It's now the government’s turn to argue. Who will lead arguments? The advocate general of Maharashtra, HM Seervai, or the attorney general for India, Niren De?
Typically, the attorney general, the country’s law officer, leads arguments in major cases. But Indira Gandhi’s ministers have assured HM Seervai that he will lead. For many weeks a tension has been palpable between the two, and it finally comes to a head.
The matter is eventually resolved. Both men strongly contest the petitioners’ submissions and defend Parliament’s power to change the Constitution as well as the amendments being challenged.
As one judge falls sick and with time ticking, every day in court matters. This leads to more drama, and a confrontation in the judges’ chamber, before the case is finally closed.
Credits
Host: Raghu Karnad
Research Manager: Ramya Boddupalli
Research: Bhavya Dore, Ramya Boddupalli
Legal Research: Aishwarya Chaturvedi
Script writing: Bhavya Dore, Ramya Boddupalli
Script Editor: Supriya Nair
Producer: Gaurav Vaz
Sound Design, Score & Title Track: Saachi Rajadhyaksha
Mixing & Mastering: Ayan De
Advisors: Lawrence Liang, Ranvir Singh, Shyam Divan and Vivek Divan
Guests: AK Ganguli, Lawrence Liang, Navroz Seervai, Justice Michael Kirby, Justice Rohinton Nariman, Sandip Thakore, Yazdi Dandiwala
Special thanks to Anand Thakore, Gita Sahgal, Homi Ranina, Lalitha Kumaramangalam, Reetika Subramanian and Vimal Thakore.
Clips used:
For transcript and more resources go to: https://www.anildivanfoundation.org/season-2