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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

President takes prompt cognizance

Mumbai: President Droupadi Murmu has taken immediate cognizance of a plea pointing at grave insults to the Indian Tricolour (Tiranga) in pubs and hotels, violations to the Flag Code of India, 2002, in the name of celebrating Republic Day and Independence Day. Pune businessman-cum-activist Prafful Sarda had shot off a complaint to the President on Jan. 26 but was surprised to receive a response from her office in less than 72 hours. Under Secretary Lakshmi Maharabooshanam in the President’s...

President takes prompt cognizance

Mumbai: President Droupadi Murmu has taken immediate cognizance of a plea pointing at grave insults to the Indian Tricolour (Tiranga) in pubs and hotels, violations to the Flag Code of India, 2002, in the name of celebrating Republic Day and Independence Day. Pune businessman-cum-activist Prafful Sarda had shot off a complaint to the President on Jan. 26 but was surprised to receive a response from her office in less than 72 hours. Under Secretary Lakshmi Maharabooshanam in the President’s Secretariat at Rashtrapati Bhavan, replied to Sarda on forwarding his complaint to the Ministry of Home Affairs for necessary action. It further stated that action taken in the matter must be conveyed directly to Sarda. “It’s a pleasant surprise indeed that the President has taken serious note of the issue of insults to the National Flag at night-clubs, pubs, lounges, sports bars and other places all over the country. The blatant mishandling of the National Flag also violates the specially laid-down provisions of the Flag Code of India,” said Sarda. He pointed out that the Tricolor is a sacred symbol and not a ‘commercial prop’ for entertainment purposes to be used by artists without disregard for the rules. “There are multiple videos, reels or photos available on social media… It's painful to view how the National Flag is being grossly misused, disrespected and even displayed at late nights or early morning hours, flouting the rules,” Sarda said. The more worrisome aspect is that such transgressions are occurring openly, repeatedly and apparently without any apprehensions for the potential consequences. This indicates serious lapses in the enforcement and supervision, but such unchecked abuse could portend dangerous signals that national symbols can be ‘trivialized and traded for profits’. He urged the President to direct the issue of stringent written guidelines with circular to all such private or commercial outlets on mandatory compliance with the Flag Code of India, conduct special awareness drives, surprise checks on such venues and regular inspections to curb the misuse of the Tricolour. Flag Code of India, 2002 Perturbed over the “perceptible lack of awareness” not only among the masses but also governmental agencies with regard to the laws, practices and conventions for displaying the National Flag as per the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the centre had brought out the detailed 25-page Flag Code of India, 2002. The Flag Code of India has minute guidelines on the display of the Tricolour, the happy occasions when it flies high, or the sad times when it is at half-mast, the privileged dignitaries who are entitled to display it on their vehicles, etc. Certain violations attract hefty fines and/or imprisonment till three years.

Forensic Pathology: A Critical Link Between Death and the Legal System

From ancient Ayurvedic texts to AI-powered autopsies, forensic pathology has evolved into a cornerstone of criminal investigation, decoding the silent testimony of the dead to uphold justice.

Forensic pathology is a specialist medical discipline that investigates the cause and manner of death via the examination of deceased individuals. It is essential to criminal investigations, particularly regarding suspicious or inexplicable deaths. By analysing the body and associated evidence precisely, forensic pathologists provide crucial insights that help law enforcement agencies solve crimes and deliver justice.


Forensic pathology in India has deep historical roots, tracing back to ancient Ayurvedic writings that touched upon post-mortem examinations and bodily injuries. The discipline was formalised during the British colonial era, when structured medicolegal autopsies and documentation practices were introduced. These developments also contributed to modern dactylography (fingerprint analysis), laying the foundation for contemporary forensic science in India. Globally, forensic pathology emerged as a formal discipline in the 19th century. Jean Lobstein, considered one of the pioneers, became the first professor of pathology at the University of Strassburg. Its roots, however, lie farther back in Renaissance Europe, when Antonio Benivieni invented systematic autopsies as a means of comprehending illness and death. The Constitutio Criminalis Carolina, which required autopsy for suspicious deaths, strengthened the legal recognition of forensic pathology.


In India, forensic pathology has played a pivotal role in several high-profile criminal cases. The Jessica Lal murder case of 1999, the Sheena Bora murder in 2012, and the Aarushi Talwar-Hemraj Banjade double murder in 2008 are notable examples where forensic pathology was crucial. Despite post-mortem reports indicating fatal blunt-force trauma and throat slitting, some of these cases remain unresolved due to investigative shortcomings. More recently, in the 2023 Shraddha Walkar case, forensic experts used DNA profiling and tool-mark analysis to identify dismembered remains and confirm it was a case of homicide. Similarly, in the Priyadarshini Mattoo murder case of 1996, forensic evidence such as striation marks on a helmet became conclusive after being investigated by the Delhi High Court.


In recent years, technological advancements have revolutionised forensic pathology. Postmortem Imaging, also known as Virtopsy, uses 3D virtual autopsies to examine bodies in a noninvasive way. Advanced histopathology and immunohistochemistry techniques allow detailed cellular and molecular analysis of tissues to detect subtle pathological changes. Digital autopsy platforms integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) streamline workflows, reduce human error, and accelerate report generation. Recent advancements in forensic pathology include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of autopsy analyses. AI models are being developed to assist in age estimation, gender determination, and identification of injury patterns, thereby augmenting the capabilities of forensic pathologists.


Artificial intelligence, like ForensixTM and other tools, uses biochemical and environmental factors to estimate time-of-death intervals. Automation of workflow in digital autopsy platforms reduces human error by streamlining the creation of reports.


Several prominent Indian forensic pathologists have contributed significantly to the field. Dr. Sudhir Gupta of AIIMS led the forensic investigation in the Sheena Bora case, while Dr. R.K. Sharma (Retired, AIIMS) played a major role in the Jessica Lal case. Experts like Dr. V.V. Pillay from the Toxicology Research Centre, Mumbai, and Dr. R. Badhe from the Chennai Forensic Lab are renowned for their expert testimony in narcotics and sexual assault cases, respectively.


Forensic pathology remains an indispensable pillar of criminal investigation in India and worldwide. Its evolution from ancient Ayurvedic texts to cutting-edge AI-powered digital autopsies highlights the dynamic nature of this field. By combining scientific rigour with technological innovation, forensic pathology continues to advance the cause of justice, ensuring that truth prevails even in the most complex cases. "When applied with integrity, science is the ally of justice," the Supreme Court noted.


(Dr. Kumar is a retired IPS officer and forensic advisor to the Assam government. Phukan is a student of National University of Forensic Science, Guwahati.)

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