Landmark decisions of Indian Courts (1950-1973)
Find here a collection of landmark decisions handed down by Indian courts in the fields of constitutional and administrative law, between 1950 and 1973
The following table was compiled with the assistance of Mr. Antonin Vergnes, whom we thank for his careful proofreading and advice.
The decisions are arranged in chronological order.
The themes covered here are as follows: separation of powers; federalism; civil rights; fundamental rights; and general principles of constitutional law.
Name of the parties
Jurisdiction
Theme
Summary
Fiche ?
1
Supreme court
General principles of constitutional law ; fundamental rights
First landmark decision on fundamental rights. Restrictive interpretation of Art. 21; rejection of American due process
2
High Court of Patna
Civil rights ; fundamental rights
Partial invalidation of a discriminatory expropriation statute. Foundational in the dialogue between fundamental rights and DPSP
3
Supreme court
Civil rights ; General principles of constitutional law
Invalidation of the Communal G.O. for violation of Art. 29(2). Prompted the 1st Amendment authorising reservations for backward classes
4
Supreme court
General principles of constitutional law
Upholds the 1st Amendment: Parliament may amend fundamental rights
5
State of Madras v. V.G. Row (1952)
Supreme court
Fundamental rights ; General principles of constitutional law
Lays down the proportionality criteria (reasonable restrictions) under Art. 19
6
West Bengal v. Subodh Gopal (1954)
Supreme court
Fundamental rights ; Civil rights
Defines the limits of legislative power vis-à-vis fundamental property rights in the context of a Bengal land reform statute
7
Supreme court
Fundamental rights
Harmonious interpretation of Arts. 25 and 26 allowing the State to legislate on the opening of temples to all Hindus
8
Supreme court
Fundamental rights ; General principles of constitutional law
Advisory opinion on the limits of State regulation of religious and linguistic minority schools
9
Supreme court
Civil rights ; General principles of constitutional law
Caps reservations at 50%. Caste is a starting point, not an endpoint, for defining social backwardness
10
Supreme court
General principles of constitutional law
Upholds the 17th Amendment. First formulation (in dissent) of the idea of unamendable basic features of the Constitution
11
Golak Nath v. Punjab (1967)
Supreme court
Fundamental rights ; General principles of constitutional law
Copyright; Article I; free circulation of judicial decisions
12
Supreme court
Separation of powers ; Fundamental rights
Invalidation of the bank nationalisation ordinance. Turning point in the relationship between the judiciary and the Gandhi government
13
Supreme court
Fundamental rights
Invalidates the newsprint control policy. Consecrates freedom of the press as an essential dimension of freedom of expression
14
Supreme court
General principles of constitutional law ; Federalism ; Separation of powers
Foundational decision. Basic Structure doctrine