Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 11 October: A Supreme Court-like scene was witnessed today at the Law College Dehradun of Uttaranchal University. The occasion was the final round of the 10th Law College Dehradun Inter University Moot Court Competition. Justice Ashish Naithani, former judge of the Uttarakhand High Court, was the Chief Justice and chief guest on the occasion, while Dehradun advocate T.S.
Bindra, Advocate Gagan Oberoi of Oberoi Law Chambers, Chandigarh, Principal of Law College Dehradun Prof. Poonam Rawat and Dean of Law College Dehradun, Prof. Rajesh Bahununa, served as judges. The final round of the three-day competition was held between the Institute of Law, Nirma University Gujarat, and Symbiosis Law School, Noida. The competition debated one of the most contemporary issues facing the country. Amidst the Gen Z movement and challenges from the government, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court challenging the blocking of digital platforms, criminal proceedings, restrictions on peaceful protests, and the validity of government assurances. In the competition, the petitioner and the government presented their compelling arguments under Articles 19, 21, and 22 of the Constitution, as well as various sections of the IT Act and the National Security Act.
On this occasion, University President Jitendra Joshi stated that the 10th edition of the Law College Dehradun moot court was unprecedented in many respects, including the participation of 90 universities from 15 states, the delivery of judgments by 51 judges, and the creation of 39 courts. He praised the organizers and encouraged the participants.
In his address, Justice Ashish Naithani stated that while our Constitution grants fundamental rights, it also provides for appropriate restrictions and fundamental duties. The coordination of rights and duties is the true spirit of the Constitution’s founding fathers. Today’s petition addressed an important and sensitive issue. The participants effectively presented the arguments of both the petitioner and the government, presenting compelling facts. He said that the presentation by the student advocates created a Supreme Court-like atmosphere in the law college. “At one point, I felt as if I was listening to a senior advocate, not a student advocate.”
In his address, Advocate T.S. Bindra stated that the role of an advocate in moot court is more difficult than that of a judge, as the judge can ask any question, and the advocate is expected to provide the correct answer. He stated that the field of law holds immense potential. Even AI will not be able to impact the supremacy of this field. He did not discourage the use of AI, but advised caution against its fallacies.
Prof. Rajesh Bahuguna, Advocate Gagan Oberoi, and Dr. Poonam Rawat also addressed the program. The program was conducted by the students of the Moot Court Society, led by Dr. Aishwarya Singh.
