– NOTA and Electoral Expression Background of the Case Under the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961—particularly Rules 41(2), 41(3) and 49-O—a voter had the option: However, exercising this option: PUCL challenged these provisions as being: Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court delivered a democracy-enriching verdict. (a) Right Not to Vote Is a…
– Passive Euthanasia and Article 21 Background of the Case Aruna Shanbaug, a nurse at KEM Hospital, Mumbai, was assaulted in 1973 and suffered severe brain damage, leaving her in a permanent vegetative state (PVS) for decades. A petition was filed seeking: This brought before the Court the deeply sensitive issue of euthanasia. Core Constitutional…
– Ninth Schedule and Basic Structure Background of the Case Article 31B and the Ninth Schedule were introduced to protect certain laws—initially land reform laws—from being invalidated for violating Fundamental Rights. Over time: Can Parliament place any law beyond judicial review merely by inserting it into the Ninth Schedule? The validity of such immunity, especially…
– Reservation in Promotion for SCs and STs Background of the Case After the Indra Sawhney Case (1992): These were: These amendments were challenged in M. Nagaraj vs. Union of India. Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court delivered a doctrine-settling verdict. (a) Amendments Held Constitutionally Valid The Court upheld the constitutional validity…
– Police Reforms and Institutional Autonomy Background of the Case Prakash Singh, a former Director General of Police (DGP), filed a Public Interest Litigation highlighting the: The Court noted that: Core Constitutional Concern How can policing be reformed to ensure neutrality, professionalism, and accountability, consistent with democratic governance? Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court issued…
– Right to Fly the National Flag Background of the Case Naveen Jindal, an industrialist and parliamentarian, was prevented by local authorities from flying the National Flag at the factory premises of his company. At that time: Jindal challenged these restrictions before the Supreme Court. Core Constitutional Question Does a citizen have a Fundamental Right…
– Rights of Minority Educational Institutions Background of the Case Multiple petitions were filed challenging various State laws and regulations that sought to control: Conflicting earlier judgments had created uncertainty about: A 11-judge Constitution Bench was constituted to settle the law conclusively. Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Court laid down a comprehensive framework…
– Right to Know of Voters Background of the Case For decades, Indian elections were conducted with very limited information available to voters about candidates. There was: The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) filed a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to ensure transparency in electoral contests. Core Constitutional Question Does a voter have a fundamental…
– Autonomy of CBI and Anti-Corruption Framework Background of the Case The case arose out of the Jain Hawala scandal, which involved allegations of illegal payments to several high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats. Investigations by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) were perceived as: Concerned about institutional paralysis, Vineet Narain, a journalist, approached the Supreme Court…
– Sexual Harassment and Fundamental Rights Background of the Case The case arose from the brutal gang rape of Bhanwari Devi, a social worker in Rajasthan, while she was performing her official duties. At the time: A group of women’s rights organisations, under the banner Vishaka, approached the Supreme Court through a Public Interest Litigation….
