Bhubaneswar: India’s premier court Supreme Court (SC) made some landmark judgements this year. All thanks to thanks to the wisdom of learned jurists in our country. 2018 has been a year of many firsts. Let’s discuss them.
Here are the recent landmark judgments by The Supreme Court that restores our faith in justice and judiciary:
Supreme Court upholds constitutional validity of Aadhar Card
This verdict gave individuals the option to link their bank accounts to Aadhaar in the KYC option. It said that making the linking mandatory was ‘unconstitutional’. However, it was pointed out that Aadhaar-PAN linking is mandatory.
SC struck colonial Section 377
A five-judge Constitution Bench of the apex court led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra decriminalised homosexuality. After this judgement, the homosexuals are now allowed to live as equal citizens in India and nobody can harass them on the basis of their sexual orientation. However, the apex court said that Section 377 would continue to be in force in cases of unnatural sex with children and animals.
For further information: Supreme Court Scraps Section 377 Of IPC
SC declared that adultery is no more a crime
On September 27, the SC bench headed by Chief Justice of India(CJI) Dipak Mishra declared the section 497 of the IPC as unconstitutional and arbitrary. The Apex Court added that it considered a ground for divorce but it cannot be a criminal offence.
SC directs Sabrimala Temple to allow entry of women
The Supreme Court on September 28 paved the way for the entry of women of all ages into the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala in a landmark judgement. The CJI said devotion cannot be subjected to discrimination and patriarchal notion cannot be allowed to trump equality in devotion. He said devotees of Lord Ayyappa do not constitute a separate denomination.
For further information: Supreme Court Allows Entry Of Women Into Sabarimala Temple
SC to allow Passive Euthanasia
In a landmark judgement by SC on March 9, made it legal for a terminally ill patient to decline use of life support system and opt for euthanasia. The Apex Court allowed ‘living will’ made by terminally-ill patients for passive euthanasia in the country.
SC to allow live streaming of court proceedings
The Supreme Court on September 26 allowed the live streaming of its proceedings, saying the move will bring “transparency and accountability” to the judicial process and was manifestly in the “public interest”. The bench said that live streaming of proceedings is crucial to the dissemination of knowledge about judicial proceedings and granting full access to justice to the litigant.
For further information: Allow Live Streaming Of Court Proceedings: Supreme Court
With year 2018 ending, we all can hope that in 2019 the premier court of India will bring in some more landmark judgments.
As part of ‘Best of 2018’ series, these were the breakthrough judgments by Supreme Court. Please add in comments what you think SC can change in 2019.
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Ms Kalinga