Advocacy – Alternative Law Forum

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Advocacy – Alternative Law Forum
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
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Caste
Constitution
Criminal Law
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Urban Governance
October 7, 2025
Constitution
Poster – Fundamental Duties
To download the English posters, click here.To download the Kannada posters, click here ...
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October 7, 2025
Constitution
Poster – Directive Principles of State Policy
To download the English posters, click here.To download the Kannada posters, click here ...
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August 5, 2024
Criminal Law
Decoding the New Criminal Laws: A Social Justice Perspective – Transcript of Discussion
July 18, 2024 This is a transcript of the discussion on the Decoding the New Criminal Laws: A Social Justice Perspective. It is a lightly edited transcript for purposes of readability. MK refers to Maitreyi Krishnan and MS refers to Mrinal Satish, our two speakers. This discussion was moderated by Manavi ...
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April 13, 2024
Constitution
ಸಾಂವಿಧಾನಿಕ ಮೌಲ್ಯಗಳು , ಮೂಲಭೂತ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ರಾಜ್ಯ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ ತತ್ವಗಳ ಕುರಿತು ಪೋಸ್ಟರ್ ಗಳು – Posters related to Constitutional Values, Fundamental Rights and DPSP
...
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December 12, 2023
Constitution
ಸಾಂವಿಧಾನಿಕ ಮೌಲ್ಯಗಳ ಕುರಿತು ಪೋಸ್ಟರ್ ಗಳು – Posters on Constitutional values
...
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December 6, 2023
Media and Law
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Technology and Law
Letter regarding concerns on consultation process for Broadcasting Services Bill 2023
...
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June 3, 2022
Garment Workers
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Labour
Resignations and Resistance Amidst State Inaction: Chronicling Garment Work During the Pandemic
This volume is a compilation of three reports produced over the course of the years 2020 and 2021. The report ‘Garment Workers, COVID-19 pandemic and the Lockdown: A report from South Karnataka’ was published jointly by Garment Mahila Karmikara Munnade and Alternative Law Forum in May 2020. The report ‘Laid Off During ...
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May 22, 2022
Urban Governance
Participation in Play – Demonstrating a Practicable Approach to People’s Participation in the Context of Policy Making during COVID-19
The lives and livelihoods of people across India were severely impacted due to the Covid 19 pandemic. While the government announced a slew of policy measures to address the same, critical analysis has shown that these measures were not adequate.There were significant gaps between policies and needs of vulnerable communities ...
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April 11, 2022
Criminal Law
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Technology and Law
ದಿ ಕ್ರಿಮಿನಲ್ ಪ್ರೊಸಿಜರ್ (ಐಡೆಂಟಿಫಿಕೇಷನ್) ಬಿಲ್; ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಕಣ್ಗಾವಲಿನ ಕರಾಳ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಗೆ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಪುಷ್ಠಿ
ದಿ ಕ್ರಿಮಿನಲ್ ಪ್ರೊಸಿಜರ್ (ಐಡೆಂಟಿಫಿಕೇಷನ್) ಬಿಲ್; ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಕಣ್ಗಾವಲಿನ ಕರಾಳ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಗೆ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಪುಷ್ಠಿ ...
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January 31, 2022
Garment Workers
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Labour
How Places Matter – Understanding Workers’ Responses to Garment Factory Closures during the Pandemic in Bengaluru and Srirangapatna
The paper looks at the phenomenon of forced resignations in the garment industry in Karnataka during the pandemic. It demonstrates how workers’ responses to forced resignations were determined by whether they were located in the city (Bengaluru) or a small town (Srirangapatna) and calls for an engagement with the local ...
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November 30, 2021
Gender and Sexuality
Podcast – Right against Gender Discrimination in the realm of Religious Practise – in conversation with Zakia Soman
 Alternative Law Forum · Gender Discrimination in the realm of religious practise - In Conversation with Zakia Soman - ALF presents a podcast about the right against gender discrimination in the realm of religious practise. The discussion focusses on the Sabarimala judgement, the Haji Ali Dargah case, the Triple ...
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November 25, 2021
Constitution
ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಗ್ಗುತ್ತಿದೆ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತರ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸುವಿಕೆ
ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಗ್ಗುತ್ತಿದೆ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತರ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸುವಿಕೆ ...
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September 10, 2021
Criminal Law
Why we need to be concerned about the DNA Bill
This article was published in Nyaya Patha (Weekly newsletter of Naanu Gauri) in Kannada.  The DNA Bill is drowning in vagueness, setting out to make a database of our DNA that renders us vulnerable to targeting and must be opposed. The Parliament before every session provides a list of government ...
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August 4, 2021
Labour
,
Sex Workers
Anti-Trafficking Bill: A travesty of legal principles
THE BILL CRIMINALISES THE LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS OF THOSE IT PURPORTS TO SAVE. The Union government is likely to introduce the Anti-Trafficking Bill, 2021, in the ongoing session of Parliament. This follows the lapse of the 2018 version, which was passed only in the Lok Sabha. The 2021 Bill, however, ...
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April 27, 2021
Caste
Posters on SC ST (Prevention) Atrocities Act – English and Kannada
This is one of the most significant legislations that protects Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Atrocities based on their caste is a lived reality for most of India’s SC and ST communities. This set of 3 posters, available in English and Kannada, are meant to spread awareness and enable citizens to ...
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April 2, 2021
Garment Workers
,
Labour
Forced Resignations, Stealthy Closures
Forced Resignations, Stealthy Closures is an account of the losses faced by garment workers in Bengaluru city during the course of the pandemic in the year 2020. It documents the phenomenon of ‘forced resignations’ in the garment industry whereby factory managements who want to close down or reduce workforce construct situations ...
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December 22, 2020
Garment Workers
,
Labour
Laid-off during the pandemic: A case-study of the closure of a garment factory
To download the English report, click here.To download the English Executive Summary, click here.ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಡೌನ್ ಲೋಡ್ ಮಾಡಬಹುದು ...
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May 26, 2020
Garment Workers
,
Labour
Garment Workers, COVID-19 Pandemic and the Lockdown: A Report from South Karnataka
To download, click here ...
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February 21, 2020
Street Vendors
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Urban Governance
Street Vending: Pakka Legal! – A comic about the Street Vendors Act, and their right to livelihood
Be it Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or Bengaluru, streets in any Indian city will not be the same without our vendors. It is because of the low-cost access to goods and services provided by street vendors that cities become more affordable for working and middle classes. They are the eyes and ...
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May 19, 2017
Domestic Violence
THE MYTH OF MISUSE OF 498A
The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 failed to address the various forms of abuses meted out to married women, and the alarming increase of dowry deaths. This prompted the women’s rights movement in the 1970’s and 80’s to undertake an unrelenting campaign to bring “marital cruelty” under the ambit of the ...
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February 22, 2017
DRAFT TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS (PREVENTION, PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION) BILL, 2016
Read on Scribd here. Draft Trafficking of Person... by altlawforum ...
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February 22, 2017
Urban Governance
COMMENTS ON THE PERSONS IN DESTITUTION (PROTECTION, CARE AND REHABILITATION) MODEL BILL, 2016
Read on Scribd here. Persons in Destitution Mode... by altlawforum ...
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January 30, 2017
Sanitation Workers
Contract Pourakarmikas Struggle Relentlessly for Better Wages: Lekha KG
After relentless struggle of more than three years demanding for better wages, the BBMP Guttige Pourakarmikara Sangha (BBMP Contract Pourakarmika Union – affiliated with AICCTU) was successful in compelling the State government to increase the monthly wages payable to guttige pourakarmikas. On August 14th, 2016, the State Government issued a ...
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January 30, 2017
Constitution
Breathing Life Into The Constitution
A book on Human Rights Lawyering in India Published January 2017 Read on Scribd here. Breathing Life Into The Con... by altlawforum ...
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January 1, 2017
Constitution
Law Commission’s Questionnaire on the Uniform Civil Code: A Critique
The questionnaire released by the Law Commission of India to initiate a debate on the uniform civil code (UCC) is problematic on various fronts. The aim of the questionnaire, as stated by the law commission, is to seek opinion of the public about ways in which family law reforms can ...
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December 31, 2016
Constitution
,
Labour
Demonetization, the informal economy and civil society
The 50 days of the ‘Demon’ are now done. Even as the nation waits in apprehension, wanting to know what lies next, there have been several humorous responses to the same. Church Street Social, an upscale pub in Bangalore has announced that their customers can get a drink of beer ...
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October 3, 2016
The Padayatra from Dantewada to Gompad: Liberating the Tricolour from the clasp of violence
On June 13, 2014 Madkam Hidme, a 23 year old adivasi girl was found dead with marks of torture and rape on her body. The body was found near her village Gompad, Block Konta, district Sukma, Chhattisgarh. The very next day, a picture of her corpse, draped in a crisp ...
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January 2, 2016
Family Law
The Changing Face of the Family- Guardianship, Custody and the Law
An individual is considered a minor till he or she attains the age of eighteen. Till a minor attains majority, he has a guardian, who is empowered to take decisions on behalf of the minor. The minor may also be in the custody of an individual, who is responsible for ...
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October 5, 2015
Constitution
Hate’s tryst with destiny – Prof. Kalburgi’s Murder
There has been a prominent resurgence of the hindu right wing, all over India but especially in Karnataka, in launching a relentless campaign of hate and murder with a view to curtailing the fundamental freedoms of all people, but specially writers, activists and minorities. This  campaign is being carried out ...
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August 31, 2015
Media and Law
Governing Speech on the Internet: From the Free Marketplace Policy to a Controlled ‘Public Sphere’
Introduction The internet is widely thought to be unprecedented and radically different from the media which preceded it. Interestingly, the internet has been unlike other media, in that it does not have a history of being monopolised by governments. True, certain States have tried to regulate the internet in a ...
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August 31, 2015
Constitution
,
Gender and Sexuality
A REPORT ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST TRANSGENDERS IN KARNATAKA, 2014
Violence faced by the transgender community is often invisible or under reported in mainstream media. Further, an insensitive criminal justice system makes reporting even more difficult. In this report, my effort has been to document instances of violence faced by the members of transgender community in the recent past by ...
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July 6, 2015
Gender and Sexuality
Empathy, Craft and other Lessons to Learn from the US Same-Sex Marriage Decision
The Court recounts James Obergefell’s struggle to be listed as the surviving spouse on his partner’s death certificate, the uncertainty that an unmarried status created in the lives of April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse with respect to their children, and the burden endured by Ijpe DeKoe and Thomas Kostura who ...
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June 26, 2015
A Carriage of Injustice
The Justice J.S. Verma Committee report that came out in light of the Delhi rape case in late 2012 took us a few steps ahead in the conversation on rape. It gave us the tools to locate the crime of rape in the context of gender justice. However, the recent judgment of ...
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June 11, 2015
Gender and Sexuality
A Primer on the Transgender Rights Bill
The Rajya Sabha passed the Transgender Rights Bill in April 2015. The following primer prepared by Danish Sheikh of ALF for Orinam offers a guide to it ...
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June 11, 2015
Gender and Sexuality
Application by Union of India Asking For Clarification of Transgender Judgement
The Union Government has asked the Supreme Court for clarification on its judgment pronounced earlier this year in NLSA v. UOI, which has been reported in The Hindustan Times. Following is the text of the Government application: ...
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June 11, 2015
Criminal Law
Karnataka Amendments to Goonda Act
The State of Karnataka has amended the Goonda Act to bring “habitual offenders” concerning cybercrimes and copyright under the legislation. The Goonda Act is an extremely regressive piece of legislation stemming from the colonial Criminal Tribes Act wherein people were deemed criminal merely because they belonged to a certain social ...
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May 31, 2015
Street Vendors
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Urban Governance
The Aesthetics of Discrimination: Street Vendors and Public Spaces
A few weeks ago, a number of street vendors were illegally evicted by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board following a complaint by a local resident (who also happened to be a Member of the Ruling Party). The complaint was based on the notion that street vendors were an ...
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May 27, 2015
Press Release: One year of NDA government
On the occasion of the completion of 1 year of the NDA government, a group of organisations and individuals, including Central Trade Unions, NGOs, Human Rights groups have come together to expose the bitter truths of the promised ‘Acche din’. The group has decided to have a series of programmes ...
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May 13, 2015
Caste
ALF Response to Article on Caste Diversity in the Development Sector
The piece by Karthik Navayan on Caste Diversity in the Development Sector raises many important issues. Clearly the blindness to the question of the way caste operates is structural and institutional and pervades all spaces including so called ‘progressive spaces’. This reality was pointed out to by Dr. Ambedkar in his key ...
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April 30, 2015
Family Law
Forced Into Marriage by Social Pressures
Recently, a doctor in Delhi committed suicide when she found out that her husband was gay. Her suicide note indicates that she also faced mental harassment from her husband. In late 2014, a dentist in Bangalore, on finding out that her husband was having sexual relationships with other men, filed a case ...
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April 29, 2015
Gender and Sexuality
For Those Marked “Other”
On April 24, the Rajya Sabha passed a private member’s bill which provides a comprehensive rights framework for transgender persons. This is a victory of staggering magnitude — not only was it voted in unanimously, it is also the first time in 46 years that a private member’s bill has ...
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April 24, 2015
Gender and Sexuality
Rajya Sabha passes Transgenders bill aimed to uplift community (Read the Bill)
Rajya Sabha passes Transgenders bill aimed to uplift community Rajya Sabha on Friday passed The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill 2014 with members from across the political spectrum joining hands to demand that the government take steps to bring the transgender community, facing social stigma and ostracism, into the mainstream ...
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April 18, 2015
Technology and Law
Report on Consultation on Net Neutrality in the Indian Context: Reality v. Rhetoric
Read on Scribd here. ALF Net Neutrality Consulta... by altlawforum ...
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April 18, 2015
Technology and Law
Net Neutrality for a Web of Equals
In the past few weeks, net neutrality has spiralled from an obscure term of concern only to telecom and Internet companies to a major topic that sparks off innumerable passions about peoples’ personal perception of the Internet. A public debate on net neutrality is much needed. As most popularly understood, ...
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March 28, 2015
Urban Governance
Government Must Ensure All People Get Unhindered Access to Public Spaces
A few years ago, when some members of Hasiru Usiru wanted to have a meeting in Traffic Park on St Marks Road, the guard asked us to leave because the park closes at 6pm. This park had been handed over to a realty group which then fixed timings for the ...
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March 14, 2015
Technology and Law
Regulation of OTT Services
On 27 March 2015, TRAI released a consultation paper seeking public comments on the Regulation of OTT Services. ALF submitted both comments and countercomments in the same regard. These are below. Read on Scribd here. ALF Countercomments to TRAI... by altlawforum ...
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February 25, 2015
Gender and Sexuality
How AAP Could Decriminalise Homosexuality in the National Capital Region
Part I AAP’s commitment towards the politics of change is on test: will it decriminalise homosexuality by amendment, if not outright repeal of Section 377 of the IPC? AAP’s landslide victory in New Delhi has meant a reopening of shrinking democratic space. But a robust democracy itself doesn’t guarantee checks ...
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February 21, 2015
Technology and Law
Internet.org Comes to India
Last week, India became the sixth country to see the launch of Internet.org, the outcome of a Facebook tie-up with Anil Ambani’s Reliance Communications. Internet.org is a service that promises to bring the internet to you for free. But of course, you need a Reliance mobile connection to get that ...
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February 16, 2015
Technology and Law
All Internet Users, Pay Attention
The following article by Smarika Kumar was first published in The Hoot. In December 2014, Airtel decided to charge a differential tariff on VOIP calls (Voice on Internet Protocol calls, such as those made possible by Skype or Google Talk). Themove received a lot of flak on the internet and eventually Airtel had ...
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February 16, 2015
Technology and Law
How Internet.org Presents An Opportunity To Rethink Freedom Of Speech
Ever since rumours regarding the Indian launch of Internet.org app by Facebook in a tie-up with Reliance were confirmed, there has been lively speculation about whether the move is a violation of net neutrality. The app presents an opportunity for internet access (The stated objective ambitiously being internet access for ...
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February 15, 2015
Media and Law
Thanks to CBFC, we need to come up with better abuses today
One of the hallmarks of absurdity – especially as manifested by government policies – is its ability to confuse our reactions, provoking umbrage when it ought to provoke raucous laughter. The Central Board of Film Certification (how ironic that they were renamed and are no longer the censor board) issued ...
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February 5, 2015
Constitution
The Death Wish of the Constitution?
The present political dispensation hinting that they would go by the unamended version of the preamble (which did not have the words socialist and secular in it) has stirred the pot of controversy. The intellectual support for this move has been articulated by Ravi Shankar Prasad who as reported by the ...
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December 15, 2014
Gender and Sexuality
Dignity First: One Year of Resistance to Re-Criminalisation of LGBT Lives
11 December 2014 marks one year of Re-Criminalisation of LGBT lives by the Supreme Court of India. This booklet is the product of the collective labours of a number of people including those who testified about their lives, those who collected the narratives, those who protested the judgment of the ...
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November 22, 2014
Intellectual Property
Book Review: Insights on Film Piracy (EPW)
Read on Scribd here. Insights on Film Piracy by altlawforum ...
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October 11, 2014
Labour
,
Street Vendors
Order by Karnataka HC directing that Street Vendors Act must be followed while making Streets Safer for Pedestrians
Karnataka High Court has passed an interim order that provisions of Street Vendors Act must not be violated by the Government while implementing earlier orders of the Court in the PIL to make streets safer and friendlier for pedestrians.The order is reproduced below for reference. If anyone hears of any ...
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September 11, 2014
Labour
,
Urban Governance
High Court Order in Bangalore Metro Rail Construction Workers’ Case
Following is the order passed by the Karnataka High Court in the BMRCL construction workers case, which raised the issue of violation of various legislations governing workmen working on the Bangalore Metro Rail Project ...
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August 19, 2014
Criminal Law
ಕಾನೂನಿನ ಗೂಂಡಾಗಿರಿ, or Goondagiri of the Law (Kannada and English)
This piece by Maitreyi Krishnan and Siddharth Narrain was first published in Prajavani. ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದಾದ ನಂತರ ಒಂದರಂತೆ ನಡೆದ ಲೈಂಗಿಕ ದೌರ್ಜನ್ಯ ಪ್ರಕರಣಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರಿಂದ ತೀವ್ರ ಆಕ್ರೋಶ ವ್ಯಕ್ತವಾದ ನಂತರ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರ, ಗೂಂಡಾ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ ತಿದ್ದುಪಡಿ ಮಸೂದೆಗೆ ವಿಧಾನ ಮಂಡಲದ ಉಭಯ ಸದನಗಳ ಅನುಮೋದನೆ ಪಡೆದುಕೊಂಡಿದೆ. ಆಸಿಡ್ ದಾಳಿ ನಡೆಸುವ ವರು, ಪರಿಸರವನ್ನು ಹಾಳು ಮಾಡುವವರು, ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ಅಪರಾಧ ಎಸಗುವವರು, ಕಪ್ಪು ಹಣವನ್ನು ...
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July 23, 2014
Street Vendors
Call for Public Comments on Framework for Rules on Rights of Street Vendors
The Central Government recently passed an act to protect the rights of street vendors – the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihoods and Regulation)Act, 2014. The Karnataka government through a G.O dated 14/07/2014 , No. NaAE81MLR has constituted a committee under the chairpersonship of the Director, Municipal Administration to frame rules for ...
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July 2, 2014
Gender and Sexuality
Remembering Naz
The following piece was written by Danish Sheikh and first appeared on Kafila on 2nd July 2014. “We declare that Section 377 IPC, insofar it criminalises consensual sexual acts of adults in private, is violative of Articles 21, 14 and 15 of the Constitution.” Today marks 5 years of the Delhi High ...
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June 25, 2014
Gender and Sexuality
Ruling in India Not the Last Word
The following piece was written by Gowthaman Ranganathan and first published in the Gay and Lesbian Review on 25 June 2014. “NO GOING BACK!” The message was clear after the Supreme Court of India’s decision to recriminalize homosexuality by reversing the judgment of the Delhi High Court that decriminalized adult consensual same ...
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May 31, 2014
Media and Law
Response to Law Commission’s Consultation Paper on Media Laws
In May 2014, the Law Commission of India issued a consultation paper, to seek responses to amendment in media laws in the country. A number of issues were raised regarding media laws and regulations, and we at ALF have submitted our responses to the Commission on the following points: a. Cross ...
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May 11, 2014
Intellectual Property
,
Media and Law
Understanding the Problem of Piracy: A Perspective From The Issue of Access
Presentation made by Smarika Kumar at the National Seminar on Copyright organised by National Book Trust and Sahitya Akademi on World Book and Copyright Day in Calcutta University on 23rd April 2014. https://www.scribd.com/presentation/227370776/The-Problem-of-Piracy-A-Perspective-from-the-Issue-of-Access ...
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April 25, 2014
Gender and Sexuality
Not just his and hers
This opinion piece by Danish Sheikh first appeared in The Indian Express on April 25, 2014. Speaking of the persecution of transgender individuals in India, the Supreme Court observes that the “moral failure lies in society’s unwillingness to contain or embrace different gender identities and expressions”. With this opening acknowledgment, the ...
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April 21, 2014
Gender and Sexuality
Third, but not separate
This opinion piece by Arvind Narrain first appeared in DNA on 21 April 2014. The Supreme Court in National Legal Services Authority vs Union of India, in a sweeping, rights-affirming judgment for the first time in its institutional history, recognised that transgender persons are full and equal citizens of India. By ...
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April 15, 2014
Gender and Sexuality
National Legal Services Authority versus Union of India — Preliminary Reactions
This post by Danish Sheikh first appeared on Law and Other Things. In 2004, Kokila, a hijra in Karnataka, was brutally raped by ten men, only to be tortured by the police to whom she went to report this crime. Kokila filed an affidavit to this effect before the Supreme Court ...
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April 13, 2014
Gender and Sexuality
Crimes of Unreason
Article by Danish Sheikh, first published on Kafila. With the ease of a particularly sadistic magic trick, a 98 page document has sent millions of LGBT individuals time-warping back into pre-2009 criminality. If there were any constitutional justifications for this act, they are not to be found lurking in the pages ...
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February 18, 2014
Gender and Sexuality
The Road to Decriminalization
Danish sheikh: "the road to decriminalization: litigating India's anti-sodomy law" in 2009, the Indian LGBT community took its first step towards equal sexual citizenship. Sheikh: despite the landmark judgment, there was an equally fierce backlash. Read on Scribd here. Danish Sheikh, Yale Human R... by altlawforum ...
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February 14, 2014
Media and Law
Penguin India served legal notice on agreement to withdraw and pulp “The Hindus: An Alternative History”
Subsequent to the private settlement agreement made by Penguin India in February 2014 to withdraw from circulation and to pulp all copies of Wendy Doniger’s book, “The Hindus: An Alternative History,” Lawrence Liang of the Alternative Law Forum has served a legal notice upon Penguin India. The notice informs Penguin India that ...
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January 21, 2014
Gender and Sexuality
We Dissent
Article by Siddharth Narrain, first published on Kafila. The Supreme Court’s decision in Suresh Kumar Kaushal & Another v. Naz Foundation & Others is an unprecedented ruling, deciding to turn the clock back to pre-July 2009, when LGBT persons were criminalized by section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. On close reading, the judgment is ...
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December 28, 2013
Constitution
,
Gender and Sexuality
Struggling for Reason: Fundamental Rights and the Wrongs of the Supreme Court
Article by Siddharth Narrain and Danish Sheikh in the Economic and Political Weekly. Read on Scribd here. Struggling for Reason: Fund... by altlawforum ...
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December 22, 2013
Gender and Sexuality
It’s Not My Job To Tell You It’s Okay To Be Gay
Paper by Arvind Narrain and Vinay Chandran covering a queer critique on the medicalisation of homosexuality. Read on Scribd here. It's Not My Job To Tell... by altlawforum ...
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December 22, 2013
Gender and Sexuality
Queer Women and the Law in India
By Ponni Arasu and Priya Thangarajah Read on Scribd here. Queer Women and the Law in ... by altlawforum ...
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December 22, 2013
Gender and Sexuality
The Articulation of Queer Rights: The Emerging Right to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Paper by Arvind Narrain on the emerging right to sexual orientation and gender identity. Introduction During the last decade of the 20th century in India, the hitherto private realm of sexuality emerged as a focal point and basis for various forms of political assertion. India is increasingly witness to people ...
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December 22, 2013
Constitution
Analysis of Justice Somashekhara Commission Report
An analysis of the findings of the Justice Somashekhara Commission Report on the attacks on churches in Karnataka. Read on Scribd here. Analysis of Justice Somashe... by altlawforum ...
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December 19, 2013
Criminal Law
All in All, It’s Just Another Hole in the Wall…
An article by Jiti Nichani and Aarti Mundkur on the Juvenile justice system. (Sarai Reader 2007: Frontiers) Read on Scribd here. All in All, It’s Just Anoth... by altlawforum ...
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December 19, 2013
Constitution
Constitutionalism and the Possibilities of Peace
An analysis of the Nandini Sundar judgment where the Supreme Court ordered that the state of Chhattisgarh disband Special Police Officers and looked at the issue of state support to vigilante groups. This piece was published in the Infochange Agenda issue on “Peace”. Read on Scribd here. Constitutionalism and the ...
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December 18, 2013
Gender and Sexuality
Sexual Minorities and the Police in India: Towards a Regime of Accountability
The following document is a submission to the Soli Sorabjee Committee set up to reform the Police Act. This submission was made by 39 civil society organizations working in the area of gender, sexuality and rights and was aimed at suggesting reform to ensure that police took the human rights ...
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December 18, 2013
Gender and Sexuality
Subaltern Queer Cultures in the Era of Hindutva
Issues of sexuality remain inextricably linked to questions of both health and human rights. The discourses surrounding health have had a deeply contradictory impact on the human rights of “queer” people in the Indian context. At one level there is the medical discourse which, under the rubric of the International ...
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December 18, 2013
Criminal Law
Proposed Changes to Law relating to Sexual Assault
The horrific sexual assault on a moving bus in Delhi which has shocked the nation has drawn attention to the prevalence of the crime of sexual assault. What has also emerged into the limelight are the huge gaps in the legal framework which allows for these forms of violent crime ...
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December 18, 2013
Gender and Sexuality
Documentation of a Right that Dares To Speak Its Name: The Delhi HC Naz Foundation Decision
Alternative Law Forum was involved in the Naz Foundation decision case by the Delhi High Court, representing Voices against 377. This section contains various documents which are useful signposts leading up to the High Court decision. 1. Final Written Arguments by Voices Against 377 These are the final written submissions ...
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December 18, 2013
Gender and Sexuality
Teachers and Academics Against 377
The following is an open letter signed by a number of academics supporting the Delhi High Court decision in the Naz Foundation Case. University teachers, researchers and academics from all over India issued a strong statement in support of the recent Delhi High Court judgement decriminalizing consensual sex among adults ...
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November 30, 2013
Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property and the Knowledge Culture Commons
The ALF-SARAI Collaboration on “Intellectual Property and the Knowledge / Culture commons” For much of its history intellectual property research and practice was considered a niche area of property law, properly considered as hard private law. There are clearly major limitations of such a traditional black letter approach, particularly since ...
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May 22, 2013
Malnutrition and Destitution among Adivasis in Kerala
The continuing deaths of children in the Attappady Hills, Palakkad district in Kerala has shocked the conscience of the entire country. Sadly, since majority of these children either were stillborn, or died within days of being born, they have not even been given names by their family, and died unnamed ...
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February 22, 2013
Constitution
,
Criminal Law
Captive Democracy: A Fact Finding Report On Abuse of the Criminal System to Curb dissent against the POSCO Steel Plant in Odisha
As is now well known, the Government of Orissa and Pohang Steel Company (POSCO), Republic of Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 22, 2005 for setting up an Integrated Steel Plant in Orissa, in Jagatsinghpur district, affecting 8 villages of three Gram Panchayats of Kujang Tahsil, i.e ...
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June 11, 2012
Intellectual Property
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Media and Law
FAQs concerning the Copyright Amendment of 2010 (revised to 2012)
Report by Katherine Gibson, intern from Yale Law School at ALF ...
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June 11, 2012
Media and Law
An Overview of Broadcasting Legislation in India
...
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July 11, 2011
Labour
,
Sanitation Workers
Fact Finding Report: Death of Manual Scavenging Workers in Hasan, 9 July 2011
Read on Scribd here. Fact Finding Report: Death ... by altlawforum ...
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June 29, 2011
Domestic Workers
,
Labour
A Milestone Verdict in the Domestic Worker Struggle
Papamma, a domestic worker in Bangalore, took her employers to court and managed to receive a favourable judgment. This is a historic victory for perhaps the most vulnerable segment of unorganised workers, made possible by the support of a trade union, a dedicated team of advocates and a labour officer ...
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February 22, 2011
Constitution
,
Criminal Law
Sedition Laws & the Death of Free Speech in India
Sedition Laws and the Death of Free Speech in India: A Publication by the Center for the Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, NLSIU & the Alternative Law Forum, Bangalore (2011). This publication looks at the history of sedition laws, legal interpretation of sedition laws by Indian courts, and comparative law ...
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December 22, 2010
Labour
,
Sanitation Workers
Fact Finding Report: Death of Manhole Workers in Kolar
Yet again two unfortunate victims lost their lives to asphyxiation in manholes. This time the ‘accident’ repeated itself on 11th December 2010, at a manhole near the R.T.O. in Kolar city ending the lives of Shri Manjunath and Shri Rajanna. ALF carried out a fact finding report, which can be ...
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December 11, 2010
Media and Law
Srishti (Ad-Anhad) Judgement
Srishti (Ad-Anhad) Judgement The recent Delhi High Court judgement upholding the constitutional right to freedom of speech of expression in a case related to the censorship of Ad-Anhad(Bounded-Boundless), a film by Shabnam Virmani that centres around 15th century mystic poet Kabir who defied the boundaries between Hindu and Muslim. This ...
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November 11, 2010
Constitution
Where Angels Fear To Tread: The Ayodhya Verdict
An article by Lata Mani in Economic and Political Weeklyhttps://www.scribd.com/document/192467166/Where-Angels-Fear-to-Tread-The-Ayodhya-Verdict ...
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September 15, 2010
Intellectual Property
Information Pack on Patents (3rd Amendment) Act, 2004
This information pack contains all necessary information about the Proposed Patents (3rd Amendment) Act which you can use for your campaign. Information Sheet on Patent... by altlawforum 2003 Draft of Proposed Amen... by altlawforum ...
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June 11, 2010
Constitution
Ishrat Jahan Judicial Enquiry Report
0https://www.scribd.com/document/192467022/Ishrat-Jahan-Judicial-Enquiry-Report ...
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April 23, 2010
Media and Law
Comments on Draft Cinematograph Act 2010
ALF’s comments on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s draft Cinematograph Act 2010. These comments have been endorsed by a number of groups and organisations including Vikalp (Films for Freedom) and the Screen Writers Association. Read on Scribd. Comments on Draft Cinematog... by altlawforum ...
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April 11, 2010
Caste
Dalit Studies and Law
Article on Dalit studies and law by Manoranjini.https://www.scribd.com/document/192472521/Dalit-studies-and-law ...
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August 30, 2009
Gender and Sexuality
The Right That Dares To Speak Its Name
The following document is a primer on the Naz Foundation decision by the Delhi High Court in 2009. This primer includes a schematic guide to the decision and commentaries analyzing the judgment and examining the wider implications. Read on Scribd here. The Right That Dares to Spe... by altlawforum ...
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May 12, 2009
Labour
,
Sanitation Workers
Fact Finding Report: Death of Three Manual Scavengers in Karimsaab Layout, 9 May 2009
The three sanitary workers (manual scavengers) – Rajanna, Shivu, and Pampanna – died due to asphyxiation when they entered the soak pit of the house belonging to Jayaram at Jayanna to clean it at Karimsaab Layout. This Report was collated by ALF and sent to the Karnataka Human Rights Commission ...
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March 9, 2009
Labour
,
Sanitation Workers
Complaint to the SHRC: Death of 1 person & Injury to 1 person while laying of underground drainage in Vyalikaval
Complaint to the SHRC in regard to the deaths of 1 person and injury to 1 person during laying of underground drainage in Vyalikaval on March 8th , 2009 9th March, 2009 Bangalore Dear Sir, We would like to bring to your attention the death of 1 person and the ...
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December 15, 2008
Sanitation Workers
Representations on Manual Scavengers’ Death in Bengaluru
Date:14.07.2008 Bangalore To, The Chairperson National Human Rights Commission New Delhi. Sub: Death of two workers due to asphyxiation having being trapped in manhole, in Bangalore City Ref: Case no. 51/10/15/08-09/UC in regard to the death of two manhole workers and injury to five in K.R. Nagar in Karnataka Dear ...
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September 30, 2008
Gender and Sexuality
Summary of Final Arguments Before the Delhi HC in the Naz Foundation Case
A summary of the 12 days of final arguments before the Delhi High Court in the Naz Foundation case has been provided in the following document. An edited version of this summary has also been included in the primer “The Right that Dares to Speak Its Name” published by Alternative Law Forum ...
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August 4, 2007
Media and Law
Comments on Proposed Broadcasting Bill and Content Code
The following are comments that we have drafted on the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s proposed Broadcasting Bill and Content Code. The Ministry has invited responses to the proposed Broadcasting Bill and Content Code by August 5th Read on Scribd. Comments on Proposed Broadc... by altlawforum ...
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July 2, 2007
Constitution
,
Criminal Law
Democracy, Political Dissent, and Repressive Laws
Democracy, Political Dissent, and Repressive Laws: Proceedings of A PUCL-Karnataka Seminar Held on 1 July 2007 in Bangalore. Read on Scribd here. Democracy, Political Dissen... by altlawforum ...
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March 12, 2007
Intellectual Property
Comparing Mashelkar Committe and INTERPAT
GOVT. OF INDIA Novartis files writ petition against Govt., says strict Indian patent law is not TRIPs compatible. Grant of patents only to NCEs or NMEs and thereby excluding other categories of pharmaceutical inventions is likely to contravene the mandate under Article 27 to grant patents to all 'inventions' INTERPAT ...
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July 13, 2006
Intellectual Property
Response to the Proposed Amendment to the Copyright Act 1957
The Indian Government is planning to amend the Copyright Act 1957. We have drafted a critique and response to the proposed amendment, and forwarded the same to the government of India. In this folder you can find all the relevant links and documents around the proposed amendment. Draft of Proposed ...
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June 11, 2006
Constitution
Laws That Lack Foresight
An Article by B N Jagadeesha on rehabilitation in Vijay Times. Read on Scribd here. Laws That Lack Foresight. by altlawforum ...
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January 16, 2006
Constitution
,
Criminal Law
Terror Has No Boundaries
An Article by B N Jagadeesha on violence against Dalit women in Vijay Times. Read on Scribd here. Terror Has No Boundaries. by altlawforum ...
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December 22, 2004
Gender and Sexuality
Queer: Law and Despised Sexualities in India (Book)
Book by Arvind Narrain that serves as an analytical introduction to law and sexuality in India. It is also a useful guide for activists and scholars interested in working in the area or needing to contact groups. Read on Scribd here. Queer: Law and Despised Sex... by altlawforum ...
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December 31, 2003
Intellectual Property
Draft of Proposed Amendment to Patent Act – 2003
In May 2014, the Law Commission of India issued a consultation paper, to seek responses to amendment in media laws in the country. A number of issues were raised regarding media laws and regulations, and we at ALF have submitted our responses to the Commission on the following points: a. Cross ...
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March 12, 2003
Criminal Law
Draft letter to the PM urging him to consider the impact of the amendment on access to drugs
Draft letter template to the PM urging him to consider the impact of the amendment on access to drugs. We urge you to send this letter to the Prime Minister. Read on Scribd here. Draft Letter to the PM by altlawforum ...
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March 12, 2003
Intellectual Property
Fact Sheet and Myths about Pharmaceutical Patents
Read on Scribd here. Fact Sheet and Myths about ... by altlawforum ...
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December 19, 2002
Criminal Law
A Critique of the Juvenile Justice Act 2002
Paper by Arvind Narrain critiquing the Juvenile Justice Act 2002The Juvenile Justice Act 2002 – A CritiqueTable of Contents A. Introduction 2-4 B. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2000: A 4-7 Critical look C. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2000, 7-12 Criminological considerations 1) The various ...
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