By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 31 Mar: The final round of the 8th Law College Dehradun Moot Court Competition based on the Constitution of India took place between Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab, and Symbiosis Law School, Pune.
Justice Rajesh Tandon, former judge of the Nainital High Court, was the Chief Guest and presiding Judge on this occasion. Executive Director of the University, Dr Abhishek Joshi was present as a special guest. Senior Advocates of the Supreme Court, Jitendra Mohan Sharma and Vibha Dutta Makhija, Founder of Sarvodaya Legal, Advocate Abhishek Anand and Prof Rajesh Bahuguna, Dean of Law College, Dehradun, were the judges.
The issues before the ‘five-judge constitutional bench’ were – change in the basic structure of the Constitution, powers of Parliament to change the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and the constitutionality of national emergency.
Dean Prof Rajesh Bahuguna said that 19 courts were established for this national competition while a total of 43 eminent personalities were invited as judges. A close contest was seen in the final round. The participants advocating on behalf of the government declared every action of the legislature as constitutional, while the participants advocating for the petitioners presented many examples, citing violation of human rights, the principle of federalism and public opinion, and demanded that the government actions be declared unconstitutional.
The winner was Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab; Runner up, Symbiosis Law School, Pune, Maharashtra. The
Best Woman Advocate was Ladli Singhania, Symbiosis Law School, Pune, while the
Best Male Advocate was Parth, University Institute of Legal Studies, Punjab University.
The Best Memorial award went to Symbiosis Law School, Pune, and that of Best Researcher to Kriti Kumari, Central University of South Bihar.
Justice Rajesh Tandon in his address said that the competition was of national level. The participants set an incomparable example by presenting high level legal research, precedents and arguments. He said that the present era is of digital evidence. Due to which the advocate should have proficiency in the IT Act, IP Act and laws related to Human Rights. Speaking about amendments to the Constitution, he said that the need of the hour and the nation does not mean that we should destroy its basic structure. Disregarding principles like judicial review, sovereignty and integrity, secularism and democratic format will be an attack on the basic structure.
The event was also addressed by senior advocate, Supreme Court, Jitendra Mohan Sharma, Vibha Dutta Makhija and Abhishek Anand. The vote of thanks was proposed by College Principal Prof Poonam Rawat.
Also present on the occasion were Dr Abhishek Joshi, Executive Director of the University, Principal Dr Poonam Rawat, Dr Radhey Shyam Jha, Nishant Kumar, Isha Singh, Vikas Singh, Yash Pratap Singh, Dr Anil Dixit, Ramakant Tripathi, Abhishek Mishra, Hadiya Khan, Priyadarshini and a large number of students.
