The Supreme Court of India has delivered several landmark judgments that have significantly shaped the legal landscape of the country

The Supreme Court of India has delivered several landmark judgments that have significantly shaped the legal landscape of the country. Below are some of the most notable ones:

1. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)

Principle Established: Basic Structure Doctrine

Significance: The judgment held that while the Parliament has wide powers to amend the Constitution, it cannot alter the "basic structure" or essential features of the Constitution. This doctrine serves as a limitation on the amending power of the Parliament.

2. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)

Principle Established: Expansive Interpretation of Article 21

Significance: The Supreme Court expanded the scope of Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) to include various rights such as the right to travel abroad and the right to a fair and reasonable procedure.

3. Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India (1980)

Principle Established: Balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles

Significance: The judgment reaffirmed the Basic Structure Doctrine and held that a balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles is essential to the Constitution's integrity.

4. Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997)

Principle Established: Guidelines on Sexual Harassment at Workplace

Significance: The Supreme Court laid down guidelines for the prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace, now known as the Vishaka Guidelines, until suitable legislation was enacted.

5. S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994)

Principle Established: Judicial Review of President's Rule

Significance: The judgment established that the imposition of President’s Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution is subject to judicial review, thereby preventing its misuse.

6. Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992)

Principle Established: Reservations in Government Jobs

Significance: This judgment upheld the government's decision to reserve 27% of government jobs for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) but excluded the creamy layer from the reservation benefits.

7. Naz Foundation v. Government of NCT of Delhi (2009)

Principle Established: Decriminalization of Homosexuality (Section 377)

Significance: The Delhi High Court’s decision in this case, which was later upheld by the Supreme Court in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018), decriminalized consensual homosexual acts between adults, marking a significant victory for LGBTQ rights in India.

8. I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu (2007)

Principle Established: Judicial Review of Ninth Schedule Laws

Significance: The Supreme Court ruled that any law placed in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution after April 24, 1973, is subject to judicial review if it violates the basic structure of the Constitution.

9. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017)

Principle Established: Right to Privacy as a Fundamental Right

Significance: The Supreme Court unanimously recognized the right to privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.

10. Shayara Bano v. Union of India (2017)

Principle Established: Triple Talaq Unconstitutional

Significance: The Supreme Court declared the practice of instant triple talaq (talaq-e-biddat) unconstitutional, leading to its eventual abolition through legislation.

These judgments reflect the evolving interpretation of the Constitution and the role of the judiciary in upholding democratic values and individual rights in India.