The 3 Weirdest Court Cases, and Indian Women in Maths | #32
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While 2020 has been shitty, things are finally beginning to look up. A couple of companies have proclaimed that vaccines are almost ready, cases in India are steadily coming down and guess what - *The* RANA DAGGUBATTI likes India Wants to Know 🥳
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On a completely tangential note, Indian courts have almost 4 crore pending cases in the Supreme Court, various high courts and in district and subordinate courts. The Supreme Court saw cases rise almost 6% during the pandemic. While most court cases are important and could have ramifications for generations to come, there is no dearth of frivolous law suits in India and across the world. Here are the 3 weirdest:
Things we learned this week:
In 2016 a lawyer filed a case against Lord Rama for cruelty to his wife Sita. Yep, you read that right. The complainant alleged that Rama had banished Sita to a life in exile in a forest without suitable justification. While it may be justified to criticize Lord Rama for his actions, it is certainly not justified to waste the court’s time. Also, we like using the word ‘justified’. Sue us.
In 2006, Allen Heckered tried to sue Jordan and Nike for a whopping 832 million dollars. Their crime - he was sick and tired of people mistaking him for Michael Jordan. He sued Jordan for defamation, permanent injury, and emotional pain and suffering. He claimed that Nike sabotaged his life, because they were the company that made Jordan so famous. Thankfully his case was dismissed. But a frivolous case had to be heard by the court.
Say we’re allowed to travel again. You’ve taken a break from work and planned the perfect weekend getaway. You reach the place and alas it rains. You curse our luck and get on with life, but apparently one guy was so litigationally trigger happy that he sued the Dominican Republic because it rained during his trip. The court thankfully concluded that the man has abused the system and prohibited him from filing any other litigation without the court’s prior approval.
Bonus Content
Kaneenika Sinha, a Mathematician at IISER Pune, compiled a fantastic thread on Indian women mathematicians that you have to read:
Things we’re reading / watching / listening to:
DePixelate Podcast - A fun podcast where you learn about how seemingly unimportant events shaped history and how our world is right now. Learn how Hippos led to the rise and fall of a civilization, and how you could be at the highest point on Earth without setting foot on Everest.
The film Togo, directed by Ericson Core, is based on a true story about perseverance, courage, and determination. Set in the treacherous lands of 1925 Alaska, the movie is a chilling cinematic tribute to the lasting bond formed between a man and his dog.
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Stay Positive, Covid Negative and sue wisely.
❤️ IWTK