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Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
11 best video games of 2025 (so far) on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X and PC
We're more than halfway through 2025, and it's already been quite an eventful year for gaming. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 has grabbed most of the headlines, but across all platforms, including PS5, Xbox Series X and PC gaming, there have been great games to play in almost every genre. From the cinematic highs of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the heavy-metal fun of Doom: The Dark Ages, and the delightful charms of Donkey Kong's latest 3D platforming adventure on the brand new Switch 2, there have been must-play games to suit all tastes. And no year in gaming can ever be labeled underwhelming when you have a new epic from Hideo Kojima to unravel. Here at Tom's Guide, we've spent this week taking stock of the new games released in 2025 to date, and these are the 11 that have stood out the most to us. There are still plenty more contenders on the horizon, but any of these games could make a shout to be called GOTY. Platforms: PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds brilliantly brings the company's beloved franchise into the current console generation. It maintains the core of 2018's Monster Hunter World but cranks up everything fans love, offering a bigger and bolder adventure. It doesn't skimp on depth or features, yet it's super easy for new players to jump in. The story and gameplay of Monster Hunter Wilds revolve around the ever-changing environments and monsters. This makes the game's fantasy world feel incredibly rich and real. While the stunning natural beauty will initially grab you, it's the exciting hunts and deep customization that will keep you and your friends hooked for months (and potentially years). I've already sunk about 180 hours into Monster Hunter Wilds, and I expect that number to continue going up as Capcom continues delivering new monsters and updates. Though the game still needs better optimization on PC, it works great on home consoles like the PS5. Right now, Monster Hunter Wilds is in the running for my personal game of the year. — Tony Polanco Read our full Monster Hunter Wilds review Monster Hunter Wilds is the latest entry in the long-running series, and sees you venture into new terrortiy teeming with fearsome creatures to craft. Sticking closely to the series' well-established formula, it combines thrilling battles with deep crafting and customization. And also boats a highly cinematic main story campaign that can be played in full four-player co-op. Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X I've been a huge fan of Hazelight ever since It Takes Two, and Split Fiction takes everything that made that game great — the co-op mechanics, the emotional storytelling, the wild shifts in gameplay — and pushes it even further. This time, you follow Mio and Zoe, two rival authors trapped inside a simulation made from their own wild imaginations. To get out, they have to team up (whether they want to or not) and navigate these unpredictable, ever-changing worlds inspired by their writing. I first played it with my dad. He took Zoe's whimsical fantasy realm while I played Mio's glitchy cyberpunk future. Watching how our actions influenced each other's world in real time was pretty magical. Then I played again with my partner, swapping sides, and suddenly the story felt completely different (in a good way). That dual perspective serves as the heart of the game. Hazelight really knows how to make co-op feel meaningful, and Split Fiction proves they're only getting better. It's bold, weird, emotional, and easily the best game I've played this year. I can't wait to see how they bring this mind-bending story to life in the upcoming film adaptation! — Alix Blackburn Read our full Split Fiction review Split Fiction is a co-op adventure where two writers, Mio and Zoe, get trapped in a chaotic mix of their own stories. One minute, you're dodging cyber ninjas in a sci-fi city, the next, you're riding dragons in a fantasy forest. From the makers of It Takes Two, Split Fiction is all about teamwork, solving puzzles, and navigating wild genre mashups to escape a world of imagination. Platforms: PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X I've played every mainline game in the Assassin's Creed franchise, and while I really enjoyed the RPG-style Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla and Mirage, I always wished Ubisoft would take it back to basics and focus more on stealth. Assassin's Creed: Shadows (kinda) granted that wish by delivering a well-balanced game which allows you to go guns blazing or sneak around quietly with its dual protagonists, and it wasn't long before it became one of my favorite titles in the entire series. As the name suggests, you can use the shadows to your advantage by extinguishing candles and sneaking around in the dark when you play as the assassin Naoe, and that's the bit I've enjoyed the most. Navigating a high-stakes situation, like a castle full of powerful enemies who can one-shot you, feels thrilling and rewarding. Ubisoft has also created a beautiful world. Feudal Japan feels vibrant and the changing seasons mechanic adds a degree of unpredictability to the game. Despite some of its (minor) flaws, I've sunk 100 hours into it and I keep going back for more. — Nikita Achanta Read our full Assassin's Creed: Shadows review The 14th major installment in the AC franchise, Assassin's Creed: Shadows, is set in 16th-century Japan during the late Sengoku period. Players experience the enduring conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order through two protagonists: Naoe, a skilled female shinobi, and Yasuke, an African samurai inspired by a real-life historical figure. Platforms: PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X Nothing puts me off a game quicker than wandering around aimlessly, not knowing what I'm supposed to do next. Open worlds? Not for me, which is why the titles that I love – from Until Dawn to Detroit: Become Human – tend to feel more like interactive movies than they do combat or puzzle-heavy playthroughs. There's something so soothing about awesome vibes and visuals carrying you through a great story and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage fits the bill perfectly. Set to haunting synths and pop-punk guitar chords, its dual timelines play out simultaneously. In 1995, sweet loner Swann strikes up a fast friendship with fellow teens Nora, Autumn, and Kat, and the quartet spends the summer writing music, shooting videos, and… stumbling across a supernatural force they dub The Abyss. In 2022, an apprehensive Swann returns to Vancouver to reunite with her old pals and try to unpack those life-altering few weeks. The way you interact with other characters influences the story, making it easy to connect with them, and the central mystery makes it hard not to play it all in one sitting. It's the perfect combo of cozy – I spent way too much time stroking Swann's cat – and creepy. If you like shows like "Yellowjackets," "Stranger Things," or "The OA," this one's for you. — Amy West Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a narrative-focused adventure game from Life is Strange developers DontNod. Set across two time periods, 1995 and 2002, it seems four high school friends create lifelong bonds and experience an unexplained event that will change their lives forever. Platforms: PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X I've been a longtime fan of turn-based RPGs, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is up there as one of the very best I've played. Boasting unique art direction and beautiful graphics, a complex, engagingly written story, thrilling and dense combat mechanics (and some utterly brilliant music), Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a fantastic game from top to bottom. I relished exploring its many nooks and crannies for our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review earlier this year, and, even though I'm not usually someone who replays games and I felt like I had had a complete, satisfying experience by the time I rolled credits… I've frequently found myself itching to find the time to go back in and mop up everything the game has to offer. Yes, even the dastardly optional platforming sequences I bounced off first time out. Simply put, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an RPG that I wouldn't be surprised to see cropping up on many 'best games of 2025' lists come the end of the year; it's just that good, and it deserves all the praise it earned earlier this year, and then some. — Martin Shore Read our full Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG with a focus on cinematic storytelling. Set in a rich fantasy world, you play a team of expeditioners on a quest to defeat a sinister foe known only as The Paintress. With its unique combat system and deep, emotional story about defying fate and fighting for survival, it's one of 2025's very best. Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5 and Xbox Seires X Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is the triumphant return of a classic fighting game series that's been worth the 26-year wait. This isn't just a blast from the past, however, thanks to its super smooth animations, flashy visuals, and deep gameplay. Like its predecessors, this latest Fatal Fury is a true rival to Capcom's Street Fighter. The new REV system gives you many ways to attack and defend, so you can really show off your style and pull off some seriously punishing combos. Whether you're a casual player or a hardcore fighting game enthusiast, the strong single-player and online modes have you covered. If you're looking for something different from Mortal Kombat 1 and Tekken 8, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is the game to try. It's a real treat for fighting game fans, and it's my favorite fighting game of 2025 so far. — Tony Polanco Read our full Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves review Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a fighting game for fighting game fans, thanks to its deep gameplay mechanics and diverse character roster. Offering a slew of single-player and multiplayer modes, this game has something for just about everyone. Platforms: PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X Although Doom was my favorite game of 2016, its successor, Doom Eternal, disappointed me with its repetitive 'rock, paper, scissors' combat. Thankfully, Doom: The Dark Ages corrects the course, offering a more engaging 'stand and fight' combat system and a medieval-inspired arsenal of weapons. Central to your array is the new Shield Saw, which is paramount for blocking and parrying incoming attacks, but can also be hurled to decimate groups of demons. The Doom Slayer can also execute a powerful shield charge, allowing you to lock onto an enemy and launch yourself across the battlefield, effectively closing the gap between you and your targeted demon. As an OG Doom fan, I appreciate id Software's attempts to deliver more world-building in The Dark Ages — taking a more cinematic approach to storytelling than previous titles, the developer expands on series lore while also providing greater variety in gameplay. I particularly loved battling Titan demons in a giant mech suit, though I could've done with fewer Mecha Dragon sections. The absence of long-time composer Mick Gordon is also felt, as the music is rather unmemorable this time around. Minor quibbles aside, Doom: The Dark Ages stands tall as my top game of 2025 so far. — Stephen Lambrechts Read our full Doom: The Dark Ages review Doom: The Dark Ages is another stellar entry in the classic shooter franchise, thanks to its engaging, grounded combat, expansive and varied locales, phenomenal graphics and hours of gameplay. Though it's not revolutionary, it delivers a fast-paced and visceral experience few games can match, and it looks flippin' stunning as well. Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X If you liked and enjoyed the original Monster Train, then the sequel is almost a no-brainer. It's a fantastic deck builder that encourages you to break the game. I've played the original near weekly since it launched; it was my Slay the Spire. For those who never played, Monster Train 2 (and its predecessor) is a deck builder where you are fighting your way through hell on a train. You pick a clan like the Banished, who are fallen angels, to fight over three tiers on the train as it rockets through hell. Randomness is the name of the game with decks that can die out after one battle, or one that will fly through the session. The sequel gives you more with new Equipment cards, clans, and monsters to battle. It is rogue-like in that your deck and enemies won't always be the same, but that adds to the challenge and the surprises, especially when you find that combo of cards that blows through levels. — Scott Younker Monster Train 2 is a much celebrated sequel that brings back the roguelike deckbuilding formula that made the original such a hit while adding a host of new clans to control, enemies to battle, and new challenges and modes. There's a reason it's rated "overwhelmingly positive" on Steam. Platforms: PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X I'm a little surprised to be selecting Rematch as my early GOTY pick, considering my first impressions of the new online sports game from Sifu developer Sloclap were not good. But I chalk that up to the game's steep learning curve. Because once I got my head around it, I quickly fell in love. See, Rematch strips away the generous auto-targeting found in the EA Sports FC series and forces you to place each pass and shot with careful precision. This can lead to embarrassing whiffs, but it makes every goal, assist or diving save feel truly earned. Your skills come through experience, not stat upgrades. Taking cues from Rocket League, but minus the RC cars, it's an online soccer game (football for us Brits) that sees you squad up in teams of up to five players, locked in a cage-style arena and battling to be crowned the king of the pitch. It will take you a match (or 12) to get the hang of things, but once the basics start to click, it offers a thrill few sporting games can match. Just be warned, assembling a good squad is vital for success. Far too many random players online seem to think they're Lionel Messi and hog the ball to a quite maddening degree. — Rory Mellon Rematch is a new online soccer game from developer Sloclap. You control a single player in matches of up to 10 players as you compete to score well-worked goals and make dramatic defensive interventions. With colorful visuals, fast-paced gameplay and a high skill ceiling, Rematch will appeal to football fans and newcomers alike. Platforms: PS5 I can only think of two games in my life that have truly moved me to tears, Death Stranding 2 being one of them. It has this captivating aura about it that's hard to explain, beyond just its cinematic and jaw-dropping presentation. I may not be a father in the real world, but Death Stranding 2 makes me feel like one. It's in its characters that Death Stranding 2 finds its true soul. From the charming Rainy to the reserved Tomorrow, these characters not only propel the story forward, but give you (the player) a reason to fight on. It's all thanks to game director Hideo Kojima's unmatched storytelling. Death Stranding 2 is magical, heartfelt, and totally weird all the same. While the first game largely focused on nonconfrontational combat, that's put to the side in favor of some incredible action in its sequel. Each player will find in Death Stranding 2 their own underlying messages and themes. Lessons on fatherhood, forgiveness, loss, and redemption speak volumes in a fictional world that is fraught with loneliness. It's hard to put to words what Death Stranding 2 makes you feel, but it's almost enlightening in a way. — Ryan Epps. Read our full Death Stranding 2 review Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is the much-anticipated sequel to 2019's critically acclaimed original. You again step into the well-worn boots of Sam Porter Bridges, as you trek across a stunning Mexican landscape to reconnect society. Boasting some of the best visuals on PS5 and an emotionally resonant story, alongside plenty of player freedom in how you tackle missions, Death Stranding 2 delivers something pretty special. Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2 I still remember getting Donkey Kong Country in a bundle with my Super Nintendo and while Donkey Kong Bananza didn't come bundled with the Switch 2 at launch, maybe it should have. Like Super Mario 64, Donkey Kong's latest 3D outing shows exactly what the new system is capable of and why it's worth upgrading from the original Switch. The core Donkey Kong gameplay remains in Bananza but with a new destructive twist. You're still running and rolling around, jumping on enemies and slapping the ground but now, you can destroy just about anything that gets in your way. By adding destructible environments to the mix, you really have a lot more freedom and though you're still in enclosed levels, they feel a lot more open-ended. This is especially true when it comes to how you progress through the story and collect the various Banandium Gems scattered throughout each sublayer. This would be a good enough addition on its own, but you also collect various Bananza powers that let you transform between different animals like a zebra or an ostrich. Once you collect several, you can freely switch between them and this adds another layer of strategy to this already ambitious game. Even after finishing my review, I haven't stopped playing as there are still loads of things to collect and environments to destroy, which says a lot about this new take on a 3D Donkey Kong game. — Anthony Spadafora Read our full Donkey Kong Bananza review Donkey Kong Bananza is the Switch 2's first flagship exclusive post-launch, and it allows DK to smash his way through (and down into) the surrounding terrain. He can punch his way through mountains or head underground in search of collectibles. It's hands-down one of the Switch 2's best dates at this stage of its lifecycle.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
As UNSC president, Pakistan looks to up ante on Kashmir issue
File photo: Pakistani deputy PM and foreign minister Ishaq Dar (Picture credit: AP, ANI) NEW DELHI: As the month-long Pakistan presidency of the UNSC nears its business end, Islamabad is gearing up to organise an open debate on unresolved disputes around the world, looking to follow it up with a resolution urging member-states to use mechanisms available to them for pacific settlement of disputes. While the motive behind convening this signature event under the UN's maintenance of international peace and security agenda is to highlight the Kashmir issue, it's unlikely Pakistan will name J&K for fear of getting the resolution vetoed. UNSC resolutions need nine votes to pass, including concurrence of all five permanent members. Pakistani deputy PM & foreign minister Ishaq Dar will travel to New York to chair the event on July 22, which will likely be briefed by secretary general Antonio Guterres too. According to the Security Council Report, Pakistan aims to adopt the resolution urging full use of all Chapter VI mechanisms. Article 33 of the Chapter states that the parties to any dispute, the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, shall seek a solution by, among other things, mediation and arbitration. However, the same Article also says the parties can seek a solution through "other peaceful means of their own choice". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Monster Hunter Wilds – Exclusive Discounts! Shop Now Undo "Generic resolution which will most likely be conceptual in nature will focus on general principles not specific issues to avoid any objections," says Syed Akbaruddin, former Indian ambassador to the UN. Pakistan also knows that, except China, all other permanent members continue to maintain that Kashmir is a bilateral issue. While underlining the Council's role in maintaining peace and security, many member-states stress any such attempt can't undermine a State's sovereignty or invoke settlement agreements without the consent of both parties. The open debate follows closed consultations called by Pakistan on May 5 to discuss India-Pakistan tensions after Pahalgam terrorist attack. Pakistan will also convene another signature event under its presidency, hoping to strengthen cooperation between the UN and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a 57-member body that has repeatedly expressed support for Islamabad's Kashmir agenda.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How Xbox's Game Pass policies is signalling the doom for the AAA industry
(Image via Getty Images) Microsoft Xbox Game Pass provides gamers with unprecedented access to hundreds of titles for a very minimal monthly fee. Yet beneath its player-friendly model, as suggested and warned by industry leaders, there's a gathering storm. This storm as per them, threatens blockbuster game development's very foundation. Be it unsustainable developer payout or cannibalising sales, Xbox Game Pass, as per reports, is setting a dangerous precedent. The subscription giant and its strategy, as argued, are quietly undermining the AAA ecosystem's economic pillars, forcing a reckoning that the industry might not survive without being unscathed. Game Pass policies have an unsustainable core At the heart of this entire crisis is Game Pass's fundamental economics. As argued by Industry veterans, Microsoft leverages vast resources for subsidizing services. It creates an artificially lower price point. The model, as contended by critics, distorts market value—artificial market conditions created with traditional sales struggling to compete. Xbox Dev BLASTS Xbox Game Pass: 'This Model DESTROYS Studios' Ex-founder of Arkane Studios, Raphael Colantonio, bluntly labelled Game Pass as unsustainable. As per his assertions, it 'progressively harmed' the gaming industry for over a decade now, and it survives on corporate subsidies instead of genuine value. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Our one of a kind Patented Cold Water Extraction Process Superior Ginseng Undo He further added that it's propped by Microsoft's 'infinite money'. It is feared that Microsoft will persist until all alternative business models are crushed. It will leave all developers with a very limited choice. Xbox Game Pass for Developers Acts as Double-Edged Sword Microsoft's subscription model promises guaranteed payouts and exposure for developers. But as revealed, Game Pass instead devalues games, conditioning players to expect content for just 'free' under their subscription. Probably this was the reason why some major AAA titles, including Monster Hunter Wilds, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, and Civilisation VII, avoided Xbox Play Anywhere, which is meant to unify the platform. Even Towerborne, the Xbox-published game, chose to launch its early access on Steam and not Xbox. That's a sign of some internal doubts about the health of the Xbox platform. While smaller studios benefit from all upfront payments, AAA developers face a huge dilemma. If some major titles launch on Game Pass, the standalone sales of the game plummet. Despite Microsoft compensating them, in the long term, this model discourages purchases made at full price. It shrinks revenue streams while funding big-budget games. It even fails to attract Indies or AAA developers. Cannibalized sales create a devastating impact To understand the above-said better, when a game makes its debut on Game Pass, players do not need to buy it outright. While Microsoft does pay off developers for offsetting losses, it doesn't replace the traditional sales value that could have been otherwise generated. As said, or rather warned by Michael Douse, Larian Studios' publishing director, 'infinite money doesn't make sense forever.' The AAA Gaming Industry Just Got Destroyed From The Inside With evidence suggesting that Game Pass cannibalizes traditional sales, particularly on the Xbox platform, there are many who are now raising their voices against it. As per Industry journalist Christopher Dring, games that are launched on Game Pass can easily be expected to lose around 80% of the expected Xbox premium sales. Taking an example of Starfield, its inclusion within Game Pass boosted subscriber members. However, it likely slashed its direct sales. Even Hellblade 2 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle underperformed in their full-priced Xbox sales. While Microsoft might not have directly blamed it on Game Pass, the correlation here is just undeniable. Even players start to gravitate to 'free' access through subscription and bypass outright purchases. Such correlation is not coincidental, but it is structural. When any major release lands on the Xbox Game Pass, buying it becomes redundant. Now, if this starts to become a new norm, studios, especially AAA studios, might struggle to justify massive budgets. This will lead to a few AAA risks and a high reliance on Microsoft's funding. Xbox Game Pass offers a false lifeline to smaller studios Proponents quite often highlight that Game Pass does act as a boon to smaller developers and all the risky new IPs. Douse acknowledges this potential. As noted by him, it could derisk those smaller teams' launch, which face uncertain markets, but what exactly would happen when all the money runs out? Is Xbox Game Pass BAD for Developers? The current model is reliant on continuous and massive investments made by Microsoft to secure content. However, if funding shifts or slows down, the safety net for smaller studios would vanish overnight. It would leave them exposed, without any security for the creative risks. Game Pass: Destroying Gaming? Indie Devs Reveal Shocking Truth! But wait, there's more beyond money running out. Game Pass, which initially was praised to help Indie games reach a wide audience, isn't the same anymore. With growing services, smaller titles are at higher risk of getting buried within an oversaturated catalogue. Unlike Steam, where the games remain purchasable quite indefinitely, Game Pass keeps rotating titles in and out. It leaves developers scrambling for needed visibility. Even some successful indies are now facing a catch-22—Microsoft's short-term payouts vs. Long-term sustainability. If the players do not buy outside the subscriptions, Indies would lose leverage over pricing and discoverability at the same time. Player Advantage vs Developer Disadvantage Why Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is Still the Best Deal For the players, Game Pass is quite an undeniably phenomenal deal. It gives instant access to a vast library that includes all major releases. With day-one access to the content, there's an incredible value for players. It democratizes gaming. It makes AAA experiences affordable for those who might not otherwise participate in them. But what about AAA studios? They get forced to profit outside the subscriptions, and for it, they would either cut budgets or shift to live-service models, to sustain revenue. Is XBOX Game Pass Bad for Developers? For developers, especially those who are behind those large-budgeted AAA games, the entire picture is more grim. Xbox Game Pass subscription model devalues individual titles. Players who are accustomed to the lower monthly fee just become resistant to paying $70 for a purchase. This creates a shift in revenue stream from direct sales to those opaque subscription payouts as per engagement metrics. It creates huge financial uncertainty that is lethal for the AAA industry, especially for studios that invest $200M+ in projects. It is due to this that Colantonio has suggested Game Pass to keep its focus on back-catalogue titles and not day-one releases. It will help preserve sales for the newer games while still continuing to offer value. But will Game Pass do so? Only time can tell about it. Escalating situation seeks balance before the bubble bursts The industry is not calling for the demise of Game Pass, but it wishes for a critical reassessment. Colantonio and many others have already suggested a sustainable path for it—Game Pass must primarily function as the back-catalogue service and not the day-one AAA release platform. It will help preserve the value proposition for the players. It will also protect the economic model, which is required to fund ambitious and new projects. The current trajectory that's been fueled by deep pockets of Microsoft risks creating a market where only subscription giants could survive. Without bringing in an urgent policy adjustment or a fundamental shift within the Game Pass model, the ability to fund next-generation, groundbreaking AAA experiences faces existential peril. So, in short, the time for a balance is right now. What will the AAA industry be without this balance? WILL XBOX GAME PASS LAST? Pros & Cons of Microsoft's Game Pass The gaming industry today is at a crossroads. If the Game Pass continues to dominate, the world will see fewer big-budget single-player games, which will also be riskier without a direct sales line. There will also be more live-service and microtransactions models for offsetting lost revenue. Additionally, with increased consolidations of studios under Microsoft, competition will be reduced. The solution is therefore simple. There's a need for a balanced approach. Subscriptions must complement, instead of replacing, the traditional sales. Otherwise, Xbox Game Pass might accelerate the decline of AAA games, on which it relies. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Time of India
Supreme Court judge calls for more empathetic justice system for child survivors of sexual abuse
Hyderabad: Justice Vikram Nath of the Supreme Court on Sunday called for a more empathetic and effective justice system for child survivors of sexual abuse. 'We must also listen to children. Often, the voices of child survivors are drowned in the noise of administrative processes. If we are to design truly victim-centric systems, we must involve children in shaping the responses meant for them,' he added. Delivering the valedictory address at the national conference on 'Ensuring Justice, Rehabilitation and Reintegration for Child Victims: Strengthening POCSO and Child Protection Ecosystems' held here, Justice Nath emphasised that legal provisions must be backed by compassionate and coordinated systems to ensure real justice for children. Drawing from personal experience as former chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Allahabad high court, Justice Nath said, 'This subject is not just a professional interest — it is deeply personal. I have seen first hand the immense challenges and responsibilities that surround child protection.' You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad He underscored that child victims often face not just the trauma of abuse but were also re-traumatised by the system meant to protect them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Monster Hunter Wilds – Exclusive Discounts! Shop Now Undo 'Justice cannot merely mean punishment. It must encompass healing, restoration, and the hope of a future unmarred by the past,' he said at the conference, organised by the women safety wing of the Telangana police in collaboration with the women development and child welfare department, the Telangana State Legal Services Authority and UNICEF. He praised Telangana's Bharosa Centres as a model worth replicating nationwide, calling them 'spaces of safety, listening, and healing' due to their integration of police, legal, medical, and psychological support under one roof. 'Such convergence should not be the exception but the norm,' he said, urging similar models to be scaled across India. The apex court judge also acknowledged the challenges of delays in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) trials, gaps in trained personnel, and the lack of infrastructure. He questioned whether institutions truly had the will and capacity to implement child protection laws effectively and empathetically. Speaking about the judiciary's role, Justice Nath stressed that judges must go beyond the mechanical application of law. 'Technicalities must not eclipse justice. Justice is not a product — it is a process, and in that process, dignity must be non-negotiable.' He urged the judiciary, investigators, and legal aid lawyers to adopt a child-sensitive approach, insisting that legal aid must be timely and rehabilitation must be holistic—going beyond compensation to include education, counselling, family reintegration, and community care. Recognising the growing threat of online exploitation, he called for better digital safeguards, increased cybercrime investigation capacities, and active collaboration with tech platforms to combat abuse facilitated by technology. He also stressed the importance of digital literacy for children, parents, and teachers. Justice Nath called for sustained judicial training grounded in empathy, psychological insight, and field experience. 'Our goal must be to create a justice system where children are not mere witnesses, but participants whose well-being is our central concern,' he added. 'Their testimonies, their experiences, their suggestions must inform our laws and our institutions. We are accountable not just to the Constitution or to the statutes, but to every child who looks to us for safety and justice. Each case of child sexual abuse is not just a legal file; it is a broken world. And while we may not be able to undo the past, we have a duty to ensure that the future is filled with dignity and hope,' the apex court judge said. Quoting Nelson Mandela, he concluded: 'There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.' Justice Nath added, 'Justice must have a human face. Let that face be visible to every child who walks into a courtroom, a police station, a hospital, or a shelter home.' Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul, Justice Sam Koshy and several judges from the Telangana high court, advocate general A Sudarshan Reddy, Unicef child protection specialist Sonykutyy George and others participated.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Direct land buy policy formalised
Thiruvananthapuram: In a major policy shift aimed at fast-tracking public projects, the state govt has formally institutionalised negotiated land purchase. This allows govt departments to directly buy land from willing owners, bypassing the lengthy and often litigated process of compulsory acquisition. While negotiated purchases have been used in the past, the practice lacked uniformity, transparency and legal clarity. Departments resorted to negotiated purchase during emergencies, but without formal guidelines, these transactions were inconsistent and vulnerable to procedural gaps. The newly issued govt circular now provides a comprehensive framework that brings this method into the formal policy domain. The new system is expected to expedite land procurement for urgent development projects, reduce legal disputes by relying on mutual consent rather than coercive acquisition and cut both costs and delays. Central to the policy are two institutional bodies: District-level purchase committees (DLPC) and a state-level purchase committee (SLPC), created to scrutinize, vet and approve each transaction. The process begins when a department submits a request for land valuation to the collector, including details such as survey numbers, land extent and alignment sketches. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Monster Hunter Wilds – Exclusive Discounts! Shop Now Undo Revenue officials and departmental representatives then jointly verify the land. The DLPC—chaired by the collector and comprising officials from the law, finance and revenue departments—reviews the land title, assesses land use and terrain and determines a base value using fixed parameters. A separate negotiation team, also led by the collector and including the district registrar, tahsildar, survey superintendent, village officer, and local body secretary, negotiates the price with landowners. Compensation can be up to 50% above the base value; any higher offer must be justified in writing. The value of buildings or farm infrastructure on the land is also assessed by technical experts and factored into the final amount. Once a consensus is reached, the proposal is forwarded to the SLPC, chaired by the chief secretary and comprising top officials from revenue, finance, law and administrative departments, along with the land revenue commissioner. The SLPC can approve the deal or return it with comments for revision. Upon approval, the sale deed is executed using a standard govt format and registered. Payment is made directly to the landowner's bank account after deductions like TDS. Legal officers verify title deeds, tax receipts, possession certificates, and encumbrance status before finalisation. After registration, the land is handed over to the department and mutation is completed through the tahsildar. The circular explicitly states that negotiated purchase cannot be used in cases where the govt intends to invoke acquisition powers. This ensures that consent remains central to the process and prevents it from becoming a backdoor to forced acquisition.
