Landmark Cases

India's Most Important
Supreme Court Judgments

In-depth analysis of landmark judgments that shaped Indian law — from the Rarest of Rare doctrine to the abolition of Section 66A. Explained for lawyers, students, and UPSC aspirants.

190 Cases Analysed27 S-Tier Constitution Bench Judgments
S-Tier — Must Know
S-Tier

Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab

AIR 1980 SC 898 | (1980) 2 SCC 684

RAREST OF RARE DOCTRINE: Death should be imposed only in the rarest of rare cases — when the alternative option of Life Imprisonment is unquestionably foreclosed. It is the court's duty to record specific reasons why Life Imprisonment is inadequate.

IPC Section 302BNS Section 103Code of Criminal
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Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar

(2014) 8 SCC 273

ARREST IS NOT AUTOMATIC: A complaint or FIR under Section 498A / BNS 85 does not automatically justify arrest. Police must independently satisfy themselves that the specific conditions under Section 41 CrPC (BNSS Section 35) are met.

IPC Section 498ABNS Section 85CrPC Section 41
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Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India

(2018) 10 SCC 1 | AIR 2018 SC 4321

CONSTITUTIONAL MORALITY OVER POPULAR MORALITY: The Court held that constitutional courts must uphold constitutional morality — not popular morality or majoritarianism. A law cannot be saved merely because the majority finds certain conduct morally offensive.

IPC Section 377Constitution of India
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Vishaka & Others v. State of Rajasthan

AIR 1997 SC 3011 | (1997) 6 SCC 241

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS VIOLATION: Sexual harassment at the workplace violates the right to gender equality (Articles 14 & 15), the right to practice any profession (Article 19(1)(g)), and the right to life and dignity (Article 21). It is not merely a criminal or tortious matter — it is a constitutional wrong.

Constitution of IndiaIPC Section 354IPC Section 376
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Mukesh & Anr. v. State for NCT of Delhi & Ors.

(2017) 6 SCC 1

RAREST OF RARE APPLIED: The Court found this was an 'absolute' case within the Rarest of Rare doctrine — extreme brutality, pre-planning, prolonged assault, multiple perpetrators, a defenceless victim, severe injuries causing death, and utter depravity with no provocation. Death was the only just sentence.

IPC Section 302IPC Section 376IPC Section 376A
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Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru & Others v. State of Kerala & Anr.

AIR 1973 SC 1461 | (1973) 4 SCC 225

BASIC STRUCTURE DOCTRINE: Parliament's power to amend the Constitution under Article 368 does not extend to destroying or abrogating the 'basic structure' or 'essential features' of the Constitution. An amendment that destroys a basic feature is void.

Constitution of IndiaKerala Land ReformsConstitution (Twenty-Fourth Amendment)
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A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras

AIR 1950 SC 27 | 1950 SCR 88

OVERRULED BY MANEKA GANDHI (1978): A.K. Gopalan's core holdings — that Articles 19, 21, and 22 are mutually exclusive silos, and that 'procedure established by law' means any enacted procedure however arbitrary — were expressly overruled by Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978). The current law is the interconnected 'Golden Triangle' doctrine from Maneka Gandhi.

Constitution of IndiaPreventive Detention Act,
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State of Madras v. V.G. Row

AIR 1952 SC 196 | 1952 SCR 597

COURTS DETERMINE REASONABLENESS — NOT PARLIAMENT: The reasonableness of a restriction on a fundamental right under Article 19 is a justiciable question to be determined by courts. The legislature's opinion that a restriction is reasonable is not conclusive — courts will independently examine whether the restriction is in fact reasonable.

Constitution of IndiaCriminal Law Amendment
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Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain & Anr.

AIR 1975 SC 2299 | (1975) 2 SCC 159

FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS = BASIC STRUCTURE: The right to free and fair elections is a basic feature of the Constitution — Parliament cannot amend the Constitution to immunise elections from judicial scrutiny. Democracy — of which free and fair elections are the cornerstone — is a basic feature of the Constitution.

Representation of theConstitution (Thirty-Ninth Amendment)Constitution of India
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S.R. Bommai & Others v. Union of India & Others

AIR 1994 SC 1918 | (1994) 3 SCC 1

ARTICLE 356 IS JUSTICIABLE: Presidential proclamation of President's Rule under Article 356 is not immune from judicial review. Courts can examine whether the proclamation was made on: (a) relevant material; (b) in good faith; (c) for a proper constitutional purpose. Mala fide, extraneous-ground, or irrelevant-material proclamations can be struck down.

Constitution of IndiaConstitution of India
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Additional District Magistrate, Jabalpur v. S.S. Shukla (Shivkant Shukla)

AIR 1976 SC 1207 | (1976) 2 SCC 521

ADM JABALPUR — THE WRONG JUDGMENT THAT MATTERS: ADM Jabalpur was the 4:1 majority decision that held habeas corpus was unavailable during the Emergency — leaving detainees without any judicial remedy against arbitrary detention. It is now universally regarded as the worst judgment in Indian constitutional history.

Constitution of IndiaMaintenance of Internal
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Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras

AIR 1950 SC 124 | (1950) SCR 594

ARTICLE 19(2) GROUNDS ARE EXHAUSTIVE: The grounds in Article 19(2) for restricting free speech are exhaustive — the state cannot create additional grounds not listed in Article 19(2). Any law restricting free speech that cannot be brought within one of the listed heads is unconstitutional.

Constitution of IndiaMadras Maintenance of
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Indra Sawhney & Others v. Union of India & Others

AIR 1993 SC 477 | 1992 Supp (3) SCC 217

50% CEILING ON RESERVATIONS: Total reservations (SC + ST + OBC) cannot ordinarily exceed 50% of available posts. The 50% ceiling is a constitutional norm derived from Article 16(1) read with 16(4) — exceeding 50% would be unconstitutional except in extraordinary situations (e.g., remote/backward regions).

Constitution of IndiaOffice Memorandum dated
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M. Nagaraj & Others v. Union of India & Others

(2006) 8 SCC 212

THREE NAGARAJ CONDITIONS FOR PROMOTION RESERVATION: Before a State can implement SC/ST reservation in promotions under Article 16(4A), it must demonstrate with quantifiable data: (1) backwardness of the SC/ST class; (2) inadequacy of their representation in the service; and (3) that administrative efficiency (Article 335) will be maintained. All three must be proved — not assumed.

Constitution of IndiaConstitution (77th Amendment)Constitution (81st Amendment)
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Jarnail Singh & Others v. Lachhmi Narain Gupta & Others

(2018) 10 SCC 396

QUANTIFIABLE BACKWARDNESS DATA NOT REQUIRED FOR SC/ST: SC/ST communities are listed in the Presidential lists under Articles 341 and 342 — they are constitutionally deemed backward. A State need not separately collect data to 'prove' they are backward before extending promotion reservation. Nagaraj's backwardness data condition is thus modified/removed.

Constitution of India
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Janhit Abhiyan & Others v. Union of India & Others

(2022) 13 SCC 1

EWS RESERVATION IS CONSTITUTIONALLY VALID (3:2 MAJORITY): The 10% EWS reservation enabled by the 103rd Amendment does not violate the basic structure. The Constitution's commitment to social and economic justice includes ensuring opportunities for economically weaker sections of the forward communities.

Constitution of IndiaConstitution (One Hundred
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Common Cause (A Registered Society) v. Union of India & Another

(2018) 5 SCC 1

RIGHT TO DIE WITH DIGNITY — ARTICLE 21: The right to die with dignity is an integral and inseparable part of the right to live with dignity guaranteed under Article 21. Forcing a terminally ill person in a persistent vegetative state to continue on artificial life support against their expressed or presumed wishes violates their constitutional right to a dignified death.

Constitution of IndiaIndian Penal Code,Indian Penal Code,
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National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India & Others

(2014) 5 SCC 438

THIRD GENDER — CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION: NALSA (2014) established that transgender persons have a constitutional right to recognition as a 'third gender' in all official documents including passports, ration cards, and identity documents. Binary male/female categories cannot be exclusively mandated by law.

Constitution of IndiaInternational Covenant onYogyakarta Principles on
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Suresh Kumar Koushal & Anr. v. Naz Foundation & Others

(2014) 1 SCC 1

OVERRULED BY NAVTEJ JOHAR (2018): Koushal was expressly and unanimously overruled by the five-judge Constitution Bench in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018). Every proposition in Koushal — from the 'minuscule minority' reasoning to the deference to Parliament — was rejected.

IPC Section 377Constitution of India
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Naz Foundation v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Others

160 Delhi Law Times 277 | WP(C) No. 7455 of 2001

CONSTITUTIONAL MORALITY OVER POPULAR MORALITY: The Delhi HC's most enduring contribution — the principle that constitutional courts enforce constitutional morality, not popular morality or majoritarianism. A law cannot be upheld merely because the majority finds certain conduct morally offensive. This principle was adopted and expanded by the Navtej Johar Constitution Bench (2018).

IPC Section 377Constitution of India
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Supriyo @ Supriya Chakraborty & Anr. v. Union of India & Anr.

(2024) 5 SCC 1

NO FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO MARRY (MAJORITY): The majority held that the Indian Constitution does not contain an explicit or implied fundamental right to marry. Marriage is a statutory institution regulated by legislation — the Court cannot create a new constitutional right to marry by judicial interpretation.

Special Marriage Act,Foreign Marriage Act,Constitution of India
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I.C. Golaknath & Others v. State of Punjab & Anr.

AIR 1967 SC 1643 | (1967) 2 SCR 762

PARLIAMENT CANNOT AMEND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS (OVERRULED): Golaknath held that Parliament's power under Article 368 is limited to procedural amendment — not the substantive power to abridge fundamental rights. Fundamental rights are immutable and beyond Parliament's reach. This was subsequently overruled by Kesavananda Bharati (1973).

Constitution of IndiaPunjab Security ofConstitution (First Amendment)
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Minerva Mills Ltd. & Others v. Union of India & Others

AIR 1980 SC 1789 | (1980) 3 SCC 625

BALANCE BETWEEN FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES IS BASIC STRUCTURE: The harmony and balance between Part III (Fundamental Rights) and Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy) is a basic feature of the Constitution. Parliament cannot give Directive Principles absolute supremacy over all fundamental rights — this would destroy the constitutional balance.

Constitution of IndiaConstitution (42nd Amendment)Sick Textile Undertakings
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I.R. Coelho (Dead) by LRs. v. State of Tamil Nadu & Others

(2007) 2 SCC 1

POST-1973 NINTH SCHEDULE LAWS SUBJECT TO BASIC STRUCTURE REVIEW: Laws added to the Ninth Schedule after 24 April 1973 are not immune from judicial review. If they violate fundamental rights that form part of the basic structure, they can be invalidated. The Ninth Schedule cannot be used to protect laws that destroy the basic structure.

Constitution of IndiaThe Ninth Schedule
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Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu & Others

AIR 1993 SC 412 | (1992) Supp (2) SCC 651

ANTI-DEFECTION LAW IS CONSTITUTIONALLY VALID: The Tenth Schedule and the anti-defection provisions are a reasonable regulatory scheme for ensuring political stability and preventing unprincipled defections. They do not violate any fundamental right or constitutional provision.

Constitution of IndiaConstitution (Fifty-Second Amendment)
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S.R. Bommai v. Union of India

AIR 1994 SC 1918 | (1994) 3 SCC 1

FLOOR TEST IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL METHOD: The floor of the House — not the Governor's subjective opinion — is the constitutionally mandated method for testing whether a government commands majority support. A Chief Minister must be given an opportunity to prove majority on the floor before the Governor recommends President's Rule.

Constitution of India
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Waman Rao & Others v. Union of India & Others

AIR 1981 SC 271 | (1981) 2 SCC 362

PRE-KESAVANANDA NINTH SCHEDULE LAWS — IMMUNISED: Laws placed in the Ninth Schedule up to April 24, 1973 (the date of Kesavananda Bharati) enjoy full protection under Article 31B and are not subject to challenge under Fundamental Rights.

Constitution of IndiaMaharashtra Agricultural Lands
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Tier 1 — Major Precedents
Tier 1

Shreya Singhal v. Union of India

(2015) 5 SCC 1 | AIR 2015 SC 1523

Information Technology Act,Information Technology Act,Constitution of India
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K.M. Nanavati v. State of Maharashtra

AIR 1962 SC 605 | (1962) Suppl 1 SCR 567

IPC Section 302IPC Section 304BNS Section 103
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Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India

AIR 1978 SC 597 | (1978) 1 SCC 248

Constitution of IndiaConstitution of IndiaConstitution of India
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Kedar Nath Singh v. State of Bihar

AIR 1962 SC 955 | (1962) Suppl 2 SCR 769

IPC Section 124ABNS Section 152Constitution of India
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S.G. Vombatkere v. Union of India

W.P. (Crl.) No. 117 of 2021 — Order dated 11 May 2022 | (2022) SCC OnLine SC 565

IPC Section 124ABNS Section 152Constitution of India
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Machhi Singh & Others v. State of Punjab

AIR 1983 SC 957 | (1983) 3 SCC 470

IPC Section 302BNS Section 103Code of Criminal
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Alister Anthony Pareira v. State of Maharashtra

(2012) 2 SCC 648

IPC Section 304AIPC Section 304BNS Section 106
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State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh & Others

AIR 1996 SC 1393 | (1996) 2 SCC 384

IPC Section 376BNS Section 63Indian Evidence Act
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Tukaram & Anr. v. State of Maharashtra

AIR 1979 SC 185 | (1979) 2 SCC 143

IPC Section 376IPC Section 375BNS Section 63
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Tier 1

Independent Thought v. Union of India

(2017) 10 SCC 800

IPC Section 375IPC Section 376BNS Section 63
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Tier 1

Dilip v. State of Madhya Pradesh

(2001) 9 SCC 452

IPC Section 375IPC Section 376BNS Section 63
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R.K. Vijayasarathy v. Sudha Seetharam

(2019) 16 SCC 739

IPC Section 420IPC Section 415BNS Section 318
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Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. v. NEPC India Ltd. & Others

(2006) 6 SCC 736

IPC Section 420IPC Section 406BNS Section 318
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Preeti Gupta & Anr. v. State of Jharkhand & Anr.

(2010) 7 SCC 667

IPC Section 498AIPC Section 406BNS Section 85
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Rajesh Sharma v. State of U.P. (modified by Social Action Forum v. Union of India)

(2017) 6 SCC 680 | Modified by (2018) 10 SCC 443

IPC Section 498ABNS Section 85CrPC Section 41A
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Tier 1

Satvir Singh & Others v. State of Punjab & Anr.

(2001) 8 SCC 633

IPC Section 304BIPC Section 498AIPC Section 113B
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Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab & Anr.

(2005) 6 SCC 1

IPC Section 304ABNS Section 106IPC Section 304
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Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India, Ministry of Law

(2016) 7 SCC 221

IPC Sections 499–500BNS Section 356Constitution of India
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Balwant Singh & Anr. v. State of Punjab

(1995) 3 SCC 214

IPC Section 124AIPC Section 153ABNS Section 152
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Ramji Lal Modi v. State of Uttar Pradesh

AIR 1957 SC 620 | 1957 SCR 860

IPC Section 295ABNS Section 299Constitution of India
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Dashrath Rupsingh Rathod v. State of Maharashtra & Anr.

(2014) 9 SCC 129

Negotiable Instruments Act,Negotiable Instruments Act
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Meters and Instruments Pvt. Ltd. & Anr. v. Kanchan Mehta

(2018) 1 SCC 560

Negotiable Instruments Act,Negotiable Instruments ActCrPC Section 357
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Tier 1

MSR Leathers v. S. Palaniappan & Anr.

(2013) 1 SCC 177

Negotiable Instruments Act,Negotiable Instruments Act
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Tier 1

National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India & Others

(2014) 5 SCC 438

Constitution of IndiaInternational Covenant onYogyakarta Principles on
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Tier 1

Joseph Shine v. Union of India

(2018) 2 SCC 189 (later full judgment 2019)

IPC Section 497Constitution of India
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Tier 1

Shayara Bano v. Union of India & Others

(2017) 9 SCC 1

Muslim Personal LawConstitution of IndiaMuslim Women (Protection
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Tier 1

Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) & Anr. v. Union of India & Others

(2017) 10 SCC 1

Constitution of IndiaAadhaar (Targeted Delivery
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Tier 1

Olga Tellis & Others v. Bombay Municipal Corporation & Others

AIR 1986 SC 180 | (1985) 3 SCC 545

Constitution of IndiaBombay Municipal Corporation
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Tier 1

Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug v. Union of India & Others

(2011) 4 SCC 454

Constitution of IndiaIPC Section 309IPC Section 306
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Lalita Kumari v. Govt. of Uttar Pradesh & Others

(2014) 2 SCC 1

Code of CriminalBNSS — SectionConstitution of India
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Tier 1

State of Haryana & Others v. Bhajan Lal & Others

AIR 1992 SC 604 | 1992 Supp (1) SCC 335

Code of CriminalBNSS — SectionCode of Criminal
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Laxman v. State of Maharashtra

(2002) 6 SCC 710

Indian Evidence ActBharatiya Sakshya AdhiniyamIPC Section 302
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Tier 1

Sharad Birdhichand Sarda v. State of Maharashtra

AIR 1984 SC 1622 | (1984) 4 SCC 116

IPC Section 302BNS Section 103Indian Evidence Act
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Tier 1

Indra Sawhney & Others v. Union of India & Others

AIR 1993 SC 477 | 1992 Supp (3) SCC 217

Constitution of IndiaOffice Memorandum dated
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Tier 1

Additional District Magistrate, Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla

AIR 1976 SC 1207 | (1976) 2 SCC 521

Constitution of IndiaMaintenance of InternalConstitution (Thirty-Eighth Amendment)
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Tier 1

Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras

AIR 1950 SC 124 | 1950 SCR 594

Constitution of IndiaMadras Maintenance of
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Tier 1

Prakash Singh & Others v. Union of India & Others

(2006) 8 SCC 1

Constitution of IndiaPolice Act, 1861
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Tier 1

Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum & Others

AIR 1985 SC 945 | (1985) 2 SCC 556

Code of CriminalBNSS — SectionMuslim Personal Law
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Tier 1

Zahira Habibullah Sheikh & Anr. v. State of Gujarat & Others

(2004) 4 SCC 158

Code of CriminalCode of CriminalBNSS — Section
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Tier 1

Sidhartha Vashisht @ Manu Sharma v. State (NCT of Delhi)

(2010) 6 SCC 1

IPC Section 302BNS Section 103Indian Evidence Act
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Tier 1

State of Uttar Pradesh v. Ram Swarup

AIR 1974 SC 1570 | (1974) 4 SCC 764

IPC Sections 300,BNS Sections 101,
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Tier 1

K.M. Mathew v. State of Kerala & Anr.

(1992) 1 SCC 217

IPC Section 306IPC Section 107BNS Section 108
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Tier 1

Piara Singh & Others v. State of Punjab

AIR 1977 SC 2274 | (1977) 4 SCC 452

IPC Section 302BNS Section 103Indian Evidence Act
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Tier 1

T.M.A. Pai Foundation & Others v. State of Karnataka & Others

(2002) 8 SCC 481

Constitution of India
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Tier 1

Shafin Jahan v. Asokan K.M. & Others

(2018) 16 SCC 368

Constitution of IndiaSpecial Marriage Act,
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Tier 1

Rattan Singh v. State of Himachal Pradesh

(1997) 4 SCC 161

IPC Section 302BNS Section 103Code of Criminal
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Tier 1

Mohd. Ajmal Kasab v. State of Maharashtra

(2012) 9 SCC 1

IPC Sections 302,BNS Sections 103,Unlawful Activities (Prevention)
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Tier 1

Common Cause (A Registered Society) v. Union of India & Anr.

(2018) 5 SCC 1

Constitution of IndiaIndian Medical Council
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Tier 1

Joseph Shine v. Union of India

(2019) 3 SCC 39 | AIR 2018 SC 4898

IPC Section 497IPC Section 198Constitution of India
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Tier 1

Shafin Jahan v. Asokan K.M. & Others

(2018) 16 SCC 368

Constitution of IndiaSpecial Marriage Act,
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Tier 1

Shayara Bano v. Union of India & Others

(2017) 9 SCC 1

Muslim Personal LawConstitution of IndiaMuslim Women (Protection
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Tier 1

Secretary, Ministry of Defence v. Babita Puniya & Others

(2020) 7 SCC 469

Constitution of IndiaArmy Act, 1950Short Service Commission
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Tier 1

In Re: Article 370 of the Constitution of India

(2023) SCC OnLine SC 1647

Constitution of IndiaConstitution of IndiaConstitution of India
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Tier 1

Rattan Singh v. State of Himachal Pradesh

(1997) 4 SCC 161

Code of CriminalBNSS — SectionIndian Evidence Act
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Tier 1

Lalita Kumari v. Government of Uttar Pradesh & Others

(2014) 2 SCC 1

Code of CriminalBNSS — SectionCode of Criminal
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Tier 1

Sakiri Vasu v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Others

(2008) 2 SCC 409

Code of CriminalBNSS — SectionCode of Criminal
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Tier 1

Prakash Singh & Others v. Union of India & Others

(2006) 8 SCC 1

Constitution of IndiaPolice Act, 1861
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Tier 1

State of Haryana & Others v. Ch. Bhajan Lal & Others

1992 Supp (1) SCC 335 | AIR 1992 SC 604

Code of CriminalBNSS — SectionIPC Sections 420,
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Zahira Habibullah Sheikh & Anr. v. State of Gujarat & Others

(2006) 3 SCC 374

Code of CriminalBNSS — SectionsIndian Evidence Act
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Tier 1

Sidhartha Vashisht @ Manu Sharma v. State (NCT of Delhi)

(2010) 6 SCC 1

IPC Section 302BNS Section 103IPC Section 201
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Tier 1

Rustom Cawasjee Cooper v. Union of India

AIR 1970 SC 564 | (1970) 3 SCC 530

Constitution of IndiaBanking Companies (Acquisition
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Tier 1

T.M.A. Pai Foundation & Others v. State of Karnataka & Others

(2002) 8 SCC 481

Constitution of India
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Tier 1

Virsa Singh v. State of Punjab

AIR 1958 SC 465 | 1958 SCR 1495

IPC Section 300IPC Section 302BNS Section 100
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Jai Dev v. State of Punjab

AIR 1963 SC 612 | (1963) 3 SCR 489

Indian Penal Code,Indian Penal Code,Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,
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Pulicherla Nagaraju @ Nagaraja Reddy v. State of Andhra Pradesh

(2006) 11 SCC 444

IPC Sections 299,BNS Sections 99,
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Tier 1

Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India & Others

(2020) 3 SCC 637

Constitution of IndiaTemporary Suspension of
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Tier 1

Bodhisattwa Gautam v. Subhra Chakraborty

AIR 1996 SC 922 | (1996) 1 SCC 490

IPC Section 376BNS Section 63Constitution of India
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Tier 1

Aparna Bhat & Others v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Another

(2021) 18 SCC 191

Code of CriminalIndian Penal Code,Constitution of India
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Tier 1

X v. Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Anr.

(2023) 1 SCC 289

Medical Termination ofMedical Termination ofConstitution of India
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Tier 1

National Investigation Agency v. Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali

(2019) 5 SCC 1

Unlawful Activities (Prevention)Code of CriminalBNSS — Section
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Tier 1

Parmananda Pegu v. State of Assam

(2004) 7 SCC 779

Indian Penal Code,Indian Penal Code,Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,
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Arup Bhuyan v. State of Assam

(2011) 3 SCC 377

Unlawful Activities (Prevention)Constitution of India
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Tier 1

People's Union for Civil Liberties & Another v. Union of India & Another

(2004) 9 SCC 580

Prevention of TerrorismConstitution of India
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Tier 1

Laxmi v. Union of India & Others

(2014) 4 SCC 427

IPC Sections 326A,BNS Sections 124,Constitution of India
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Tier 1

Kushal Rao v. State of Bombay

AIR 1958 SC 22 | 1958 SCR 552

Indian Evidence ActBharatiya Sakshya AdhiniyamIPC Section 302
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Tier 1

Pakala Narayana Swami v. Emperor

AIR 1939 PC 47 | (1939) 66 IA 66

Indian Evidence Act,Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam,
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Santosh Kumar Satishbhushan Bariyar v. State of Maharashtra

(2009) 6 SCC 498

IPC Section 302BNS Section 103Code of Criminal
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Tier 1

Shatrughan Chauhan & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors.

(2014) 3 SCC 1

Constitution of IndiaCode of Criminal
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Tier 1

Vineet Narain & Others v. Union of India & Anr.

AIR 1998 SC 889 | (1998) 1 SCC 226

Constitution of IndiaPrevention of CorruptionDelhi Special Police
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Tier 1

State of Bihar & Anr. v. J.A.C. Saldanha & Ors.

AIR 1980 SC 326 | (1980) 1 SCC 554

Code of CriminalBNSS — Sections
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Tier 1

Francis Coralie Mullin v. Administrator, Union Territory of Delhi & Others

AIR 1981 SC 746 | (1981) 1 SCC 608

Constitution of IndiaConservation of Foreign
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Tier 1

State of U.P. v. Ram Sagar Yadav & Others

AIR 1985 SC 416 | (1985) 1 SCC 552

Indian Evidence Act,Code of CriminalIPC Section 302
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Tier 1

Har Prasad v. State of U.P.

(2008) 13 SCC 182

IPC Section 302Indian Evidence Act,
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Tier 1

Sharda v. Dharmpal

AIR 2003 SC 3450 | (2003) 4 SCC 493

Hindu Marriage Act,Code of CivilConstitution of India
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Tier 1

Ritesh Sinha v. State of U.P. & Another

(2019) 8 SCC 1

Code of CriminalIdentification of PrisonersConstitution of India
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Tier 1

Selvi & Others v. State of Karnataka & Another

AIR 2010 SC 1974 | (2010) 7 SCC 263

Constitution of IndiaCode of CriminalIndian Evidence Act,
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Tier 1

Libnus v. State of Maharashtra

(2021) 2 SCC 180

Protection of Children
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Tier 1

Attorney General for India v. Satish & Another

(2021) 5 SCC 438

Protection of Children
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Tier 1

Ramesh Kumar v. State of Chhattisgarh

AIR 2001 SC 3837 | (2001) 9 SCC 618

IPC Section 306IPC Section 107
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Tier 1

Chitresh Kumar Chopra v. State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi)

(2009) 16 SCC 605

IPC Section 306IPC Section 107
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Tier 1

Geo Varghese v. State of Rajasthan

(2021) 19 SCC 144

IPC Section 306IPC Section 107
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Tier 1

Mohd. Hoshan @ Abu Islam v. State of Andhra Pradesh

AIR 2002 SC 3270 | (2002) 7 SCC 414

IPC Section 498AIPC Section 306
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Tier 1

Pappu v. State of U.P.

(2022) 10 SCC 1

IPC Section 302Indian Evidence Act,
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Tier 1

Nipun Saxena v. Union of India

(2019) 2 SCC 703

IPC Section 228AProtection of ChildrenConstitution of India
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Tier 1

Satish Narayan Sawant v. State of Goa

(2009) 13 SCC 610

IPC Section 376IPC Section 376C
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Tier 1

State of Rajasthan v. N.K. (Minor)

AIR 2000 SC 2212 | (2000) 5 SCC 30

IPC Section 376Indian Evidence Act,Juvenile Justice Act
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Tier 1

Manish Kumar v. Union of India

(2021) 5 SCC 1

Juvenile Justice (Care
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Tier 1

Reena Banerjee v. NCT of Delhi

(2021) 14 SCC 401

Code of CriminalBharatiya Nagarik SurakshaDelhi Victims Compensation
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Tier 1

Olga Tellis & Others v. Bombay Municipal Corporation & Others

AIR 1986 SC 180 | (1985) 3 SCC 545

Constitution of IndiaBombay Municipal Corporation
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Tier 1

Iqbal Singh Marwah & Another v. Meenakshi Marwah & Another

AIR 2005 SC 2119 | (2005) 4 SCC 370

IPC Section 498AIPC Section 406Code of Criminal
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Tier 1

V. Bhagat v. D. Bhagat

AIR 1994 SC 710 | (1994) 1 SCC 337

Hindu Marriage Act,
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Tier 1

Arnav Bose v. Nilima Bose & Others

(2021) SC — Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act; Shared Household

Protection of WomenConstitution of India
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Tier 1

Hira Lal & Others v. State (NCT of Delhi)

(2003) 8 SCC 80

IPC Section 498A
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Tier 1

Girdhar Shankar Tawade v. State of Maharashtra

AIR 2002 SC 2078 | (2002) 5 SCC 177

IPC Section 306IPC Section 498A
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Tier 1

B.S. Joshi & Others v. State of Haryana & Another

AIR 2003 SC 1386 | (2003) 4 SCC 675

Indian Penal Code,Code of CriminalBharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,
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Tier 1

Hiral P. Harsora & Others v. Kusum Narottamdas Harsora & Others

(2016) 10 SCC 165

Protection of WomenConstitution of India
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Tier 1

S. Khushboo v. Kanniamal & Another

AIR 2010 SC 3196 | (2010) 5 SCC 600

Indian Penal Code,Indian Penal Code,Constitution of India
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Tier 1

P.V. Narasimha Rao v. State (CBI/SPE)

AIR 1998 SC 2120 | (1998) 4 SCC 626

Constitution of IndiaPrevention of Corruption
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Tier 1

Subramanian Swamy v. Manmohan Singh & Another

(2012) 3 SCC 64

Prevention of CorruptionCode of CriminalConstitution of India
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Tier 1

CBI v. Dinesh Kumar Shukla & Others

(2023) Supreme Court — PC Act Amendment 2018

Prevention of CorruptionCode of Criminal
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Tier 1

Shankar Kisanrao Khade v. State of Maharashtra

(2013) 5 SCC 546

Indian Penal Code,Code of Criminal
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Tier 1

Dhananjoy Chatterjee Alias Dhana v. State of West Bengal

(2004) 9 SCC 751

IPC Section 302IPC Section 376
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Tier 1

Devender Pal Singh Bhullar v. State of NCT of Delhi

(2013) 6 SCC 195

Constitution of IndiaIndian Penal Code,
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Tier 1

RIT Foundation & Others v. Union of India & Others

(2022) Delhi High Court — Split Bench Judgment

Indian Penal Code,Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,Constitution of India
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Tier 1

Nimeshbhai Bharatbhai Desai v. State of Gujarat

(2018) Gujarat High Court — Criminal Appeal

Indian Penal Code,Protection of WomenConstitution of India
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Tier 1

Hemant Dhasmana v. CBI & Another

(2001) 7 SCC 536

Code of CriminalCode of CriminalBharatiya Nagarik Suraksha
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Tier 1

K. Veeraswami v. Union of India & Others

AIR 1991 SC 2261 | (1991) 3 SCC 655

Prevention of CorruptionConstitution of IndiaCode of Criminal
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Tier 1

Union of India v. W.N. Chadha

AIR 1993 SC 1 | (1993) Supp. (4) SCC 260

Code of CriminalConstitution of India
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Tier 1

Imtiyaz Ahmad v. State of U.P. & Others

(2012) 2 SCC 688

Code of CriminalConstitution of IndiaBharatiya Nagarik Suraksha
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Tier 2 — Notable Judgments
Tier 2

D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal

AIR 1997 SC 610 | (1997) 1 SCC 416

Constitution of IndiaCode of CriminalBNSS — Section
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Tier 2

Joginder Kumar v. State of U.P. & Others

(1994) 4 SCC 260

Constitution of IndiaCode of CriminalBNSS — Section
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Tier 2

Hussainara Khatoon & Others v. Home Secretary, State of Bihar

AIR 1979 SC 1360 | (1980) 1 SCC 81

Constitution of IndiaCode of CriminalBNSS — Section
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Tier 2

Sanjay Chandra v. Central Bureau of Investigation

(2012) 1 SCC 40

Code of CriminalCode of CriminalBNSS — Sections
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Tier 2

State of Rajasthan v. Balchand alias Baliay

AIR 1977 SC 2447 | (1977) 4 SCC 308

Code of CriminalBNSS — SectionsConstitution of India
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Tier 2

Anvar P.V. v. P.K. Basheer & Others

(2014) 10 SCC 473

Indian Evidence ActIndian Evidence ActBharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam
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Tier 2

Arjun Panditrao Khotkar v. Kailash Kushanrao Gorantyal & Others

(2020) 7 SCC 1

Indian Evidence ActBharatiya Sakshya AdhiniyamCode of Criminal
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Tier 2

Tomaso Bruno & Anr. v. State of Uttar Pradesh

(2015) 7 SCC 178

IPC Section 302BNS Section 103Indian Evidence Act
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Tier 2

Nandini Satpathy v. P.L. Dani & Anr.

AIR 1978 SC 1025 | (1978) 2 SCC 424

Constitution of IndiaCode of CriminalIndian Evidence Act
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Tier 2

Alakh Alok Srivastava v. Union of India

(2018) 17 SCC 291

Protection of ChildrenCrPC — SectionBNSS — Section
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Tier 2

State of Maharashtra v. Madhkar Narayan Mardikar

AIR 1991 SC 207 | (1991) 1 SCC 57

IPC Section 376BNS Section 63Indian Evidence Act
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Tier 2

Union of India v. Mohanlal & Anr.

(2016) 3 SCC 379

Narcotic Drugs andNDPS Act —
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Tier 2

Tofan Singh v. State of Tamil Nadu

(2021) 4 SCC 1

Narcotic Drugs andIndian Evidence ActConstitution of India
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Tier 2

Vijay Madanlal Choudhary & Others v. Union of India & Others

(2022) 11 SCC 1

Prevention of Money
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Tier 2

Nikesh Tarachand Shah v. Union of India

(2018) 11 SCC 1

Prevention of Money
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Tier 2

Vineeta Sharma v. Rakesh Sharma & Others

(2020) 9 SCC 1

Hindu Succession Act,
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Tier 2

Prakash & Others v. Phulvati & Others

(2016) 2 SCC 36

Hindu Succession Act,
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Tier 2

Darshan Singh v. State of Punjab

(2010) 2 SCC 333

IPC Sections 96–106BNS Sections 34–44
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Tier 2

Kehar Singh & Others v. State (Delhi Administration)

AIR 1988 SC 1883 | (1988) 3 SCC 609

IPC Section 120AIPC Section 120BBNS Section 61
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Tier 2

State of West Bengal v. Mohd. Khalid & Others

(1995) 1 SCC 684

IPC Section 120AIPC Section 120BBNS Section 61
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Tier 2

State of Maharashtra v. Balram Bama Patil & Others

AIR 1983 SC 305 | (1983) 2 SCC 28

IPC Section 307BNS Section 109IPC Section 324
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Tier 2

State of Maharashtra & Others v. Bharat Shanti Lal Shah & Others

(2008) 13 SCC 5

Maharashtra Control ofIPC Sections 120A,Constitution of India
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Tier 2

In Re: Distribution of Essential Supplies and Services During Pandemic

SMW (C) No. 3 of 2021 | (2021) SCC OnLine SC 455

Constitution of IndiaDisaster Management Act,Epidemic Diseases Act,
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Tier 2

P.S.R. Sadhanantham v. Arunachalam & Anr.

AIR 1980 SC 856 | (1980) 3 SCC 141

Code of CriminalBNSS — Sections
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Tier 2

Excel Wear & Others v. Union of India & Others

AIR 1979 SC 25 | (1978) 4 SCC 224

Constitution of IndiaIndustrial Disputes Act,
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Tier 2

Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia & Others v. State of Punjab

AIR 1980 SC 1632 | (1980) 2 SCC 565

Code of CriminalBharatiya Nagarik SurakshaConstitution of India
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Tier 2

Satender Kumar Antil v. Central Bureau of Investigation & Another

(2022) 10 SCC 51

Code of CriminalBharatiya Nagarik Suraksha
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Tier 2

P. Chidambaram v. Central Bureau of Investigation

(2019) 9 SCC 24

Code of CriminalPrevention of MoneyPrevention of Corruption
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Tier 2

Sudha Singh v. State of U.P. & Others

(2020) 17 SCC 627

Code of CriminalConstitution of India
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Tier 2

Mohd. Muslim @ Hussain v. State (NCT of Delhi)

(2023) 6 SCC 625

Code of CriminalConstitution of India
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Tier 2

State of Kerala v. Raneef

(2011) 1 SCC 784

Unlawful Activities (Prevention)Constitution of India
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Tier 2

Thwaha Fasal v. Union of India

(2021) 17 SCC 756

Unlawful Activities (Prevention)
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Tier 2

Manohar Lal Sharma v. Union of India (Pegasus Surveillance)

Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 314 of 2021 — (2022) Supreme Court

Constitution of IndiaInformation Technology Act,Indian Telegraph Act,
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Tier 2

Amish Devgan v. Union of India & Others

(2021) 1 SCC 1

IPC Section 153AIPC Section 295AConstitution of India
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Tier 2

Patna Sahib Sikh Sangat v. Union of India

(2023) SCC OnLine SC 1640

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,Indian Penal Code,General Clauses Act,
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Tier 2

Reshma v. Vijay & Another

(2020) 19 SCC 375

Negotiable Instruments Act,
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Tier 2

Bir Singh v. Mukesh Kumar

(2019) 4 SCC 197

Negotiable Instruments Act,
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Tier 2

Sil Import, USA v. Exim Aides Silk Exporters, Bangalore & Another

AIR 1999 SC 1609 | (1999) 4 SCC 567

Negotiable Instruments Act,Negotiable Instruments Act,Foreign Exchange Management
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Tier 2

Rajneesh Aggarwal v. Amit Jain & Another

AIR 2003 SC 3158 | (2003) 8 SCC 492

Negotiable Instruments Act,Negotiable Instruments Act,Code of Criminal
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Tier 2

KSL and Industries Ltd. v. Arihant Threads Ltd. & Others

(2015) 1 SCC 166

Negotiable Instruments Act,
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Tier 2

Prajwala v. Union of India & Others

Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 56 of 2004 — Supreme Court

Information Technology Act,Protection of ChildrenConstitution of India
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Tier 2

Foundation for Media Professionals v. Union Territory of J&K & Others

(2020) 16 SCC 414

Constitution of IndiaTelecom Suspension Rules,
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Tier 2

K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India — Privacy and Sexual Orientation

(2017) 10 SCC 1 — Chandrachud J. (concurrence on sexual orientation)

Constitution of IndiaIndian Penal Code,
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Tier 2

Zulfikar Nasier v. State of U.P.

(2023) Supreme Court — Transitional Provision; BNS Applicability

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,Indian Penal Code,Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha
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