How frequently is Article 142 used?
Asked by: Nash Bradtke | Last update: June 7, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (70 votes)
Article 142 of India's Constitution, granting the Supreme Court power to ensure "complete justice," has seen increased use, especially with public interest litigation, with an IIM-Ahmedabad study finding it explicitly invoked in around 791 cases out of 1,579 mentions between 1950-2023, averaging nearly 11 times a year recently, often to bridge legislative gaps (like Vishaka Guidelines) or resolve complex issues, though its frequency and scope remain debated.
How many times was article 142 used in India?
A recent empirical study by IIM Ahmedabad has shown that the Court has mentioned Article 142 or the phrase complete justice in 1579 cases between 1950 and 2023, most of them were civil cases. The study also found that the Court has explicitly used its powers under Article 142 only in 791 cases.
How many times was article 143 used in India?
Previous Use: Article 143 has been invoked around 15 times in cases including Berubari (1960), Cauvery, Kerala Education Bill, and Natural Resources Allocation.
Can article 142 override existing laws?
Article 142 in a legal 'vacuum'
There are several instances of public interest cases where the Court has issued directions under Article 142 to fill a gap in the law. But this does not mean that the Court can sway the field in situations where the statute is categorical in its stipulations.
What is the Article 142 of the Supreme Court?
The marginal note to Article 142 reads: "Enforcement of decrees and orders as to discovery, etc." Clausel provides that the Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction may pass such decree or make such orders as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter before it and any such decree or order ...
Article 142: Supreme Court's Ruling on Divorce Cases | Hindu Marriage Act | News and Views | UPSC
What is the funniest Supreme Court case?
Surprising and Strange Cases in the Supreme Court
- Miller v. Jackson (1977)
- Leonard v PepsiCo (1999)
- Procter & Gamble v HM Revenue & Customs (2008)
- Re A (conjoined twins) (2000)
- R v Dudley and Stephens (1884)
- Hollywood Silver Fox Farm v Emmett (1936)
- R v Thabo-Meli.
Which type of evidence is not admissible?
Hearsay evidence
Hearsay evidence is information provided outside of a court setting to someone involved in the trial. In most cases, judges don't allow hearsay evidence because the attorney for an opposing law team doesn't have an opportunity to cross-examine the person who provided the information.
Has the Supreme Court ever held someone in contempt?
They were held in contempt of court and sentenced to imprisonment. It remains the only criminal trial in the history of the Supreme Court. United States v. John F.
Who can reverse the judgement of the Supreme Court?
A Supreme Court decision can be overturned by the Supreme Court itself in a later case (stare decisis), through a constitutional amendment passed by Congress and states, or if Congress passes new legislation to clarify or change the law the Court interpreted (for statutory, not constitutional, rulings). While the Court is the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution, these mechanisms allow for changes in interpretation or law over time.
Does the president have the power to overturn a Supreme Court decision?
No, the President cannot directly overturn a Supreme Court decision; only the Court itself, through a new ruling, or a Constitutional amendment can nullify a decision, though a President can use executive actions, appointments, or influence legislation to challenge or work around rulings over time, with the courts ultimately checking executive power. The President's role is to enforce laws, not interpret them, and they are bound by judicial rulings, even if they disagree.
How many presidents were there in India from 1947 to 2025?
There have been 15 presidents of India since the post was established when India was declared as a republic with the adoption of the Indian constitution in 1950.
Is there 27 or 33 amendments?
There are 27 ratified amendments to the U.S. Constitution, making them part of the law, but Congress has proposed 33 amendments in total, with six failing to be ratified by the required states, explaining the confusion between the two numbers. The first ten are the Bill of Rights, and the last one, the 27th, deals with Congressional pay raises.
Can the Supreme Court order to the President of India?
In the Indian constitutional framework: The Supreme Court of India cannot directly "order" the President of India in a conventional sense, as the President is the constitutional head of the state. However, the President is bound by the Constitution, and the Supreme Court is the final interpreter of the Constitution.
Why is part 7 removed?
Part VII of the Indian Constitution was repealed by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, because it dealt with "Part B States" (former princely states) that became redundant after the major States Reorganisation created a more uniform structure of only States and Union Territories, making the separate classification of Part B States obsolete.
What is the Article 142 invoked by the Supreme Court?
Article 142 grants the Supreme Court the extraordinary power to pass any order deemed necessary for 'complete justice' in a matter.
What is an example of judicial overreach in India?
Examples of Judicial Overreach
A common example is misusing the power to punish for contempt of court. Imposition of Patriotism in National Anthem Case. The Supreme Court on December 2016, passed its judgment in the case of Shyam Narayan Chouksey v.
Can the president remove a state Supreme Court judge?
Article III judges can be removed from office only through impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate. The Constitution also provides that judges' salaries cannot be reduced while they are in office.
How often do Supreme Court rulings get overturned?
Fewer than 2% of Supreme Court rulings are ever overturned.
Who can remove the judge of the Supreme Court of India?
Ans : President of India owns the power to remove the judges of the Supreme Court of India. Ans : The judges of the Supreme Court of India are removed by the motion of impeachment.
Has a president ever ignored a Supreme Court ruling?
Yes, presidents have ignored or defied Supreme Court rulings, most famously Andrew Jackson with the Cherokee Nation (Trail of Tears) and Abraham Lincoln by suspending habeas corpus, but this is rare and often leads to constitutional crises, with recent instances involving defiance in deportation cases under the Trump administration. Other examples include governors defying rulings on segregation (Faubus, Barnett) and FDR's stance on military tribunals, highlighting ongoing tensions between executive power and judicial authority.
Has anyone ever been jailed for contempt of Congress?
Both Navarro and Bannon's contempt of Congress convictions and prison sentences were connected with their refusals to comply with subpoenas which required them testify before the now-defunct House Select Committee that investigated January 6, 2021.
On what grounds can you impeach a Supreme Court justice?
If they become corrupt or sit in cases in which they have a personal or family stake, they can be impeached by Congress. ).
Can screenshots of messages be used as evidence?
Yes, screenshots of messages can be used as evidence, but they often face challenges with authenticity; courts prefer original records with metadata (dates, times, sender info) because screenshots are easily edited, so you need to prove the screenshot is a fair, unaltered representation, often through witness testimony or expert analysis, not just the image itself.
What cannot be used as evidence?
To protect the integrity of the legal process, certain types of evidence may be disqualified from being used. These include: Improper Collection: Evidence obtained through illegal searches or seizures, without a proper warrant or probable cause, is inadmissible under the Fourth Amendment.
What is exculpatory evidence?
Exculpatory evidence is any evidence favorable to a criminal defendant that tends to prove their innocence, reduce their culpability, or impeach a government witness, such as an alibi, DNA evidence pointing to someone else, or a witness statement contradicting the prosecution's case, and prosecutors have a constitutional duty to disclose it to the defense under the Brady v. Maryland ruling, even if not requested.