The Union Judiciary The Supreme Court

Cases filed directly in the Supreme Court

Step 1: Original jurisdiction means cases that can be directly brought to a court without going through lower courts first. Step 2: The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in specific types of cases. Step 3: These include disputes between Centre and states, disputes between states, and cases involving interpretation of the Constitution. Step 4: In these matters, the Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction - no other court can hear these cases. Step 5: This is different from appellate jurisdiction where cases come from lower courts through appeals.

Article 32

Step 1: Article 32 is known as the 'Right to Constitutional Remedies'. Step 2: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called it the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution. Step 3: This article allows citizens to directly approach the Supreme Court when their fundamental rights are violated. Step 4: It empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights. Step 5: Without this article, fundamental rights would be merely paper declarations with no real protection.

Collegium system

Step 1: The collegium system is a method where senior judges collectively decide on judicial appointments. Step 2: The Chief Justice must consult the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. Step 3: This 'college' or group of senior judges makes recommendations to the President. Step 4: This system was developed to ensure judicial independence in appointments. Step 5: It prevents executive interference in judicial appointments and maintains the separation of powers.

Judicial Review

Step 1: Judicial Review is the power to examine laws and determine if they conform to the Constitution. Step 2: If a law contradicts the Constitution, the Supreme Court can declare it null and void. Step 3: This power helps maintain the supremacy of the Constitution over ordinary laws. Step 4: It acts as a check on the legislative and executive branches of government. Step 5: Examples include the Court declaring bank nationalization and privy purse abolition ordinances as unconstitutional.