Ajay Kumar: Creating a new article

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Creating a new article

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{{Orphan|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox person
| name = Gopal Sankaranarayanan
| birth_name = 
| nationality = Indian
| education =
| alma_mater = [[National Law School of India University]]<br>[[London School of Economics]]
| occupation = Lawyer, Writer
| years_active =
| known_for = [[Senior Advocate]] at the [[Supreme Court of India]]
| notable_works = 
| spouse = Haripriya Padmanabhan
| children = 3
}}
'''Gopal Sankaranarayanan''' is an Indian lawyer practicing at the [[Supreme Court of India]].<ref name=LM>{{cite news |last1=Vishwanath |first1=Apurva |title=Gopal Sankaranarayanan: The lawyer on a mission to weed out politics from cricket |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/BvLiplWau0O6rszXImjNFI/Gopal-Sankaranarayanan-The-lawyer-on-a-mission-to-weed-out.html |publisher=[[Livemint]] |date=January 16, 2017}}</ref> He was designated as a senior advocate by the [[Supreme Court of India]] in March 2019.<ref name=LI>{{cite news |title=Supreme Court designates huge bunch of (also younger) lawyers to senior counsel (incl. at least 5 NLS grads) |url=https://www.legallyindia.com/the-bar-and-bench/supreme-court-designates-huge-bunch-of-also-younger-lawyers-to-senior-counsel-including-several-nls-grads-20190329-9953 |publisher=Legally India |date=March 29, 2019}}</ref> He is known for his specialization in [[Constitutional law]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Poddar |first1=Umang |title=Why legal experts think BJP will never actually implement a uniform civil code |url=https://scroll.in/article/1036668/why-legal-experts-think-bjp-will-never-actually-implement-a-uniform-civil-code |publisher=[[Scroll.in]] |date=November 13, 2022}}</ref> He served as the secretary of the [[Lodha Committee]], appointed by the Supreme Court of India in 2015 to bring about reforms in cricket administration in India.<ref name=LI/><ref name=DT/> He has provided assistance to the Supreme Court as an [[Amicus curiae]] (friend of the court) in numerous cases. In April 2022, the Supreme Court appointed him as [[Amicus curiae]] to assist in the finalization of the Constitution of the [[All India Football Federation]] (AIFF).<ref name=ILL>{{cite news |title=Illegal layouts: Supreme Court appoints Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan as amicus curiae |url=https://www.indialegallive.com/constitutional-law-news/supreme-court-news/illegal-layouts-amicus-curiae-gopal-sankaranarayanan-supreme-court/ |publisher=India Legal |date=April 25, 2022}}</ref>

== Education ==
He graduated from the [[National Law School of India University]], [[Bangalore]], in 2001, and subsequently pursued a [[Master's degree]] in [[Criminology]] from the [[London School of Economics]].<ref name=superlawyer/>

== Career ==
Sankaranarayanan started his career assisting senior advocate [[K. K. Venugopal]] (now [[Attorney-General for India]]).<ref name=superlawyer>{{cite news |title=Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, on building a career in litigation and on legal writing |url=https://superlawyer.in/gopal-sankaranarayanan-advocate-supreme-court-india-building-career-litigation-legal-writing/ |publisher=Super Lawyer |date=February 21, 2016}}</ref> He assisted in drafting the Constitution of the [[Kingdom of Bhutan]].<ref>{{cite news |title=South Asia 2012-13 |url=https://programme1500.rssing.com/chan-57384157/latest.php |publisher=Rssing |date=July 15, 2012}}</ref> In April 2019, Sankaranarayanan was appointed as a [[Senior Advocate Supreme Court|Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court]].<ref name=LI/> His legal practice involves a significant amount of pro bono work and public interest litigation, addressing issues such as electoral independence, right to water, marital rape, man-animal conflict, clean air in India, and tree protection.<ref>{{cite news |title=No Trigger Point For Supreme Court To Interfere In Election Commissioner Appointment Process, Says AG Venkataramani; Constitution Bench Reserves Judgment |url=http://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/no-trigger-point-for-supreme-court-to-interfere-in-election-commissioner-appointment-process-says-ag-venkataramani-constitution-bench-reserves-judgment-214925 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221124075615/http://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/no-trigger-point-for-supreme-court-to-interfere-in-election-commissioner-appointment-process-says-ag-venkataramani-constitution-bench-reserves-judgment-214925 |archive-date=24 November 2022}}</ref><ref name=LM/><ref>{{cite news |title=Supreme Court to hear pleas seeking to criminalise marital rape on May 9 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-hear-pleas-seeking-to-criminalise-marital-rape-on-may-9-101679513194168.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=March 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Thanawala |first1=Sarah |title=Aarey Forest: Supreme Court penalises MMRCL for seeking to cut more trees than allowed, still grants permission to fell 177 trees |url=https://theleaflet.in/aarey-forest-supreme-court-penalises-mmrcl-for-seeking-to-cut-more-trees-than-allowed-still-grants-permission-to-fell-177-trees/ |publisher=The Leaflet |date=April 18, 2023}}</ref>

Sankaranarayanan served as a special counsel for the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) and the [[Enforcement Directorate]] (ED) in various cases, including those related to the [[2G Scam]].<ref>{{cite news |title=SC bars govt from taking action against ED sleuth probing 2G, Aircel-Maxis cases |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-bars-govt-from-taking-action-against-ed-officer/story-A3JiNlfsLYNsD1zhYhfZhJ.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=November 1, 2017}}</ref> In 2014, [[Subramanian Swamy|Dr.Subramanian Swamy]] vs Director, [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] & Anr, Gopal successfully advocated before the Supreme Court for the invalidation of Section 6-A of the [[Delhi Police|Delhi Special Police Establishment Act]], which provided discriminatory protection from prosecution to specific categories of public servants.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dr. Subramanian Swamy Vs. Director, Central Bureau of Investigation & ANR. [MAY 06, 2014] |url=https://www.latestlaws.com/latest-caselaw/2014/may/2014-latest-caselaw-328-sc |publisher=Latest Law |date=May 2014}}</ref>

In the [[Shreya Singhal v. Union of India|Shreya Singhal case]], Sankaranarayanan's legal arguments played a key role in the nullification of both Section 66-A of the [[Information Technology Act, 2000]] and Section 118 of the [[Kerala Police]] Act.<ref>{{cite web |title=Overview of the Constitutional Challenges to the IT Act |url=https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/overview-constitutional-challenges-on-itact |website=cis-india.org |publisher=[[Centre for Internet and Society]] |date=December 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shrivastava |first1=Prachi |title=Behind the scenes of the fight against Section 66A |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/VDznbaFeNxSGnLfrYwOBcM/Behind-the-scenes-of-the-fight-against-Section-66A.html |publisher=[[Livemint]] |date=March 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shrivastava |first1=Prachi |title=Behind the scenes: How 90+ lawyers & 3 judges created the biggest free speech judgment in more than half a century |url=https://www.legallyindia.com/the-bench-and-the-bar/behind-the-scenes-how-90-lawyers-3-judges-created-the-biggest-free-speech-judgment-in-more-than-half-a-century-20150401-5767 |publisher=Legally India |date=April 1, 2015}}</ref>

Sankaranarayanan is a co-founder and executive member of Care For Air, an independent volunteer organization, which he founded for raising awareness about [[clean air]] in the [[National Capital Region]].<ref name=LM/> In 2015, he filed a petition on behalf of three infants in the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lakhani |first1=Somya |title=It all started with concerned parents, coughing children |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/it-all-started-with-concerned-parents-coughing-children-4882591/ |publisher=[[Indian Express]] |archive-url=https://archive.is/indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/it-all-started-with-concerned-parents-coughing-children-4882591/ |archive-date=October 10, 2017}}</ref> This led to the urgent adoption of BS-VI compliance by the [[Government of India]], bypassing the BS-V norms.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Sucheta |title=Gopal Sankaranarayanan On Filing Pil To Improve Quality Of Air In Delhi Before Supreme Court, Highlights Issues Pertaining To Fire Crackers, Crop Burning And Euro Vi Norms |url=https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2015/11/06/in-conversation-with-gopal-sankaranarayanan-on-him-filing-a-petition-to-improve-the-quality-of-air-in-delhi-before-the-supreme-court/ |publisher=SCC Online |date=November 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nair |first1=Harish V. |title=Kids win it: PIL filed by 3 infants makes SC ban crakers in Delhi-NCR |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/delhi/story/firecrackers-ban-delhi-smog-infants-pil-delhi-354056-2016-11-26 |publisher=[[India Today]] |date=November 26, 2016}}</ref> In November 2021, Sankaranarayanan wrote an open letter to the judges of the Supreme Court, calling for a thorough hearing on the issue of air pollution.<ref>{{cite news |title=Air pollution: Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan writes open letter to SC judges |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/air-pollution-senior-advocate-gopal-sankaranarayanan-writes-open-letter-to-sc-judges-340738 |publisher=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date=November 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=An Open Letter to the Supreme Court of India Against Outdoor Air Purifiers |url=https://thewire.in/environment/new-delhi-air-pollution-stubble-burning-supreme-court-industry-smog-towers-outdoor-air-purifiers |publisher=[[The Print]] |date=December 1, 2019}}</ref>

In September 2019, [[National Law School of India University|NLSIU]] students ended their protest after Sankaranarayanan served as an emissary to the [[Chief Justice of India]], resolving issues regarding the non-appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gopal |first1=Vikram |title=National Law School students at Bengaluru call of protests after assurance from CJI |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/national-law-school-students-at-bengaluru-call-of-protests-after-assurance-from-cji/story-jb0FKCxEFwo3shXKMjJI7H.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=September 23, 2019}}</ref>

He provided pro bono representation for [[Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi|Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case]] convict [[A. G. Perarivalan]] for 6 years, resulting in his release from the Supreme Court in May 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Let me breathe for now, says Perarivalan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/let-me-breathe-for-now-perarivalan/article65426912.ece |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220518191718/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/let-me-breathe-for-now-perarivalan/article65426912.ece |archive-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref> Some of the politicians he has represented in court include [[Suvendu Adhikari]],<ref>{{cite news |title=BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari withdraws petition against West Bengal Speaker, Supreme Court tells him to approach Calcutta High Court |url=https://www.indialegallive.com/constitutional-law-news/supreme-court-news/suvendru-adhikari-west-bengal-speaker-supreme-court/ |publisher=India Legal |date=February 24, 2023}}</ref> [[Omar Abdullah]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jain |first1=Mehal |title=SC To Hear Plea Challenging Detention Of Ex-J&K CM Omar Abdullah On March 5 |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200320150150/http://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/sc-to-hear-plea-challenging-detention-of-ex-jk-cm-omar-abdullah-on-march-4-153367 |date=March 2, 2020}}</ref> and [[Mahua Moitra]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chaudhary |first1=Nilashish |title=SC Issues Notice On TMC MP Mahua Moitra's Plea To Direct ECI To Publish Final Vote Counts Of General Elections |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20191209151727/http://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/sc-issues-notice-on-mahua-moitras-plea-eci-publish-final-vote-counts-general-elections-150614 |publisher=Live Law |date=December 9, 2019}}</ref> He was part of various notable cases concerning [[Entry of women to Sabarimala]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Prakash |first1=Satya |title=Tinkering with Sabarimala practice not good, SC told |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/tinkering-with-sabarimala-practice-not-good-sc-told-630230 |publisher=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)]] |date=July 31, 2018}}</ref> institutional reservations,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Padmakshi |title=EWS Quota Violates Basic Structure Of Constitution For Crossing 50% Ceiling Limit : Gopal Sankaranarayanan To Supreme Court [Day 4] |url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/ews-quota-violates-basic-structure-of-constitution-for-crossing-50-ceiling-limit-gopal-sankaranarayanan-to-supreme-court-day-4-209838?infinitescroll=1 |publisher=Live Law |date=September 21, 2022}}</ref> and the validity of the [[Aadhaar]] scheme.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Regidi |first1=Asheeta |title=Aadhaar hearing: The Act is a well balanced law of which a few provisions should be struck down, argues advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan |url=https://www.firstpost.com/tech/india/aadhaar-hearing-the-act-is-a-well-balanced-law-of-which-only-a-few-provisions-should-be-struck-down-argues-gopal-sankaranarayanan-4447673.html |publisher=[[Firstpost]] |date=September 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=PAN-Aadhaar linkage does not help curb scams: Lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan to Supreme Court |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/aadhaar-card/pan-aadhaar-linkage-does-not-help-curb-scams-lawyer-gopal-sankaranarayanan-to-supreme-court/1147132/ |publisher=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]] |date=April 26, 2018}}</ref>

He has served as the spokesperson of the [[Bar Council of India]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ganz |first1=Kian |title=BCI replies to more LI readers' bar exam FAQs |url=https://www.legallyindia.com/lawschools/bci-responds-to-more-li-readers-bar-exam-faqs-20100722-1130 |publisher=Legally India |date=July 22, 2010}}</ref> and as the Convenor of the [[All India Bar Examination]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ganz |first1=Kian |title=BCI: 'Stern action' against lawyers already practising without bar exam; Non-complying law schools could be derecognised |url=https://www.legallyindia.com/lawschools/bci-stern-action-against-lawyers-already-practising-without-bar-exam-enforcement-powers-questioned-20100820-1218 |publisher=Legally India |date=August 20, 2010}}</ref>

=== Sports reform in India ===
In January 2015, the Supreme Court directed the formation of a high-level committee led by former [[Chief Justice of India]] [[Rajendra Mal Lodha]] to bring reforms to the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI), the regulatory body for [[Indian cricket team|Indian cricket]]. Sankaranarayanan was appointed as the secretary of the [[Lodha Committee]], assisting in the preparation and drafting of the report. The committee's report led to significant changes in the BCCI, which were accepted by the Supreme Court. However, both Lodha and Sankaranarayanan later expressed reservations about the rollback of certain reforms.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hussain |first1=Sabi |title=Curtains for Thakur, Shirke as BCCI administrators? |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/sports/curtains-for-thakur-shirke-as-bcci-administrators-345750 |publisher=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date=January 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='BCCI changing reformed laws is like ridiculing SC' |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/bcci-changing-reformed-laws-is-like-ridiculing-sc-775552.html |publisher=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=November 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=BCCI’s plans to change Supreme Court reforms ridicule the apex court: Lodha Panel |url=https://theprint.in/sport/bccis-plans-to-change-supreme-court-reforms-ridicule-the-apex-court-lodha-panel/319833/ |publisher=[[The Print]] |date=November 12, 2019}}</ref><ref name=DT>{{cite news |title=If BCCI changes reformed constitution, it would be ridiculing SC: Lodha panel secretary |url=https://www.dtnext.in/sports/2019/11/12/if-bcci-changes-reformed-constitution-it-would-be-ridiculing-sc-lodha-panel-secretary |publisher=[[DT Next]] |date=November 12, 2019}}</ref><ref name=LM/>

In 2018, Sankaranarayanan represented the Committee of Administrators of the [[Archery Association of India]], defending the electoral process conducted by former [[Chief Election Commissioner of India|Chief Election Commissioner]], [[S. Y. Quraishi]] before the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news |title=SC refuses to interfere with elections of Archery Association of India |url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/sports/2018/11/19/lgd30-sc-archery.html |publisher=[[The Week]] |date=April 3, 2020}}</ref>

In 2022, Sankaranarayanan represented [[Aslam Sher Khan]], a former Olympian [[field hockey|hockey]] player in the [[Delhi High Court]], highlighting concerns about the mismanagement of [[Hockey India]]. This led to the formation of a three-member Committee of Administrators and the development of a new constitution for the association.<ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi HC Allows Aslam Sher Khan's Plea Challenging Irregularities In Hockey India |url=https://www.businessworld.in/article/Delhi-HC-Allows-Aslam-Sher-Khan-s-Plea-Challenging-Irregularities-In-Hockey-India/18-02-2021-378998/ |publisher=[[Business World]] |date=February 18, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi HC appoints three-member committee of administrators for Hockey India |url=https://theprint.in/india/delhi-hc-appoints-three-member-committee-of-administrators-for-hockey-india/971019/ |publisher=[[The Print]] |date=May 22, 2022}}</ref>

=== Amicus curiae ===
He has been appointed as an [[Amicus curiae|Amicus Curiae]] (friend of the court) by the Supreme Court of India to assist the court in various cases. He was Amicus Curiae in the [[People's Union for Civil Liberties]] vs. [[Union of India]] case.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sinha |first1=Bhadra |title=SC may frame guidelines for media briefings, coverage of criminal cases |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-may-frame-guidelines-for-media-briefings-coverage-of-criminal-cases/story-OxI7O7P1Fg54bayGNMpkIL.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=February 12, 2017}}</ref> In 2019, the Supreme Court appointed him as amicus curiae to assist in finalizing the Constitution of the [[All India Football Federation]].<ref name=ILL/> In 2021, he assisted the Court in ensuring proper staffing and infrastructure for consumer dispute tribunals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vacancies in consumer courts: SC asks states to be careful or chief secys may be summoned |url=https://legal.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/pm-to-inaugurate-lay-foundation-stone-of-multiple-infra-projects-worth-rs-18000-crore-on-saturday/88044361 |publisher=[[The Economic Times]] |date=December 2, 2021}}</ref> As Amicus, he also assists in the hearings concerning regulation of media briefings by the police.<ref>{{cite news |title=Norms for media coverage: Supreme Court seeks response of Centre, states |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/norms-for-media-coverage-supreme-court-seeks-response-of-centre-states-4512809/ |publisher=[[Indian Express]] |date=February 7, 2017}}</ref>

He also fulfilled amicus roles, providing reports on various matters such as consumer disputes involving former Minister [[Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Rathores flat: SC seeks builders response on panels report |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/rathores-flat-sc-seeks-builders-response-on-panels-report-655111-2016-11-29 |publisher=[[India Today]] |date=November 29, 2016}}</ref> farmer distress in [[Tamil Nadu]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tripathi |first1=Ashish |title=SC asks TN to spell out steps taken to address farmers distress |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/609613/sc-asks-tn-spell-steps.html |publisher=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=May 3, 2017}}</ref> and the allocation of public property to former [[Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Housing Allowance |url=https://www.indialegallive.com/did-you-know-facts-about-news/perspective-news/housing-allowance/ |publisher=India Legal |date=January 14, 2018}}</ref> In April 2022, Sankaranarayanan was appointed as an amicus to address the proliferation of illegal colonies in India and propose potential solutions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mushrooming of illegal colonies across country is menace to urban development: SC |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/mushrooming-of-illegal-colonies-across-country-is-menace-to-urban-development-sc/articleshow/91075036.cms|publisher=[[The Economic Times]] |date=April 25, 2022}}</ref>

== Publications ==
Sankaranarayanan has contributed to three official book publications of the Supreme Court of India, which includes ''The Constitution at 67'' (2017),<ref>{{cite book |title=The Constitution at 67 |date=November 2017 |publisher=[[The Supreme Court of India]], [[New Delhi]] |url=https://main.sci.gov.in/pdf/AnnualReports/The%20Constitution%20at%2067.pdf}}</ref> ''Courts of India: Past to Present'' (2016), and ''The Restatement of Contempt Law'' (2011).<ref>{{cite book |author1=K. K. Venugopal |author2=Gopal Subramanium |author1-link=K. K. Venugopal |title=Restatement Of Indian Law: Contempt Of Court |publisher=[[Wolters Kluwer]] |isbn=978-8184736045}}</ref> He contributed as the editor of the coat pocket edition of the [[Constitution of India]], which was published by the Eastern Book Company. It received positive reception, and its 15th edition was released in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=EBC’S The Constitution of India (Coat Pocket Edition) by Gopal Sankaranarayanan – 15th Edition 2023 |url=https://www.bharatlawhouse.in/shop/constitutional-law-writs-human-rights-history-pil-ios-political-science-sociology/ebcs-the-constitution-of-india-coat-pocket-edition-by-gopal-sankaranarayanan-15th-edition-2023/ |publisher=Bharatlawhouse |date=2023}}</ref>

He also contributed to the anthology ''India's Long Walk Home'' (2020), addressing the environmental degradation and the impact of [[COVID-19|COVID-19]] on vulnerable sections, including migrant workers. His work was featured alongside noted authors such as [[Arundhati Roy]], [[Ruskin Bond]], [[Mridula Garg]], [[Paranjoy Guha Thakurta]], [[Ashok Vajpeyi]] and others.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shukla |first1=Avay |title=Indeed a Long Long Walk Home |url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/4/21286/Indeed-a-Long-Long-Walk-Home |publisher=The Citizen |date=January 2, 2022}}</ref>

=== Bibliography ===
* ''The Restatement of Contempt Law'' (2011), [[Wolters Kluwer]] {{ISBN|8184736045}}
* ''Courts of India: Past to Present'' (2016), [[Publications Division]], [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]] {{ISBN|978-8123022147}}
* ''The Constitution at 67'' (2017), [[The Supreme Court of India]], [[New Delhi]]
* ''The Constitution of India'' (Coat pocket edition), Eastern Book Company {{ISBN|978-9394364684}}
* ''India's Long Walk Home'' (2020), AuthorsUpFront {{ISBN|978-9387280878}}

== Controversies ==
=== Allegation on cricket selectors ===
In August 2016, Gopal Sankaranarayanan was involved in a controversy when, as the secretary of the [[Lodha Committee]], he accused the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) selectors of seeking sexual favours. This allegation came to light through an email report sent by BCCI secretary [[Ajay Shirke]] to BCCI president [[Anurag Thakur]]. However, BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke denied these accusations, stating that the Indian board had not received any such complaints.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian selectors accused of seeking sexual favours by Lodha panel secretary |url=https://www.asianage.com/cricket/indian-selectors-accused-seeking-sexual-favours-lodha-panel-secretary-081 |publisher=[[Asian Age]] |date=August 24, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mallick |first1=Abhilash |title=Lodha Panel Refutes BCCI Sec Ajay Shirke’s Claims |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/lodha-panel-secretary-accused-selectors-of-taking-sexual-favours-ajay-shirke#read-more |publisher=[[The Quint]] |date=August 24, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pandey |first1=Devendra |title=Lodha panel secretary accused selectors of taking sexual favours: Ajay Shirke |url=https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Findianexpress.com%2Farticle%2Fsports%2Fcricket%2Fbcci-ajay-shirke-lodha-panel-anurag-thakur-2993039%2F |publisher=[[The Indian Express]] via [[12ft]] |date=August 24, 2016}}</ref> Later, the [[Rajendra Mal Lodha|Justice RM Lodha]] panel refuted the accusations against BCCI selectors, clarifying that Gopal Sankaranarayanan hadn't made such allegations and there was no intention to portray selectors negatively.<ref>{{cite news |title=RM Lodha Panel, BCCI Spar Over Report on Cricket Selectors Seeking Sexual Favour |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/rm-lodha-panel-bcci-spar-over-report-on-cricket-selectors-seeking-sexual-favour-1480367 |publisher=[[NDTV]] |date=August 25, 2016}}</ref>

=== Contempt threat by Justice Arun Kumar Mishra ===
In December 2019, a heated exchange occurred between Supreme Court judge [[Arun Kumar Mishra]] and Gopal Sankaranarayanan during a Constitution Bench hearing on land acquisition cases. The disagreement arose as Sankaranarayanan argued for one of the parties, with Justice Mishra finding the arguments repetitive. Sankaranarayanan requested an opportunity to present his submissions, but Justice Mishra remained firm. The tension escalated, resulting in Justice Mishra threatening contempt and conviction if he continued speaking.<ref name=news18>{{cite news |last1=Ghosh |first1=Moonmoon |title=Lawyer Arguing Land Acquisition Case Walks out of Courtroom after SC Judge Warns Him of Contempt |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/lawyer-arguing-land-acquisition-case-walks-out-of-courtroom-after-sc-judge-warns-him-of-contempt-2410603.html |publisher=[[News 18]] |date=December 3, 2019}}</ref> In response, Sankaranarayanan left the courtroom.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fresh senior Gopal Sankaranarayanan ‘retorts’, walks out of SC consti bench after Justice threatens certain contempt conviction |url=https://www.legallyindia.com/supreme-court/fresh-senior-gopal-sankaranarayanan-retorts-walks-out-of-sc-consti-bench-after-justice-threaten-certain-contempt-conviction-20191204-11044 |publisher=Legally India |date=December 4, 2019}}</ref> When [[CNN-News18]] contacted him, Sankaranarayanan said, “I would not wish to argue in an atmosphere which would lower the dignity of the court. I would not wish to say anything more.”<ref name=news18/>

The incident raised concerns about the treatment of lawyers and the core principles of the justice system.<ref>{{cite news |title=SC Advocates' Body Expresses Concern Over Justice Arun Mishra's Behaviour With Lawyers |url=https://thewire.in/law/justice-arun-mishra-contempt |publisher=[[The Wire]] |date=December 4, 2019}}</ref> The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) issued a resolution urging Justice Mishra to display more patience when dealing with lawyers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Contempt threat by Justice Arun Mishra against Gopal Sankaranarayanan draws criticism from the Bar |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/contempt-threat-by-justice-arun-mishra-against-gopal-sankaranarayanan-draws-criticism-from-the-bar |publisher=Bar And Bench |date=December 4, 2019}}</ref> Two days later, senior lawyers of the Supreme Court entered Arun Mishra's courtroom to protest his behavior, prompting Justice Mishra to apologize for his conduct.<ref>{{cite news |title=‘I apologise a hundred times,’ says Justice Arun Mishra, days after threatening lawyer with contempt |url=https://scroll.in/latest/945878/i-apologise-a-hundred-times-says-justice-arun-mishra-days-after-threatening-lawyer-with-contempt |publisher=[[Scroll.in]] |date=December 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Contempt threat' to lawyer: Justice Arun Mishra apologises |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/contempt-threat-to-lawyer-justice-arun-mishra-apologises/articleshow/72380063.cms |publisher=[[The Economic Times]] |date=December 5, 2019}}</ref>

== References ==
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[[Category:Supreme Court of India lawyers]]
[[Category:Senior Advocates in India]]
[[Category:Alumni of the London School of Economics]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:Indian writers]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian lawyers]]

Gopal Sankaranarayanan - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Creating a new article