Golaknath vs State of Punjab (1967)
→ Held Parliament cannot amend Fundamental Rights to protect civil liberties
→ Why: Fear of misuse of amendment power
→ After: Led to 24th Amendment (1971) restoring Parliament’s power
Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala (1973)
→ Introduced Basic Structure Doctrine
→ Why: To prevent unlimited constitutional amendments
→ After: Parliament can amend but cannot destroy basic structure
ADM Jabalpur vs Shivkant Shukla (1976)
→ Allowed suspension of FR during Emergency
→ Why: State power prioritized over individual liberty
→ After: Later overruled; strengthened civil liberties & Art 21
Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India (1978)
→ Expanded Article 21 (Right to Life)
→ Why: To ensure fair, just, and reasonable procedure
→ After: Introduced due process concept in India
Minerva Mills vs Union of India (1980)
→ Balanced Fundamental Rights & DPSP
→ Why: Prevent dominance of either
→ After: Limited amending power reaffirmed
Olga Tellis vs BMC (1985)
→ Recognized Right to Livelihood under Art 21
→ Why: Survival linked to livelihood
→ After: Expanded scope of Right to Life
Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu (1992)
→ Upheld Anti-Defection Law
→ Why: Prevent political instability
→ After: Allowed judicial review of Speaker’s decisions
Indra Sawhney vs Union of India (1992)
→ Fixed 50% reservation cap + Creamy Layer
→ Why: Balance equality & social justice
→ After: Became basis of reservation policy
S.R. Bommai vs Union of India (1994)
→ Strengthened Federalism & limited Article 356 misuse
→ Why: Prevent arbitrary dismissal of state governments
→ After: Judicial review of President’s Rule
Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan (1997)
→ Issued guidelines on sexual harassment
→ Why: Legal vacuum in workplace safety
→ After: Led to POSH Act, 2013
S.R. Chaudhuri vs State of Punjab (2001)
→ Minister must become MLA within 6 months
→ Why: Prevent misuse of executive power
→ After: No repeated reappointment without election
I.R. Coelho vs State of Tamil Nadu (2007)
→ 9th Schedule laws under Judicial Review
→ Why: Protect Basic Structure
→ After: Strengthened judicial supremacy
Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017)
→ Declared Right to Privacy as FR (Art 21)
→ Why: Need for protection in digital age
→ After: Basis for data protection laws
Shayara Bano vs Union of India (2017)
→ Declared Triple Talaq unconstitutional
→ Why: Violates gender justice
→ After: Led to Muslim Women Act, 2019
Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India (2018)
→ Decriminalised Section 377
→ Why: Protect dignity & equality
→ After: Recognition of LGBTQ rights