Friend of the Court

By: Anil Divan Foundation
  • Summary

  • S2 Episodes release every Monday and Wednesday till 20 Dec

    Friend of the Court is a podcast series that explores groundbreaking constitutional cases in India’s judicial history against their political and social contexts. Season 2 presents the story of India's most important judgement, Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala which established the basic structure doctrine, the guiding light of our constitutionalism. Over 7 episodes, we take you through the events that led to the case and its aftermath; featuring rare interview with participants, court files and personal memoirs.
    Anil Divan Foundation
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Episodes
  • S02E08 - Friend of the Court Season 2: Making of
    Sep 25 2024

    The team behind Friend of the Court sits down for a chat with writer and editor Vikram Shah. They talk about what went into the making of the show, including the research, writing and sound design. Featuring writers Ramya Boddupalli and Bhavya Dore, producer Gaurav Vaz and advisor Lawrence Liang

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    44 mins
  • S02E07 - Reckoning
    Dec 17 2023

    The new Janata government is keen to roll back the excesses of the emergency. Law minister Shanti Bhushan has to undo the constitutional damage of the emergency years. Legislation doesn't solve all the problems—one final battle remains. And Nani Palkhivala returns to fight for the basic structure.

    The Minerva Mills case becomes the final phase of this battle between the court and the government. We then examine the legacy and impact of the basic structure judgement both in India and abroad. 

    Guests: Gautam Bhatia, Prashant Bhushan, KK Venugopal, Lawrence Liang, Navroz Seervai, Sandip Thakore and Justice Rohinton Nariman 

    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

    For transcript and more resources go to: https://www.anildivanfoundation.org/season-2

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    37 mins
  • S02E06 - The darkest hour
    Dec 12 2023

    The emergency brings in a series of draconian measures including mass sterilisation drives, slum demolitions and press censorship. The conflict between the court and the government seems to have abated for now. Even the basic structure judgement has been dormant for two years. But suddenly, a bench is constituted to review the judgement.

    A fresh phase of courtroom drama unfolds as Nani Palkhivala comes to defend the judgement. It is described as his finest hour in court. The Gandhi government moves to make other drastic changes to the Constitution.

    After that, the emergency is abruptly lifted and elections are held.

    Guests: Ajoy Bose, AK Ganguli, Arvind Datar, Lawrence Liang, Prashant Bhushan, Rajiv Khanna and Justice Rohinton Nariman.


    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


    Clips used:

    1976 - Emergency era interview with Indira Gandhi during Mauritius Visit

    Exclusive: LK Advani On The 'Emergency' Comment

    Anil Divan on habeas corpus case: https://www.youtube.com/live/kWeZgwgZP_0?si=swJxNUqByFYdCrva 

    RR7640A INDIA MRS GANDHI DEFENDS HER RECORD

    Indira Gandhi calls for elections: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/the-emergency-indira-gandhi-indian-democracy-430486-2015-06-25 

    Leader Of Janata Party Narayan Arrives To Jaipur To Launch Elections Campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9cUuIx2PhI 

    1977 General Elections - Congress rally at Shajapur in Madhya Pradesh 

    SYND 25 3 77 DESAI SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN NEW DELHI RR7717 INDIA: POST-ELECTION REPORT


    https://www.anildivanfoundation.org/season-2

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    36 mins

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