LANDMARK JUDGMENTS
Shah Bano Case (Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum, 1985)
A landmark case on the maintenance rights of a
divorced Muslim woman, leading to the
controversial Muslim Women (Protection of Rights
on Divorce) Act, 1986.
Vishaka and Others v. State of Rajasthan (1997)
Outlined the Vishaka Guidelines against sexual harassment at the
workplace, leading to the enactment of the Sexual Harassment of
Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act,
2013.
Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018)
Decriminalized consensual homosexual acts among adults, declaring
Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code unconstitutional to the extent
that it criminalizes consensual sexual conduct between adults of the
same sex.
Joseph Shine v. Union of India (2018)
Decriminalized adultery by declaring Section 497 of the Indian Penal
Code unconstitutional, stating it discriminated against men and women
by treating them unequally.
Ayodhya Case (M. Siddiq (D) Thr Lrs v. Mahant Suresh Das & Ors,
2019)
The Supreme Court directed the government to hand over the disputed
land for the construction of a temple and provide alternate land for the
construction of a mosque, settling the longstanding Ayodhya dispute.
Shayara Bano v. Union of India and others (2017)
The Supreme Court declared the practice of 'Triple Talaq' (talaq-e-
biddat) unconstitutional, marking a significant step towards gender
justice for Muslim women.
NALSA vs. Union of India (2014)
Recognized transgender persons as a 'third gender' and affirmed their
fundamental rights under the Constitution, including the right to
selfidentification of their gender.
Common Cause (A Regd. Society) vs. Union of India (2018)
This judgment legalized passive euthanasia in India, providing a right to
die with dignity as part of the right to life under Article 21 of the
Constitution. It also approved the concept of living will/advance
directive.
Indian Young Lawyers Association vs. The State of Kerala (2018)
Lifted the ban that prevented women of menstruating age from
entering the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, affirming women's rights to
enter and worship in the temple.
Right to Die with Dignity (Aruna Shanbaug Case,2011)
Prior to the 2018 judgment on euthanasia, the Supreme Court in the
case of Aruna Shanbaug recognized passive euthanasia under strict
guidelines. This case laid the groundwork for recognizing the right to
die with dignity as part of the right to live with dignity.
Lily Thomas vs. Union of India (2013)
Held that any Member of Parliament (MP), Member of the Legislative
Assembly (MLA), or Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) who is
convicted of a crime and sentenced to imprisonment of two years or
more is immediately disqualified from holding the office, removing the
three-month grace period that was previously allowed for appeals.
Association of Democratic Reforms v Union of India 2024
Quashed the 2018 Electoral Bond Scheme. The Court
unanimously held that voters had a right to be informed about the
sources of party [Link] a boost to free and fair elections, the Court
ordered the immediate halt of bond sales and asked the Election
Commission and the State Bank of India to publicly disclose the data
they had hitherto collected on EB transactions.
State of Punjab v Davinder Singh 2024
A seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court upheld states’ power to
create sub-classification within the reserved Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribe categories (SC/ST). In a 6:1 majority, the bench led by
Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud overturned E.V. Chinnaiah v Union of
India (2004).
State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor of Tamil Nadu (2025)
Issue: Delay by Governor in giving assent to state bills.
Held: The Governor cannot withhold assent indefinitely. The role is not
absolute; assent must be given in a reasonable time.
Challenge to Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025
Issue: Whether the Waqf (Amendment) Act violates secular principles
and constitutional guarantees.
Status: Judgment reserved, but hearings focused on religious
endowments vs. constitutional equality.
Significance: Involves Articles 14, 25, and 26 of the Constitution;
potentially landmark in religious institution governance.
K. Umadevi v. Government of Tamil Nadu
The Supreme Court (SC) ruled that maternity leave is an essential
component of a woman’s reproductive rights, thereby reinforcing the
constitutional and human rights of working women.
The Court set aside a Madras HC order that had denied maternity
leave to a woman on the birth of her 3rd child, based on the State’s
policy limiting benefits to women with only 2 children.
MC Mehta vs State of Tamil Nadu
This case from December 10, 1996 received its decision through the
Supreme Court of India to investigate child labor in dangerous
matchstick and fireworks factories at Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. The
Supreme Court judgment combined awareness of child exploitation
with complete directions to achieve children's rehabilitation alongside
enhanced labor law enforcement.
IMPORTANT CASES
OF TORTS
1. Rylands v. Fletcher ( strictly liability)
2. [Link] v. Union of India( Absolute liability).
3. Gloucester Grammar School Case(Damnum sine injuria: Damage
without legal injury)
4. Bhim Singh v. The State of Jammu and Kashmir(Injuria sine
damnum : legal injury without damage)
4. Ashby v. White (similar case to 3)
5. Donoghue v. Stevenson( negligence)
6. State of Rajasthan v. Vidhyawati( Vicarious Liability)
IMPORTANT CASES OF CONTRACT ACT
1. Balfour v. Balfour ( intention to create legal relationship).
2. Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co ( General offer)
3. Mohori Bibee v. Dharmodas Ghose( contract with a minor is void ).
