Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani and columnist S. Gurumurthy provided rich intellectual treat to students and members of the Tiruchi and Thanjavur Bar Associations in two events organised by the School of Law at the SASTRA University on Friday and Saturday.
“Dark ages of democracy have been defeated by inspirational judiciary and young lawyers must become architects of India during trying times,” said Mr. Jethmalani delivering the Twelfth Nani Palkhivala Memorial Lecture on “Constitutionalism in criminal jurisprudence”.
Mr. Jethmalani recalled the inspirational courage and independence of H.R. Khanna, a judge, and advised young lawyers and students of law to understand the spirit of human rights within the framework of the rule of law.
Unreasonable norms
To those undergoing criminal trial proceedings, Mr. Jethmalani defended their fundamental rights by pointing out the unreasonable bail laws that ignore procedural delay in trial proceedings after framing of charges.
He advocated the spirit of simple jurisprudence in ensuring that every law must have only reasonable restrictions without affecting fundamental rights.
“Young lawyers must be exponents of loyalty to the Constitution,” he said complementing the SASTRA School of Law for its quality legal education and a rich library.
Mr. Jethmalani counselled lawyers to practise with a human touch and render free legal service to the needy and that he charges 10 per cent of his clients and renders free legal service to the remaining 90 per cent.
‘Black money growing’
Delivering the inaugural address of the Twelfth Nani Palkhivala Taxation Moot on “Leganomics of Black Money”, Mr. Gurumurthy highlighted the growing size of black money and noted that there was competition on black money and alleged that the U.S. was the largest hoarder of black money while other secret jurisdictions were only conduits. “Black money is no longer a secret. It is only jurisdictions that are secretive and there needs to be a coordinated effort to tackle black money and only strong leaders occupying the highest power can handle this institutional problem,” he said.
“The issue of black money needs to be handled with gradual pace for a soft-landing as it was multi-dimensional,” he said.
Madras High Court judge S. Nagamuthu, Vice-Chancellor of SASTRA University R. Sethuraman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the City Union Bank N. Kamakoti were present.
Unreasonable laws for getting bail denounced
Gurumurthy says strong leaders can tackle black money problem
