Latest news with #Collegium
New Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Democracy in danger under BJP rule, says Prashant Bhushan
BENGALURU: If a judge has a spine, comes from a minority community, or does not toe the BJP-RSS line, the current BJP-led government simply refuses to appoint them even when the Collegium reiterates the recommendation, said senior advocate and public interest lawyer at the Supreme Court, Prashant Bhushan, during a public talk organised by the All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ) on Saturday. Speaking on the theme of 'Judicial Accountability and Independence', Bhushan argued that the very foundation of constitutional democracy is under threat, as the judiciary, especially at the higher levels, is being systematically compromised by the executive. While the Constitution intended for the judiciary to be protected from legislative and executive pressure, Bhushan said this protection has failed in practice, particularly over the last decade. He recalled how the Supreme Court once limited the government's role in appointments through the Collegium system, but alleged that the BJP government has found ways to sabotage that very process. 'Whenever the Collegium recommends a name they don't like — someone too honest, too independent, or simply not aligned with their ideology — the government just sits on the file. They won't reject it, and they won't return it. They just keep it pending for years,' he said. Bhushan called this a direct attack on judicial autonomy. 'Sometimes, even when the Collegium reiterates the recommendation — which, as per the law, makes it binding — the government still refuses to issue the notification. The courts, meanwhile, are too timid to act,' he said.
Hans India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Lack of critical data on persons with disabilities make judicial reform difficult: Report
Bengaluru: Critical data on persons with disabilities in the justice system is missing or inconsistent, making accountability and reform difficult is one of the key findings of a first-of-its-kind research study in India--'Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities in India: A Data Informed Report'. Launched by Pacta, a Bengaluru-based law and policy think tank, the report exposes critical data gaps and systemic exclusion of persons with disabilities across India's police, prison, judiciary, and legal aid systems. The report also underscores how India's justice system, despite some progressive mandates, remains largely inaccessible to persons with disabilities due to the absence of reliable data and poor institutional implementation. In his foreword to the report, former Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud observed that data-driven reports are invaluable. 'They go beyond anecdotal or moral appeal. They enable precise policymaking, track compliance, and create accountability. They also provide civil society, courts, and policymakers with the tools to move from aspiration to action,' wrote Justice Chandrachud in his foreword. According to the former CJI, in documenting the barriers and the breakthroughs, the report by Pacta makes an even deeper argument: that inclusive systems benefit everyone. Justice Chandrachud added that the curb cut effect (disability friendly design like curb cuts for wheelchairs, for instance, raise the overall accessibility for those with strollers and luggage using curb cuts) uplifts our collective expectations from institutions. 'Positive measures such as accessible filing systems, disability sensitisation, and representation within institutions do not just help persons with disabilities; they strengthen the justice system as a whole, making it more humane, participatory, and responsive,' he added. The report also pointed out that many courts, police stations, and prisons remain physically and digitally inaccessible, and even hostile for persons with disabilities despite legal mandates. According to Nivedita Krishna, founder of Pacta, for persons with disabilities in India, the justice system remains difficult to navigate -- marked by physical, procedural, attitudinal, and systemic barriers. 'Over 26 million persons with disabilities in India continue to be excluded from the justice system. A relentless focus on disability inclusion through awareness, enforcement of reservation policies, infrastructure accessibility, and comprehensive data collection are needed to realise full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the justice system,' she added. Persons with disabilities are also largely absent from justice sector jobs, with mandated employment quotas not being effectively implemented, is yet another key finding of the report. To correct the imbalance, the report suggests that the Collegium must adopt a holistic approach when considering judicial appointments, proactively identifying and recommending qualified persons with disabilities. Other recommendations suggested in the report include mandatory disability-disaggregated data across all four pillars of the justice system, public accessibility audits and transparent reporting of reasonable accommodations and integration of disability rights into training curricula for police, judiciary, and legal aid actors.
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Lack of critical data on persons with disabilities make judicial reform difficult: Report
Bengaluru, Critical data on persons with disabilities in the justice system is missing or inconsistent, making accountability and reform difficult is one of the key findings of a first-of-its-kind research study in India 'Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities in India: A Data Informed Report'. Lack of critical data on persons with disabilities make judicial reform difficult: Report Launched by Pacta, a Bengaluru-based law and policy think tank, the report exposes critical data gaps and systemic exclusion of persons with disabilities across India's police, prison, judiciary, and legal aid systems. The report also underscores how India's justice system, despite some progressive mandates, remains largely inaccessible to persons with disabilities due to the absence of reliable data and poor institutional implementation. In his foreword to the report, former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud observed that data-driven reports are invaluable. "They go beyond anecdotal or moral appeal. They enable precise policymaking, track compliance, and create accountability. They also provide civil society, courts, and policymakers with the tools to move from aspiration to action," wrote Justice Chandrachud in his foreword. According to the former CJI, in documenting the barriers and the breakthroughs, the report by Pacta makes an even deeper argument: that inclusive systems benefit everyone. Justice Chandrachud added that the curb cut effect uplifts our collective expectations from institutions. "Positive measures such as accessible filing systems, disability sensitisation, and representation within institutions do not just help persons with disabilities; they strengthen the justice system as a whole, making it more humane, participatory, and responsive," he added. The report also pointed out that many courts, police stations, and prisons remain physically and digitally inaccessible, and even hostile for persons with disabilities despite legal mandates. According to Nivedita Krishna, founder of Pacta, for persons with disabilities in India, the justice system remains difficult to navigate marked by physical, procedural, attitudinal, and systemic barriers. "Over 26 million persons with disabilities in India continue to be excluded from the justice system. A relentless focus on disability inclusion through awareness, enforcement of reservation policies, infrastructure accessibility, and comprehensive data collection are needed to realise full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the justice system," she added. Persons with disabilities are also largely absent from justice sector jobs, with mandated employment quotas not being effectively implemented, is yet another key finding of the report. To correct the imbalance, the report suggests that the Collegium must adopt a holistic approach when considering judicial appointments, proactively identifying and recommending qualified persons with disabilities. Other recommendations suggested in the report include mandatory disability-disaggregated data across all four pillars of the justice system, public accessibility audits and transparent reporting of reasonable accommodations and integration of disability rights into training curricula for police, judiciary, and legal aid actors. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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Business Standard
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
'Transfer meant to harass me': MP HC Justice DV Ramana in farewell speech
Justice DV Ramana of the Madhya Pradesh High Court did not pull any punches in his farewell speech on Tuesday, saying that his transfer to the state was done with an intention to harass him. Justice Ramana, who was appointed to the Madhya Pradesh High Court in November 2023, later submitted representations twice to the Supreme Court Collegium requesting a transfer, citing his wife's medical condition — PNES, a severe infirmity in the brain due to COVID pandemic. He alleged, however, that the Collegium neither responded to nor acted on his requests. "But the representation was neither considered nor rejected. During the tenure of the then Chief Justice, I sent another representation that too was neither rejected nor considered. I received no response. A judge like me expects positive humanitarian consideration. I was disheartened and deeply pained," Justice Ramana said, as quoted by Bar and Bench. "Anyway, my transfer order seems to have been issued with ill intention and to harass me. I was transferred from my home state for obvious reasons. I am happy to satisfy for their ego. Now they are retired. God does not forgive, nor forgets. They will also suffer in other mode," Justice Ramana said. The Collegium that recommended his transfer comprised then Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai and Surya Kant. The Collegium rejected Justice Ramana's request stating that it "does not find any merit in the requests made by him". 'It did not rattle me' Apart from mentioning his struggle with the transfer, Justice Ramana also said that he received immense affection, support, and collaboration from both the judges and members of the Bar in Jabalpur and Indore. "My transfer was expected to rattle me, but it did not. I did the opposite. I have made long, lasting contributions in each of the two states - State of Andhra Pradesh and State of Madhya Pradesh. I had an opportunity to serve in the land of Amravati, Krishna and Godavari and Narmada. I have truly served justice. I am blessed for these opportunities," he added.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Collegium to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences
STOUGHTON, Mass., May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLL) today announced that its management will participate in the following investor conferences: Mizuho Neuro & Ophthalmology Summit 2025Panel Presentation: Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:25 a.m. ET Jefferies Global Healthcare ConferencePresentation: Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 1:25 p.m. ET The presentation at Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference will be webcast live and can be accessed from the Investors section of the Company's website: A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Company's website for 90 days following the presentation. About Collegium Pharmaceutical, is building a leading, diversified biopharmaceutical company committed to improving the lives of people living with serious medical conditions. The Company has a leading portfolio of responsible pain management medications and recently acquired Jornay PM®, a treatment for ADHD, establishing a presence in neuropsychiatry. Collegium's strategy includes growing its commercial portfolio, with Jornay PM as the lead growth driver, and deploying capital in a disciplined manner. Collegium's headquarters are located in Stoughton, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit the Company's website at Investor Contacts:Ian KarpHead of Investor Relationsir@ Danielle JesseDirector, Investor Relationsir@ Media Contact:Cheryl WheelerHead of Corporate Communicationscommunications@
