Constitutional Law and Free Speech Advocacy
Navigating India's legal landscape requires more than just reading the statute. I translate constitutional values into actionable legal strategy, defending free speech and fundamental rights where they matter most.
Sharing lessons learned from representing AIB after the roast. The case highlighted the vulnerability of artists to criminal complaints and the critical need for robust protection of free speech, even for tasteless jokes.
A technical legal point on criminal procedure. In cases involving cognizable offences, the risk of arrest is high, making the pursuit of quashing and interim relief an urgent priority for the accused.
My legal opinion on the Supreme Court's judgment in Ramji Lal Modi. I argue that the precedent should be declared per incuriam, or wrong, as it is inconsistent with later decisions and contributes to an overly broad application of obscenity laws.
A reflection on Constitution Day. The Constitution must be followed not just in courtrooms, but on the streets, in government offices, and in the highest seats of power.
My critique of a High Court judgment that invalidated a marriage under the Special Marriage Act. The very purpose of the SMA is to enable inter religious marriages, and such judgments undermine secular legal frameworks.
A comment on the absurdity of a court case concerning the naming of a lioness "Sita." This is an example of how judicial resources are sometimes spent on frivolous litigation driven by manufactured outrage.
My view on the nature of law itself. I believe that for a democracy to function, the process of making and enforcing laws must be far more representative of the people it governs.
A screenshot of Shashi Tharoor quoting my legal analysis on the hijab ban. I argued that banning hijabs in government college classrooms is a breach of Articles 25 and 14 of the Constitution.
About Constitutional Law & Free Speech
When you face legal challenges involving free speech or potential criminal complaints, the first 24 hours are critical. Whether it is addressing a FIR or securing interim relief, my approach focuses on immediate risk mitigation and preventing the amplification of legal trouble, keeping the practical reality of your situation above the abstract noise of public outrage.
The Constitution is a living promise, but it is often tested on the streets, in government offices, and in the highest seats of power. My work is not about abstract legal theory. Whether I am dissecting the Special Marriage Act, challenging a hijab ban, or questioning the legality of surveillance technology, I treat the law as a tool for real people.
My Approach
When you engage me for free speech or constitutional matters, you get more than a legal brief. You get a strategy that anticipates how institutions—and the public—react to legal challenges. I analyze precedents, but I also examine how they impact the person facing an arrest or a gag order. We look for the fastest route through the court system, distinguishing between what is performative and what is actually enforceable.
The Reality of Litigation
The law is an opinion with a penalty, and we must make that opinion more representative of the people it governs. If your case involves media law, digital privacy, or the defense of dissent, my goal is to ensure your rights are not just acknowledged on paper, but actively upheld in court. We focus on:
- Risk Assessment: Determining the necessity of quashing petitions or anticipatory bail before the news cycle creates irreversible reputational damage.
- Strategic Constitutionalism: Using fundamental rights, such as Articles 14 and 25, to build a defense that holds up under high-pressure scrutiny.
- Public and Legal Clarity: Cutting through the jargon to present a case that is as legally sound as it is defensible in the public eye.
Jai Samvidhan. We carry on with the work.
Karuna Nundy
I am Karuna. I believe the law exists to protect rights, not to silence them. Whether I am arguing at the Supreme Court or discussing legal ethics on a panel, my focus remains on ensuring the Constitution is followed in spirit, not just in text.
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