Case laws, also known as judicial precedents, are decisions made by courts that establish legal principles and interpretations. These judgments serve as authoritative sources of law and guide future legal decisions. In India, the doctrine of precedent ensures that higher court decisions bind lower courts.
This section provides access to important judgments from the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, and other significant legal decisions that have shaped Indian jurisprudence.
These landmark cases have significantly influenced Indian law and continue to be cited in legal proceedings.
Court: Supreme Court of India | Bench: 13-Judge Bench | Citation: AIR 1973 SC 1461
Established the "Basic Structure Doctrine" - Parliament cannot amend the Constitution in a way that destroys its basic structure. This case is considered one of the most important constitutional cases in India.
Court: Supreme Court of India | Bench: 7-Judge Bench | Citation: AIR 1978 SC 597
Expanded the scope of Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) to include the right to travel abroad. Established that procedure established by law must be fair, just, and reasonable.
Court: Supreme Court of India | Citation: AIR 1997 SC 3011
Laid down guidelines for prevention of sexual harassment at workplace. The Court used Article 21 and Directive Principles to create binding guidelines, later codified in the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.
Court: Supreme Court of India | Bench: 5-Judge Bench | Citation: (2018) 10 SCC 1
Decriminalized consensual homosexual acts between adults by reading down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Recognized privacy, dignity, and equality as fundamental rights.
Important cases related to constitutional law, fundamental rights, and constitutional interpretation.
| Case Name | Year | Key Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Golaknath v. State of Punjab | 1967 | Fundamental Rights cannot be amended |
| Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain | 1975 | Election disputes and judicial review |
| Minerva Mills v. Union of India | 1980 | Basic Structure Doctrine reaffirmed |
| S.R. Bommai v. Union of India | 1994 | Presidential rule and federalism |
| I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu | 2007 | Ninth Schedule and judicial review |
Important criminal law judgments that have shaped criminal jurisprudence in India.
Supreme Court | Citation: (2013) 8 SCC 519
Upheld the constitutional validity of Section 377 IPC (before decriminalization), but emphasized need for reform.
Supreme Court | Citation: (2017) 6 SCC 1
Upheld death penalty for rape and murder, leading to amendments in criminal law for stricter punishment.
Supreme Court | Citation: (1994) 3 SCC 569
Upheld TADA Act but laid down guidelines for fair trial and protection of accused rights.
Important civil law judgments covering contract, property, torts, and other civil matters.
High Courts | Contract Law
Established principles of domestic agreements and intention to create legal relations in Indian contract law.
Supreme Court | Citation: AIR 1987 SC 1086
Established absolute liability principle for hazardous industries, expanding tort law in India.
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Comprehensive database of judgments from all courts in India
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