Page 2 - Kapil Sibal

Kapil Sibal hits back at VP Dhankhar, says Constitution is supreme

Neither Parliament nor the executive but the Constitution is supreme, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said on Tuesday, as he hit back at Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar who slammed his critics for questioning his remarks on a recent Supreme Court order. Sibal also claimed that everything the court said was consistent with the country's constitutional values and guided by national interest. Sibal's remarks in posts on X came soon after Dhankhar said that every word spoken by a constitutional authority was guided by supreme national interest. A top court bench recently prescribed a three-month timeline for the president of India to decide on Bills reserved by governors for her nod. Reacting to the directive, Dhankhar said the judiciary cannot play the role of a "super Parliament" and get into the domain of the executive. Addressing a Delhi University event, Dhankhar, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said every word spoken by a constitutional functionary was guided by the supr

Waqf Amendment Act: How Article 26 emerged as a key legal flashpoint in SC

Article 26 of the Constitution took centre stage as the Supreme Court began hearing petitions challenging the Waqf Amendment Act, with Kapil Sibal leading arguments in court

SC to consider urgent listing of pleas challenging validity of Waqf Act

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider listing for urgent hearing the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, that there were several petitions on the issue and they needed to be listed for urgent hearing. Besides Sibal, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi and lawyer Nizam Pasha mentioned other petitions for urgent listing. The CJI, who has done away with the practice of oral mentioning of cases for urgent listing, asked the lawyers to file letters or send mails for getting the matters listed before a bench. When Sibal said the same has already been done, the CJI said, "I will see the mentioning letter in the afternoon and take a call. We will list it." Pasha mentioned the petition filed by Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi. President Droupadi Murmu

'Need to upskill our youth': Sibal stresses skill development at UIA meet

Sibal emphasized that strengthening the manufacturing sector would create jobs and improve India's strategic and economic standing

People's confidence in judicial system on decline, says Kapil Sibal

Asserting that the confidence in the judicial system seems to be on the decline in people's perception, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has said alternatives can only be found when both the government and the judiciary accept that the systems in place, including for judges' appointments, are not working. In an interview with PTI, Sibal talked about what ails the judicial system, citing examples of how bail is not being granted in most cases by district and sessions courts, and highlighted the issue of the controversial speech made by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court last year. Sibal, speaking as a lawyer and not as the president of the Supreme Court Bar association, refrained from commenting on the matter of alleged discovery of a huge stash of cash at the residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma. "There is an in-house procedure to deal with the matter. Now, in the absence of facts I don't think as a responsible citizen of this country I should be ...

INDIA must appear to be 'bloc', not un-bloc itself in public domain: Sibal

INDIA should appear to be a "bloc and not un-bloc" itself in the manner that it does in the public domain, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has said as he batted for a formal structure for the opposition alliance with spokespersons to represent its views. In an interview with PTI, Sibal said INDIA parties need to have a cohesive policy, ideological framework and a programme for the future. Asked about the recent run-ins among INDIA bloc partners in the state assembly polls and if it was bad optics, the Independent Rajya Sabha MP said, "I think it (INDIA) should appear to be a bloc and not un-bloc itself in the manner that it does in the public domain." "They (INDIA parties) need to have a cohesive policy, a cohesive ideological framework and a cohesive programme for the future," he said. "I am not talking about the state level or the national level, there has to be cohesiveness in the way in which it thinks on issues that are of great national importance and unless that mechanism is put

Election Commission 'dysfunctional', 'failed institution', says Kapil Sibal

Terming the Election Commission "dysfunctional" and a "failed" institution, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has claimed that a large section of the people do not have faith in the poll body as it has not discharged its functions in accordance with its constitutional responsibilities. In an interview with PTI, Sibal said the quicker the issue of lack of faith in the Election Commission is dealt with, the greater is the chance of saving democracy. "The Election Commission is a dysfunctional body. The Election Commission has not discharged its functions in accordance with its responsibilities which are expected of it under the Constitution," he said when asked about the Congress' and TMC's allegations about voters list irregularities. The Election Commission as it stands today is a "failed institution" and there is no confidence in the Election Commission among a large section of the people of this country, the Independent Rajya Sabha MP said. "Therefore, the quicker we deal with this issu

Corruption in judiciary: Sibal seeks 'transparency' in judges' appointment

Senior Supreme court advocate was also critical of the Allahabad High Court's observation that had said "Holding breast, breaking pyjama's string is not a crime of rape"

Two journalists arrested in Telangana for insulting CM, Opposition slams

The journalists have been remanded in judicial custody for 14 days, and police said they also have two previous cases registered against them

Kapil Sibal asks INDIA bloc to 'sit and work things out' after Delhi mess

As the BJP has clinched victory in recent Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana assembly elections, Sibal pointed out that the BJP has advantage that they fight elections under single command

55 Opposition MPs file impeachment motion against Justice Shekhar Yadav

During a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event on Sunday, Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav expressed support for a Uniform Civil Code and suggested that laws should reflect the majority's preferences

History won't forgive those denying level playing field in House: Sibal

With the opposition seeking the removal of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday said history will never forgive those who do not allow a level playing field in the functioning of the House. In a first, parties of the opposition INDIA bloc spearheaded by the Congress on Tuesday submitted a notice in the Rajya Sabha for moving a no-confidence motion against Dhankhar, accusing him of being "extremely partisan" in his role as the Chairman of the Upper House of Parliament. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Jagdeep Dhankar. 60 Members of Rajya Sabha submit a Notice for his removal. Unprecedented. Sad day for the Mother of Democracy!" "History will never forgive those who do not allow a level playing field in the functioning of the House," the Independent member of the Rajya Sabha said. If the motion seeking Dhankhar's removal is moved, the opposition parties need a simple majority to get it passed, but they do not have the requisite numbers in the 243-member

Where are we taking the country: Sibal after 'Shiva temple in dargah claim'

A day after a court in Ajmer issued notices in a civil suit claiming that there is a Shiva temple in the dargah of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday termed the development as "worrisome" and wondered where the country was being taken for political dividends. A local court in Ajmer on Wednesday directed that notice be issued to three parties in a civil suit which claims there is a Shiva temple in the dargah, the plaintiff's advocate said. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Worrisome. The latest claim: Shiv Temple at Ajmer Dargah. Where are we taking this country? And why? For political dividends!" Advocate Yogesh Siroja told reporters in Ajmer that the suit was heard in the court of Civil Judge Manmohan Chandel. The suit, claiming there is a Shiva temple in the dargah, was filed in September seeking directions to start the worship in the temple again. He said notices have been issued to Ajmer Dargah Committee, Ministry of Minority Affairs and Archaeolog

Constitution played a key role in country's transformation: CJI Khanna

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Tuesday said India has emerged as a vibrant democracy and a geopolitical leader, and the Constitution of the country has helped in this transformation. India has had a transformative journey from a nation, which under the aftermath and horrors of partition saw widespread illiteracy, poverty, lack of robust democratic system of checks and balances, to one which has now become a self-assured leader, the CJI said. "But at the back of it is the Constitution of India, which has helped this transformation. It is today a way of life that has to be lived up to," Justice Khanna said, while speaking at the Constitution Day function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) at the apex court. Since 2015, November 26 is observed as Constitution Day to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. Earlier, the day was observed as Law Day. Attorney General R Venkataramani, SCBA president and senior

Kapil Sibal hails Supreme court ruling on Section 6A of Citizenship Act

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Friday hailed the Supreme Court upholding the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, saying it is a message to all that "live and let live" and conserve the culture of a multicultural and plural nation that India is. In a significant judgement, the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act which grants Indian citizenship to immigrants from Bangladesh who entered Assam before March 25, 1971. Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and Justices Surya Kant, M M Sundresh, and Manoj Misra further underscored the necessity for more robust policy measures to curb illegal immigration. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Citizenship Act, 1955, Section 6-A, upheld by Supreme Court. Message to all: 'Live and let live'. Conserve the culture of a 'multicultural and plural nation that India is'. "Bhakts listening? Bajrang Dal listening? Governments listening? Hope so!" Sibal said. Section

Complete disconnect between Bhagwat's remarks and govt's conduct: Sibal

A day after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's Vijayadashami address, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday said there is a disconnect between his statement and what the BJP-led government, which enjoys the Hindutva outfit's support, does on the ground. On Saturday, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief said India has become stronger and more respected globally with enhanced credibility over the last few years but sinister conspiracies are testing the country's resolve. Referring to Bhagwat's speech, Sibal said, "Mohan Bhagwat has given a good statement on Vijayadashami. He said that gods are divided in this country, it should not happen, the saints are divided, it should not happen. It is a country of different religions and languages." "Saint Valmiki wrote Ramayana, and hence all the Hindus should celebrate Valmiki Diwas. Why is it not happening? He said that as long as harmony is achieved, this will remain. I welcome his statement. But I want to ask a few questions, the RSS supports

Insidious ways to destabilise govt: Sibal slams BJP amid Siddaramaiah row

A day after the Karnataka High Court upheld the governor's approval for an investigation against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday slammed the BJP and accused it of adopting "insidious ways" to destabilise and topple elected governments. In a setback to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed his petition challenging Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's approval for a probe against him in the MUDA land allotment case, saying the gubernatorial order nowhere "suffers from want of application of mind". The Karnataka chief minister had challenged the legality of Gehlot's sanction for the investigation against him in the alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) in a prime locality. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Now Karnataka. BJP's insidious ways to destabilise and topple elected governments: Luring MLAs, misusing tenth schedule, instilling fear (ED, CBI)

Will VP, PM speak up: Sibal on student's death mistaken for cattle smuggler

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said the killing of a class 12 student after being 'mistaken' for a cattle smuggler was due to the encouragement given to the agenda of hate, and asked whether Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak up on the incident. The student, Aryan Mishra, was allegedly chased in a car and shot dead in Faridabad on August 23 by a group of five suspected cow vigilantes who claimed they mistook the boy for a cattle smuggler, police sources said on Tuesday. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Shame on us. Aryan (class 12th student). Shot and killed by cow vigilantes in Haryana mistaking him to be a 'cow transporter'! Cause: Encouraging the agenda of hate." "Will our PM, our Vice-President, our Home Minister speak up!" the former Union minister said. All the five accused -- Saurabh, Anil Kaushik, Varun, Krishna and Adesh -- were arrested on August 28 and remanded in police custody for two days, Superintendent of Police (Crime)

SCBA head Kapil Sibal highlights abysmal work conditions in district courts

Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal Saturday highlighted the abysmal conditions in which district court judges work and said unless their salary and infrastructure are improved, the quantity and quality of justice delivery system will continue to suffer. Sibal, also the President of Supreme Court Bar Association, said the fact that trial court and district and session courts are loath to grant bail in certain significant matters itself is "symptomatic of the malaise" that has set in. Speaking at the 'National Conference of the District Judiciary' here, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sibal said liberty is the foundational substratum of a thriving democracy and any attempt to throttle it impacts the quality of democracy. He referred to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud often saying that court at the highest level is burdened with bail matters because bail seems to be an exception at the level of trial courts. He spoke about some recent court

Kapil Sibal expresses concern over extremely low judge population ratio

Sibal was addressing the inaugural event of the 2-day National Conference of District Judiciary