The New Year brings along festive cheer and a renewed will to achieve more and be better versions of oneself. At Army Institute of Law it also brings with it the mammoth task of hosting the college’s annual National Moot Court Competition, Checkmate.
As soon as the gates open for crisp January mornings, the preparation for the event commences with full fervor. Along with putting the college on the map, the competition also brings the students closer as Fresher’s vacate their rooms to make way for the participants and go on to stay with seniors for the duration of the competition. The entire student body comes together to help in all matters trivial or otherwise to make the three day event a success.
This year the proposition for Checkmate was based in the fictional nations of Inaloa and Peoples Republic of Sinaloa, and it was something straight out of a high stakes cinematic experience. From strained relations between two nations, which lead to an Naval scuffle between the two, resulting in the questioning of the very integrity of a decorated Commanding Officer. The participants were faced with a Gordian knot to untangle.
On 20th January, the finals were conducted in the Multi Purpose Hall, between Balasaheb Apte College of Law, Mumbai and Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad. The final rounds were judged by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Palli, Judge Punjab and Haryana High Court, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, Judge Punjab and Haryana High Court, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ranjit Singh, Former Judge Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mrs. Monisha Gandhi Senior Advocate Punjab and Haryana High Court and Brig NK Ohri VSM, DJAG Head Quarters Western Command. The team from Balasaheb Apte College of Law Mumbai emerged victorious, winning the running trophy along with a cash prize of Rs.50,000. Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad were runner’s up, winning a cash prize of Rs.35,000.
This year’s proposition was drafted by Gurnoor Singh Sandhu(5th year) and Adhiraj Bhandari(5th year) who were both felicitated for the same.
The Blue Pencil team congratulates all the winners.
Written by Akanksha Duvedi (2nd year)
