10 Landmark Judgments Every Indian Law Student Must Know

 

Unlocking Legal Wisdom Through Judgments

Understanding key judicial decisions is essential for every Indian law student. These judgments not only interpret laws but shape the very foundation of India’s legal system. Here's a curated list of 10 landmark Supreme Court cases that every aspiring legal mind must be familiar with - including links to read full judgments online.

1. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)

Doctrine: Basic Structure Doctrine

Significance: Limited Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution under Article 368.

Read Judgment: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/257876/

2. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)

Doctrine: Due Process and Personal Liberty

Significance: Expanded the interpretation of Article 21 — right to life and personal liberty.

Read Judgment: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1766147/

3. Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum (1985)

Doctrine: Right of Muslim women to maintenance

Significance: Strengthened the position of Muslim women under Section 125 CrPC.

Read Judgment: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/823221/

4. Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997)

Doctrine: Workplace Sexual Harassment Guidelines

Significance: Laid down the Vishaka Guidelines to protect women at workplaces.

Read Judgment: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1031794/

5. Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975)

Doctrine: Judicial Review of Election Laws

Significance: Held that Parliament cannot use its power to immunize election disputes from judicial review.

Read Judgment: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/936707/

6. Golaknath v. State of Punjab (1967)

Doctrine: Fundamental Rights are Inviolable

Significance: Earlier ruling that Parliament could not amend Fundamental Rights.

Read Judgment: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/120358/

7. Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985)

Doctrine: Right to Livelihood under Article 21

Significance: Recognized the rights of pavement dwellers as a part of Right to Life.

Read Judgment: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/709776/

8. ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla (1976)

Doctrine: Habeas Corpus during Emergency

Significance: Infamously held that fundamental rights are suspended during Emergency. Later overruled.

Read Judgment: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1735815/

9. Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018)

Doctrine: LGBTQ+ Rights

Significance: Decriminalized Section 377 IPC, affirming the dignity of the LGBTQ+ community.

Read Judgment: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/168671544/

10. Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017)

Doctrine: Right to Privacy

Significance: Declared privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21.

Read Judgment: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/91938676/

Conclusion

These landmark judgments are the milestones that define Indian constitutional and criminal jurisprudence. As a law student, regularly reading such cases enhances your legal reasoning, exam preparation, and future courtroom skills.

 

Also Read: Top 20 Legal Phrases Every Law Student Should Know