CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND COMPLAINT WITHDRAWAL IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES

AUTHOR – SAKSHI MISHRA, STUDENT AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL

BEST CITATION – SAKSHI MISHRA, CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND COMPLAINT WITHDRAWAL IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (8) OF 2026, PG. 807-811, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/IJLRV6I887

Although there is considerable influence of socio-cultural factors on withdrawal of complaint in sexual assault cases, institutional failure in the criminal justice system exacerbates the problem even more. The formal legal system prevailing in India, although strengthened with progressive legislation and judicial decisions, fails in its practical enforcement. This mismatch between law in books and law in action results in creation of an atmosphere wherein the survivors begin to lose faith in the system, resulting in withdrawal of complaints.

Various institutional obstacles emerge in the process of dispensation of justice in the form of insensitivity shown by the police, complications arising out of forensic examination, difficulty in conducting investigations, and delay of the trial. All these result in violation of the survivor’s dignity and create anxiety in them, resulting in their reluctance to pursue legal remedy. Another crucial problem is associated with the procedures followed by the police, which involve an unwillingness to file FIRs, victim blaming, and informal settlements. Likewise, the delay in investigations and trials diminishes the strength of evidence against the accused and prolongs the suffering of the survivor, forcing them to give up on the case and leave the court procedure behind.

Furthermore, the lack of institutional support in terms of legal aid, counseling, and protection systems for the victim exacerbates the situation. While measures such as fast-track courts and compensations are available to victims, their sporadic application undermines their usefulness as means to obtain justice. This part of the paper discusses the institutional challenges that result in a withdrawal from filing complaints. The interplay between inefficiency, insensitivity, and lack of accountability within the legal system and socio-cultural factors contributes to the creation of a vicious circle. The conclusions are based on the empirical data obtained in the current research.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND CYBERSECURITY IN INDIA’S DIGITAL MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LEGISLATIVE CONVERGENCE

AUTHOR – POTTA V N VAMSI KRISHNA, STUDENT AT CHRIST (DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY) LAVASA, PUNE

BEST CITATION – POTTA V N VAMSI KRISHNA, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND CYBERSECURITY IN INDIA’S DIGITAL MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LEGISLATIVE CONVERGENCE, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (8) OF 2026, PG. 797-806, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Abstract

India’s digital media and entertainment industry, valued at approximately USD thirty billion and growing at ten to twelve percent annually, confronts a convergent regulatory crisis: intellectual property violations and cybersecurity breaches are no longer separable phenomena. Digital piracy, ransomware attacks on production infrastructure, pre-release content leaks, and AI-generated deepfakes impose estimated annual losses of USD 2.8 to 3.5 billion. India’s regulatory response—anchored in the Copyright Act, 1957 and the Information Technology Act, 2000—operates in structural isolation, without coordinated enforcement mechanisms, a statutory notice-and-takedown regime, mandatory cybersecurity standards, or legislative provisions addressing synthetic media. This article undertakes a doctrinal and comparative analysis of India’s legal architecture benchmarked against the United States Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the EU General Data Protection Regulation, the EU Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market, the EU AI Act, and the WIPO Internet Treaties. Five structural legislative gaps are identified: absent anti-trafficking provisions in anti-circumvention law, no statutory notice-and-takedown mechanism, inadequate mandatory cybersecurity obligations, insufficient platform filtering liability, and a regulatory void on AI-generated content and deepfakes. A targeted five-point reform agenda is proposed.

Keywords: intellectual property; cybersecurity; Copyright Act 1957; DMCA; DSM Directive; deepfakes; intermediary liability; digital piracy; India

THE OTHER SIDE OF GENDER JUSTICE: SCIENTIFICALLY MEASURING AND PREVENTING FALSE-CASE VICTIMIZATION WHILE PROTECTING GENUINE COMPLAINANTS

AUTHOR – KARTHIKEYAN J* & GAYATHRI J**

* STUDENT AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL NOIDA, AMITY UNIVERSITY.

** ADVOCATE, MADRAS HIGH COURT

BEST CITATION – KARTHIKEYAN J & GAYATHRI J, THE OTHER SIDE OF GENDER JUSTICE: SCIENTIFICALLY MEASURING AND PREVENTING FALSE-CASE VICTIMIZATION WHILE PROTECTING GENUINE COMPLAINANTS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (8) OF 2026, PG. 782-795, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/IJLRV6I885

ABSTRACT:

The gender justice discourse has largely confined itself to the protection of the victim, feminist legal reform, and frames of violence prevention, whilst the study of false accusations is fragmented amongst procedural law, criminal adjudication, and judicial pronouncements. While literature acknowledges the reputational, psychic, and legal injuries inflicted by false accusations, there is scarce study about the burden produced by the procedure itself in various legal regimes. This study seeks to fill this gap by exploring whether evidence standards, police action, and procedural safeguards create different levels of burden in accusation-driven proceedings. I conceptualize this research as an exploration of feminist readings of due process at the procedural level; it does not seek to critique protected legislation but instead analyzes how institutional design plays a mediating role for competing concerns over complainant protection and adjudicative impartiality. I use a comparative doctrinal methodology by examining statutory rules, rules of procedure, and judicial precedents in India, the UK, Canada, and Australia for pre-trial interventions, evidence review, and post-acquittal corrective measures. The study operationalizes “procedural victimization” as a discrete category of harm engendered through the legal process, rather than its outcome; it uses FAIM or “False Accusation Impact Model” to measure procedural burden across four dimensions-reputational harm, legal limbo duration, socio-economic disruption, and institutional delay correction. Findings suggest procedural justice is contingent not on the protection of vulnerable but rather on the interplay of evidentiary review, police power, institutional safeguards etc. in early stage proceedings. The paper proposes an objective measure to assess balance within these gender-protective legal systems.

Keywords: legal reform, Procedural Justice, Gender Justice False Accusation, False Accusation Impact Model (FAIM), Judicial process, Wrongful prosecution, Legal Reform, Procedural Fairness, Institutional bias.

GENDER INEQUALITY IN WORKPLACE OPPORTUNITIES AND PAY: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF EQUAL PAY PRINCIPLES AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION IN INDIA

AUTHOR – KUNAL, STUDENT AT SRM UNIVERSITY, SONIPAT

BEST CITATION – KUNAL, GENDER INEQUALITY IN WORKPLACE OPPORTUNITIES AND PAY: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF EQUAL PAY PRINCIPLES AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (8) OF 2026, PG. 774-781, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Abstract

Gender inequality in workplace opportunities and remuneration remains a persistent issue in India despite constitutional guarantees and statutory protections ensuring equality. The principle of equal pay for equal work has been recognized under Indian constitutional jurisprudence and reinforced through legislations such as the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 and the Code on Wages, 2019. However, significant disparities continue to exist in wages, leadership opportunities, recruitment practices, and workplace participation. This paper critically examines the legal framework governing equal pay principles in India and evaluates the effectiveness of their implementation. It further analyzes structural barriers, socio-cultural biases, informal sector challenges, and judicial responses related to workplace discrimination. The paper also compares India’s approach with international standards prescribed by the International Labour Organization and other global instruments. Through a critical legal and socio-economic analysis, the paper highlights the gap between legislative intent and practical enforcement while suggesting reforms to achieve substantive gender equality in employment and pay structures.

Keywords: Gender Inequality, Equal Pay, Workplace Discrimination, Equal Remuneration Act, Wage Gap, Labour Law, Women Employment, India, Gender Justice, Workplace Equality.

CRYPTOCURRENCY AND MONEY LAUNDERING IN INDIA: A STUDY UNDER THE PMLA 2002

AUTHOR – RUDRA VASHISHTH & NANCY SHARMA

STUDENTS AT QUANTUM UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – RUDRA VASHISHTH & NANCY SHARMA, CRYPTOCURRENCY AND MONEY LAUNDERING IN INDIA: A STUDY UNDER THE PMLA 2002, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (8) OF 2026, PG. 761-773, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Abstract

Cryptocurrencies establish a new financial system which utilizes decentralized blockchain technology for direct peer-to-peer transactions without any need for central banks or financial institutions to act as intermediaries. The increasing use of virtual digital assets in India creates new economic possibilities but also raises regulatory challenges. Their features which include pseudonymity and cross-border transferability and weak regulatory control make them highly suitable for criminals who intend to use these technologies for money laundering activities. The laundering of criminal proceeds stands as the primary target of the Prevention of Money- Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) which functions as the main law enforcement tool against this crime. India now shows progress in meeting global anti-money laundering requirements through its new regulations which extend reporting requirements to virtual asset service providers. This research investigates the methods by which criminals use cryptocurrencies to process illegal funds and assesses the PMLA’s capacity to counter this risk while assessing enforcement practices and court decisions. The research identifies existing regulatory weaknesses and presents recommendations to improve institutional capacity for Cryptocurrency and Money Laundering in India through PMLA 2002which will increase institutional transparency while maintaining financial security through innovative solutions. The PMLA established basic legal foundations which require a specialized and technology-based regulatory framework to tackle new types of digital financial crime.

Keywords: Cryptocurrency, Money Laundering, PMLA 2002, Virtual Digital Assets, Blockchain, Enforcement Directorate, Financial Intelligence Unit, AML Compliance.

ROLE OF ADVOCATES IN MITIGATING THE ISSUE OF PENDENCY AND DELAY OF CIVIL CASES

AUTHOR – ISHAN DHALIWAL, STUDENT AT CHRIST (DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY), PUNE

BEST CITATION – ISHAN DHALIWAL, ROLE OF ADVOCATES IN MITIGATING THE ISSUE OF PENDENCY AND DELAY OF CIVIL CASES, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (8) OF 2026, PG. 754-760, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Abstract

The problem of delay and pendency of civil cases has become one of the most serious challenges faced by the Indian judicial system. Courts across the country are burdened with millions of pending cases, many of which continue for years before reaching final adjudication. Such delays weaken public confidence in the justice delivery system and affect the constitutional promise of access to justice. While judicial vacancies, infrastructural limitations and procedural complexities are often identified as major reasons for pendency, the role of advocates in either contributing to or reducing delays cannot be ignored. Advocates are essential stakeholders in the administration of justice and act as officers of the court. Their conduct, preparedness, ethical responsibility and professional approach directly influence the speed and efficiency of civil proceedings.

This paper examines the role played by advocates in addressing the growing issue of pendency and delay in civil litigation. It analyses the causes of delay in civil courts and evaluates how lawyers can contribute towards timely disposal of cases through responsible litigation practices, effective case management, promotion of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and adherence to professional ethics. The paper also discusses judicial observations and legislative reforms aimed at discouraging unnecessary adjournments and dilatory tactics. Further, it highlights the importance of technology, mediation and professional accountability in ensuring speedy justice. The study concludes that advocates occupy a crucial position in the justice delivery system and that meaningful reduction in pendency is impossible without their active cooperation and commitment.

AI-GENERATED EVIDENCE AND ADMISSIBILITY UNDER THE INDIAN EVIDENCE ACT

AUTHOR – GOURIKA AGANPAL, STUDENT AT IILM UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – GOURIKA AGANPAL, AI-GENERATED EVIDENCE AND ADMISSIBILITY UNDER THE INDIAN EVIDENCE ACT, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (8) OF 2026, PG. 746-753, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming an important part of modern society and is now influencing the legal system as well. From facial recognition technology and automated forensic analysis to deepfake videos and AI-generated audio recordings, digital technology has changed the nature of evidence used in courts. Indian evidence law was originally framed when traditional forms of evidence such as oral testimony and paper documents were more common. However, the growth of AI-generated content has created new legal and ethical challenges regarding authenticity, reliability, and admissibility.

This paper examines the concept of AI-generated evidence and its admissibility under Indian law. It discusses the provisions relating to electronic evidence under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. The paper also analyzes important judicial decisions related to electronic evidence and highlights challenges such as deepfakes, manipulation of digital records, lack of transparency in AI systems, and absence of specific legal regulations in India. Further, the paper suggests reforms including stronger authentication procedures, technical expert assistance, judicial training, and stricter regulation of deepfake technology.

In my opinion, AI can become a useful tool for improving investigation and judicial efficiency, but excessive dependence on machines without proper human supervision may create serious risks for justice delivery.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Electronic Evidence, Deepfakes, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, Indian Evidence Act, Digital Evidence, Admissibility.

BEYOND COLONIAL SHADOWS: A CRITICAL STUDY OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND SAFETY UNDER BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA, 2023

AUTHOR – MR. DEEPAK,ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, J C COLLEGE OF LAW, BAHADURGARH. HARYANA

BEST CITATION – MR. DEEPAK, BEYOND COLONIAL SHADOWS: A CRITICAL STUDY OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND SAFETY UNDER BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA, 2023, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (8) OF 2026, PG. 740-745, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/IJLRV6I880

ABSTRACT

For over a century and a half, India’s legal system relied on a colonial-era code that often felt disconnected from the lived realities of modern Indian women. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, is more than just a legislative update; it is an effort to finally move past the 163-year-old IPC and build a justice system that truly understands our society. It is a “heart-centered” attempt to fix a deep-seated contradiction: living in a culture that honors the feminine while simultaneously struggling with systemic violence against women.

This paper takes a close look at the flaws of the old system where laws often lacked the nuance to handle 21st-century threats like digital stalking, voyeurism, and deceptive exploitation. By moving toward these new laws, we are seeing a fundamental shift in how the law views women not as “passive victims” in need of pity, but as empowered citizens with the right to safety and dignity.

We explore the practical changes brought by the BNS, such as the long-awaited legal recognition of “sex under false promises” and much stronger safeguards for minors. These reforms aren’t happening in a vacuum; they are part of a larger push by the government to create a justice system that actually listens to and supports survivors.

However, a law is only as strong as its execution. This study emphasizes that while the BNS is a powerful tool, its true success depends on us as a society on breaking down the social stigma that surrounds reporting crimes and ensuring these protections reach every corner of the country. Ultimately, the BNS is a vital bridge to a future where every woman in India can live with the respect and security she deserves.

Keywords: BNS 2023, Digital Evidence, Gender Justice, Section 69, Women’s Safety, Cybercrime, BSA 2023

TRADE ON WILD ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY IN INDIAN PROSPECTIVE

AUTHOR – ANIL RAJ* & AMBAR SRIVASTAVA**

* STUDENT AT LAW COLLEGE DEHRADUN, UTTARANCHAL UNIVERSITY

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT LAW COLLEGE DEHRADUN, UTTARANCHAL UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – ANIL RAJ & AMBAR SRIVASTAVA, TRADE ON WILD ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY IN INDIAN PROSPECTIVE, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (8) OF 2026, PG. 734-739, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/IJLRV6I879

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the dual structure of animal-based economies in India, focusing on the predominantly illegal wildlife trade alongside the regulated animal production sector, particularly livestock and dairying. Despite India’s global leadership in wildlife conservation—evidenced by the rise in its tiger population to approximately 3,682 during the 2022–2026 period—the country continues to remain a significant hotspot for illicit wildlife trafficking, driven by international demand for exotic pets and traditional medicinal products.

At the same time, the domestic animal production sector plays a crucial role in the national economy. By 2026, beef (carabeef) production is projected to reach approximately 4.7 million metric tons (MMT), highlighting its economic importance. This research critically evaluates the effectiveness of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended in 2022), in addressing illegal wildlife trade. It also examines key socio-economic drivers—such as poverty, illiteracy, and market demand—that continue to facilitate and sustain illicit trafficking activities in India.

CLIMATE CHANGE AS A THREAT MULTIPLIER IN ARMED CONFLICTS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORKS AND GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS

AUTHOR – Ms. E.A. VIDHYABHARATHI, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN LAW, KMC COLLEGE OF LAW, TIRUPUR, PH.D. RESEARCH SCHOLAR, SECOND YEAR, THE TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY, SOEL, CHENNAI.

BEST CITATION – Ms. E.A. VIDHYABHARATHI, CLIMATE CHANGE AS A THREAT MULTIPLIER IN ARMED CONFLICTS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORKS AND GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (8) OF 2026, PG. 728-733, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as a defining challenge to contemporary international law, fundamentally reshaping the relationship between environmental degradation and armed conflict. Increasingly conceptualized as a “threat multiplier,” it does not directly cause conflict but intensifies existing structural vulnerabilities such as resource scarcity, socio-economic inequality, weak governance, and political instability. This paper critically examines the climate–conflict nexus through a legal and interdisciplinary lens, exploring the pathways through which climate change contributes to violence, including displacement, food insecurity, ecological degradation, and state fragility.

The study evaluates the adequacy of existing international legal frameworks—particularly International Humanitarian Law, international environmental law, human rights law, and the global climate regime—in addressing these emerging challenges. It highlights significant normative and institutional gaps, including the limited protection for climate-displaced persons under the 1951 Refugee Convention, the high threshold for environmental war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and the absence of binding mechanisms within the Paris Agreement to address security implications. The paper concludes by advocating for legal reforms that incorporate climate security into international law, strengthen preventive and accountability mechanisms, recognize climate-induced displacement, and promote climate justice. Such an approach is essential for addressing the complex realities of climate-induced conflicts and ensuring sustainable peace in an increasingly fragile global environment.

Keywords: Climate Change; Armed Conflict; Threat Multiplier; International Humanitarian Law; Environmental Governance; Resource Scarcity; Climate Justice.