Rights Defenders is remarkable for the sustainable development that has changed the government policies with the help of Public Interest Litigation.

#Sustainable Development#Constitutional Philosophy#Human Rights Defenders

0 citations1 downloads14 min readPDF Available (8 pages)

Constitutional LawVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–11

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Indian Judiciary's Struggle: Religious Freedom Vs. Equality (2018-2023)

Krithika GoswamiSep 17, 202610.5281/zenodo.22808321

The Indian Constitution is supposed to balance between freedom of religion and social equality and secularism within a diverse and pluralistic society. However, the judicial interpretation on balancing both these aspects has often led to confusion, especially due to the application of the Essential Religious Practices (ERP) Test. This paper critically examines how inconsistent rulings have been passed by the Supreme Court of India, between 2018 and 2023, while adjudicating conflicts between religious freedom and equality. Through a careful analysis of landmark cases such as Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (Sabarimala, 2018) and Aishat Shifa v. State of Karnataka (Hijab, 2022), the paper brings to light the contradictions stemming from the ERP Test and its lack of clear standards. The paper further uncovers the shift in judicial stance on individual rights and freedom in the choice of religion and marriage, particularly in the context of Anti-Conversion laws, where Article 21 (Right to life and liberty) and the right to privacy have begun to have more importance in judicial decisions. On the basis of constitutional provisions, analysis of legal texts, precedents, ambiguity and conceptual incoherence, the ERP test is deemed to be defective, that weakens secularism and leading to uneven application of the law. The paper concludes by recommending for a nine-judge bench ruling to either reformulate or eliminate this ERP framework with a more consistent, rights-focused approach that upholds constitutional principles, Individual freedom and individual autonomy as the pillar of Indian secularism.

#Essential Practices Test (erp Test)#Article 21#Sabarimala

0 citations1 downloads14 min readPDF Available (11 pages)

PolicyVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–12

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Bridging the Orchard-to-Market Gap: Infrastructure, Institutional Support and Horticultural Outcomes across Agro-Climatic Zones of Himachal Pradesh

Hakam ChandSep 17, 202610.5281/zenodo.22814165

Himachal Pradesh has achieved a major transition towards high-value horticulture, yet higher production does not automatically generate stable farm income when perishable produce moves through uneven infrastructure and fragmented markets. This study examines how infrastructure and institutional support are associated with horticultural outcomes across the state's four agro-climatic zones. Primary evidence was obtained from 386 horticulturists selected through a multistage stratified design covering Kangra, Chamba, Shimla and Lahaul-Spiti districts. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, one-way analysis of variance and beneficiary-non-beneficiary comparisons were used. Infrastructure recorded a moderate mean score (2.76 on a five-point scale), below the mean productivity score (3.42), indicating a persistent orchard-to-market gap. Infrastructure and productivity were strongly correlated (r = 0.68, 95% CI [0.62, 0.73], p < 0.001), with shared variance of 46.2%. Significant zonal differences occurred in infrastructure (F = 6.84, p < 0.001), productivity (F = 5.92, p = 0.001) and problem severity (F = 7.36, p < 0.001). Beneficiaries also reported higher productivity and income scores than non-beneficiaries. The findings support a shift from production-centred policy towards zone-sensitive value-chain development integrating farm access, aggregation, grading, packhouses, cold-chain facilities, processing, digital information and competitive marketing institutions. The study contributes farm-level, cross-zonal evidence while explicitly distinguishing statistical association from causal impact.

#Horticultural Infrastructure#Value Chain#Market Connectivity

0 citations2 downloads14 min readPDF Available (12 pages)

Social JusticeVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–10

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A Comparative Evaluation: The Constitution Of India And Tirukkural

Dr. S. GothandaramanSep 17, 202610.5281/zenodo.22814856

This research paper presents a comparative analysis between The Constitution of India , the supreme legal document of modern India, and the Tirukkural , a two-millennium-old universal code of life. Specifically, this study evaluates the legal principles articulated in Dr V. N. Shukla’s seminal commentary, 'The Constitution of India' (4th Edition, 1964, Eastern Book Company) , alongside the ethical foundations laid down by Tiruvalluvar. It demonstrates how both documents systematically establish the groundwork for human advancement and social justice. The structural harmony between the two texts regarding equality, individual liberty, the concept of a Welfare State, and the judicial framework is thoroughly examined with supporting citations.

#Comparative Evaluation#India#Constitution

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PolicyVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–9

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Jan Vishwaas Act: Charting A Legal Segue Towards A Trust Based Governance

Dr. Suruchi KohliSep 17, 202610.5281/zenodo.22815019

Unwarranted criminalisation is a repellent to business regulations. The country’s administration is punitive action-dependant. There are numerous Central Acts where miniscule procedural alleys, missed filings, or technical defaults would land a petty businessman would invite culpability especially in the form of imprisonment. The Jan Vishwas Act 2026, has been passed to change India’s regulatory approach from a punitive setup to “trust-based governance.” It rests on the earlier Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, which had the effect of decriminalising various provisions of the statutes across 42 Central laws. For a number of years it was believed that any compliance to the law can be procured by inducing fear. A simple procedural laxity often brought a criminal sanction. This created an air of confusion and apprehension. With this law it is strived by the legislature to ease out DOING BUSINESS and LIVING IN INDIA. The Jan Vishwas ( Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 and the Jan Vishwas( Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 are aligned to each other. In fact the Jan Vishwas( Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 is nothing but a mere continuation of the effort of the legislature to ease out the regulatory provisions of the various la ws. Like for the small time criminals and for petty offences where no mensrea was generally involved the legislature introduced the punishment of COMMUNITY SERVICE to be in sync with the principles of reformatory approach. On the similar lines this Act has been passed with an aim to decriminalise and rationalise offences to further enhance trust-based governance. The scale of regulatory criminalisation that these reforms addressed was considerable. A 2023 study by the Observer Research Foundation found that of the 1,536 laws governing business in India, more than half contained imprisonment clauses, and that 37.8 per cent of the 69,233 compliances businesses were required to follow attached criminal liability, including for minor procedural lapses. [1] [1] Observer Research Foundation, 'Jailed for Doing Business: The 26,134 Imprisonment Clauses in India’s Business Laws' (ORF, April 2023) <https://www.orfonline.org/research/jailed-for-doing-business> accessed 16 September 2026.

#Jan Vishwas#Vishwas Amendment#Provisions Act

0 citations1 downloads15 min readPDF Available (9 pages)

PolicyVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–14

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Recent Tax Reforms And The Evolving Architecture Of Public Sector Governance: A Critical Analysis Of Accountability, Transparency, And Fiscal Sustainability

Damaraju Pradeep Kumar, Dr. Rajbir KumarSep 17, 202610.5281/zenodo.22814337

Amidst rapid globalization, digitalization, and rising public debt, recent tax changes—such as the OECD's global minimum tax, digital services taxes, and anti-BEPS measures—have drastically altered the structure of public sector governance. The influence of these modifications on accountability, transparency, and budgetary sustainability under diverse economic conditions is evaluated critically in this paper. The study aims to evaluate the evolving governance structures shaped by contemporary tax policy shifts, with a broad scope encompassing both developed and emerging economies. It investigates institutional adaptations, administrative challenges, and the delicate balance between revenue mobilization and governance quality in an increasingly complex international tax environment. Employing a comparative qualitative approach, the research integrates doctrinal legal analysis, multiple case studies from OECD nations and selected developing countries, and thematic evaluation of post-reform policy outcomes and institutional dynamics. There are still gaps in domestic accountability systems and risks to long-term fiscal sustainability due to implementation asymmetries and unpredictable revenue, despite notable improvements in openness brought about by improved information sharing and reporting requirements. This study emphasizes the necessity of integrated reform approaches that support revenue objectives while bolstering institutional resilience. It has important ramifications for international organizations and legislators who want to create tax structures that support good governance rather than destroy it. The report indicates that in order to effectively manage global fiscal issues, future tax design must prioritize sustainable, transparent, and accountable public sector frameworks.

#Tax Reforms#Public Sector Governance#Fiscal Sustainability

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Constitutional LawVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–140

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Environmental Rule Of Law In India

Aayush AhujaSep 17, 202610.5281/zenodo.22808431

#Environmental Rule#Environmental#Rule

0 citations0 downloads13 min readPDF Available (140 pages)

Technology & LawVolume 3Issue 3Pages 1–17

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BEYOND THE PAPER TRAIL: Digital Hawala and the Enforcement Gaps in India's Anti-Money Laundering Regime

Manushree MB, Anushka AcharyaSep 17, 202610.5281/zenodo.22808499

The rapid digitalisation of financial systems has transformed illicit financial transactions, enabling traditional hawala networks to operate through online banking, fintech platforms, virtual digital assets, and encrypted communication technologies. While these innovations improve financial accessibility, they also complicate the detection and prosecution of money laundering offences. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) is India's primary anti-money laundering legislation; however, its effectiveness in addressing technology-enabled hawala networks remains a challenge. This paper adopts a doctrinal and comparative approach to evaluate the adequacy of the PMLA by examining its statutory framework, the enforcement role of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND), judicial developments, and reporting obligations. Drawing on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations and international anti-money laundering frameworks, the paper identifies regulatory gaps and advocates technology-driven reforms, including AI-enabled financial intelligence, stronger compliance measures, enhanced inter-agency coordination, and improved cross-border cooperation. It concludes that modernising India's anti-money laundering framework is essential to effectively combat digital hawala while balancing financial innovation, regulatory efficiency, and due process.

#Digital Hawala#Prevention Of Money Laundering Act#2002 (pmla)

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BEYOND THE PAPER TRAIL: Digital Hawala and the Enforcement Gaps in India's Anti-Money Laundering Regime

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