Meaning of Life and Personal Liberty

Article 21 is a Fundamental right in Indian Constitution. 

Meaning of Life and Personal Liberty: - Life is not mere animal existence or survival. It would include the right to live with human dignity and all those aspects of life which go to make a man's life meaningful, complete and worth living.

The expression personal liberty covers a wide variety of rights which go to constitute the personal liberties of a man other than those which are already included in Article 21. The courts are inclined to give the widest amplitude to the expression. On account of the liberal interpretation Article 21 has now come to be invoked almost as a residuary right, even to  the extent which the founding fathers never dreamt of.

From the judgments of the Supreme Court the following are some of the rights that are to be read in Article 21:

1. Right not to be subjected to bonded labour
2. Right to livelihood by means which are not illegal, immoral or opposed to public policy
3. Right to decent environment
4. Right to shelter
5. Right to travel abroad
6. Right to speedy trial
7. Right to legal aid
8. Right to privacy
9. Right against solitary confinement
10. Right against bar fetters
11. Right against handcuffing
12. Right against delayed execution
13. Right against custodial violence
14. Right to education (not professional or special)
15. Right to drinking pure water
16. Right to good roads
17. Right to reputation
18. Freedom from noise pollution.