Landmark Supreme Court of India Judgments
Here are some landmark Supreme Court of India judgments that have had a profound impact on the Indian legal system and society:
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1. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)
Issue: Doctrine of Basic Structure
Summary: In this landmark case, the Supreme Court ruled that while Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution under Article 368, it cannot alter the basic structure of the Constitution. This ruling created a safeguard against arbitrary amendments that could fundamentally alter India’s democratic framework.
Significance: This case established the "basic structure doctrine," limiting Parliament's power to amend the Constitution and protecting key elements like fundamental rights and the rule of law.
2. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)
Issue: Right to Life and Personal Liberty
Summary: The Supreme Court held that Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, includes the right to travel abroad. The Court expanded the interpretation of Article 21, emphasizing that no person can be deprived of life or personal liberty except through a procedure that is just, fair, and reasonable.
Significance: This judgment expanded the scope of Article 21 to include various rights, making it a cornerstone for the protection of human rights in India.
3. Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997)
Issue: Sexual Harassment at the Workplace
Summary: The Supreme Court laid down guidelines to prevent sexual harassment at the workplace, known as the Vishaka Guidelines. These guidelines were formulated in the absence of specific legislation to address sexual harassment and placed responsibility on employers to ensure a safe working environment for women.
Significance: This case was instrumental in creating the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
4. Shah Bano Case (Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum) (1985)
Issue: Right to Maintenance for Divorced Muslim Women
Summary: In this case, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Shah Bano, a divorced Muslim woman who sought maintenance from her husband under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The Court held that a divorced woman is entitled to maintenance if she is unable to maintain herself, regardless of religion.
Significance: This judgment sparked a national debate on the rights of Muslim women, leading to the passage of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986. It is a crucial case in discussions of secularism and gender justice.
5. S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994)
Issue: Constitutional Validity of President’s Rule
Summary: The Supreme Court held that the President’s Rule (Article 356) imposed on states is subject to judicial review. It also ruled that the secular nature of the Indian Constitution is a basic structure that cannot be altered, and any action that violates secularism can be struck down.
Significance: This case strengthened Indian federalism by ensuring that the imposition of President’s Rule is not arbitrary and can be challenged in the courts.
6. Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985)
Issue: Right to Livelihood
Summary: In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that the right to life under Article 21 includes the right to livelihood. The case involved pavement dwellers in Mumbai who were being evicted by the state.
Significance: This judgment reinforced that any action taken by the state must be just, fair, and reasonable, broadening the interpretation of the right to life.
7. Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018)
Issue: Decriminalization of Homosexuality
Summary: The Supreme Court struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized consensual homosexual relationships. The Court ruled that the law violated the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly their rights to equality, freedom of expression, and privacy.
Significance: This judgment was a milestone in recognizing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in India and marked a significant step towards gender equality and individual freedoms.
8. Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992)
Issue: Reservation in Public Employment
Summary: The Supreme Court upheld the government’s decision to implement the Mandal Commission report, which recommended a 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in public sector jobs. The Court also set a ceiling of 50% on total reservations.
Significance: This case shaped India’s reservation policies and affirmed the concept of social justice by upholding affirmative action for backward classes.
9. I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu (2007)
Issue: Judicial Review and Ninth Schedule
Summary: The Supreme Court ruled that laws placed under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution after April 24, 1973, are subject to judicial review if they violate the basic structure of the Constitution. The Ninth Schedule was created to protect certain laws from being challenged in court.
Significance: The case reaffirmed the supremacy of the judiciary and the importance of the basic structure doctrine, ensuring that no law can infringe upon fundamental rights.
10. Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India (2017)
Issue: Right to Privacy
Summary: In this case, the Supreme Court declared that the right to privacy is a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution, protected under Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty). This judgment came in the context of challenges to the Aadhaar system and its mandatory use.
Significance: This case had a significant impact on data protection, surveillance laws, and the Aadhaar scheme in India, emphasizing the importance of individual privacy.
These landmark cases have significantly shaped Indian law and governance, influencing the country’s social, political, and legal landscape.
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