Commentary

Why experts doubt practicality of Amit Shah’s ‘3-year case disposal’ claim under new criminal laws

The Federal · 9 October 2026 · Comments quoted

Defence access to digital evidence, the reliability of recorded searches, and why judicial timelines depend on adequate staffing and a fair distribution of work.

Muted Justice? The Courtroom Is Open But Is It Audible?

The Bar Bulletin · 3 October 2026 · Comments quoted

Open courts, virtual hearings and meaningful public access.

After protest against CJI, Bar Council chief, NLSIU cancels convocation event

The Times of India · 28 August 2026 · Comments quoted from a public post

The graduating students’ achievements and the cancellation of NLSIU’s convocation event.

Over 30% judges’ posts lying vacant in high courts, shows law ministry data. Which HCs are hit hardest

ThePrint · 29 July 2026 · Comments quoted

Judicial vacancies, trial-court experience and the need to strengthen first-instance adjudication.

How Courts Deal With Hunger Strikes: Sonam Wangchuk’s Case Revives Debate

NDTV · 20 July 2026 · Comments quoted

Hunger strikes, bodily autonomy and the state’s duty to preserve life.

‘Grossly inappropriate’: Bars protest, CJI seeks report as Andhra HC judge threatens lawyer with jail

ThePrint · 6 May 2026 · Comments quoted

Courtroom intimidation, judicial accountability and lawyers’ ability to represent their clients.

Know your rights: Kerala High Court explains when arrest becomes illegal

The Indian Express · 10 March 2026 · Comments quoted

The legal authority and necessity for arrest, safeguards protecting personal liberty, and special protections for women.

Are blanket bans on VPN use in India legal?

Scroll · 14 January 2026 · Comments quoted

The legal basis for blanket VPN bans and the limits of emergency public-order powers in regulating ordinary digital activity.

Why district judges almost never make it to India’s Supreme Court

ThePrint · 15 December 2025 · Secondary reference

Cites Bharat Chugh’s concerns about the exclusionary effects of mandatory pre-judicial practice.

‘A permanent surveillance backdoor’: Why Sanchar Saathi app order raises privacy fears

Scroll · 3 December 2025 · Comments quoted

Privacy concerns and safeguards surrounding compulsory installation of the Sanchar Saathi app.

Advocate Bharat Chugh – Former Judicial Officer Calls India’s Criminal System A ‘Criminal Injustice System’

Shonee Kapoor · 18 November 2025 · Conference report

A written report of the 16 November 2025 Ekam Nyaay Conference address on criminal procedure, delays and Section 69 BNS.

Why India’s lower judiciary rarely reaches high courts. Supreme Court looks into ‘anomaly’

ThePrint · 2 November 2025 · Comments quoted

Career progression and representation of the district judiciary in the higher courts.

How courts distinguish between rape and consensual sex: Adv Bharat Chugh explains

The Indian Express · 30 October 2025 · Interview subject

A question-and-answer discussion of consent, the evidence courts examine in sexual-offence cases, and allegations involving promises of marriage.

Supreme Court reinstates 3-year Bar experience for civil judges: What it means for judiciary aspirants

Bar & Bench · 25 May 2025 · Comments quoted

Judicial training and the barriers a mandatory practice requirement can create for aspirants.

Legal community says Nishikant’s remarks border on contempt, backs SC’s approach to waqf law matter

ThePrint · 20 April 2025 · Comments quoted

Judicial review, fundamental rights and the Supreme Court’s constitutional role.

Delhi court orders seizure of ‘offensive’ MF Husain paintings, igniting debate on artistic freedom

ThePrint · 23 January 2025 · Comments quoted

Artistic freedom, obscenity and the importance of assessing creative work in context.

Warning shots fired at non-sponsor brands seeking to cash in on Manu Bhaker’s Olympic success

The Economic Times · 30 July 2024 · Comments quoted

Personality rights and unauthorised commercial use of a celebrity’s image.

Will new criminal bills turn India into a police state ahead of 2024 vote?

Al Jazeera · 17 January 2024 · Comments quoted

Criminal-law reform.

There will be no violation of ad laws, Patanjali assures SC

The Economic Times · 6 January 2024 · Comments quoted

Court undertakings, compliance with advertising law and the risk of contempt proceedings.

Insurance claim rejected? A guide for policyholders to seek redress

Business Standard · 28 November 2023 · Comments quoted

Consumer-forum remedies for rejected insurance claims, including filing procedure, limitation periods and the practical advantages of consumer proceedings.

Women’s right to property: Know what the law says

Mint · 14 November 2023 · Comments quoted

Women’s inheritance rights and the operation of personal and succession laws.

Civil judge exams in India: Vacant posts, delayed selection process and anxious aspirants

Bar & Bench · 11 November 2023 · Comments quoted

Judicial recruitment, practical problem-solving, ethics and evidence-appreciation skills.

World Mental Health Day | Legal Fraternity shares insights for mental well-being

SCC Times · 10 October 2023 · Comments quoted

Litigation stress, mental well-being and the importance of seeking support.

Centralised reporting makes claiming shares after investor's death easier

Business Standard · 10 October 2023 · Comments quoted

How centralised reporting of an investor’s death can reduce paperwork for families, and why clear joint-holding arrangements matter.

As Law Commission Recommends Against Lowering Age of Consent, Questions on Stigma of Criminalisation Remain

The Wire · 2 October 2023 · Comments quoted

The age of consent, non-abusive close-age relationships and safeguards against criminalisation.

Lawyers under the gun: Addressing the recent history of security lapses in district courts

Bar & Bench · 25 July 2023 · Comments quoted

Consistent court security screening and the balance between access and safety.

Explained | Rehana Fathima case: Obscenity laws and the policing of female sexuality

The Hindu · 27 June 2023 · Comments quoted

Context-sensitive obscenity assessment.

Read the syndicated article on inkl

Explained | ‘The Kerala Story’: Can a work of fiction or art constitute ‘hate speech’?

The Hindu · 14 May 2023 · Comments quoted

The threshold for criminal prosecution of alleged hate speech in films, the protection of creative freedom, and legal challenges to Censor Board certification.

Chanda Kochhar’s release procedural, won’t affect facts of the case, say lawyers

Moneycontrol · 9 January 2023 · Comments quoted

Arrest procedure, personal liberty and safeguards against arbitrary detention.

Why are India’s lower courts so reluctant to grant undertrials bail?

Scroll · 25 December 2022 · Comments quoted

Public perceptions of bail and the pressures facing trial-court judges.

Telegram shares user info with Delhi High Court in copyright case

Business Standard · 1 December 2022 · Comments quoted

Platform disclosure in copyright proceedings and case-specific privacy safeguards.

Forex trading, transactions with unauthorised dealers, websites can lead to trouble: How to check authorised list

The Economic Times · 11 October 2022 · Comments quoted

The legal consequences of forex trading through unauthorised dealers and websites.

What borrowers should know about their rights against loan recovery agents

Business Standard · 25 September 2022 · Comments quoted

Legal remedies available to borrowers facing intimidation, unlawful entry or forcible recovery by loan-collection agents.

RBI crackdown on errant co-op banks gathers pace

Mint · 7 September 2022 · Comments quoted

Fraud detection and stronger checks on cooperative-bank management.

Why rent agreements are mostly made for 11 months only?

The Economic Times · 19 August 2022 · Comments quoted

Short rental agreements, registration and the safeguards of longer tenancies.

Buying an inherited property? Take these 8 precautions

The Economic Times · 3 August 2022 · Comments quoted

Inherited-property title checks, competing wills and caution before paying a deposit.

More than 40 million cases pending in lower courts: Govt tells Parliament

Business Standard · 22 July 2022 · Comments quoted

Staffing, research assistance and the resources available to trial courts.

Commercial courts: Little progress on speedy case disposal seven years on

Business Standard · 17 July 2022 · Comments quoted

Summary disposal, mediation, specialist expertise and e-filing in commercial courts.

Judges playing devil’s advocate, effect on lower courts – Experts speak on controversy surrounding oral remarks

Bar & Bench · 11 July 2022 · Comments quoted

Oral exchanges in court and the distinction between tentative observations and binding judgments.

‘Justice System Can’t Sink Lower’: Judges, Experts on Zubair’s Bail Denial, Legal Lapses

The Wire · 3 July 2022 · Comments quoted

The justification for continued detention and the opportunity to respond to a police notice.

Further coverage in Scroll (5 July 2022)

Buying NRI property through PoA? Take these precautions

The Economic Times · 21 June 2022 · Comments quoted

Registration and title-document safeguards when buying NRI property through a power of attorney.

6 reasons why you should not buy property via Power of Attorney

The Economic Times · 10 June 2022 · Comments quoted

The distinction between a power of attorney and a conveyance of property.

Up to 4th line of Hindu descendants can claim share in ancestral wealth

Business Standard · 15 May 2022 · Comments quoted

Joint-family property, consent to transfers and the distinction between ancestral and self-acquired assets.

Non-bank financiers report lapses in credit portfolios

Mint · 14 May 2022 · Comments quoted

Accountability and lending irregularities under the RBI’s Fair Practices Code.

Legal eagles weigh in on SC’s sedition order

The New Indian Express · 12 May 2022 · Comments quoted

The sedition order’s implications for liberty, free speech and bail.

EXPLAINER | Hate speech and how Indian laws deal with it

The New Indian Express · 15 April 2022 · Comments quoted

The limits of free speech and the legal framework governing hate speech.

Courts Are Closed But Is Justice On Leave? Revisiting The Debate On Judicial Vacations

LiveLaw · 8 November 2021 · Comments quoted

Judicial workloads, burnout, court vacations and possible changes to staffing and holiday arrangements.

Poetic Justice: When judges referred to literary works and famous quotes in their verdicts

Bar & Bench · 4 November 2021 · Comments quoted

Literary references in judgments and the need for factual accuracy and clarity.

Law vs Pandemic: How Is the Indian Legal Ecosystem Coping?

BW Legal World · November 2021 · pp. 104–110; comments on p. 108 · Comments quoted

Comments on Gujarat High Court livestreaming rules, public access to court proceedings and privacy safeguards.

Focus on financial aspects, not animus during divorce

Mint · 28 May 2021 · Comments quoted

Financial arrangements, maintenance and the limits of prenuptial agreements in divorce.

In relief for Amazon, Delhi HC puts Future-Reliance deal on hold

Business Standard · 19 March 2021 · Comments quoted

Enforcement of arbitral orders and its implications for investor confidence.

Cabinet approves amendments to Juvenile Justice Act, empowers DMs to issue adoption orders

ThePrint · 17 February 2021 · Comments quoted

How a narrower classification of heinous offences helps keep more children within the protective juvenile-justice system.

Amazon-Ambani spat tests India’s allure for foreign investors

Bloomberg / Hindustan Times · 9 February 2021 · Comments quoted

Arbitration enforcement matters to investors.

Also published by The Economic Times · Also published by Al Jazeera · Also published by Business Standard

Systemic change: Hits and misses of India’s bankruptcy reforms code

Business Standard · 5 February 2020 · Comments quoted

The practical decision-making role of resolution professionals under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.

Post Karvy, legal shadow cast over collateral business

Rediff / Business Standard · 16 December 2019 · Comments quoted

Lenders’ security interests where client shares are pledged without authorisation.

“A Tea Seller And A Judge”: A Young Railway Judge’s Beautiful Retelling Of His Struggle With Morality And Law

LiveLaw · 13 November 2018 · Profile and interview subject

By Apoorva Mandhani

The story behind the poem, reflecting on poverty, the defence of necessity, and humane adjudication during Bharat Chugh’s time as a railway magistrate.

Tea Seller & Judge: How poem by railway magistrate brought life into law

The Indian Express · 29 October 2018 · Profile and interview subject

A reflection on decisions involving impoverished vendors, the humane reasoning behind them, and the poem inspired by those experiences as a railway magistrate.

Disputed property title could block your ownership

Business Standard · 10 December 2012 · Comments quoted

Comments on buyers’ title due diligence and the risks of disputed ancestral-property sales.

Bharat Chugh Recognised As Registered Foreign Lawyer Before Singapore International Commercial Court

The Bar Bulletin · 27 May 2026 · Profile with comments

Recognition as a Registered Foreign Lawyer before the SICC and work in cross-border disputes.

Love Your Law: In Conversation with Advocate Bharat Chugh on Law, Legal Profession and Life

RGNUL Cosmos · 23 December 2022 · Interview subject

Interview by Paankhurie Shrivastava

Moving between judicial service and legal practice, the value of reading and curiosity, and the place of individuality in young lawyers and internship applicants.

While the adversarial system envisages the judge as an impartial arbiter, the reality is less simple and only seldom there is a level playing field

LegitEye · 6 August 2022 · Interview

A Q&A on judicial service, access to justice, arbitration, pro bono work and mentoring aspiring judges.

The Unconventional Lawyer – Bharat Chugh

LawBeat · 24 February 2022 · Interview subject

Interview by Ratna Singh

A conversation on law and justice, poetry and clear legal writing, returning from the Bench to practice, and the skills and curiosity young lawyers should develop.

Being a great lawyer is not about being argumentative

BW Legal World · 9 January 2022 · Reflections on advocacy

By Krishnendra Joshi

Reflections on preparation, reading, storytelling, clear legal writing and the value of listening in courtroom advocacy.

Steeped in Law

BW Legal World · November 2021 · pp. 126–127 · Print interview

A print interview on career beginnings, mentors, COVID-era white-collar crime and building a legal practice. The November issue is linked in the livestreaming feature above.

Former Judge and L&L Partner Bharat Chugh sets up independent Chambers

Bar & Bench · 20 March 2021 · Report

A report on the establishment of the Chambers of Bharat Chugh, following judicial service and work as a partner at L&L Partners.

Establishing the Chambers of Bharat Chugh

BW Legal World · 18 March 2021 · Report

By BW Online Bureau

A report on the move from L&L Partners to independent practice and the establishment of the Chambers of Bharat Chugh in 2021.

L&L lit partner Bharat Chugh goes independent as counsel

Legally India · 15 September 2020 · Profile with comments

The move to independent practice and continuing work in white-collar defence, arbitration and technology law.

All That’s New: LSPR In Conversation With Bharat Chugh

Law School Policy Review · 20 July 2020 · Interview subject

Interview by Anmol Kohli

Judicial recruitment, freedom of expression, technology law, mediation and arbitration, and the opportunities and evidentiary challenges of virtual court hearings.

Interview: Bharat Chugh, ADR E-Newsletter Vol. I

National Law University Odisha · Blog republication: 1 July 2020 · Interview subject

A conversation on arbitration, mediation, institutional reform and practical ADR training.

Read on this blog

In conversation with Bharat Chugh on good legal education, well-formulated resume, art of legal writing and implications of Pandemic

SCC Times · 14 May 2020 · Interview subject

Interview by Vijaya Singh Gautam; published by Bhumika Indulia

Legal education, applications and recruitment, plain legal writing, career choices and the pandemic’s effects on legal proceedings. The publisher also links two companion interview videos.

Bharat Chugh, Rank 1, Delhi Judicial Services, on resigning from judgeship and returning to civil and criminal practice

SuperLawyer · 22 November 2016 · Interview subject

A reflection on entering law, independent practice and judicial service, returning to litigation, and approaches to legal education and preparation for the judiciary.

Have fast-track courts delivered on the promise of speedy justice?

The Hindu · Print: 31 July 2026 • Podcast: 30 July 2026 · Discussion participant and podcast guest

Bharat Chugh and Shruthi Naik · In Focus-Parley

Why reallocating existing judges may speed up selected cases without reducing overall delays, and the need for stronger investigations, prosecutors and forensic capacity while protecting fair-trial safeguards.

Listen to the podcast

Is the three-year practice mandate for judicial service welcome?

The Hindu · Print: 30 May 2025 • Podcast: 29 May 2025 · Discussion participant and podcast guest

Bharat Chugh and Prashant Reddy T. · Parley

Whether a short period at the Bar meaningfully prepares candidates for judicial office, and the importance of judicial training and fair access to the profession, in a discussion of the restored three-year practice requirement.

Listen to the podcast

Should an All-India Judicial Service be created?

The Hindu · Print and podcast: 22 December 2023 (India) · Discussion participant and podcast guest

Bharat Chugh and Alok Prasanna Kumar · Parley

The proposed centralised judicial service, regional-language knowledge and judicial independence, alongside infrastructure, pay and career prospects in the district judiciary.

Listen to the podcast

1 year or 3 years, we are asking the wrong question

Bar & Bench · 28 August 2026 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

A case for rethinking judicial recruitment around aptitude, independence, meaningful training and the conditions that attract strong candidates to trial courts.

Book Review | Tom Bingham’s The Rule of Law

The Bar Bulletin · 5 May 2026 · Book review

By Bharat Chugh

A review of Tom Bingham’s book, republished from this blog.

The Mamata Banerjee–ED Faceoff: From the Legal Lens

The Bar Bulletin · 19 January 2026 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

PMLA searches, due process and federal safeguards.

When the court sees only one side: The sad state of charge and disclosure hearings in India

Bar & Bench · 15 January 2026 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

Examines the imbalance created by selective prosecution disclosure and argues that courts should be able to consider exculpatory material before sending an accused to trial.

‘Tareekh Pe Justice’: A vital book to understand how the justice system works (or doesn’t) in India

Scroll · 20 April 2025 · Book review

By Bharat Chugh

A review of Prashant Reddy T and Chitrakshi Jain’s book on district-court reform, procedural safeguards and everyday justice.

The criminal justice system reforms India actually needs [Part II]

Bar & Bench · 12 September 2024 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

Proposes practical reforms to case management, plea bargaining, costs and prosecutorial disclosure, alongside investment in the capacity of the justice system.

The criminal justice system reforms India actually need [Part I]

Bar & Bench · 6 September 2024 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

Sets out reforms addressing the everyday workings of criminal justice, including judicial independence, misuse of criminal process and illegally obtained evidence.

Voice Samples in Criminal Investigations and Legal/Constitutional Issues that Remain

SCC Online Blog · 16 October 2021 · Coauthored article

By Bharat Chugh and Siddharth Shivakumar

Examines the legal basis for compelling voice samples in criminal investigations and the privacy, procedural and scientific safeguards needed when collecting and using them.

Can the administrator of a WhatsApp group be held liable for objectionable posts?

Bar & Bench · 4 June 2021 · Coauthored article

By Bharat Chugh and Siddharth Shivakumar

Explains why group-admin status alone does not establish liability for members’ posts, and critiques overbroad police advisories aimed at administrators.

Committed a crime? Now, face(scan) the consequences! The law of self-incrimination and locked smartphones

SCC Online Blog · 29 May 2021 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

Analyses compelled access to passwords and biometric locks, questioning the adequacy of privacy and self-incrimination safeguards in digital investigations.

Definition of “Fraud” under the Companies Act: A case of a blurred signpost to criminality

SCC Times · 8 February 2021 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

Section 447 of the Companies Act and the problems of vague criminal-law drafting.

COVID and White Collar Crime

SCC Times · 19 January 2021 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

Pandemic-related fraud incentives and prevention.

The Art of Justicing: The story of Justice Gita Mittal

Bar & Bench · 22 December 2020 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

A first-person account of Justice Gita Mittal’s approach to judging.

Arbitrary execution of foreign Letters of Request under the PMLA

Bar & Bench · 23 November 2020 · Coauthored article

By Bharat Chugh and Nimrah Alvi

Argues that foreign requests for investigative assistance must be assessed against Indian law and constitutional protections before coercive measures are taken.

A Charter For Reform In Procedural Criminal Laws Ensuring 'Justice" In The Criminal Justice System

LiveLaw · 16 August 2020 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

Offers a procedural-reform agenda intended to protect due process while improving the criminal justice system’s ability to establish the truth.

Taking White Collar Crime Seriously

LiveLaw · 13 July 2020 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

Corporate criminal enforcement and internal investigations.

Return of the Debtor’s Paradise? A case against decriminalisation of Section 138 of the NI Act

Bar & Bench · 24 June 2020 · Coauthored article

By Bharat Chugh and Yashdeep

The case against decriminalising cheque dishonour under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

The Devil’s Dictionary (of Law)

Bar & Bench · 20 June 2020 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

A satirical glossary of legal practice.

Rethinking the ‘Fruits of the poisonous tree’ doctrine: Should the ‘ends’ justify the ‘means’?

SCC Online Blog · 15 June 2020 · Coauthored article

By Bharat Chugh and Taahaa Khan

Argues for reconsidering the admissibility of illegally obtained evidence, drawing on due-process protections and comparative approaches to excluding evidence secured through unlawful methods.

Diary of an ex-judge: Art of Judgment Writing (Part III)

Bar & Bench · 11 June 2020 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

Concludes the judgment-writing series with practical advice on avoiding legalese, revising carefully and writing for readers outside the legal profession.

A To Z Of The Insolvency And Bankruptcy Code | A Beginner’s Guide

LiveLaw · 30 May 2020 · Coauthored article

By Bharat Chugh and Advaya Hari Singh

An introductory guide to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, originally published on this blog.

Diary of an ex-judge: The Art Of Judgment Writing (Part II)

Bar & Bench · 15 February 2020 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

Focuses on selecting and narrating material facts, identifying issues and giving intelligible reasons that explain the result to the losing party.

Diary of a ex-judge: The Art Of Judgment Writing (Part I)

Bar & Bench · 6 February 2020 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

Introduces a practical approach to clear judicial writing, beginning with engaging introductions that make the dispute understandable to its readers.

Criminal Law and the Fetishization of the General/Specific Canon of Interpretation

Bar & Bench · 19 January 2020 · Coauthored article

By Bharat Chugh and Ishan Dewan

The relationship between general and special laws in criminal-law interpretation.

Letters To An Aspiring Judge (Part I)

LiveLaw · 11 June 2019 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

Reflects on the responsibilities and motivations of judging, drawing on experience at the Bar, on the Bench and mentoring judicial-service aspirants.

The Art Of Cross-Examination In Commercial Arbitration

LiveLaw · 20 January 2019 · Coauthored article

By Bharat Chugh and Abhilasha Vij

Cross-examination technique in commercial arbitration.

The Unconstitutional Vagueness Of The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018

LiveLaw · 11 November 2018 · Coauthored article

By Bharat Chugh and Rudrajit Ghosh

Vague criminal provisions in the proposed Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018.

Phone-Tapping And Recording Of A Phone Conversation By A Private Party: Issues Relating To Legality And Admissibility

LiveLaw · 2 September 2018 · Coauthored article

By Bharat Chugh and Vibhor Jain

The legality and admissibility of privately recorded phone conversations.

The Catch-22 of No Investigation without Sanction and No Sanction without Investigation: A Critical Analysis of Anil Kumar v. M.K. Aiyappa (2013)

LiveLaw · 22 February 2017 · Coauthored article

By Anirban Bhattacharya and Bharat Chugh

The interaction between investigation and prior sanction in Anil Kumar v. M.K. Aiyappa.

Role Of A Magistrate In A Criminal Investigation

LiveLaw · 14 October 2016 · Authored article

By Bharat Chugh

The magistrate’s role in a criminal investigation.

R v. B: Spousal privacy and the admissibility of call records

Madras High Court, Madurai Bench · 30 October 2024 · Judgment

In R v. B, the Madras High Court examined spousal privacy and the admissibility of call records. In doing so, it cited and discussed Bharat Chugh and Taahaa Khan’s article on illegally obtained evidence.

2024 SCC OnLine Mad 6084 · CRP(MD) No.2362 of 2024 and CMP(MD) No.13409 of 2024 · Paragraph 13, page 15

Read the judgment (PDF, LiveLaw) · Read the SCC Times report