Justice Delivered: Landmark Judgments that Shaped Modern India

Feb 1 , 2024

Established the "basic structure" doctrine, which protects the core principles of the Indian Constitution from being arbitrarily amended.

Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)

Recognized the right to privacy as a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution, impacting individual liberties and government surveillance.

Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)

Upheld the right of Muslim women to maintenance from their former husbands, despite criticism from Muslim personal law advocates.

Shah Bano Begum v. Mohammed Iqbal Khan (1985)

Struck down parts of the 42nd Amendment Act as violative of the Basic Structure doctrine, highlighting limitations on Parliament's power to amend the Constitution.

Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India (1980)

Upheld the suspension of fundamental rights during the 1975 Emergency, generating debate about balancing individual rights with national security.

A.D.M. Jabalpur v. Shiv Kant Shukla (1976)

Decriminalized consensual sexual conduct between adults of the same sex, marking a significant step towards LGBTQ+ rights.

Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2017)

Made free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14, promoting access to education and challenging inequalities.

Right to Education Act (2009)