DJS Rank 19 Shalabh Deep Goyal: Topper in Delhi Judicial Services 2024

Overview: The Delhi Judicial Services (DJS) Examination is one of the country's most prestigious and competitive exams. It requires dedication, resilience, and deep legal knowledge to secure a position as a judicial officer. Today, we explore the inspiring journey of Shalabh, an aspirant who has diligently pursued the path to becoming a judicial officer, driven by his passion for law and justice. 

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DJS Rank 19 Shalabh Deep Goyal Interview – A Judiciary Aspirant with a Legacy in Law 

Shalabh hails from Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. His legal journey began with an LLB degree in 2021, followed by an LLM in 2023, and he is currently pursuing a PhD in Law. His academic background and commitment to higher legal studies reflect his dedication to the field. 

Shalabh's ambition is even more compelling because of his family's law legacy. His father is an advocate, and his uncle is a senior prosecuting officer. Having grown up in a legal environment, Shalabh was naturally inclined toward the field. However, instead of choosing advocacy, he decided to pursue a career in the judiciary due to the lack of initial financial security in litigation and his greater interest in judicial services. 

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Why Judiciary? The Inspiration Behind His Dream 

The legal profession is noble, but for many, financial security remains a concern during the initial years of practice. For Shalabh, the judiciary offered a structured, stable career path while also fulfilling his deeper aspiration to uphold justice. 

"The judiciary is not just a career choice for me; it is a way to serve justice, ensure fair trials, and contribute to society in a meaningful way." 

He views the judiciary as the backbone of a democratic society and believes that becoming a judge will allow him to make a lasting impact on people's lives. 

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LLM Dissertation: The Changing Dimensions of Freedom of Speech & Expression in India 

Shalabh's LLM dissertation focused on “The Changing Dimensions of the Right to Freedom of Speech & Expression in India.” 

Highlights of His Research:

• Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression as a fundamental right. 
• Over time, scientific advancements and the rise of social media have significantly altered the mediums of speech and expression. 
• Social media has given a voice to the voiceless, allowing even rural communities to participate in national conversations. 
• His research analysed the positive and negative repercussions of social media, especially concerning fake news, misinformation, and digital rights. 

His study focused on how technological advancements shape legal interpretations of fundamental rights, making it a highly relevant and contemporary legal issue. 

Understanding Key Legal Doctrines: Insights from His Judicial Preparation 

Shalabh has extensively studied constitutional and procedural laws as part of his preparation, mastering important legal doctrines. 

Hicklin Test – The Standard of Decency & Morality 

• This test determines whether a particular act is considered immoral or indecent. 
• Laid down in the Hicklin case, it holds that an act is immoral if it corrupts society's minds. 
• Morality varies across societies, whereas decency is more individual-centric and applies to behaviour in public and private spaces. 

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"Bail is the Rule, Jail is the Exception": Landmark Bail Jurisprudence 

• This principle was established by the Supreme Court in the case of Moti Ram v. State of Madhya Pradesh. 
• Bail is a fundamental aspect of personal liberty under Article 21. 
• Exceptions to bail arise in serious cases where detention is necessary for investigation. 

CPC & Jurisdiction 

• Jurisdiction is the power of a court to try a case and is divided into: 
  - Pecuniary Jurisdiction (Section 6 CPC) 
  - Subject Matter Jurisdiction (Section 9 CPC) 
  - Territorial Jurisdiction (Sections 16-20 CPC) 

• CrPC Sections 177-189 govern the jurisdiction of criminal courts. 

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Fake News & Constitutional Challenges in India 

• Fake news has become a major legal challenge, with digital misinformation influencing public perception and politics. 
• The Indian government amended the IT Rules to establish a Fact-Checking Unit (FCU) as the sole authority for determining fake news. 
• However, the Bombay High Court struck down the amendment, ruling it unconstitutional under Article 19 on the ground that it defined "fake news" too vaguely. 

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The New Doctrine of Arbitrariness in Article 14 

• Article 14 ensures equality before the law, but traditional "reasonable classification" was insufficient to challenge arbitrary state action. 
• The Supreme Court introduced the Doctrine of Manifest Arbitrariness, ruling that even if a law is classified properly, it can still be struck down if it is arbitrary. 
• Example: The electoral bond scheme was declared unconstitutional for lacking transparency in political donations. 

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The First Constitutional Amendment & Freedom of Speech 

• Originally, Article 19(1)(a) had fewer restrictions on free speech. 
• The First Constitutional Amendment added "public order" as a valid ground for restriction. 
• It also introduced the concept of reasonable restrictions, balancing individual rights with societal interests. 

Right to Property – From Fundamental to Legal Right 

• Initially, the right to property was a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(f). 
• It was omitted through the 44th Amendment, and Article 300A was introduced, making it a constitutional but not fundamental right. 

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Challenges in the Interview & Areas for Improvement 

During his interview, Shalabh answered most questions confidently but faced difficulty recalling certain legal provisions and doctrines. 

Details from the Interview: 

• Need for strong recall of constitutional amendments & landmark cases. 
• More structured responses in legal arguments. 
• A thorough revision of new criminal laws (Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam). 

Despite these minor setbacks, his understanding of the law, clarity of concepts, and structured thinking were evident, making him a strong judicial candidate. 

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Final Thoughts: A Promising Future in the Judiciary 

Shalabh's journey highlights the importance of perseverance, in-depth legal understanding, and continuous learning. His passion for law, academic achievements, and strong grasp of fundamental legal principles make him a promising future judicial officer. 

His story is a testament to the power of dedication, structured preparation, and resilience. 

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Advice for Judiciary Aspirants 

• Build strong conceptual clarity – Bare Acts are not enough; understand case laws & legal reasoning. 
• Stay updated on legal developments – Landmark Supreme Court judgments play a crucial role in exams & interviews. 
• Practice answer writing & structured reasoning – Judiciary exams demand precision & clarity in responses. 
• Mock Interviews are crucial – Improve legal articulation, confidence, and presence of mind.