Short Answer Type Question:
Q1. What are the different ways in which the independence of the judiciary is ensured? Choose the odd ones out.
i. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is consulted in the appointment of other judges of Supreme Court.ii. Judges are generally not removed before the age of retirement.
iii. Judge of a High Court cannot be transferred to another High Court.
iv. Parliament has no say in the appointment of judges.
Answer
iii. Judge of a High Court cannot be transferred to another High Court.
iv. Parliament has no say in the appointment of judges.
Q2. Does independence of the judiciary mean that the judiciary is not accountable to any one? Write your answer in not more than 100 words.
Answer
Independence of judiciary means that it should be honest and impartial in giving its judgement. It should be free from any outside control of the executive or the legislature. The judiciary has to work according to the laws written in the constitution. Any kind of misbehaviour and incapacity of the judges can lead to their removal from the post. The judges have to write and explain the grounds of their decision made in the court. They cannot rule one way today and the opposite tomorrow in the same case. The judiciary cannot interfere in the sphere of legislature and executive. The system has to function independently while having accountability to the Constitution.
Q3. What are the different provisions in the constitution in order to maintain the independence of judiciary?
Answer
The different provisions in the constitution in order to maintain the independence of judiciary are:
• The conduct of the judges cannot be discussed in the parliament.
• The legislature is not involved in the process of appointment of judges.
• The judges have fixed tenure that ensures that they can work fearlessly. They can be removed only in exceptional cases.
• The removal of judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts is extremely difficult.
• The approval of the legislature is not required for salaries and allowances of the judges.
• The authority of the judges protects them from any unfair criticism and the judiciary can penalise those who are guilty of contempt of court.
• The instructions of the judiciary have to be followed by the legislature and executive of the country.
Q4. Read the news report below and identify the following aspects:
• What is the case about?
• Who has been the beneficiary in the case?
• Who is the petitioner in the case?
• Visualise what would have been the different arguments put forward by the company.
• What arguments would the farmers have put forward?
Supreme Court orders REL to pay Rs 300 crore to Dahanu farmersOur Corporate Bureau 24 March 2005Mumbai: The Supreme Court has ordered Reliance Energy to pay Rs. 300 crore to farmers who grow the chikoo fruit in the Dahanu area outside Mumbai. The order comes after the chikoo growers petitioned the court against the pollution caused by Reliance’s thermal power plant.Dahanu, which is 150 km from Mumbai, was a self-sustaining agricultural and horticultural economy known for its fisheries and forests just over a decade ago, but was devastated in 1989 when a thermal power plant came into operation in the region. The next year, this fertile belt saw its first crop failure. Now, 70 per cent of the crop of what was once the fruit bowl of Maharashtra is gone. The fisheries have shut and the forest cover has thinned. Farmers and environmentalists say that fly ash from the power plant entered ground water and polluted the entire eco-system. The Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority ordered the thermal station to set up a pollution control unit to reduce sulphur emissions, and in spite of a Supreme Court order backing the order the pollution control plant was not set up even by 2002. In 2003, Reliance acquired the thermal station and re-submitted a schedule for installation process in 2004. As the pollution control plant is still not set up, the Dahanu Taluka Environmental Protection Authority asked Reliance for a bank guarantee of Rs. 300 crores.
Answer
• The case is about the loss borne by the farmers in the production of chikoo because of the pollution generated by the thermal power plant of Reliance Energy.
• The farmers have been the beneficiary in the case.
• The chikoo growing farmers are the petitioner in the case.
• The company would have given the argument that the government should pay compensation to the farmers. The people of Dahanu area got more employment opportunities with the establishment of Thermal Plant. (i) The company would set up pollution control plant at the earliest.
• (i) Fertile land.(ii) The fisheries have shut down and the forest cover has thinned.(iii) The farmers would have demanded more compensation
Q5. Read the following news report and• Identify the governments at different levels
• Identify the role of Supreme Court
• What elements of the working of judiciary and executive can you identify in it?
• Identify the policy issues, matters related to legislation, implementation and interpretation of the law involved in this case.Centre, Delhi join hands on CNG issueBy Our Staff Reporter, The Hindu 23 September 2001NEW DELHI, SEPT. 22. The Centre and the Delhi Government today agreed to jointly approach the Supreme Court this coming week… for phasing out of all non-CNG commercial vehicles in the Capital. They also decided to seek a dual fuel policy for the city instead of putting the entire transportation system on the single-fuel mode “which was full of dangers and would result indisaster.’’It was also decided to discourage the use of CNG by private vehicle owners in the Capital. Both governments would press for allowing the use of 0.05 per cent low sulphur diesel for running of buses in the Capital. In addition, it would be pleaded before the Court that all commercial vehicles, which fulfil the Euro-II standards, should be allowed to ply in the city. Though both the Centre and the State would file separate affidavits, these would contain common points. The Centre would also go out and support the Delhi Government’s stand on the issues concerning CNG.These decisions were taken at a meeting between the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dikshit, and the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Mr. Ram Naik.Ms. Dikshit said the Central Government would request the court that in view of the high powered Committee appointed under Dr. R.A. Mashelkar to suggest an “Auto Fuel Policy”’ for the entirecountry, it would be appropriate to extend the deadline as it was not possible to convert the entire 10,000-odd bus fleet into CNG during the prescribed time frame. The Mashelkar Committee is expected to submit its report within a period of six months.The Chief Minister said time was required to implement the court directives. Referring to the coordinated approach on the issue, Ms. Dikshit said this would take into account the details about the number of vehicles to be run on CNG, eliminating long queues outside CNG filling stations, the CNG fuel requirements of Delhi and the ways and means to implement the directive of the court.The Supreme Court had …refused to relax the only CNG norm for the city’s buses but said it had never insisted on CNG for taxis and auto rickshaws. Mr. Naik said the Centre would insist on allowing use of low sulphur diesel for buses in Delhi as putting the entire transportation system dependent on CNG could prove to be disastrous. The Capital relied on pipeline supply for CNG and any disruption would throw the public transport system out of gear.
Answer
• The governments at different levels are the state government and the central government, represented by the chief minister and the Union petroleum minister respectively.
• The Supreme Court has played an active role in upholding public interest by instructing authorities to take steps to curb pollution.
• The action of the judiciary is an example of judicial activism and writ jurisdiction. The executive is concerned with the implementation of the directives of the judiciary.
• (i) Policy involved is to phase out all non-CNG commercial vehicles in the capital(ii) To discharge the use of CNG by private vehicle owners in the capital.(iii) All commercial vehicles, which fullfil the EuroIl standards should be allowed to ply in the city.
(iv) The Supreme Court refused to relax the only CNG norm for the city’s buses but said it had never insisted on CNG for taxis and auto rickshaws.
Q6. The following is a statement about Ecuador. What similarities or differences do you find between this example and the judicial system in India?“It would be helpful if a body of common law, or judicial precedent, existed that could clarify a journalist’s rights. Unfortunately, Ecuador’s courts don’t work that way. Judges are not forced to respect the rulings of higher courts in previous cases. Unlike the US, an appellate judge in Ecuador (or elsewhere in South America, for that matter) need not provide a written decision explaining the legal basis of a ruling. A judge may rule one way today and the opposite way, in a similar case, tomorrow, without explaining why.”
Answer
The differences between the judicial system in India and Ecuador can be cited as:
• Unlike the judges in Ecuador, Indian judges have to follow the instructions and rulings of higher courts in previous cases.
• Indian judges have to provide a written decision that explains the legal basis of a ruling.
• An Indian judge may not rule one way today and in the other way tomorrow in the same case and he has to give explanation of the decision of every ruling in written form.
Q7. Read the following statements: Match them with the different jurisdictions the Supreme Court can exercise – Original, Appellate, and Advisory.• The government wanted to know if it can pass a law about the citizenship status of residents of Pakistan-occupied areas of Jammu and Kashmir.• In order to resolve the dispute about river Cauvery the government of Tamil Nadu wants to approach the court.• Court rejected the appeal by people against the eviction from the dam site.
Answer
• Advisory• Original• Appellate
Q8. In what way can public interest litigation help the poor?
Answer
Public interest litigation can help the poor by:• It can seek to protect the fundamental rights and better the living conditions of the poor.
• It can allow public spirited citizens, social organisations and lawyers to file cases on behalf of those who cannot approach the courts.
• The judiciary can also consider the cases on the basis of newspaper reports and postal complaints received by the court.• The courts can direct the executive to comply with its orders and provide remedial action to the aggrieved party whose rights have been violated.
• PILs have also expanded the idea of rights and thus, have led to formation of new norms for public good like clean air and water that have benefitted the entire society.
Q9. Do you think that judicial activism can lead to a conflict between the judiciary and the executive? Why?
Answer
Judicial activism can lead to a conflict between the judiciary and the executive because of the interference of the judiciary in the domain of the executive. Issues related to pollution, investigation of cases against corruption and electoral reforms that are ordinarily handled by the executive under the control of the legislature, are being resolved by the judiciary. Judicial activism also violates the democratic principle of respecting the powers and jurisdiction of each organ of government as it confers extraordinary powers on the judiciary. Thus, the balance between the three organs of the government has become very delicate.
Q10. How is judicial activism related to the protection of fundamental rights? Has it helped in expanding the scope of fundamental rights?
Answer
• Judicial activism is related to the protection of fundamental rights as it has made the judiciary more approachable by the common people seeking justice.
• The Supreme Court and High Court are the guardians of the Fundamental Rights mentioned in the Indian Constitution. Many Judgements of the Supreme Court related to the protection of Fundamental Rights symbolises judicial activism. In Sunil Batra Case, Justice Krishna Ayer stressed that the high pricing of legal publications monopolised by the government amounted to denial of equal protection of laws.
• The Supreme Court has the power to remedy the violation of fundamental rights by issuing writs of Habeas corpus and mandamus or by reviewing and declaring certain laws as unconstitutional.
• The public interest litigation helps the poor to fight against discrimination.
• Issues related to better living conditions, like clean air and water and pollution free environment, have also helped in the expansion of the scope of fundamental rights.
Long Answer Type Questions :
Q1.Explain the composition, original and appellate jurisdiction of Supreme Court of India.
Answer:
Composition:
As per Article 124 (1) of the constitution provides that Parliament does not make provisions for the appointment of judges through a law as the Supreme Court shall have a Chief Justice and seven other judges. But this number has been increased several times by Parliament. Hence, at present there is a Chief Justice and 25 other judges.
Appointment and Tenure: The Chief Justice is appointed by the President of India and other judges are also appointed by the President on consultation with the Chief Justice. The judges hold their office till the age of retirement till they complete 65 years of age.
Original Jurisdiction:
As per Article 32, the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court extends, to issue various writs to enforce Fundamental Rights of the people and the high court enjoys concurrent jurisdiction over them.
The following cases of center and states directly come under the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court:
- The dispute between the central government and state government.
- The central government and one or more states on the one hand and one or more states on the other or
- Two or more states are involved in the disputes.
But no such case will come under its jurisdiction (original) which is concerned with a treaty of contract to be negotiated before the enforcement of the constitution or a contract in which it is given specifically that the contract will not be taken to the Supreme Court.
Appellate Jurisdiction: The Appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is classified into three types as constitutional, criminal and civil:
1. Constitutional Appeals:
- An appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of high court for the interpretation of the constitution.
- Such appeal can be brought to the Supreme Court if high court certifies to require an interpretation in that particular case.
- If the Supreme Court grants a special leave of appeal.
2. Criminal Appeals:
- If high court certifies that a case is fit to take to the Supreme Court for an appeal.
- If a criminal acquitted by a lower court and is sentenced to death by high court.
- If a high court awards death sentence in a case which it had taken from a lower court undecided.
3. Civil Cases’ Appeals:
- The 30th amendment in 1972 brought some significant changes in civil proceedings against a judgement of high court required that the amount involved in subject matter of dispute should not be less than ? 20,000 for invoking the Appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Q2.Explain the composition and jurisdiction of the subordinate courts at the district level in India.
Answer:
The jurisdiction of the subordinate courts at the district level is classified into:
(a) The Criminal Courts
(b) The Civil Courts
(c) The Revenue Courts
(а) The criminal courts:
- The highest court in a district is the District and session judges’ court to be empowered to hear both the civil and criminal cases.
- The District and Session judges, both are the same person’ in case of hearing of civil cases, the same judge is known as session judge.
- He is appointed by the Governor of the state in the consultation with the Chief Justice of the high court under whose jurisdiction the state falls.
- Some other session judges can also be appointed if required.
- He hears appeals from subordinate courts in the matters of serious crimes, i.e. murder, dacoities, etc.
- He is empowered to award the sentence to death but this should be confirmed by the high court.
- The lowest criminal court in the district is third class Magistrate to hear small cases of beating and quarreling and is empowered to sentence one month’s imprisonment and fine of up to ? 50 only.
- The second class magistrate comes next to the above mentioned to hear the cases of some more graver nature and is empowered to sentence for six months’ imprisonment and fine up to ? 200 only.
- Then, comes first class Magistrate above them to enjoy appellate and original jurisdiction both in the cases involving a sentence of imprisonment up to two years and a fine up to ? 1,000.
- Against the first class Magistrate’s courts, the appeals can be filed in the district and session courts.
(b) The Civil Courts:
- The district judge is the highest civil court in a district.
- There are many sub-judges under him under various courts, to be divided into several ranks.
- These sub-judges can hear the cases involving an amount of? 5,000 only, who possess original jurisdiction and hear the appeals against MursiPs court also.
- The Munsif court is competent to hear the cases involving an amount of ? 2,000 only.
- Some courts competent to hear small cases involving an amount of? 1,000 have also been established and against the decision of this court, no appeal can be made because very experienced persons are appointed as judges here.
- There are also some senior civil judges to help the district judges who generally possess the powers of a district judges.
(c) Revenue courts:
- Revenue courts hear the appeals relating to revenue of the district.
- The lowest Revenue court is the court of Naib Tehsildar and above him, the court of Tehsildar to hear the revenue cases.
- The highest revenue court in the district is the court of Collector (Deputy Commissioner).
- Appeals against Deputy Commissioner’s court can be made in the court of commissioner.
- The appeals against commissioner’s court can be made in Board of Revenue and above it to the high court if required.
Q3.What is the importance of the judicial review of the Supreme Court of India?
Answer:
Judicial review is an examination by the courts in the cases of legislative status and executive and administrative acts to determine either they are prohibited by a written constitution or it is deemed to be in conflict with the basic law of constitution.
The Supreme Court acts as the guardian and finds interpreter of the constitution:
- Under Article 32(2) of the constitution, the Supreme Court will decide whether a law in connection with the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights is void or not in its review, or issue the writs if required.
- Under Article 24, court can review the extent of law made by legislatures of states.
- Under Article 246(3), the legislatures of any state has exclusive powers to make law on the subject in state list.
- Under Article 254, the Supreme Court can also decide any inconsistency between the law made by legislatures of the state.
Importance
- To interpret properly to the written constitution, the judicial review is necessary.
- To secure the public interests and safety of the states, the judicial review is necessary to protect the civil liberties.
- To understand some technical words and language in the constitution, the judicial review is must.