Introduction
In a constitutional democracy like India, the Supreme Court acts not just as a dispute-resolution body but as the guardian and interpreter of the Constitution. Its judgments have repeatedly shaped the course of Indian law, politics, and society. From preserving fundamental rights to settling disputes between states and the union, the Court’s decisions often lay down principles that define the spirit of Indian democracy.
The importance of Supreme Court judgments goes beyond just legal circles — they affect the daily lives of citizens, influence public policies, and set binding precedents for all courts in the country.
Role of the Supreme Court in Indian Judiciary
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Final Court of Appeal: It is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal under the Constitution.
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Interpreter of the Constitution: The Court interprets the Constitution and laws and ensures their uniform application across the country.
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Protector of Fundamental Rights: Citizens can directly approach the Supreme Court under Article 32 for enforcement of rights.
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Judicial Review Authority: It checks the constitutionality of laws passed by Parliament or state legislatures.
Why Supreme Court Judgments Are Important
1. Binding Nature of Judgments
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As per Article 141, the law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all courts within the territory of India.
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It ensures uniformity and consistency in the legal system.
2. Expansion of Fundamental Rights
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The Court has expanded the scope of rights through progressive interpretation.
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For instance, Right to Privacy was declared a fundamental right in the Puttaswamy case (2017).
3. Checks and Balances
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Ensures that the executive and legislature act within their constitutional limits.
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Strikes down unconstitutional laws, maintaining balance of power.
4. Constitutional Morality
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Upholds the spirit of the Constitution, not just its text.
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In cases like Navtej Singh Johar vs. Union of India (2018), the Court promoted dignity and equality.
5. Social and Political Impact
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Judgments often influence governance, policy-making, and public discourse.
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Example: Vishakha Guidelines (1997) on sexual harassment at the workplace laid the foundation for the POSH Act.
6. Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
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Through PILs, the Court has made justice accessible to the marginalized.
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Promoted issues like environmental protection, child labor prohibition, and education reforms.
Landmark Supreme Court Judgments
1. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)
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Established the Basic Structure Doctrine.
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Parliament cannot alter the basic structure of the Constitution.
2. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)
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Expanded the interpretation of Article 21 (Right to Life and Liberty).
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Emphasized due process and procedural fairness.
3. S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994)
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Limited the misuse of President’s Rule.
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Strengthened federalism and democratic values.
4. I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu (2007)
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Held that laws placed under the 9th Schedule after 1973 are subject to judicial review.
5. Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018)
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Decriminalized Section 377, promoting LGBTQ+ rights.
6. Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (2018)
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Allowed entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple, citing gender equality.
7. Joseph Shine v. Union of India (2018)
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Struck down Section 497 (Adultery Law) as unconstitutional.
Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Overreach
While the judiciary plays an active role in ensuring justice, there’s often debate over its activism turning into overreach.
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Judicial Activism: When the court steps in to protect rights or fill legislative gaps.
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Example: Ban on firecrackers, directions on road safety.
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Judicial Overreach: When courts are seen as entering policy-making territory, traditionally reserved for the legislature or executive.
A balanced judiciary is critical to maintain constitutional harmony.
Recent Trends and Criticism
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The Court has played a key role in upholding democratic processes, such as verdicts related to:
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Electoral bonds,
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Disqualification of MPs/MLAs,
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Right to protest,
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CAA/NRC challenges (pending).
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However, delays in high-profile constitutional cases, lack of transparency in appointments, and pendency of cases have drawn criticism.
Conclusion
Supreme Court judgments in India form the bedrock of constitutional governance. They not only interpret the law but also ensure that justice prevails over arbitrariness. Over the decades, the Court has emerged as a people-centric institution, evolving with changing social, political, and economic landscapes.
As citizens, it is important to understand and follow these judgments because they shape our rights, duties, freedoms, and the functioning of our democracy.
The Supreme Court, through its decisions, ensures that India remains a vibrant, fair, and just republic — true to the ideals enshrined in the Preamble.