Human Rights and Civil Liberties — Landmark Judgments

Landmark Judgments

Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India

1978

This case revolutionized the interpretation of 'procedure established by law' under Article 21, moving from a mere procedural requirement to one that must be 'fair, just, and…

ADM Jabalpur v. Shivakant Shukla (Habeas Corpus case)

1976

This highly controversial judgment, delivered during the Emergency, held that the right to move any court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights, including Article 21 (right to…

Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan

1997

This landmark judgment laid down guidelines to prevent sexual harassment of women in the workplace, known as the 'Vishaka Guidelines'. Recognizing the absence of specific…

K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (Right to Privacy case)

2017

A nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously declared the right to privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. This judgment is monumental as it…

Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India

2018

This historic judgment partially decriminalized Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, holding that consensual sexual acts between adults in private, irrespective of gender, are…