Kapil Sibal

Will VP, PM speak up: Sibal on student's death mistaken for cattle smuggler

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said the killing of a class 12 student after being 'mistaken' for a cattle smuggler was due to the encouragement given to the agenda of hate, and asked whether Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak up on the incident. The student, Aryan Mishra, was allegedly chased in a car and shot dead in Faridabad on August 23 by a group of five suspected cow vigilantes who claimed they mistook the boy for a cattle smuggler, police sources said on Tuesday. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Shame on us. Aryan (class 12th student). Shot and killed by cow vigilantes in Haryana mistaking him to be a 'cow transporter'! Cause: Encouraging the agenda of hate." "Will our PM, our Vice-President, our Home Minister speak up!" the former Union minister said. All the five accused -- Saurabh, Anil Kaushik, Varun, Krishna and Adesh -- were arrested on August 28 and remanded in police custody for two days, Superintendent of Police (Crime)

SCBA head Kapil Sibal highlights abysmal work conditions in district courts

Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal Saturday highlighted the abysmal conditions in which district court judges work and said unless their salary and infrastructure are improved, the quantity and quality of justice delivery system will continue to suffer. Sibal, also the President of Supreme Court Bar Association, said the fact that trial court and district and session courts are loath to grant bail in certain significant matters itself is "symptomatic of the malaise" that has set in. Speaking at the 'National Conference of the District Judiciary' here, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sibal said liberty is the foundational substratum of a thriving democracy and any attempt to throttle it impacts the quality of democracy. He referred to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud often saying that court at the highest level is burdened with bail matters because bail seems to be an exception at the level of trial courts. He spoke about some recent court

Kapil Sibal expresses concern over extremely low judge population ratio

Sibal was addressing the inaugural event of the 2-day National Conference of District Judiciary

Sibal urges CJI Chandrachud to appoint more women in higher judiciary

Highlighting the dearth of women judges, Supreme Court Bar Association president and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Friday urged Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud to appoint more women lawyers and judges in higher judiciary. Paying tributes to Justice Hima Kohli, the ninth in seniority among the apex court judges, who is due to retire on September 1, Sibal said she carved her career and chartered her own course in life. With the retirement of Justice Kohli, the number of apex court judges will come down to 33 against the sanctioned strength of 34. Now, the top court will be left with only two women judges -- Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Bela M Trivedi. "I request the Chief Justice of India to look at law firms and women who are aware of the complexities of the business community. If Indians, Indian women, can become CEOs of Pepsi and run banks in India and lead commercial organisations in India, why should not women lawyers working in law firms dealing with complex legal

Pure communal venom: Sibal slams Assam CM for his remark on Muslims

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday slammed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his "will not let 'Miya' Muslims take over the state" remark, saying his comment was "pure communal venom" and silence was not the answer to such a statement. Asserting that he would take sides, Sarma on Tuesday said he would not let 'Miya' Muslims "take over" Assam. Sarma was speaking in the assembly on the admissibility of adjournment motions moved by the opposition parties to discuss the law and order situation in the state in the wake of the gangrape of a 14-year-old girl in Nagaon. Reacting to the remarks, Sibal said on X, "Himanta (Assam CM): 'Will take sides. Will not let Miya Muslims take over all of Assam'. My take: Pure communal venom. Actionable. Silence not an answer." 'Miya' was used as a pejorative term for Bengali-speaking Muslims initially, and the non-Bengali-speaking people generally identify them as Bangladeshi immigrants. In recent years, activists from the community ha

Kolkata rape-murder case: Top exchanges between Chief Justice, Kapil Sibal

The Supreme Court, addressing concerns over doctors' safety, said that the nation can't wait for another tragedy like Kolkata's rape-murder case

BJP neither secular nor civil: Kapil Sibal on PM Modi's remarks on UCC

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for a "secular civil code", Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Friday alleged that the BJP has neither been secular nor civil in the last 10 years. In a post on X, Sibal asserted that a "secular and civil country is the need of the hour". In his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi had said a "secular civil code" is the need of the hour for the country. He also described the existing set of laws as a "communal civil code" and termed them discriminatory. Referring to Modi's remarks, Sibal posted on X, "PM: 'Need of the hour...a Secular Civil Code in this country... spent 75 years under the Communal Civil Code'." "My take: Need of the hour: A secular and civil country. In the last 10 years, the BJP has neither been 'secular' nor 'civil'," the former Union minister said. Modi, in his Independence Day address on Thursday, said, "A large section of the country believes, which is true also, that the civil

Sibal criticises Dhankhar's praise of RSS, says Chair should remain neutral

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday said Upper House Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar's remarks that the RSS has "unimpeachable credentials" were contrary to tradition and that such an opinion can be expressed by a member but not by the Chair. Reacting to the remarks, Sibal said on X, "Dhankar ji: RSS as an 'organisation has unimpeachable credentials'. My take: Only his opinion with which others in the House may differ." "Since Dhankar ji represents the will of the House, such an opinion can be expressed by a member but not by the Chair. Contrary to tradition," the Independent Rajya Sabha MP said. During the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Samajwadi Party's Ramji Lal Suman said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliation was the criterion for the government in selecting the head of the National Testing Agency (NTA). At this point, Dhankhar ordered that the comments will not go on record. "I hereby rule that RSS is an organisation that has full constitutional right

Govt does not realise erasing diversity is anti-historical move: Sibal

In a sharp attack at the BJP-led government, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday said the present establishment does not realise that erasing diversity is an "anti-historical" move and will lead to tensions. Delivering the 4th Memorial Lecture in honour of M P Veerendra Kumar, Sibal talked about the idea of India and its evolution at length. "Why do we talk about the idea of India? It is because most of us do not understand the birth of this great nation. If you ask me, a nation is comprised of so many facets which are embedded in its history. Unless you understand the history of a nation and its genesis over centuries, you will never be able to understand what the nation is all about," Sibal said. "In order to understand what a country stands for you must understand how it evolved over centuries and once you understand that, you realize what India is all about," the former Congress leader said. The idea of India has evolved over centuries, he asserted. "Why is it that we are suc

Who insults parliamentary procedures on daily basis?: Sibal to Dhankhar

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday hit out at Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar over his criticism of Congress leader P Chidambaram's remarks on the new criminal laws, and said it was not the opposition that insults parliamentary procedures on a daily basis. Sibal's remarks came a day after Dhankhar lashed out at Chidambaram over his comment that the three new criminal laws were "drafted by part-timers", terming it as "inexcusable" and urging him to withdraw his "derogatory, defamatory and insulting" observation. Dhankhar had said he was "shocked beyond words" when he read Chidambaram's interview to a leading national daily wherein he had said that "the new laws were drafted by part-timers". In a post on X, Sibal said Sunday, "Dhankar: Criticised Chidambaram's statement that part-timers drafted the three criminal laws was an 'inexcusable insult to the wisdom of Parliament'. We are all part-timers Dhankar ji!" "And who insults parliamentary procedures on a daily basis? Not us!" said

Chidambaram launches sharp attack on PM Modi over remark on 1975 Emergency

Congress leader P Chidambaram said Tuesday the people of the country have voted for the 18th Lok Sabha in such a manner that no "divine ruler" can change the basic structure of the Constitution. In a post on 'X', he said the people have voted to curtail the ambitions of the BJP. "Hon'ble Prime Minister said that 'Emergency reminds us to protect the Constitution'. Very true," Chidambaram said. "I may add, the Constitution reminded the people to prevent another Emergency, and they voted to curtail the ambitions of the BJP. The people voted for the 18th Lok Sabha in such a manner that no human or divine ruler can change the basic structure of the Constitution," he added. "India will remain a liberal, democratic and secular Union of States," the Congress leader added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday those who imposed the Emergency have no right to profess love for the Constitution. On the 49th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, the prime minister said its dark days are a ..

NEET exam row: Kapil Sibal demands probe by SC-appointed officials

Amid the raging row over medical entrance exam NEET, former HRD minister Kapil Sibal on Sunday demanded a probe by Supreme Court-appointed officials into allegations of irregularities and called on the government to have a thorough consultation with all states as to how this examination is to be held in future. In an interview with PTI, the Rajya Sabha MP also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue, saying if the testing system in any examination becomes corrupt then it is "not really neat for the PM to remain silent". Sibal urged all political parties to raise the matter strongly in the upcoming session of Parliament but was not optimistic about it being taken up for discussion, predicting that the government will not allow it citing that the matter is sub-judice. "The present National Testing Agency (NTA) has really bungled and corruption has been brought to light on media platforms, such as providing solutions for question papers for something like becoming a ...

Kapil Sibal questions PM Modi's 'silence' over NEET-UG exam issue

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday hit out at the Centre over the NEET exam issue and questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" over the matter. The examination was held on May 5 across 4,750 centres and around 24 lakh candidates appeared for it. The results were expected to be declared on June 14 but were announced on June 4, apparently because the evaluation of the answer sheets was completed earlier. There have been allegations of question paper leaks in states like Bihar and other irregularities in the prestigious exam. In a post on X, Sibal said, "NEET Examination. The Gujarat factor. Open corruption. Open manipulation. PLEASE notice: Modiji's 'neat' silence." The Centre and the National Testing Agency on Thursday told the Supreme Court they had cancelled the grace marks given to 1,563 candidates who took the examination for admission to MBBS and other such courses. They will have the option to either take a re-test or forgo the compensatory marks awarded to the

Good if he is going for 'prayashchit': Kapil Sibal on PM's meditation plan

Raising questions over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meditation at Rock Memorial from May 30 to June 1, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said it is good if he is going to Kanyakumari for "prayashchit" (atonement). "The person who does not understand the meaning of 'vivek' (wisdom), what 'dhyan' (meditation) he will do. "If he is going for 'prayashchit', then it is a good thing or if he is going to take inspiration from writings and speeches of Swami Vivekanand, even then it is good," said Sibal. The prime minister will meditate from the evening of May 30 to the evening of June 1 at Dhyan Mandapam, the place where Vivekananda a spiritual icon admired by PM Modi is believed to have had a divine vision about Bharat Mata', BJP leaders said on Tuesday. Sibal alleged the BJP-led government at the Centre does not talk about its achievements because it has "nothing to show". "What have they done for the last 10 years? Has the prime minister said during his speeches what he did .

Probe agencies acting at his behest, Sibal slams PM Modi for jail barb

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his veiled 'jail' swipe at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and claimed that this was a "confession" that probe agencies were acting at the PM's behest. Sibal also slammed Modi for his 'mujra' remark and said that even though this was a violation of the model code of conduct but no one, including the Election Commission, will act as they are "hand in glove" with the PM. The prime minister has stated in his speeches that the INDIA bloc will take away water taps, electricity, money from banks and also taken "mujra" jibe, the former Union minister said at a press conference here. "He is sitting in a high office that has dignity. If you reduce the dignity of the PM's post to such a level, look at what is being said on social media. It is an insult to women also," Sibal said, hitting out at the PM for his 'mujra' remark. "What do you want to say? You are insulting women, you are insulting opposition leaders. If y

SC slams Hemant Soren for suppressing facts, JMM leader withdraws plea

The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren for suppressing facts regarding filing of regular bail plea in trial court in a money laundering case, prompting the JMM leader to withdraw his petition challenging arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. A vacation bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma allowed Soren's counsel Kapil Sibal to withdraw his plea after warning that if the court goes into the details of the case it will be damaging for the former chief minister. Your conduct tells a lot. We expected your client to come up with candour but you suppressed material facts, the bench told Sibal Your conduct is not without blemish, the bench told Sibal, after he tried to defend Soren saying he is in custody and does not have any knowledge about the petitions being filed in courts. He is not a layman, the bench observed and said it will dismiss his plea against arrest without going into the merit of the case. Sibal then ..

Supreme Court denies bail to Hemant Soren, postpones hearing to Wednesday

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren whether a writ court can examine the legality of his arrest after the trial court has taken cognisance of the prosecution complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case against him related to an alleged land scam. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma, which posted the matter for further hearing on Wednesday, asked Soren's counsel to first satisfy the court as to how interim bail can be granted to him for campaigning in the Lok Sabha poll when his application for regular bail has been dismissed. Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Arunabh Chowdhury, appearing for Soren, sought time till Wednesday to respond to the court's queries. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, opposed Soren's interim bail plea, contending his case was different from that of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was granted interim bail on May 10 for

CJI Chandrachud congratulates Kapil Sibal on being elected SCBA president

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Friday congratulated senior advocate Kapil Sibal on being elected as the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). "Mr Sibal, heartiest congratulations on our behalf for being elected as the president of the SCBA. We look forward towards your cooperation and (that of) the members of the executive committee," the CJI said while holding a ceremonial bench. Thanking the CJI, Sibal said, "It is my honour that after 22 years, I have been given this opportunity to serve the bar. From our side, you will have complete cooperation and that's our commitment to the bench. It is through this cooperation that we can take the agenda forward." Sibal was elected as the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Thursday. Besides Sibal, senior advocates Adish C Aggarwala, Pradeep Kumar Rai, Priya Hingorani and advocates Tripurari Ray and Neeraj Srivastava were in the running for the post of SCBA president. According to sources, S

Amit Shah's statement on bail to Kejriwal 'objectionable', says Kapil Sibal

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday hit out at Home Minister Amit Shah over his reported "special treatment" remarks on the interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying it was an "objectionable statement" that questioned the intention of the Supreme Court judges. Sibal's remarks came after Shah, while referring to the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court to Kejriwal, reportedly said many in the country believed he was given special treatment. The Supreme Court on Thursday steered clear of the political talk about it having made an exception for Kejriwal in granting him interim bail for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls but said "critical analysis of the judgement is welcome". Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Sibal said, "Shah has made an objectionable statement and questioned the intention of the Supreme Court judges." Shah has stated very cleverly that many people are saying the Supreme Court's decision to grant interim bail to Kejriw

EC must act, give notice to Modi, says Sibal on PM's Rajasthan speech

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his 'Congress will redistribute wealth' remarks, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday said political discourse had never sunk to such a low in India's history and urged the Election Commission to take action in the matter. Sibal's attack came a day after Prime Minister Modi suggested that if the Congress comes to power, it would redistribute wealth of people to Muslims and cited former PM Manmohan Singh's remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country's resources. "After the PM's speech, crores of people will be disappointed. Probably no other prime minister has given such a statement since 1950. The speech points out that our minorities who have been living in India for years are infiltrators. What kind of politics is this?" Sibal said at a press conference here. "What kind of culture is this? You talk of Ram Mandir, inaugurate the temple, talk about Ram's ideals and on the other hand you spread hate. Where is