• About the book
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About the Book

      Indian Constitutional Law is indispensable for the development of individuals, society, nation and the world as it incorporates the valuable and eternal ideals such as justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, dignity of the individual and the unity and the integrity of the nation.

     The author has great pleasure in placing this book before the students, researchers, teachers and experts. The book has been written comprehensively to meet the requirements of the law students, teachers, researchers and readers. It would enable the readers to acquire a complete and perfect understanding of the subject.

    The author has written it exclusively for the graduate and post-graduate students of law. The language of book is very simple and it covers all the chapters / units included in the syllabus. The chapters are comprehensive so that this book can be referred by any student for Constitutional Law for any of the universities in India. This book is strongly recommended as a text book on “Constitutional Law” for the benefit of the students of Law. “Constitutional Law” is one of the subjects prescribed for LL.B. Degree Course and LL.M. Degree as one of the compulsory subjects at various universities.

     The author has made efforts to make the contents of the book authentic and up-to-date. The constitutional provisions as well as the judgments of the Supreme Court and the High Court including latest judgments have been explained in comprehensive manner. The Supreme Court of India has done a great job in developing the constitutional mandates.

Contents

CHAPTER—I

Nature and Scope of Rights

I.           Philosophy of Rights and Liberties—Historical Overview

II.          Methods of Guarantee of Basic Rights

(1)         Common Law Method / System

(2)         Civil Law Method / System

(3)         Bill of Rights

(4)         Summary of Differences between Civil Law and Common Law Legal System

III.         Historical Background of Fundamental Rights in India

(1)         Evolution of Fundamental Right

(2)         Impact of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on Fundamental Rights

IV.         Fundamental Rights under the Indian Constitution—Concept, Nature, Necessity and Justification

(1)         Widest Interpretation of provisions of Part-Ill

(2)         Natural Justice and due Process

(3)         Prisoners Rights and Prison Reforms

(4)         Expanding Role of writ of Corpus

(5)         Human Rights Jurisprudence

V.          Scope and Definition of Human Rights and Fundamental Rights

             The Scope of Human Rights

             Scope of Fundamental Rights

            Definitions

VI.        Concept and Nature of Human Rights

            Concept

            Nature of Human Rights

VII.       Role of NHRC and Human Rights Courts

Functions of the Commissions

Powers relating to inquiries

Investigation

Inquiry into complaints

Steps after inquiry

Procedure with respect to armed forces

Annual and special reports of the Commission

Human Rights Courts in Districts

Human Rights Courts

Special Public Prosecutor

VIII.      State (Article 12)

(1)             Definition of State under Article 12 and Implications

(2)             State : Need for widening the definition in the wake of recent developments (i.e. liberalization, globalization and privatization)

(3)             Other Authorities

(i)             Application of ejusdem generis

(ii)           Instrumentality of Government Private Corporations

(iii)         Is Judiciary a State?

(4)             Scope of Article 12

IX.           Article 13

(1)             Definition of Law

(2)             Rules of Interpretation with regard to Fundamental Rights—Doctrines

(i)             Doctrine of Severability

(ii)           Doctrine of Eclipse

(iii)         Doctrine of Waiver

(3)             Test of Infringement of Fundamental Rights

(4)             Enforceability of Fundamental Rights

(5)             Judicial Review—Distinction between Pre and Post Constitutional Laws

X.              Concept of Basic Structure from Shankari Prasad to I.R. Coehlo (Shankari Prasad to Waman Rao)

Constitution (24th Amendment) Act, 1971

42nd Amendment and Article 368

Latest Trend

XII.         Conclusion

CHAPTER—II

Concept of Federalism

I.              Conceptual Position of Federalism

II.             Nature of the Indian Constitution

Essential Characteristics of a Federal Constitution

Unitary Features of the Indian Constitution

III.          Co-operative Federalism

Co-ordination between States—Co-operative Federalism

Co-ordination between Finance Commission and NITI Ayog

IV.           Relationship of Trusts and Faith between Centre and State

Historical Background

V.             Challenges before the Indian Federalism

VI.           Creation of new States

Procedure for Formation of New States in India

VII.        Allocation and Share of Resources—Distribution of Grants in Aid

(a)            Fiscal Need Grants

(b)           Specific Purpose Grants

(c)            Other Grants

(d)           Calamity Relief Fund

The Inter—State disputes on resources

Co-ordination between States—Co-operative Federalism

VIII.      Rehabilitation of Internally Disputed Persons

Definition of internally displaced person

IX.           Centre’s Responsibility and Internal Disturbance within States

X.             Directions of the Centre to the State under Article 356 and Article 365

Constitution (44th Amendment) Act, 1978

Judicial Response

Article 365

XI.           Federal Comity: Relationship of Trust and Faith between Centre and State

XII.        Special Status of Certain States

XIII.      Concept of Secularism and Religion fanaticism

Views of Scholars on Secularism

XIV.      Conclusion

CHAPTER—III

Equality and Social Justice

I.             Equality before Law and Equal Protection of Law

(1)           Nature and scope of Article 14

(2)           Reasonable Classification (Doctrine of classification)

(3)           Absence of Arbitrariness

(4)           Gender Equality under Article 14 (Rights of Third Gender)

(5)           Doctrine of Legitimate Expectation and Wednesbury Principle

(6)           New Approach of Article 14 (New Dimensions)

(7)            Case Laws from Ramkrishna Dalmia to Maneka Gandhi and thereafter

II.           Prohibition of Discrimination (Prohibition Against Discrimination) (Article 15)

(1)            Nature and Scope of Article 15

(2)            Concept of Protective Discrimination/Compensatory Discrimination (Protective Grounds for Discrimination)

(3)            Special Provisions for Women

(4)            Protective Discrimination in favour of Backward Classes Scheduled and Scheduled Tribes

(5)            From Champakam Dorairajan to Indra Sawhney and thereafter

III.         Equality of opportunities in matters of Public Employment (Article 16)

(1)            Nature and Scope of Article 16

(2)            Reservation and Residence in Public Employment

(3)            Landmark Case Laws (Indra Sawhney and thereafter)

IV.         Abolition / Prohibition of Untouchability (Article 17)

(1)            Nature and Scope of Article 17

(2)            Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955

V.            Abolition of Titles (Article 18)

(1) Nature and Scope of Article 18

VI.         Relationship between Articles 14,15. 16,17 and 18

VII.       Uniform Civil Code and Maintenance of Equality

VIII.    Conclusion

CHAPTER—IV

Scope of Article 19

I.              Contents and Extents of Fundamental Freedoms

II.           Nature and Scope of the Freedom under Article 19 (1)            (a)—New Dimensions

New Dimensions of Article 19(l)(a)

(i)              Right    to know and to get information

(ii)            Right    to have an access to the answer scripts

(iii)          Right to know of the voters about their candidates

(iv)          Right to know the functions of LIC

(v)            Right to convey the effect of Gas Disaster

(vi)          Right to reply to the criticism

(vii)        Right    to freedom of silence of not to speak

(viii)      Right to choose medium of instructions

(ix)           Right    to get protection against sound pollution

(x)             Right    of freedom of expression of the convicts

(xi)           Right to freedom of press

(xii)         Right to conduct interview of under-trial prisoners by the press

(xiii)       Ban on Government Monopoly on Electronic Media

(xiv)       Commercial Advertisement may be a Part and Parcel of Article 19(l)(a)

(xv)         Telephone tapping is violation of Article 19(l)(a) unless it is covered within the ambit of Article 19(2)

(xvi)       Right to exhibit films telecast on Doordarshan

(xvii)     Right to post information on the internet

(xviii)   Right to media to publish faithful reports etc

(xix)        Article 19(l)(a) is without geographical barriers

III.         Freedom of Press and Challenges of New Scientific Development

(i)             Pre-censorship on the freedom of press is considered as invalid / No stoppage of publication in Newspapers

(ii)           Freedom of press includes freedom of circulation as well as freedom in the volume of news or views

(iii)         Freedom of press includes right of access to the source of information as a part and parcel of Article 19(l)(a) of the Indian Constitution

(iv)          No Excessive Taxes on Press

(v)            No Indirect Attack on Press

(vi)          Commercial Advertisements may be included within the ambit of freedom of press

(vii)        Freedom of press should not be unfettered

(1)     Freedom of Speech and Right to Broadcast and Telecast

(2)     Electronic Media / Law of Media

(3)     Convergent Media : Prasar Bharati

IV.         Right to Strikes, Hartal and Bandh

V.            Scope of other Freedom as Guaranteed in Article 19(l)(b) to 19 (1) (g)

         Freedom of Association [Article 19 (1) (c)]

         Freedom of Movement [Article 19(l)(d)]

         Freedom of Residence [Article 19(1) (e)]

         Freedom of Profession, Occupation, Trade or Business [Article 19(l)(g)]

         Reasonable Restrictions on Fundamental Freedoms

VI.         Right to Information and Article 19(1) (a)

VII.       Impact of Information Technology Act on Freedom of Speech and Expression

VIII.    Landmark Case Laws

IX.         Conclusion

CHAPTER—V

Freedom of the Person

I.               Rights of the Accused (Safeguard to the Persons Accused of Crime under Article 20)

(1)           Protection From (Against) Ex-post Facto Laws [Article 20 (1) ]

(2)            Protection against Double Jeopardy [Article 20(2)]

(3)            Prohibition against Self Incrimination [Article 20(3)]

(4)            Landmark Case Laws

II.             Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21)

(1)            Right to Life—Traditional and Modern Concept

(2)            Case Laws from A.K. Gopalan to Maneka Gandhi

(3)            Nature, Scope and Contents of Article 21

(4)            Expanding Horizons / Facets / Dimensions / Wings of Article 21 (The changing Dimensions of Right to Life and Right to Personal Liberty)

(A)     Different Facts of the Right to Life

(i)         Right to Live with Human Dignity

(ii)       Right to Livelihood

(iii)     Right to Shelter

(iv)      Right of women to work with Dignity

(v)        Right to live in Clean and Healthy Environment

(vi)      Right to Education

(vii)    Right to Social Security

(viii)  Right to Information

(ix)      Right to Health and Medical Assistance

(x)        Death Sentence/ Capital Punishment and Article 21

(xi)      Protection of Right to Life ( No Right to Die or to Commit Suicide)

(xii)    Right against / Protection from Honour Killing /Harassment

(xiii)  No Right to Anticipatory Bail

(xiv)   Right to Life of Non-Citizens

(B)      Different Facts of the Right to Liberty

(i)         Right to bail and personal Liberty

(ii)       Right to Privacy

(iii)     Right to Travel Abroad

(iv)      Right Against Illegal Arrest and Detention

(v)        Regulation of Traffic

(vi)      Arrest of Judgment—debtor

(vii)    Self-determination of Gender by Transgender / Hijra and Home-Sexuality

(viii)  Right of a detenue to get his book published

(5)     Impact of Maneka Gandhi’s Case and Right of Prisoners

(i)         Right to Free Legal Aid

(ii)       Right to Speedy Trial

(iii)     Right to Fair Trial

(iv)      No Right to Anticipatory Bail

(v)        Right to Bail

(vi)      Right against Hand cuffing

(vii)    Right against Bar Fetters

(viii)  Right to Compensation in a case of Custodial Death

(ix)      Right against Custodial Torture

(x)        Right against Inhuman Treatment (Protection from Third Degree Methods)

(xi)      Right against Solitary Confinement

(xii)    Right against delayed execution

(xiii)  Right to write a Book and get it published

III.           Preventive Detention (Article 22)

             (1)      Nature and Scope of Article 22

             (2)      Protection against Arrest and Detention (Safeguards against Ordinary Arrest and

                          Preventive Detention)

             Articles 22(1) and 22(2)

(a)            Right to be informed of grounds of arrest

(b)            Right to consult and to be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice

(c)             Right to be produced before a Magistrate

(d)            No detention beyond 24 hours except by order of the Magistrate

Articles 22(4) to 22(7)

(a)              No detention beyond three months without review by Advisory Board

(b)              The detaining authority must communicate, as soon as   may be, to the detenu, the grounds for such detention

(c)              The detenu must be afforded the earliest opportunity of  making a representation against the order of detention

(d)              No detention beyond the maximum period prescribed under a law made by Parliament under Clause 7(a)

(3)         Constitutional validity of Preventive Detention Laws in India

(4)         Judicial Review of Prevention Detention Laws

(5)      Some landmark case laws on Article 22

IV.           Emerging Trends in Compensatory Jurisprudence            (Compensatory Justice)

V.            Conclusion

CHAPTER—VI

Right Against Exploitation

I.              Nature and scope of Article 23 and Article 24

II.            Prohibition of Traffic in Human Beings (Article 23)

III.         Prohibition of Forced Labour (Article 23)

IV.          Prohibition Employment of Children in Factories etc. [Article 24]

V.            Landmark Case Laws from People s Union for Democratic Rights to M.C. Mehta and Post

         M.C. Mehta

VI.          Conclusion

CHAPTER—VII

Right to Freedom of Religion

I.              Nature and Scope of Articles 25 to 28 (Concept of Religion)

Nature of Articles 25 to 28

II.            Concept of Secularism

III.         Secularism and Religious Fanaticism

IV.          S.R. Bommai and Other Landmark Case-Laws

V.            Conclusion

CHAPTER—VIII

Right to Minority Communities

I.              Cultural and Educational Rights of Minority Communities Articles 29 and 30

II.            Nature and Scope Articles 29 and 30

Scope of Articles 29 and 30

Difference between Article 29(2) and Article 15(1)

Difference between Article 30(1) and Article 26(a)

Relationship between Article 29(2) and Article 30(1)

Rights of Minorities under the Indian Constitution

III.           Landmark Case Laws from Re Kerala Education Bill to TMA Pai Foundation and Trends Thereafter (Critical Analysis of TMA Pai Foundation and Its After Math)

IV.          Conclusion

CHAPTER—IX

Right to Property

I.              Constitutional Policy before and after the Forty-fourth Amendment

II.            Power of Eminent Domain

III.         Some Landmark Case Laws

IV.          Conclusion

CHAPTER—X

New Rights and Emerging Regime of Remedies

I.              Nature and Scope of Article 32 (Right to Constitution Remedies)

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Writ of Mandamus

Writ of Prohibition

Writ of Certiorari

Writ of Quo Warranto

1.              Writ Jurisdiction

Principles for Exercise of Writ Jurisdiction

(i)      Delay or Laches

(ii)    Alternative Remedy

(iii)  Res judicata

(iv)   Anticipatory Relief

(v)     High Court to be approached first

(vi)   Remedial Measure/ Damages

(1)     Hapeas Corpus

(2)     Mandamus

(3)     Writ of Prohibition

(4)     Certiorari

(5)     Quo Warranto

2.              Concept of Locus Standi

3.              Dynamic Approach of Supreme Court on Public Internet

Litigation Judicial Activism

4.              Comparison between Article 226 and Article 32

5.              Some Landmark case Laws on Article 32

II.            Implementation of International Conventions of Human Rights

III.         Compensatory Justice

IV.          Case Laws Related to Compensatory Justice

V.            Conclusion

CHAPTER—XI

Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles

of State Policy—New Challenges

I.              Legal status, Underlying Object, Nature and Character of Directives

II.            Content and Justifiability of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)

Directive Principles: Legislative and Administrative

III.         Classification and Categories of Directives

I.          Directive Principles generally

II.        Directives in shaping the policy of the State

III.     Directives in nature of non-judicial rights

(1)       Social Economic Charter

(2)       Social Security Charter

(3)       Community Welfare Charter (Article 44)

IV.          Social Security and Welfare Provisions under DPSP, Economic Rights

V.            Inter-Relationship Between Fundamental Rights and DPSP- From Champakam Dorairajan to Mohini Jain and thereafter (Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy)

VI.          Relative Significance of DPSP and Fundamental Rights

VII.       Interaction and Relationship between Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles of State Policy

VIII.     Difference between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy

IX.         Reading (Translation of Directive Principles into Fundamental Rights by Judicial Interpretation)

X.            Relevant Case Laws

XI.          Conclusion

CHAPTER—XII

Fundamental Rights and Emergency

I.              Restriction, Abrogation and Suspension of Fundamental Rights- Articles 32 (4), 33 and 34 What is Martial Law?

II.            Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency—Article 19

III.         Power of President to Suspend the Enforcement of Rights Conferred under Part-Ill

IV.          Relevance of 42nd and 44th Constitution Amendment Acts

V.            Conclusion

CHAPTER—XIII

Right to Education, Information and Environment

I.                    Right to Education

(1)          Right to Education—Article 21A

Highlights of RTE Act, 2009

(2)          Commercialization of Education and Its Impacts

(3)          Brain Drain by Foreign Education Market

(4)          Landmark Case Laws

II.                  Right to Information

(1)          Right to Information and Freedom of Speech and Expression

(2)          Right to Information Act, 2005

(3)          Landmark Case Laws

III.               Right to Wholesome Environment

(1)          Right to Live in Clean and Healthy Environment

(2)          Right to Environmental Education and Right to Information

(3)          Public Trust Doctrine

(4)          Landmark Case Laws

IV.                Conclusion

CHAPTER - XIV

Separation of Powers and Related Issues

I.                    An Overview of Functioning of Three Organs of State with Special Reference to the Indian Experience of Post Independence Era

II.                  Separation of Powers and Theory of Checks and Balances in India

III.               Judicial Activism and Judicial Restraint

IV.                Privileges and Immunities of Legislatures and their Members

V.                  Judicial Independence / Independence of Judiciary (Appointment, transfer and removal of judges)

VI.                Political Morality and Effect of Anti-defection Law Anti-defection Law—Fifty-second Amendment 1985

VII.             Contempt of Courts

VIII.           Conclusion

CHAPTER—XV

DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

I.                    Nexus of Politics with Criminals and the Business

II.                  Election

(1)          Jurisprudence of Representation

(2)          Status of Election Commission

(3)          Role of Election Commission

III.               Electoral Reforms : Contribution of Judiciary

IV.                Coalition Government (Stability, Durability, Corrupt Practice)

V.                  Grassroots Democracy

VI.                Conclusion

CHAPTER—XVI

Empowerment of Women

I.               Status of Women in India

II.            Meaning and Concept of Women Empowerment

III.          Constitutional Provisions and Gender Justice

IV.          Empowerment of Women Through Progressive Legislations

V.             Uniform Civil Code and Gender Justice

VI.          Role of Indian Judiciary and Women Empowerment

VII.        Some Landmark Case Laws

VIII.     Conclusion

CHAPTER—XVII

REVIEW OF UNION STATE RELATIONSHIP

I.               Distribution of Legislative Powers between the Union            (Centre)

and the States

Parliaments Power to Legislate on State Subjects

Supremacy of the Parliament / Predominance of the Union List

Doctrine of Pith and Substance

Doctrine of Colorable Legislation

Doctrine of Repugnancy

Doctrine of Occupied Field

II.            Recommendations of Sarkaria Commission

III.          Recommendations of Venkatachaliah Commission

IV.          Conclusion

CHAPTER—XVIII

Working of the Constitution

I.               Achievements and Failures

II.            Areas of Concern and Challenges before the Constitution

Challenges to the Indian Federalism

Challenges to the Indian Democracy

III.          The Perception of National Commission to Review the Working the Constitution

IV.          Conclusion