Supreme Court of India

Supreme Court of India - Central Wing

Building of The Supreme Court of India

Inside the Supreme Court of India. 16

Inside the Supreme Court of India. 14

Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial body in the country and the final court of appeal under the Constitution of India. It is composed of the Chief Justice of India along with a maximum sanctioned strength of 34 justices as mandated by the Parliament of India. The Supreme Court has extensive powers in the form of original, appellate, and advisory jurisdictions.

Establishment

The Supreme Court of India was established on January 28, 1950, succeeding the British Raj's Federal Court of India. The inauguration of the Supreme Court marked the beginning of a new era in the Indian judicial system. The court was initially located in the Chamber of Princes in the Parliament House but moved to its present building in New Delhi in 1958.

Jurisdiction and Powers

The Supreme Court's jurisdiction is broadly categorized into original, appellate, and advisory. Under its original jurisdiction, the court hears disputes between the Union and states or between states themselves. The appellate jurisdiction covers appeals against judgments of the High Courts of India in both civil and criminal cases, on substantial questions of law. The advisory jurisdiction allows the President of India to seek the court's opinion on legal questions.

Composition

The composition of the Supreme Court includes the Chief Justice of India and up to 34 other judges appointed by the President of India. The appointments are made on the recommendation of the Collegium, consisting of the Chief Justice and four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. The eligibility criteria for being appointed as a justice of the Supreme Court include being a citizen of India and having served as a judge in one or more High Courts for at least five years or having been an advocate in a High Court for ten years or an eminent jurist, in the opinion of the President.

Landmark Judgments

The Supreme Court has delivered several landmark judgments that have reshaped Indian law and society. Some of these include the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), which established the basic structure doctrine of the Constitution; the Shah Bano case (1985), which dealt with alimony and maintenance of Muslim women; and the Navtej Singh Johar case (2018), which decriminalized homosexuality in India.

Controversies

The Supreme Court has not been immune to controversies, including those related to the appointment of judges and allegations of judicial misconduct. The independence of the judiciary and the accountability mechanisms within it continue to be subjects of significant public and academic debate.

Impact

The Supreme Court of India plays a crucial role in the Indian democratic framework by ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution, protecting fundamental rights, and settling disputes between various government entities. Its decisions have far-reaching implications on Indian society, governance, and law.

See Also

• Constitution of India
• High Courts of India
• Judiciary of India
• Law of India