Most important Supreme Court's Judgements

Preparing for competitive exams requires a comprehensive understanding of various subjects, including legal principles and landmark judgments. The judgments passed by the Supreme Court of India hold immense significance in shaping the legal landscape of the country. Here are some of the most important Supreme Court judgments that every aspirant should be familiar with:

Keshavananda Bharati vs. State of Kerala (1973): This case is monumental as it established the doctrine of Basic Structure of the Constitution. The Supreme Court held that while Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, it cannot alter its basic structure, which includes democracy, secularism, federalism, and the rule of law.

Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India (1978): This case marked a significant milestone in the protection of fundamental rights. The Supreme Court ruled that the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution is not restricted to mere physical existence but includes a range of personal freedoms.

Vishaka vs. State of Rajasthan (1997): This judgment is crucial in the context of gender equality and workplace safety. The Supreme Court laid down guidelines to prevent sexual harassment at the workplace, known as the Vishaka Guidelines, until specific legislation was enacted (which led to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013).

Shah Bano Case (1985): This case dealt with the rights of Muslim women in matters of maintenance after divorce. The Supreme Court’s decision to grant maintenance to Shah Bano, a divorced Muslim woman, sparked a national debate and eventually led to the enactment of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986.

A.K. Gopalan vs. State of Madras (1950): In this case, the Supreme Court interpreted the scope of Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) and held that the right is not absolute but subject to restrictions. This case laid the foundation for subsequent judgments on the interpretation of fundamental rights.

Indira Gandhi vs. Raj Narain (1975): This case is significant as it dealt with electoral malpractices and corruption. The Supreme Court’s verdict in favor of Raj Narain led to the imposition of Emergency in India and highlighted the judiciary’s role in upholding democratic principles.

S.R. Bommai vs. Union of India (1994): This case addressed the issue of misuse of Article 356 (President’s Rule) by the central government to dismiss state governments. The Supreme Court set guidelines to prevent arbitrary use of Article 356, emphasizing the importance of federalism.

S.P. Gupta vs. Union of India (1982): Also known as the Judges Transfer case, this judgment upheld the independence of the judiciary and ruled that the executive cannot transfer judges without consulting the Chief Justice of India.

Common Cause vs. Union of India (2017): In this case, the Supreme Court passed significant directives regarding electoral reforms, including the introduction of None of the Above (NOTA) option in elections, to empower voters with the right to reject candidates.

NALSA vs. Union of India (2014): This judgment recognized the rights of transgender persons and directed the government to take measures for their welfare, including reservations in education and employment.

11. **Golaknath vs. State of Punjab (1967):** This case established the doctrine that Parliament cannot curtail fundamental rights through constitutional amendments. It emphasized the supremacy of fundamental rights and led to the 24th Amendment Act, 1971.

12. **Minerva Mills vs. Union of India (1980):** In this case, the Supreme Court struck down parts of the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, which had given Parliament extensive powers to amend the Constitution. The judgment upheld the principle of judicial review and the balance of power between the legislature and the judiciary.

13. **Mohammed Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum (1985):** This case highlighted the issue of maintenance for divorced Muslim women and the conflict between personal laws and fundamental rights. The Supreme Court’s decision was later nullified by the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986.

14. **Kumaraswamy vs. Union of India (2016):** This judgment dealt with the issue of criminalization of politics and directed political parties to disclose criminal antecedents of their candidates, promoting transparency in electoral processes.

15. **Kharak Singh vs. State of Uttar Pradesh (1962):** This case examined the right to privacy in the context of surveillance and upheld the importance of personal liberties against arbitrary state intrusion.

16. **Ram Manohar Lohia vs. State of Bihar (1966):** In this case, the Supreme Court clarified the concept of public interest litigation (PIL) and allowed individuals to approach the court on behalf of others or for broader public issues.

17. **Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug vs. Union of India (2011):** This case addressed the sensitive issue of euthanasia (mercy killing) and set guidelines for passive euthanasia under exceptional circumstances with proper medical board approval.

18. **M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India (1986):** This case, commonly known as the Taj Trapezium case, focused on environmental protection and led to measures for safeguarding the Taj Mahal from pollution and industrial activities in the vicinity.

Understanding these landmark judgments not only enhances one’s legal knowledge but also provides insights into the evolution of constitutional principles and the role of the judiciary in upholding the rights and values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Aspirants preparing for competitive exams should delve deeper into these cases to grasp their significance and implications in the context of Indian polity and law.