The Supreme Court of India: Structure, Functions, and Legal Framework

Introduction

The Supreme Court of India holds a pivotal position in the country’s judicial system, serving as the apex court and the final interpreter of the Constitution. Established under Part V, Chapter IV of the Indian Constitution, the Supreme Court plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law, protecting fundamental rights, and ensuring justice for all citizens. This essay delves into the structure, functions, legal framework, landmark cases, and challenges faced by the Supreme Court of India, highlighting its significance in India’s legal landscape.

Structure of the Supreme Court

1. Chief Justice and Judges: The Supreme Court is headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), who is appointed by the President of India in consultation with fellow judges. The court comprises other judges whose number is determined by Parliament but is currently fixed at 34, including the CJI.
2. Jurisdiction: The Supreme Court has original, appellate, and advisory jurisdictions. It hears original cases involving disputes between the Union government and states or between states. As an appellate court, it reviews judgments of high courts and lower courts. The court also provides advisory opinions to the President of India on constitutional matters.
3. Benches and Division of Work: The Supreme Court functions through various benches, including Constitution Benches (five or more judges), Division Benches (two or more judges), and Single Benches (a single judge). The Chief Justice allocates cases among benches based on expertise, significance, and workload.

Functions and Powers of the Supreme Court

1. Judicial Review: The Supreme Court exercises judicial review, ensuring that laws enacted by Parliament and state legislatures comply with the provisions of the Constitution. It can strike down laws deemed unconstitutional, protecting fundamental rights and upholding the principle of separation of powers.
2. Protection of Fundamental Rights: The court safeguards fundamental rights guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution, including the right to equality, freedom of speech, right to life and personal liberty, and protection against discrimination and arbitrary actions of the state.
3. Interpretation of the Constitution: The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution’s provisions, resolves constitutional conflicts, clarifies legal principles, and establishes precedents through landmark judgments, shaping India’s legal and political landscape.
4. Appellate Jurisdiction: As the highest appellate court, the Supreme Court hears appeals from high courts and certain tribunals, ensuring uniformity in legal interpretation, correcting errors of law, and ensuring justice is served at the highest level.
5. Public Interest Litigation (PIL): The Supreme Court entertains PILs filed by individuals or groups on matters of public interest, social justice, environmental protection, and human rights violations, promoting access to justice and accountability.

Legal Framework and Landmark Cases

1. Constitution of India: The Supreme Court’s powers, jurisdiction, composition, and procedures are outlined in Articles 124-147 of the Constitution of India, ensuring its independence, impartiality, and authority as the apex judicial body.
2. Landmark Judgments:
   • Kesavananda Bharati vs. State of Kerala (1973): In this case, the Supreme Court established the doctrine of basic structure, affirming that certain fundamental features of the Constitution, such as democracy, secularism, federalism, and judicial review, are beyond the amending power of Parliament.
   • Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India (1978): The court expanded the scope of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21, emphasizing that these rights encompass procedural fairness, natural justice, and liberty from arbitrary state action.
   • Shah Bano Case (1985): The court addressed the rights of Muslim women in matters of maintenance after divorce, highlighting the need for gender justice and equality under personal laws.
   • Vishaka vs. State of Rajasthan (1997): The court laid down guidelines to prevent sexual harassment in workplaces, recognizing the fundamental right to gender equality and dignity at work.
   • Navtej Singh Johar vs. Union of India (2018): The court decriminalized consensual homosexual acts between adults by striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, affirming the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Challenges and Reforms

1. Case Backlog: The Supreme Court faces a significant backlog of cases, leading to delays in justice delivery. Efforts such as digitization, case management systems, and increasing judicial infrastructure are underway to address this challenge.
2. Judicial Independence: Ensuring judicial independence, accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct among judges and court personnel is essential for upholding public trust and maintaining the judiciary’s integrity.
3. Access to Justice: Enhancing access to justice, legal aid, and judicial services for marginalized communities, rural populations, and economically disadvantaged individuals remains a priority.
4. Court Management: Improving court processes, reducing adjournments, promoting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and streamlining legal procedures can enhance efficiency and effectiveness in case disposal.
5. Judicial Reforms: Continuous reforms in judicial appointments, judicial education, case management, court infrastructure, and legal aid services are necessary to meet evolving legal challenges and public expectations.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court of India stands as a beacon of justice, upholding constitutional values, protecting fundamental rights, and interpreting the law with wisdom and impartiality. Through landmark judgments, judicial activism, and a commitment to justice, the Supreme Court has shaped India’s legal framework, social policies, and governance principles. Addressing challenges such as case backlog, judicial independence, and access to justice requires collaborative efforts among the judiciary, government, legal fraternity, and civil society. As India progresses, the Supreme Court’s role as the guardian of the Constitution and protector of citizens’ rights remains paramount in ensuring a just and equitable society governed by the rule of law.

ChatGPT