Novak Djokovic defeats Roger Federer in 5-set thriller to win 16th Grand Slam title
London: After spending a fortnight fighting in gruelling matches, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic met each other in the final. The two forces, who are known for their different styles, came together to be a part of an unforgettable encounter at the All England Club.
In the first set, Federer and Djokovic used their respective service games to win alternate games. Djokovic then too the equally contested set to a tie-break and won it take a 1-0 led against Federer.
Following that, Federer fired back with a perfect combination of forehand shots and footwork. He won four games in a row before Djokovic could get his name on the scoreboard. That was also the Serb’s only game win in the second set before Federer closed it in his favour and equalise against his opponent’s lead.
The third set was almost a repetition of the opening set where both players contested in a tie-break. Once again, Djokovic used the situation to fuel his drive and went on to take a 2-1 lead against the Swiss legend.
Following that, Federer fought back once again to equalise the Serb’s lead. He won the fourth set while only allowing Djokovic to bag two games.
The du0 then headed to the decision in which Djokovic was the first to take lead. But Federer closely chased World No. 1 and dragged the set to the third tie-break of the match.
Federer had two championship points but Djokovic defended well. By this time, both men created history by playing in the longest final in Wimbledon history.
Once again, Djokovic was relentless and dominated the tie-break. He defeated Roger Federer to win his fifth Grand Slam title at the All England Club.
Result: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer 6(5)-6(7), 6-1, 7(7)-6(4), 6-4, 12(3)-13(7)
Courtesy: www.foxsportsasia.com
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SC dismisses pleas seeking review of 2023 verdict declining legal sanction to same-sex marriage
New Delhi, Jan 9: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a batch of pleas seeking to review its October 2023 verdict declining legal sanction to same-sex marriage.
A five-judge bench of Justices B R Gavai, Surya Kant, B V Nagarathna, P S Narasimha and Dipankar Datta took up about 13 petitions related to the matter in chambers and dismissed them.
"We do not find any error apparent on the face of the record. We further find that the view expressed in both the judgements is in accordance with law and as such, no interference is warranted. Accordingly, the review petitions are dismissed," the bench said.
It said the judges have carefully gone through the judgements delivered by Justice (since retired) S Ravindra Bhat speaking for himself and for Justice (since retired) Hima Kohli as well as the concurring opinion expressed by Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha, constituting the majority view.
The bench also rejected a prayer made in the review petitions for hearing in an open court.
According to practice, the review pleas are considered in chambers by the judges.
The new bench was constituted after Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the present CJI, recused from hearing the review petitions on July 10, 2024.
Notably, Justice P S Narasimha is the only member of the original Constitution bench comprising five judges which delivered the verdict, as former CJI D Y Chandrachud and Justices S K Kaul, Ravindra Bhat and Hima Kohli have retired.
A five-judge Constitution bench led by then CJI Chandrachud on October 17, 2024, refused to accord legal backing to same-sex marriages and held there was "no unqualified right" to marriage with the exception of those recognised by law.
The apex court, however, made a strong pitch for the rights of LGBTQIA++ persons so that they didn't face discrimination in accessing goods and services available to others, safe houses known as "garima greh" in all districts for shelter to members of the community facing harassment and violence, and dedicated hotlines in case of trouble.
In its judgement, the bench held transpersons in heterosexual relationships had the freedom and entitlement to marry under the existing statutory provisions.
It said an entitlement to legal recognition of the right to union, akin to marriage or civil union, or conferring legal status to the relationship could be only done through an "enacted law".
The five-judge Constitution bench delivered four separate verdicts on a batch of 21 petitions seeking legal sanction for same-sex marriages.
All five judges were unanimous in refusing the legal recognition to same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act and observed it was within Parliament's ambit to change the law for validating such a union.
While former CJI Chandrachud wrote a separate 247-page verdict, Justice Kaul penned a 17-page judgement where he broadly agreed with the former's views.
Justice Bhat, who authored an 89-page judgement for himself and Justice Kohli, disagreed with certain conclusions arrived at by the former CJI, including on applicability of adoption rules for such couples.
Justice Narasimha in his 13-page verdict was in complete agreement with the reasoning and conclusion of Justice Bhat.
The judges were unanimous in holding that queerness was a natural phenomenon and not an "urban or elite" notion.
In his judgement, the former CJI recorded Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's assurance of forming a committee chaired by the cabinet secretary to define and elucidate the scope of entitlements of such couples in a union.
The LGBTQIA++ rights activists, who won a major legal battle in 2018 in the Supreme Court, which decriminalised consensual gay sex, moved the apex court seeking validation of same-sex marriages and consequential reliefs such as rights to adoption, enrolment as parents in schools, opening of bank accounts and availing succession and insurance benefits.
Some of the petitioners sought the apex court to use its plenary power besides the "prestige and moral authority" to push the society to acknowledge such a union and ensure LGBTQIA++ persons led a "dignified" life like heterosexuals.
