Judicial

Uttar Pradesh Establishes Judicial Commission to Investigate Sambhal Violence Ahead of Mosque Survey

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New Delhi, India: In response to recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, Governor Anandiben Patel has established a three-person Judicial Inquiry Commission to investigate the events surrounding the unrest. This investigation coincides with an upcoming Archaeological Survey of India inspection of a Mughal-era mosque in the area. Leading the commission is Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, a retired judge from the Allahabad High Court, known for his previous role as chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). He will be joined by Amit Mohan Prasad, a veteran of the Indian Administrative Service, and … Read more

Thanksgiving Freedom: 67-Year-Old Woman Released Early From Prison Amid Abuse Scandal After Unusual Judicial Advocacy

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OAKLAND, Calif. — Laura Russell, a 67-year-old former inmate of the now-defunct Federal Correctional Institute at Dublin, returned home in time for Thanksgiving, after a judge granted her compassionate release on Nov. 21, amidst allegations of abuse and medical neglect at the facility. Russell, who was due for release in January 2026, reclaims her freedom significantly earlier thanks in part to her detailed letters about the dire conditions at Dublin, which played a central role in securing her release. Russell’s case highlights a larger issue involving at least 22 women from FCI Dublin who have … Read more

Minnesota Judicial District Welcomes New Judges, Strengthening Legal Landscape in Park Rapids and Grand Rapids

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St. Paul, Minnesota — In a significant judicial reshuffling, Clearwater County Attorney Kathryn Lorsbach and Kimberly Wimmer, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of TruStar Federal Credit Union, were appointed to the Ninth Judicial District bench on Thursday. The appointments fill the void left by the retirement of Judge Robert D. Tiffany and Judge Korey Wahwassuck in the districts of Park Rapids and Grand Rapids, respectively. The selection of Lorsbach and Wimmer came after a thorough vetting process by the Minnesota Commission on Judicial Selection, which presented four candidates for consideration. Ultimately, Governor Tim Walz … Read more

Former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud Clarifies Collegium System, Advocates for Balanced Transparency in Judicial Appointments

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NEW DELHI, India — Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud recently addressed some of the misconceptions surrounding the country’s collegium system for appointing judges, during his speech at NDTV’s Samvidhan@75 conclave. This came at a time when the system itself, responsible for nominating judges to both the Supreme Court and High Courts, was subjected to examination by the central government last year. Justice Chandrachud emphasized the layered and shared responsibility in the judiciary’s nominations process, noting that it is not solely within the purview of the Supreme Court to finalize such appointments. The approach … Read more