Landmark Supreme Court Cases
Constitution Special · सुप्रीम कोर्ट के ऐतिहासिक फैसले · 18 facts
Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala (1973) established the Basic Structure doctrine — Parliament cannot amend the basic structure of the Constitution.
The Kesavananda Bharati case was decided by a 13-judge constitutional bench — the largest ever bench in the Supreme Court of India.
Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India (1978) expanded Article 21 — the procedure for depriving life and liberty must be just, fair, and reasonable.
Indra Sawhney vs Union of India (1992) upheld 27% reservation for OBCs, excluded creamy layer, and fixed the 50% cap on total reservations.
Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan (1997) laid down guidelines for prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace — these became the basis for the POSH Act 2013.
SR Bommai vs Union of India (1994) placed limits on Article 356 (President's Rule) — floor test in the Assembly is the only way to test a government's majority.
Minerva Mills vs Union of India (1980) held that harmony between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs is part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
Shah Bano case (1985) — the Supreme Court ruled that a Muslim woman is entitled to maintenance under Section 125 CrPC even after divorce.
Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India (2018) decriminalized consensual same-sex relations between adults, reading down Section 377 of IPC.
Triple Talaq (Shayara Bano) case (2017) declared instant triple talaq (talaq-e-biddat) unconstitutional as it violated Articles 14 and 21.
ADM Jabalpur vs Shivkant Shukla (1976, Habeas Corpus case) — during Emergency, SC ruled that fundamental rights can be suspended; later condemned as the worst judgment.
Golaknath vs State of Punjab (1967) ruled that Parliament cannot amend Fundamental Rights — overruled later by Kesavananda Bharati (1973).
Shankari Prasad vs Union of India (1951) was the first case to rule that Parliament can amend Fundamental Rights under Article 368.
MC Mehta vs Union of India (1986) expanded the concept of absolute liability for hazardous industries and strengthened environmental law.
Right to Privacy was declared a Fundamental Right under Article 21 by a 9-judge bench in KS Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017).
Arnesh Kumar vs State of Bihar (2014) directed police not to arrest a person automatically in offences punishable up to 7 years imprisonment.
In re: Berubari Union (1960) — the Supreme Court held that the Preamble is not enforceable in courts but guides interpretation of the Constitution.
Lily Thomas vs Union of India (2013) disqualified convicted MPs/MLAs from holding office immediately on conviction — no stay pending appeal.