Polity and Governance

  • Mohini Jain Case (1992)

    – Right to Education and Capitation Fee Background of the Case The case arose from the practice of charging capitation fees by private professional colleges, particularly medical and engineering colleges in Karnataka. Mohini Jain, a student, was denied admission because she could not pay the exorbitant capitation fee demanded. She challenged this practice as: Core…

  • Indra Sawhney Case (1992)

    – Mandal Case and Reservation Jurisprudence Background of the Case In 1990, the Union Government issued an executive order implementing the recommendations of the Mandal Commission, providing: Subsequently, another executive order provided → 10% reservation for economically backward sections not covered by existing reservation schemes These orders were challenged before the Supreme Court, leading to…

  • Kihoto Hollohan Case (1992)

    – Validity of the Anti-Defection Law Background of the Case The 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985 introduced the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution to curb political defections. Key features: However, Paragraph 7 of the Tenth Schedule: This provision was challenged in Kihoto Hollohan vs. Zachillhu. Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court delivered…

  • M.C. Mehta Case (1986)

    – Oleum Gas Leak and Constitutional Compensation Background of the Case In December 1985, a leakage of oleum gas occurred from the Shriram Food and Fertilizer Industries in Delhi. The accident: Environmental lawyer M.C. Mehta approached the Supreme Court under Article 32, seeking: Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court delivered a landmark…

  • D.C. Wadhwa Case (1986)

    – Limits on Ordinance-Making Power Background of the Case Dr. D.C. Wadhwa, a constitutional scholar, brought to the Court’s notice an alarming practice in Bihar. Between 1967 and 1981: This practice effectively allowed the executive to legislate without the legislature. Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court delivered a strongly worded constitutional rebuke….

  • Shah Bano Case (1985)

    – Maintenance, Personal Law and Secular Law Background of the Case Shah Bano, a 62-year-old Muslim woman, was divorced by her husband Mohd. Ahmed Khan after over 40 years of marriage. Having no independent means of livelihood, she: Her husband contended that: Core Legal and Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court upheld the…

  • Waman Rao Case (1980)

    – Judicial Review of the Ninth Schedule Background of the Case The Ninth Schedule was inserted by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1951 to protect certain laws—mainly land reform laws—from judicial review. Over time: Can Parliament place any law beyond judicial scrutiny by simply inserting it into the Ninth Schedule? This question reached the Supreme…

  • Minerva Mills Case (1980)

    – Restoration of Constitutional Balance Background of the Case During the Emergency period, Parliament enacted the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, often called the “Mini-Constitution”. Two major changes were relevant here: These provisions were challenged in the Minerva Mills case. Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court delivered a strong and corrective verdict….

  • Bachan Singh Case (1980)

    – Constitutional Validity of Death Penalty Background of the Case Bachan Singh was convicted of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, which prescribes → Death penalty, or Life imprisonment He challenged the constitutional validity of the death penalty on the ground that it violates: Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme…

  • Maneka Gandhi Case (1978)

    – Expansion of Personal Liberty Background of the Case Maneka Gandhi’s passport was impounded by the Government under Section 10(3)(c) of the Passport Act, 1967 on the ground of “public interest”. She was: She challenged the action as violative of: Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court overruled A.K. Gopalan (1950) and adopted…