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Ranjan Gogoi book brings back focus on his key judgments

Apart from the sexual harassment case, Gogoi has passed several key decisions either individually or as part of a bench which are a tad controversial.

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Ranjan Gogoi

By Deeksha Sharma

Former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has been in the news recently for his autobiography, Justice for the Judge. The book was released on Wednesday. But it has been a topic for both ridicule and amusement because of its title and its attempt to salvage Gogoi’s reputation.  

Now a nominated Rajya Sabha member, Gogoi said in an interview, “We all make mistakes and I have no difficulty in saying so”, when asked about the propriety of him leading the bench hearing the sexual harassment case against him.

On December 8, Rupa Publications held a grand launch for the book which was released by Gogoi’s successor in the Supreme Court, Justice (retired) S.A. Bobde. 

At the book launch and after, he gave interviews and was asked several questions about his decisions, judgements and, of course, the sexual harassment case levelled against him, in which he himself scheduled the hearing of the case and made observations about the motive and conduct of the complainant and claimed he was being targeted and maligned by vested interests. All in the name of tarnishing the judiciary.

Apart from the sexual harassment case, Gogoi has passed several key decisions either individually or as part of a bench which are a tad controversial.

Sabarimala Judgement

In 2019, the Supreme Court bench led by then Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi reviewed petitions challenging the Apex Court’s 2018 decision to allow women of all ages to enter Sabarimala temple, which said that matter should be considered by a larger bench. 

This decision was taken with a 3-2 majority, Justices R.F. Nariman (now retired) and D.Y. Chandrachud were the dissenters and were part of the majority in the 4-1 verdict of the 2018 order.

In the hearing, Gogoi said whether a court can intervene in matters that are essential to religion is yet to be decided, and this case is in reference to a larger bench of issues.

Rafale clean chit

In the same year, another bench headed by Gogoi gave a clean chit to the Narendra Modi government over allegations of corruption in India’s purchase of 36 Rafale jets from France’s Dassault Aviation. The deal had come under the corruption cloud because the initial contract was for 126 planes. Further, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s chowkidar comment had also queered the pitch. Rafale was the opposition’s main plank in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but the surgical strike in response to the Pulwama killing of CRPF jawans and the nation rallying behind him saw PM Modi back in the office.

Sexual harassment case levelled against Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi

In 2019, a staffer of the Supreme Court, who was assigned duties at the Gogoi residence said that she had been sexually harassed by him.

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After this, he took suo motu cognisance of the matter and titled it as ‘In Re Matter of Great Public Importance Touching Upon the Independence of Judiciary.’ Not only this, he also heard the matter on a holiday and the bench was headed by him. Legal experts have decried Gogoi on several counts for the sheer lack of judicial propriety in his dealing with the case.

NRC

At a media house’s event, Gogoi said, “National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a game, a big game by the politicians.” But this statement is nothing as he himself has part of the game and part of the bench that directed and saw the implementation of the NRC in Assam from 2014 till its finalisation in 2019. 

The NRC is the first of the two-card bogey (the second being the Citizenship Amendment Act) that had put Indian Muslims especially in the Northeast and West Bengal on tenterhooks. The CAA led to several struggles including the now legendary sit-in by Muslim women at Shaheen Bagh.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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