Balancing Competing Interests — Landmark Cases

Landmark Cases

Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala

1973

Established the doctrine of basic structure and harmonious construction, requiring that constitutional provisions be balanced rather than allowing absolute supremacy of any single…

Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India

1978

Expanded the scope of Article 21 and established that restrictions on fundamental rights must be reasonable, fair, and just. This judgment provides a framework for balancing…

Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation

1985

Balanced the right to livelihood of pavement dwellers with urban planning and public health concerns. Established that eviction without adequate notice and alternative…

M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Taj Trapezium Case)

1997

Balanced environmental protection with industrial development and employment concerns in the Taj Trapezium zone. Established principles for weighing environmental costs against…