Constitutional Law - Unit VI: Judiciary in India

Unit VI: Judiciary in India Supreme Court & High Courts: jurisdiction, powers, independence. Judicial review & judicial activism. Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

This class is intended for students interested in understanding the judicial system as the guardian of the Constitution. The class will cover the Supreme Court and High Courts—jurisdiction, powers, and independence of the judiciary. Special focus will be given to the doctrines of judicial review and judicial activism, exploring how courts protect Fundamental Rights and maintain constitutional supremacy. The emergence and growth of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) will be studied, along with landmark judgments such as Hussainara Khatoon, Vishaka v State of Rajasthan, and S.R. Bommai.
Students should bring the bare act and a copy of at least one landmark judgment for class discussion. By the end of this class, students will appreciate the judiciary’s role not only as an interpreter of laws but also as a social reformer and protector of constitutional values, while balancing this role with judicial restraint.