High Courts — Key Judgments

Key Judgments

Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala

1973

Established the basic structure doctrine limiting Parliament's amendment powers, with significant implications for High Courts' role in constitutional interpretation. The judgment…

Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India

1978

Revolutionized the interpretation of Article 21 and expanded the scope of High Court writ jurisdiction under Article 226. The judgment established that High Courts could examine…

S.P. Gupta v. Union of India (First Judges Case)

1981

Addressed judicial independence and the appointment process for High Court judges, establishing that consultation in judicial appointments should be meaningful and based on merit.…

Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association v. Union of India (Second Judges Case)

1993

Established the collegium system for judicial appointments, fundamentally changing how High Court judges are appointed. The judgment made the Chief Justice of India's opinion…

L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India

1997

Reaffirmed High Courts' supervisory jurisdiction over tribunals and established that tribunal decisions are subject to High Court writ jurisdiction under Article 226. The judgment…