Legal and Policies
Team Satyug advocates for stringent perjury law
Mumbai: Team Satyug, a volunteer-driven organisation dedicated to eliminating the backlog of court cases in India and promoting justice within the judicial system, hosted a press conference titled “Justice for All, Justice Within a Year” which was themed around the need for stringent perjury law. The press conference took place at the Press Club of India, New Delhi, on 3 August 2024 at 11:30 am. The event was addressed by renowned Supreme Court advocate Ashwini Upadhyay and Delhi Bar Council co-chairman Vishnu Sharma.
Perjury, the act of lying under oath, is a grave offense that undermines the integrity of the judicial system. Despite repeated concerns raised by the High Courts and the Supreme Court, the issue of perjury has remained inadequately addressed and not given the seriousness it warrants. Team Satyug believes that addressing perjury is not a matter of technological limitation but one of political will. Team Satyug is committed to fostering a just society through collective volunteer efforts and innovative solutions.
The press conference garnered significant attention from the media and the public, bringing the urgent need for a stringent perjury law to the forefront of national discourse. The event successfully highlighted the critical issues within the judicial system and the necessity for political will to address perjury effectively. As a result, there was an increase in volunteer sign-ups, with many individuals committing their time to support Team Satyug’s mission. Furthermore, the conference sparked discussions among policymakers, leading to the consideration of legislative changes to strengthen laws against perjury.
Commenting on the same belief, Supreme Court lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay addressed the attendees stating, “Perjury is a significant threat to the sanctity of our judicial system. By not addressing it with the seriousness it deserves, we allow the integrity of our courts to be compromised. Team Satyug’s initiative to create a stringent perjury law is a crucial step towards ensuring justice for all. Our goal is to see justice delivered within a year, and with the collective efforts of our volunteers, we can make this vision a reality.”
Delhi Bar Council co-chairman Vishnu Sharma added, “Implementing a stringent perjury law is essential to restore the credibility of our judicial system. It is not just about punishment but about creating an environment where truth prevails. By tackling perjury head-on, we can ensure faster and fairer justice for everyone.”
Team Satyug’s initiative encourages individuals to come forward and rectify false testimonies without fear of punishment, thereby streamlining judicial processes. Team Satyug’s philosophy of “Absolute Satvik Karm” emphasized selfless actions performed for the greater good, without seeking personal or reputational gain.
“Our mission is to empower citizens to contribute to a fair and just society. The one-time amnesty program is a groundbreaking approach to dealing with perjury, which not only helps in reducing the backlog of cases but also restores faith in our legal system.” Team Satyug founding member Vishal Gupta stated. “We urge everyone to join us in this noble cause, dedicating just an hour a day to bring about a substantial change.”
The press conference hosted by Team Satyug on the need for a stringent perjury law marked a crucial step in addressing the integrity of India’s judicial system. With insights from Ashwini Upadhyay and Vishnu Sharma, the event emphasised the urgency of implementing the need for stringent laws, gaining widespread support for the cause.
Legal and Policies
‘The India deal is on…’: India tariffs cut to 10% from 18% after Trump’s SC defeat
In response, Trump rolls out blanket 10 per cent tariff, “effective almost immediately”
WASHINGTON: The White House said on Friday that US trading partners, including India, will face a flat 10 per cent tariff after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping import duties. Countries that reached tariff agreements with Washington, both before and after Trump’s original orders, will now be subject to the same 10 per cent levy, even if higher rates had previously been agreed.
The ruling invalidated Trump’s reliance on a 1977 law to levy sudden, country-specific tariffs, dealing a sharp blow to one of his signature economic policies. Within hours, the administration responded by certifying a new, across-the-board 10 per cent duty on imports into the United States.
In response, Trump announced an additional blanket 10 per cent tariff on all imports into the United States, signing a new order and saying on social media that it was “effective almost immediately”, after a year in which his administration had imposed varying duties to reward allies and punish rivals.
According to a White House factsheet, the new levy will take effect on 24 February and remain in force for 150 days. Exemptions will continue for sectors under separate investigations, including pharmaceuticals, and for goods entering the US under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
A White House official told AFP that the administration would seek ways to “implement more appropriate or pre-negotiated tariff rates” at a later stage, signalling that country-specific arrangements could return through alternative legal routes.
The move directly affects India, which earlier this month announced a framework for an interim trade agreement with the United States. That arrangement followed Trump’s decision to lift 25 per cent punitive tariffs linked to India’s purchases of Russian oil and cut reciprocal duties from 25 per cent to 18 per cent. Under the new regime, Indian exports to the US will instead face the flat 10 per cent rate.
Trump insisted the Supreme Court verdict would not disrupt the India-US trade deal. “Nothing changes,” he said, adding that India would continue to pay tariffs while the United States would not.
“They’ll be paying tariffs, and we will not be paying tariffs. So the deal with India is they pay tariffs… It’s a fair deal now,” Trump said, describing the shift as a “flip” from past arrangements. “The India deal is on… all the deals are on—we’re just going to do it in a different way.”
Earlier on Friday, the Supreme Court ruled six to three that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorise a president to impose tariffs. Chief justice John Roberts said the law contained “no reference to tariffs or duties” and did not grant such “extraordinary power”.
Trump reacted angrily, accusing the court, without evidence, of foreign influence and claiming the ruling left him “more powerful”. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent later said the administration’s alternative approach would leave tariff revenues “virtually unchanged” in 2026.
The decision does not affect sector-specific duties on steel, aluminium and other goods, nor ongoing investigations that could lead to further levies. Still, it marks Trump’s most significant Supreme Court defeat since returning to the White House.
Markets reacted calmly, with Wall Street shares edging higher. Business groups welcomed the ruling, while uncertainty remains over whether companies will receive refunds for tariffs already paid. Analysts estimate potential refunds could reach $175 billion, though legal clarity is lacking.
