Assisting the Kerala High Court as 'friends of the court' in the NDPS case, a bunch of law students lend their legal expertise
The Biswajit Mandal v. Inspector case, heard by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas of the Kerala High Court, has become a significant example of the impact that law students can have on legal proceedings. Two second-year law students from MS Ramaiah College of Law, Bengaluru, Nikhina Thomas and Neha Babu, were appointed as amici curiae (friends of the court) in this case.
The legal question at hand involved the interpretation of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Specifically, the students were tasked with addressing the issue of when the 24-hour period for producing an accused before a magistrate begins. Their argument was that the clock starts from the effective curtailment of liberty, not the formal arrest record.
The students' legal reasoning was crucial in helping Justice Thomas make a decision. The court agreed with their argument, setting a precedent for the interpretation of the NDPS Act and strengthening procedural safeguards against unrecorded custody and illegal detention in such cases.
The court commended the students' work, describing them as "growing buds of the noble profession." Their contribution helped clarify the interpretation of Article 22(2) of the Constitution and has the potential to make a meaningful difference in future legal proceedings.
The Biswajit Mandal v. Inspector case is an important case that highlights the role of amici curiae in the Indian judicial system and demonstrates the potential for law students to contribute significantly to legal proceedings. The students' work in this case is a testament to the value of their education and the impact they can have on the legal system.
The students' work in the Biswajit Mandal v. Inspector case, as amici curiae, significantly demonstrates the value of education and self-development in the legal profession. Their arguments and legal reasoning not only aided in setting a precedent for the interpretation of the NDPS Act but also strengthened procedural safeguards in Indian legal proceedings, highlighting the potential impact of law students on legal discourse.
