Gayatri Balasamy v. M/s ISG Novasoft Technologies Ltd.
A 3-judge bench clarified that courts under Sections 34 & 37 of Arbitration Act have limited jurisdiction to correct patent illegality, not re-appreciate evidence.
October 30, 2024Electoral Bond Case: ADR v. Union of India
A 5-judge bench unanimously struck down the Electoral Bond Scheme as unconstitutional, citing violations of the right to information under Article 19(1)(a).
February 15, 2024Bilkis Yakub Rasool v. Union Of India & Ors.
A 2-judge bench quashed Gujarat's remission of 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case, declaring it illegal and ordering their re-imprisonment.
January 8, 2024Waqf Tribunal Jurisdiction: Maha. Waqf Board v. Shaikh Chawla
A 2-judge bench clarified the exclusive jurisdiction of Waqf Tribunals under the Waqf Act, 1995, overturning a High Court decision.
January 10, 2023M. Siddiq (D) Thr. LRs. v. Mahant Suresh Das & Ors.
A 5-judge bench resolved the Ayodhya title dispute, granting the entire 2.77 acres to Ram Lalla Virajman deity while directing alternate land for a mosque.
November 9, 2019Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State Of Kerala
A 5-judge bench (4:1) struck down the ban on entry of women aged 10-50 into Sabarimala Temple as unconstitutional.
September 28, 2018Joseph Shine v. Union Of India
A 5-judge bench unanimously struck down Section 497 (adultery) of IPC as unconstitutional, ending criminal liability for adultery.
September 27, 2018Navtej Singh Johar & Ors. v. Union Of India
A 5-judge bench unanimously decriminalized consensual homosexual acts, partially reading down Section 377 IPC.
September 6, 2018Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union Of India
A 9-judge bench unanimously declared Right to Privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21, overruling earlier judgments.
August 24, 2017Shayara Bano v. Union Of India & Ors.
A 5-judge bench (3:2) struck down the practice of Triple Talaq (instant divorce) as unconstitutional and violative of Article 14.
August 22, 2017Shreya Singhal v. Union Of India
A 2-judge bench struck down Section 66A of IT Act, 2000 as unconstitutional, protecting freedom of speech on the internet.
March 24, 2015National Legal Services Authority v. Union Of India & Ors.
A 2-judge bench recognized transgender persons as "third gender" and affirmed their right to self-identify under Article 21.
April 15, 2014People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union Of India
A 3-judge bench directed introduction of "None of the Above" (NOTA) option in elections, recognizing the right not to vote for any candidate.
September 27, 2013Lily Thomas v. Union Of India
A 2-judge bench struck down Section 8(4) of RPA, 1951, removing the protection for convicted MPs/MLAs from immediate disqualification.
July 10, 2013Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug v. Union Of India & Ors.
A 2-judge bench legalized passive euthanasia in India while dismissing the petition to withdraw life support for Aruna Shanbaug.
March 7, 2011I.R. Coelho (Dead) By LRs. v. State Of Tamil Nadu
A 9-judge bench held that laws in 9th Schedule enacted after Kesavananda Bharati can be subject to judicial review if they violate basic structure.
January 11, 2007Lily Thomas, Etc. v. Union Of India & Ors.
A 2-judge bench reaffirmed that a Hindu man cannot convert to Islam and enter polygamy while the first marriage subsists, following Sarla Mudgal.
April 5, 2000Vishaka & Ors. v. State Of Rajasthan & Ors.
A 3-judge bench laid down "Vishaka Guidelines" to prevent sexual harassment at workplace until legislation was enacted.
August 13, 1997L. Chandra Kumar v. Union Of India & Ors.
A 7-judge bench restored judicial review powers of High Courts under Article 226/227, striking down the exclusion clause in tribunals legislation.
March 18, 1997S.R. Bommai v. Union Of India
A 9-judge bench laid down stringent guidelines for President's Rule under Article 356, making it subject to judicial review.
March 11, 1994SCAORA v. Union of India
A 9-judge bench (7:2) overruled S.P. Gupta, establishing the Collegium system with primacy of CJI in judicial appointments.
October 6, 1993Indra Sawhney v. Union of India
A 9-judge bench upheld 27% OBC reservations while limiting total reservations to 50% and excluding "creamy layer".
November 16, 1992Mohini Jain v. State of Karnataka
A 2-judge bench declared right to education as part of Article 21, striking down capitation fees in medical colleges.
July 30, 1992M.C. Mehta v. Union of India
A 5-judge bench evolved absolute liability doctrine for hazardous industries, departing from the Rylands v Fletcher rule.
December 20, 1986Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation
A 5-judge bench held right to livelihood as integral to Article 21, but upheld pavement dweller evictions with procedural safeguards.
July 10, 1985Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum
A 5-judge bench directed maintenance to divorced Muslim women under CrPC, triggering nationwide debate on uniform civil code.
April 23, 1985S.P. Gupta v. Union of India
A 7-judge bench held executive has primacy in judicial appointments; later overruled by Second Judges Case (1993).
December 30, 1981Minerva Mills v. Union of India
A 5-judge bench struck down clauses of 42nd Amendment that gave primacy to DPSPs and removed judicial review limits.
July 31, 1980Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab
A 5-judge bench (4:1) upheld death penalty's constitutionality, establishing "rarest of rare" doctrine for capital punishment.
May 9, 1980Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
A 7-judge bench expanded Article 21, requiring fair, just and reasonable procedure, overruling A.K. Gopalan's narrow interpretation.
January 25, 1978ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla
A 5-judge bench (4:1) held during Emergency, right to life under Article 21 can be suspended, allowing detention without remedy.
April 28, 1976Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain
A 5-judge bench struck down constitutional amendments granting PM immunity from election challenges, upholding free and fair elections.
November 7, 1975Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
Largest ever 13-judge bench (7:6) established the Basic Structure Doctrine, limiting Parliament's power to amend the Constitution's core features.
April 24, 1973I.C. Golaknath v. State of Punjab
An 11-judge bench (6:5) overruled earlier decisions, holding Parliament cannot amend Fundamental Rights; introduced prospective overruling.
February 27, 1967Sajjan Singh v. State of Rajasthan
A 5-judge bench (3:2) reaffirmed Parliament's power to amend Fundamental Rights, though minority judges expressed doubts, hinting at basic features.
October 30, 1964Berubari Union Case (Re: Presidential Reference)
An 8-judge bench advised that Parliament cannot cede territory using Article 3; a Constitutional Amendment under Article 368 is required.
March 14, 1960Shankari Prasad Singh Deo v. Union of India
A 5-judge bench upheld Parliament's power under Article 368 to amend Fundamental Rights, distinguishing it from ordinary 'law' under Article 13(2).
October 5, 1951State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan
A 7-judge bench struck down caste-based reservations, establishing primacy of Fundamental Rights over DPSPs, leading to the First Amendment.
April 9, 1951A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras
A 6-judge bench upheld the Preventive Detention Act, 1950, taking a narrow view of Article 21 regarding 'procedure established by law'.
May 19, 1950