Supreme Court of India

Supreme Court of India is the apex judicial body and the final court of appeal under the Constitution of India. It was inaugurated on 28 January 1950, succeeding the Federal Court of India established under the Government of India Act 1935. The Court serves as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution and the highest authority on civil, criminal, and constitutional law, playing a pivotal role in the governance and protection of fundamental rights in the world's largest democracy.

History

The genesis of the Supreme Court can be traced to the Regulating Act of 1773, which established the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William in Calcutta. The modern Court's direct predecessor was the Federal Court of India, created in 1937 to adjudicate disputes between provinces and princely states. Upon India's independence in 1947 and the adoption of the new Constitution drafted by the Constituent Assembly of India, the Supreme Court was formally established. Its inaugural sitting was held in the Chamber of Princes in the Parliament House, with Harilal J. Kania sworn in as the first Chief Justice of India. The Court has since been central to key historical moments, including the evolution of the Basic structure doctrine during the Indira Gandhi era and significant rulings during the Emergency in India (1975–1977).

Composition and structure

The Supreme Court comprises the Chief Justice of India and a maximum of 33 other judges, appointed by the President of India after consultation with the collegium of senior justices. Judges hold office until they attain the age of 65. The Court typically sits in benches of two or three judges, with constitutional matters or cases of exceptional importance heard by larger Constitution benches of five or more judges. The current Chief Justice is Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud. The Court's administrative functions are managed by the Supreme Court Registry under the supervision of the Secretary General.

Jurisdiction and powers

The Court exercises original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction. Its original jurisdiction extends to disputes between the Government of India and one or more States, or between States themselves. Its vast appellate jurisdiction covers appeals from any judgment or order of the High courts of India and various tribunals. The Court also possesses the power of judicial review to invalidate laws or executive actions that violate the Constitution. Furthermore, under Article 32, it can issue writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights, and under Article 142, it can pass any decree necessary for complete justice.

Important judgments and impact

The Court has delivered landmark verdicts that have profoundly shaped Indian jurisprudence and society. In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, it propounded the Basic structure doctrine, limiting the Parliament's power to amend the Constitution. The Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India case expanded the interpretation of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. In the S. R. Bommai v. Union of India case, it laid down strict guidelines for the imposition of President's rule. More recently, judgments like Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (decriminalizing homosexuality) and the Ayodhya verdict have had significant social and political ramifications.

Building and facilities

The Supreme Court building is located on Tilak Marg in New Delhi. The main structure, designed by architect Ganesh Bhikaji Deolalikar, was completed in 1958 and features a distinctive modern architectural style with a large central dome. The complex houses the Chief Justice's court, numerous courtrooms, judges' chambers, and the expansive Supreme Court Library, one of the largest legal repositories in Asia. An additional modern building, known as the Additional Building Complex, was inaugurated to accommodate the growing number of cases and judicial officers.