major landmark judgments: of the Constitution of India

India's Constitution has been shaped by numerous landmark judgments over the years. Some of these rulings have significantly impacted the legal landscape of the country, interpreting and expanding the rights and provisions enshrined in the Constitution. Here are a few major landmark judgments:

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

This case is one of the most important constitutional rulings in India. The Supreme Court held that Parliament cannot amend the "basic structure" of the Constitution. This judgment established the doctrine of the "Basic Structure," which means that certain fundamental aspects of the Constitution cannot be altered by any amendment.

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

This judgment expanded the interpretation of Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty). The Supreme Court held that the right to life and personal liberty includes the right to live with dignity and that any law affecting this right must be "reasonable, fair, and just." This case broadened the scope of fundamental rights in India.

3. Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975):

This case, during the Emergency period, addressed the issue of the validity of the 39th Amendment to the Constitution, which had placed the election of the Prime Minister beyond judicial scrutiny. The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the amendment, but the case reinforced the importance of judicial review in maintaining the integrity of democracy.

4. Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India (1980):

The Supreme Court struck down certain provisions of the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution, asserting that Parliament cannot amend the Constitution in a way that would destroy its basic structure. It reaffirmed the principle that fundamental rights are supreme and cannot be easily altered.

5. Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018):

A landmark decision in the context of LGBTQ rights, the Supreme Court decriminalized Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized consensual same-sex relations. The Court held that the provision was unconstitutional, violating the rights to equality, dignity, and freedom.

6. Shah Bano Case (1985):

In this judgment, the Supreme Court ruled that a Muslim woman was entitled to maintenance under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, even after divorce. The judgment sparked a nationwide debate on the uniformity of laws for personal matters and led to the enactment of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986.

7. The Puttaswamy Judgment (2017) [Right to Privacy Case]:

In this historic case, the Supreme Court recognized the "Right to Privacy" as a fundamental right under Article 21. This landmark ruling expanded personal freedoms in India and shaped the legal framework for data privacy, surveillance, and the right to be left alone.

8. Bodh Gaya Temple Case (2014):

The Supreme Court ruled that the Bodh Gaya Temple in Bihar, which is a Buddhist pilgrimage site, should be managed by the state and that its administration should be secular, ensuring equal treatment of all religious institutions.

These cases reflect how judicial interpretation of the Constitution has helped shape the democratic and legal framework of India, reinforcing rights, balancing power, and adapting to social changes.