India · 2nd Year · Constitutional Law
Landmark Judgments
The Supreme Court cases you must know.
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Show all 8 questions and answers in this book
1.Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala (1973) — held?
Parliament can amend any part of the Constitution under Article 368 but cannot alter its basic structure. Decided by a 13-judge bench (7:6).
(1973) 4 SCC 225
2.I.C. Golaknath v State of Punjab (1967) — held?
Parliament could not amend fundamental rights (an amendment was "law" under Article 13); later overtaken by the 24th Amendment and Kesavananda.
AIR 1967 SC 1643
3.Maneka Gandhi v Union of India (1978) — held?
"Procedure established by law" under Article 21 must be just, fair and reasonable; Articles 14, 19 and 21 are interlinked (the "golden triangle").
(1978) 1 SCC 248
4.Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v Union of India (2017) — held?
Right to privacy is a fundamental right protected under Article 21 and Part III. Unanimous 9-judge bench.
(2017) 10 SCC 1
5.Minerva Mills v Union of India (1980) — held?
Clauses (4) and (5) of Article 368 inserted by the 42nd Amendment were struck down; limited amending power and the harmony between Parts III and IV are part of the basic structure.
(1980) 3 SCC 625
6.Indra Sawhney v Union of India (1992) — held?
Upheld OBC reservation but excluded the "creamy layer" and held reservations should ordinarily not exceed 50%.
1992 Supp (3) SCC 217
7.S.R. Bommai v Union of India (1994) — held?
President's Rule under Article 356 is subject to judicial review; secularism is part of the basic structure; majority must be tested on the floor of the House.
(1994) 3 SCC 1
8.Navtej Singh Johar v Union of India (2018) — held?
Section 377 IPC was unconstitutional insofar as it criminalised consensual sexual conduct between adults.
(2018) 10 SCC 1