Raj Shamani's Figuring Out

Indian Law Exposed: Courts, Crime, Bail, Power & Police | Utkarsh Dave | FO421 Raj Shamani

Oct 16, 2025
Guest
Utkarsh Dave
Utkarsh Dave, an advocate at the Gujarat High Court, discusses the complexities of Indian law, notably related to crime and public interest. He reveals how power and money can skew investigations, illustrated by the Morbi bridge tragedy and its aftermath. Utkarsh highlights the impact of case backlogs on justice, the realities of anticipatory bail, and how influential ties can shape courtroom outcomes. He candidly shares his journey into public-interest litigation and calls for systemic changes to address these pressing issues.
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ANECDOTE

Murder Case Compromise Reveals Systemic Pressure

  • Utkarsh Dave described a murder bail case where the victim's family was pressured into compromise by the accused after arrest.
  • He used this story to show how witnesses and trials can be derailed by intimidation and settlements.
ANECDOTE

Morbi Bridge Collapse Caused By Negligence

  • Utkarsh Dave recounted the Morbi bridge collapse and how the private contractor opened the bridge without fitness or maintenance certificates.
  • He argued the deaths occurred due to negligence and profit motive rather than unavoidable causes.
INSIGHT

Backlog Makes Delay A Form Of Denied Justice

  • Justice delayed often equals justice denied given India's judge-to-population ratio and backlog.
  • Utkarsh emphasized that 76% of prisoners are undertrial, which strains the system and prolongs injustice.
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