The 25 Most Important Landmark Judgments in Indian Legal History

As a guiding light of justice, the Indian judiciary has influenced the sociopolitical and economic climate of the nation. Important precedents have been set over the years by the Supreme Court and other High Courts, and these rulings continue to shape Indian democracy. This blog examines 25 of the most important rulings, examining their constitutional relevance, historical background, and effects on Indian jurisprudence.

Table of Contents

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

Topic: Basic Structure Doctrine

Significance: The Basic Structure Doctrine was established by this decision, which states that although the Parliament may amend the Constitution, it cannot change its fundamental framework.

Impact: Preserved fundamental liberties and the democratic system from overbearing legislative meddling.

Key Principle	Explanation
Basic Structure Doctrine	Ensures the supremacy of the Constitution and preserves its core values.

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

Topic: Right to Life and Personal Liberty

Significance: The right to travel abroad was included to the interpretation of Article 21.

Impact: Signalled a change in constitutional law towards a more liberal and rights-based approach.

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

Topic: Judicial Review

Significance: Highlighted the value of judicial review and reaffirmed the Basic Structure Doctrine.

Impact: Made the judiciary’s role in defending constitutional values stronger.

4. SR Bommai v. Union of India (1994)

Topic: Federalism and President’s Rule

Significance: outlined the parameters of Article 356 to prevent abuse of the President’s Rule.

Impact: Made India’s federal system stronger.

Article	Scope Defined
Article 356	Limits arbitrary imposition of President’s Rule.

5. Indira Sawhney v. Union of India (1992)

Topic: Reservations

Significance: Established the idea of the “creamy layer” and maintained the 27% quota for OBCs.

Impact: Meritocracy and affirmative action were balanced.

6. Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997)

Topic: Workplace Harassment

Significance: Established policies to safeguard against sexual harassment in the workplace.

Impact: Helped give the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act its start.

7. Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018)

Topic: LGBTQ+ Rights

Significance: Decriminalized Section 377, recognizing the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Impact: A watershed moment for human rights in India.

8. Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (2018)

Topic: Women’s Rights

Significance: Allowed women of all ages entry into the Sabarimala Temple, overturning a centuries-old custom.
Impact: Reinforced gender equality and secularism.

9. AK Gopalan v. State of Madras (1950)

Topic: Preventive Detention

Significance: Interpreted Article 21 narrowly, allowing preventive detention laws.
Impact: Prompted debates leading to a broader interpretation in later years.

10. Golaknath v. State of Punjab (1967)

Topic: Constitutional Amendments

Significance: Held that Fundamental Rights cannot be amended by the Parliament.
Impact: Triggered the evolution of the Basic Structure Doctrine.

Case	Key Doctrine Introduced
Golaknath Case	Fundamental Rights cannot be abridged.

11. MC Mehta v. Union of India (1986)

Topic: Environmental Protection

Significance: Established the “absolute liability” principle in industrial accidents.
Impact: Strengthened environmental jurisprudence.

12. Shah Bano Case (1985)

Topic: Women’s Rights

Significance: Upheld a Muslim woman’s right to maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC.
Impact: Sparked debates on secularism and personal laws.

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

Topic: Ninth Schedule

Significance: Held that laws under the Ninth Schedule are open to judicial review.
Impact: Prevented misuse of the Ninth Schedule to bypass constitutional scrutiny.

14. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017)

Topic: Right to Privacy

Significance: Declared privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21.
Impact: Influenced laws on data protection and surveillance.

15. Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015)

Topic: Freedom of Speech

Significance: Struck down Section 66A of the IT Act for being unconstitutional.
Impact: Reinforced the right to free speech in the digital age.

16. Keshav Singh Case (1965)

Topic: Legislative Privileges

Significance: Defined the limits of legislative privileges vis-à-vis fundamental rights.
Impact: Balanced parliamentary privileges and individual rights.

17. Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985)

Topic: Right to Livelihood

Significance: Interpreted Article 21 to include the right to livelihood.
Impact: Protected the rights of urban poor and slum dwellers.

18. Common Cause v. Union of India (2018)

Topic: Passive Euthanasia

Significance: Recognized the right to die with dignity under Article 21.
Impact: Legalized passive euthanasia.

19. Ashok Kumar Thakur v. Union of India (2008)

Topic: Educational Reservations

Significance: Upheld the constitutional validity of reservations in educational institutions.
Impact: Defined the scope of affirmative action in education.

20. Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980)

Topic: Death Penalty

Significance: Laid down the “rarest of rare” doctrine for awarding the death penalty.
Impact: Introduced a humane approach to capital punishment.

21. Joseph Shine v. Union of India (2018)

Topic: Adultery

Significance: Decriminalized adultery, calling it discriminatory.
Impact: Promoted gender equality and personal autonomy.

22. Aruna Shanbaug Case (2011)

Topic: Euthanasia

Significance: Set guidelines for passive euthanasia.
Impact: Initiated discussions on right to die with dignity.

23. Union Carbide Case (1989)

Topic: Corporate Liability

Significance: Addressed compensation for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims.
Impact: Highlighted the need for stringent industrial safety standards.

24. Lily Thomas v. Union of India (2013)

Topic: Criminal Convictions

Significance: Disqualified convicted legislators from holding office.
Impact: Strengthened accountability in governance.

25. S.P. Gupta v. Union of India (1981)

Topic: Judicial Independence

Significance: Defined the independence of the judiciary.
Impact: Asserted judicial supremacy in appointments and transfers.

These landmark judgments collectively highlight the dynamic role of the judiciary in addressing constitutional dilemmas, protecting fundamental rights, and evolving with societal changes. The intricate interplay of law, society, and governance is captured in these rulings, making them indispensable for legal scholars, practitioners, and students.

Category	Number of Judgments
Fundamental Rights	10
Constitutional Law	8
Social Justice	7

The evolution of Indian jurisprudence continues to inspire debates, reforms, and new precedents, ensuring that the spirit of justice prevails.