Landmark Judgments

This is one stop solutions for you if you are looking for landmark judgments delivered by Supreme Court of India. This page will grow with time as I will include the Landmark Judgments of India which have impacted lives of billion plus people. List and name of cases given here are not in any particular sequence and have been listed in a casual way. I will list the name of landmark judgements or leading cases along with citation and importance of particular judgment.



List of 100+ Landmark Cases of Supreme Court India:


  1. His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala (Kesavananda Bharati Case ) - Landmark Judgement by Supreme Court 13 Judges Bench which propounded the Basic Structure Doctrine or Essential Feature Theory. In this case Golak Nath Case was overruled and Bench in majority said that Parliament can amend any part of Indian Constitution but it can not destroy the basic structure. SC said the parliament has limited amending power. 
  2. Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India - Article 21 Case / Era of Right to life started expanding from this case.
  3. Justice K S Puttaswamy vs Union of India - Right to Privacy Case
  4. Shankari Prasad vs Union of India - Power of (Provisional) Parliament to Amend Constitution and specially Fundamental Rights
  5. Sajjan Singh vs State of Rajasthan - Power of Parliament to Amend the Constitution
  6. A K Gopalan vs State of Madras - Preventive Detention Act 1950
  7. Romesh Thappar vs State of Madras - Freedom of Speech - Post publication prevention of circulation of crossroad weekly magazine resulted in violation of freedom of speech [This judgment resulted into amendment in Article 19 of Indian Constitution]
  8. Brij Bhushan Sharma vs Delhi - Freedom of Speech - Pre Publication Censorship of Organizer weekly resulted into violation of Freedom of Speech as per Supreme Court [This judgment resulted into amendment in Article 19 of Indian Constitution]
  9. State of Madras vs Champakam Dorairajan - Caste based reservation in admission to the educational institution [This judgment resulted into amendment in Article 15 of Indian Constitution]
  10. M P Sharma vs Satish Chandra Case - Right to Privacy Issue
  11. Kharak Singh vs State of Uttar Pradesh - Whether  privacy is a part of fundamental right in our constitution
  12. In Re Beruberi Case - Cession of a part of the territory of India, Exchange of enclave with Pakistan
  13. Commissioner Hindu Religious Endowments Madras vs Sri Lakhmindra Thirtha Swamiar of Shirur Mutt - Essential Religious Practice Test
  14. K M Nanavati vs State of Maharashtra - Jury Trial and Pardoning Power of Governor
  15. I C Golaknath vs State of Punjab Case - Power of Parliament to Amend the Constitution. In 11 Judges case Supreme Court held that Part 3 of Indian Constitution is fundamental in nature and parliament can not amend Fundamental rights given in Indian Constitution. Court also held that Article 368 provides procedure for the constitutional amendments and Amendment to the constitution is law as per article 13 of Indian Constitution. Court also applied the principle of Prospective overruling in Golaknath case.
  16. His Highness Maharajadhiraja Madhav Rao Jiwaji Rao Scindia vs Union of India - In this case abolition of privy purse of erstwhile rulers were abolished  through presidential order so the rulers challenged that decision of government. A constitution bench restored the privy purse of rulers and held the Presidential order as unconstitutional.
  17. Indira Nehru Gandhi vs Raj Narain Case - Election of Indira Gandhi was challenged due to election malpractice
  18. ADM Jabalpur vs Shivkant Shukla Case - One of the most contentious decision of Supreme Court of India. This case is also known as habeus  corpus case. During emergency many opposition leaders were detained. They challenged the govt action through writ petitions in various High Courts. Decisions of High Courts were challenged in Supreme Court and SC held that Fundamental Rights Can be suspended during emergency. Right to move to High Courts under Article 226 during emergency was in issue in this case.
  19. S.P. Gupta vs President of India Case - Those high Court judges, who have issued habeus corpus petition [those which were challenged through ADM Jabalpur vs Shivkant Shukla Case ] during emergency were transferred to different High Courts. This action of Government was challenged in SP Gupta Case. Major issue in this case was appointment of Judges of High Courts & Supreme Court. As the petition was filed by an Advocate and not by any aggrieved judges so issue of locus standi also settled in this case for public interest litigation. Supreme Court held that Bar / Advocates are integral part of judicial system and they can challenge the issues related to Judiciary.
  20. Bachan Singh vs State of Punjab - It was death penalty case. The court expounded the principle of Rarest of Rare case in Bachan Singh Case. Court said life imprisonment is the rule and Death Penalty / Capital Punishment is exception. Only in rarest of rare cases capital punishment can be awarded to convict of murder.
  21. Hussainara Khatoon vs Home Secretary, State of Bihar - Rights of Undertrial Prisoners, Right to Speedy Trial under Article 21 of Indian Constitution
  22. Minerva Mills Ltd vs Union of India - Harmony and Balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principle of State Policy. Basic Structure Doctrine was applied in this case.
  23. Bandhua Mukti Morcha vs Union of India - PIL for those who can not reach Supreme Court or High Courts for their breach of fundamental rights. Whether a person whom legal injury is caused by reason of violation of a fundamental right is unable to approach the court, any member of the public acting bona fide can move the court for relief under  Article 32 or Article 226
  24. Indian Express Newspaper vs Union of India Case - Freedom of PRess under freedom of speech and expression given in Article 19(1)a of Indian Constitution
  25. Bijoe Emmanuel vs State of Kerala Case - Whether forcing the children to sing the national anthem violated their fundamental right to religion. Right to silence is part of fundamental right under Article 19 in Freedom of Speech and Expression
  26. Mohamad Ahmad Khan vs Shah Bano Begum Case - Providing Maintenance to a divorced Muslim Woman
  27. M C Mehta vs Union of India Case - Responsibility of industries in an accident, compensation, scope and ambit of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India under Article 32
  28. Dr. D C Wadhwa vs State of Bihar Case - Re Promulgation of Ordinances in the Bihar to bypass the state legislature.
  29. Kehar Singh vs Union of India Case - Pardoning power of the President of India under Indian Constitution
  30. Mohini Jain vs State of Karnataka Case - Right to Education related judgment
  31. Indira Sawhney vs Union of India Case - Also known as Mandal Commission Case. Landmark Case on Reservation of other backward classes. 
  32. Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillu Case - When anti defection provisions were added in the Indian Constitution these were challenged through this case. A Leading Case on Anti Defection Law.
  33. Unni Krishnan vs State of Andhra Pradesh - This case is also related to Right to Education
  34. Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association vs Union of India Case - This case was about appointment of judges to Supreme Court of India and in High Courts in India. Also famous as Second Judges Case. 
  35. S R Bommai vs Union of India - Proclamation of Emergency under Article 356 of Indian Constitution, Secularism.
  36. Union of India vs Association for Democratic Reforms - Right to know about public functionaries and candidates for office. Article 19 of Indian Constitution under fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression also include right to know about the candidates contesting for the public offices. 
  37. T M A Pai Foundation vs State of Karnataka - Rights of Minority Educational Institutions
  38. Samantha vs State of Andhra Pradesh - Granting of mining licenses in the scheduled area to non tribals 
  39. Vineet Narain vs Union of India - Curbing political influence in the functioning of CBI / Central Bureau of Investigation
  40. Bodhisattwa Gautam vs Subhra Chakraborty - Whether rape is violative of Right to Life under Article 21 of Indian Constitution
  41. Sarla Mudgal vs Union of India - Principles against the practice of solemnizing second marriage by conversion to islam, with first marriage not being dissolved 
  42. People's Union for Civil Liberties vs Union of India - Right to Food
  43. R Rajagopal vs State of Tamil Nadu - Freedom of Speech and expression - Right to publish autobiography
  44. In Re Special Reference Case of 1998 - Also known as Third Judges Case - Appointment of Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts in India
  45. T N Godavarman Thirumulkpad vs Union of India - Forest Conservation. A leading case on Environmental law and about writ of continuous mandamus.
  46. L Chandra Kumar vs Union of India - Power of High Courts and Supreme Court to review the legislative action
  47. Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan - Sexual Harassment at the workplace, In this case Supreme Court of India laid down guidelines known as Vishaka Guidelines for protection of women against sexual harassment at workplaces for the time being there is no such law enacted by legislature.
  48. Ashok Kumar Thakur vs Union of India - Reservations to OBC in central educational institutions
  49. Kuldip Nayar vs Union of India - Requirement of domicile in the state concerned for getting elected to the council of states / Rajya Sabha ; Principle of Federalism is basic structure of the Indian Constitution
  50. M Nagaraj vs Union of India - Reservation in Promotions for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe employees
  51. People's Union of Civil Liberties vs Union of India - Right of the Voters to know  about the candidates contesting the election
  52. I R Coelho vs State of Tamil Nadu - Interpretation of the doctrine of basic structure of the Constitution of India. 9th Schedule is not immune from the judicial review.
  53. John Vallamattom vs Union of India - Section 118 of the Indian Succession Act, Advocated a common civil code / uniform civil code for the cause of national integration
  54. Jaya Bachchan vs Union of India - Disqualification on the ground of Office of Profit
  55. P A Inamdar vs State of Maharashtra - Reservation policy on minority and non minority unaided private colleges including professional colleges
  56. Prakash Singh vs Union of India - This case is about the Police Reforms in India
  57. Aruna Ramchandra Shaunbaug vs Union of India - Recognition of passive euthnasia by Supreme Court. Permitted withdrawl of life sustaining treatment from patients not in position to make an informed decision, only after the report of medical board constituted by High Courts in respective jurisdiction.
  58. Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust vs Union of India - Constitutional Validity of Right to Education Act
  59. Gian Sing vs State of Punjab - Settlements and Quashing of Criminal Proceedings under Section 482 of CRPC
  60. Subramaniam Swamy vs Union of India - Constitutionality of the criminal offence of defamation under Indian Penal Code
  61. Medha Kotwal Lele vs Union of India - Court repeated the Vishaka Guidelines and stressed additional measures for their enforcement
  62. Shabnam Hasmi vs Union of India - Whether the right to adopt and to be adopted is a fundamental right under part 3 of Indian Constitution
  63. Lily Thomas vs Union of India - Disqualifications for membership of parliament and state legislatures of convicted of any offense and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years. Decriminalization of Politics in India Case
  64. Suresh Kumar Koushal vs Naz Foundation - Constitutional Validity of  Section 377 of Indian Penal Code which criminalized the homosexuality
  65. Government of NCT of Delhi vs Union of India - Power tussle between Delhi Government and LT. Governor i.e. Central Government
  66. TSR Subramanian vs Union of India - Professionalanizing the bureaucracy, promoting efficiency and good governance  
  67. Shreya Singhal vs Union of India - Freedom of Speech and Expression Case in digital or internet age. Constitutionality of Section 66A of IT Act 2000 was challenged and Supreme Court in its judgment held it unconstitutional
  68. Tehseen S Poonawalla vs Union of India - Guidelines against mob lynching
  69. Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association vs Union of India - Fourth Judges Case - In this case constitutional validity of 99th Constitutional amendment and National Judicial Appointment Commission Act / NJAC Act was challenged. Supreme Court in its verdict held it unconstitutional as it violated the basic structure of Indian Constitution i.e. Independence of Judiciary.
  70. Common Cause (A Registered Society) vs Union of India - Whether the right to die with dignity is a fundamental right
  71. Rajbala vs State of Haryana - Right to Vote and Contest Election Case
  72. Rajesh Sharama vs State of Uttar Pradesh - Directions to prevent misuse of Section 498A of the IPC / Indian Penal Code
  73. Shayara Bano vs Union of India -Triple Talaq / Triple Talak or Talaq a bidat was held unconstitutional
  74. Independent Thought vs Union of India -The exception to the marital rape; Whether sex with minor wife is rape.... guidelines laid down
  75. Abhiram Singh vs C D Commachen - Whether asking for votes in elections in the name of religion, caste or community will amount to corrupt practice?
  76. Justice K S Puttaswamy (Retd) vs Union of India -Whether the right to privacy is a fundamental right? In this case a 9 judge constitution bench of Supreme court unanimously held Right to Privacy as a Fundamental rights as per part 3 of Constitution of India
  77. Krishna Kumar Singh vs State of Bihar - Re Promulgation of ordinances against the spirit of the constitutionalism/ Fraud on constitution
  78. Wildlife First vs Union of India - Implementation of Forest Rights Act of 2006
  79. Dr. Subhash Kashinath Majahan vs State of Maharashtra - Directions to prevent misuse of SC / ST Act
  80. B K Pavitra vs Union of India - Reservations in Promotions for SC / ST and issue of seniority
  81. Shafin Jahan vs Asokan KM - Love Jihad Case - Right of a girl to marry a person of her own choice
  82. Swapnil Tripathi vs Supreme Court of India - Live Streaming or Video Recording of Court Proceeding in cases of Public Interest
  83. Indian Young Lawyers Association vs State of Kerala - Entry of women aged between 10 to 50  to the Sabrimala Temple in Kerala
  84. Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay vs Union of India - Legislators practicing as advocates should be barred from practicing 
  85. Joseph Shine vs Union of India - Section 497 of Indian Penal Code was read down which criminalized adultery
  86. Shakti Vahini vs Union of India -Honour Killing Case
  87. Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India - Section 377 of IPC / Indian Penal Code, which criminalizes the homosexuality / consensual sexual relations was read down
  88. Justice K S Puttaswamy Retd vs Union of India II - The validity of Aadhaar Act 
  89. Jarnail Singh vs Lachhmi Narain Gupta - Reservation in Promotion for the SC / ST Community
  90. M Ismail Faruqui vs Union of India - Ram Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid Land Title Case

list of Landmark Judgements of Supreme Court of India will grow day by day.....

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