Question map
In which one of the following cases the Supreme Court of India gave verdicts which have a direct bearing on the Centre-State relations ?
Explanation
The S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994) case is a landmark judgment that significantly impacted Centre-State relations by curbing the arbitrary use of Article 356 [t6][t10]. The Supreme Court ruled that the power of the President to dismiss a state government is not absolute and is subject to judicial review [t3][t5]. The court emphasized that federalism is a part of the 'basic structure' of the Constitution [c1][c2]. It mandated that the majority of a state government must be tested on the floor of the Assembly rather than being subject to the subjective opinion of the Governor or the Central Government [t8]. While Keshavananda Bharati established the basic structure doctrine [c4], and Vishakha and Indira Sawhney dealt with sexual harassment and reservations respectively [t1][t2], only the S.R. Bommai case directly recalibrated the balance of power between the Union and the States [t8].
Sources
- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 12: Basic Structure of the Constitution > Table 12.1 Evolution of the Basic Structure of the Constitution > p. 130
- [2] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 12: Basic Structure of the Constitution > Table 12.1 Evolution of the Basic Structure of the Constitution > p. 130
- [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 12: Basic Structure of the Constitution > ELEMENTS OF THE BASIC STRUCTURE > p. 129