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The Supreme Court of India, as the highest constitutional court, has been instrumental in protecting the rights of citizens and ensuring the rule of law. Here are some of the most significant landmark judgments that have transformed the Indian legal landscape.
1. A.K. Gopalan vs. State of Madras (1950): Defining Personal Liberty
In this case, A.K. Gopalan challenged his detention under the Preventive Detention Act. The court ruled that personal liberty could be curtailed as long as the procedure established by law was followed. Although this case initially upheld a narrow interpretation of liberty under Article 21, it was later revisited.
Impact: This judgment laid the foundation for subsequent interpretations of personal liberty under the Constitution.
2. Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India (1978): Expanding the Right to Life
In this case, the court significantly broadened the interpretation of Article 21. It held that any law depriving a person of their liberty must be “fair, just, and reasonable.” The right to travel abroad was also recognized as part of personal liberty.
Impact: The ruling transformed Article 21 into a powerful guarantee of fundamental rights, expanding its scope to include procedural fairness.
3. Kesavananda Bharati vs. State of Kerala (1973): The Doctrine of Basic Structure
The Kesavananda Bharati case is one of the most celebrated judgments in Indian constitutional law. The court ruled that while Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, it cannot alter the “basic structure.” This judgment overruled earlier cases that had allowed unrestricted amendments.
Impact: This judgment limits Parliament’s power and preserves core constitutional values, ensuring the protection of fundamental rights and democratic governance.
4. ADM Jabalpur vs. Shivakant Shukla (1976): Life and Liberty in Emergency
During the Emergency in 1975, the Supreme Court controversially ruled that the right to approach courts for habeas corpus (to challenge unlawful detention) was suspended. The dissenting opinion of Justice H.R. Khanna, however, remains one of the most respected judicial stands in favor of liberty.
Impact: Although initially seen as a dark chapter in judicial history, the judgment’s significance lies in its eventual overruling in the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy case, reaffirming the importance of personal liberty during emergencies.
5. Vishaka vs. State of Rajasthan (1997): Protecting Women at Workplaces
In this case, the Supreme Court laid down guidelines for preventing sexual harassment at the workplace, commonly referred to as the Vishaka Guidelines. The case arose after Bhanwari Devi, a social worker, was gang-raped for trying to prevent child marriage.
Impact: These guidelines served as the first framework for addressing workplace harassment in India, leading to later legislative reforms.
6. Shayara Bano vs. Union of India (2017): Triple Talaq Unconstitutional
In this landmark ruling, the Supreme Court declared the practice of instant triple talaq unconstitutional, stating that it violated the fundamental rights of Muslim women under Articles 14 and 21.
Impact: The judgment marked a significant step towards gender justice in India, protecting the rights of Muslim women.
7. Navtej Singh Johar vs. Union of India (2018): Decriminalizing Homosexuality
This case decriminalized consensual homosexual acts between adults by reading down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. The court recognized the right to sexual autonomy, privacy, and dignity for the LGBTQ+ community.
Impact: This judgment was a monumental victory for human rights and equality, ending centuries of discrimination against homosexuals in India.
8. S.R. Bommai vs. Union of India (1994): Curbing the Misuse of President’s Rule
The court, in this case, established judicial review over the imposition of President’s Rule in states under Article 356, thus preventing its misuse for political gains.
Impact: This judgment strengthened the federal structure of India and safeguarded state governments from arbitrary dismissal.
9. Indra Sawhney vs. Union of India (1992): Affirmative Action and Reservation Policy
In this case, the Supreme Court upheld the implementation of the Mandal Commission report, which recommended a 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs. The court also introduced the concept of “creamy layer” to exclude affluent sections from availing the benefits of reservation.
Impact: This judgment continues to shape India’s affirmative action policies, balancing the need for social justice with merit-based opportunities.
10. M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India (1987): Environmental Protection and Absolute Liability
In the aftermath of the Oleum Gas Leak in Delhi, the Supreme Court ruled that industries involved in hazardous activities must bear absolute liability for any harm caused, without exceptions. This marked a departure from the earlier strict liability rule.
Impact: This case established the principle of absolute liability, strengthening environmental laws and corporate accountability in India.
Conclusion
These judgments reflect the dynamic and evolving nature of Indian constitutional law. From expanding personal liberties to ensuring gender justice and environmental protection, the Supreme Court continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s legal and societal framework.
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