LEX INSIGHT

Why is E. Sreedharan so celebrated, decorated with Padma awards, and respectfully nicknamed the "Metroman"? If we attempt to demystify his success without undermining his genius, the answer lies in his defiance of the norm. In an era when infrastructure projects were routinely delayed by decades, he consistently completed them before their deadlines—not just by days or weeks, but at times, by several months. It was during his tenure as the Principal Advisor for the Kochi Metro that I first encountered his extraordinary acumen. As part of the metro construction, the North Overbridge near the Ernakulam Junction railway station, in Kerala, was being rebuilt. A countdown board appeared at both ends of the construction site, boldly displaying the scheduled completion date, with the numbers ticking down day by day. For someone like me, who was well aware of the Kollam Bypass project, in the state—which had languished in a state of unconscionable delay for over two and a half decade...

    Many of my fellow travelers have already expressed their gratitude quite elegantly through reels and social media, capturing the vibrant spirit of our Malaysia tour. However, my own comfort lies in the written word, and I felt that a simple 'thank you' would not be sufficient. While I certainly wish to thank our President, Mr. Peeyus Kottam, the KHCAA team, and Mr. Sagar of the Aditya World Tour team, a mere list of names cannot fully communicate the lasting impressions I have carried with me since our return. After four days of reflection, I would like to share what truly made this journey so significant. In recent years, my wife Sheeba and I have begun traveling more frequently, venturing to the UK, the Schengen area, and the Middle East. However, our previous attempt to visit Singapore and Malaysia remained a 'malfunctioned' memory. Due to a sudden family emergency, we were forced to make a distress return, leaving Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and the Genting Highlands ...

The summer vacation period within the legal community is far from a uniform experience; its impact varies significantly across different professional circles. For some, it serves as a total "switch-off," a rare opportunity to trade the courtroom for the serenity of the far west or the untamed beauty of the wild east. For others, the break is only partial, a rhythmic cycle of preparation for vacation hearings held on Tuesdays and Fridays. However, for those practicing in criminal courts, family courts, and various tribunals, the season remains an active pursuit. For the practitioner whose work spans all these jurisdictions, the "vacation" is indistinguishable from any other working day. From Safe Mode to Emergency Mode It appears the legal community is effectively operating in "safe mode." Yet, even in this state, the gears of the district judiciary continue to turn. In one instance, several matters on a special list before a Family Court failed to receive ...

  A day ago, while scrolling through a WhatsApp group, I came across a news item declaring Sikkim as the nation’s first fully paperless judiciary. This immediately piqued my interest and brought to mind the classic analogy: "If Keechaka is killed, Bhima must be the one who did it." In January 2026, one of the most beloved judges of the Kerala High Court, Justice Muhamed Mustaque, was elevated as the Chief Justice of that Himalayan state. Knowing his track record, it was clear to me that he was the person behind this digital transformation. When his elevation was first notified by the Central Government, many of his admirers, myself included, felt a tinge of sadness. Compared to other jurisdictions on the list, it seemed a small High Court for a judge of his caliber, and many felt he deserved a larger stage. However, upon reading this news, I realized that his Lordship likely viewed the posting not as a limitation, but as an opportunity to create a model for the rest of the co...