FUNDAMENTAL     RIGHTS     [Articles 12-18]

INTRODUCTION

 Part III, containing the Fundamental Rights, is undoubtedly the most significant provision of our Constitution. Of them, the Right to Constitutional Remedies, contained in Article 32, was termed by Dr. B R Ambedkar as the “heart and soul” of the Constitution.

INSPIRATION

Fundamental Rights, as incorporated in Part III of our Constitution, were inspired by the Bill of Rights of the US Constitution, as also by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as declared by the United National General Assembly on Dec 10, 1948.

APPLICABILITY

While some Fundamental Rights are available only to Indian citizens, others are available to all ‘persons’, including corporations and foreign nationals.

Only for citizens: Articles 15, 16, 19, 29, 30

For all persons: Articles 14, 20, 21, 25, 32

PROTECTION AND SANCTITY

Article 13 of our Constitution specifically protects Fundamental Rights from legislative and executive encroachment.

Legislative and executive action in violation of Fundamental Rights is declared null and void by this Article by the following provisions:

• All existing laws shall be void
  • to the extent they are inconsistent with this Part

• State shall not make any law
  • which takes away or abridges rights conferred by this Part
• If any such law is made
  • it shall be void
  • to the extent it takes away or abridges these rights

• Law in this Article includes
  • ordinance, order, by-law, rule, regulation, notification

• This article shall not apply
  • to amendments under article 368

Note:

• This last clause was added
  • by the 24^th Amendment Act in 1971

Landmark Case law on Article 13:

• Shankari Prasad              v.           Union of India           [1951 SC]
• Golaknath                         v.            State of Punjab         [1967 SC]
• Keshavanand Bharti      v.           State of Kerala            [1973  SC]

PROTECTION AGAINST WHOM

Article 13 protects Fundamental Rights from violative actions by the “State”.

But what is ‘State’? This term is defined in Article 12 to mean the Legislature as well as the Executive:

• In this Part, State includes:
  • Government of India
  • Parliament of India
  • Government of each State
  • Legislature of each State
  • All local authorities in India
  • Other authorities in India or under control of GoI

Scope of this term “State” has been continuously expanded by the Supreme Court since 1967 through its judgments.

Chronological  Development  of  Law  in  Supreme  Court:

Case 1:   1967:       Rajasthan SEB    v.    Mohan Lal    

Question:

Whether the Electricity Board, which was a corporation constituted under a statute primarily for the purpose of carrying on commercial activities, could come within the definition of “State” in Article 12?

Decision

Yes. “The expression ‘other authorities’ in Article 12 will include all constitutional or statutory authorities on whom powers are conferred by law. It is not at all material that some of the powers conferred may be for the purpose of carrying on commercial activities.”

Case 2                1975:          Sukhdev Singh      v.    Bhagatram Raghuvanshi

Question:

whether the Oil and Natural Gas Commission, the Industrial Finance Corporation and the Life Insurance Corporation, each of which were public corporations set up by statutes, were authorities and therefore within the definition of State in Article 12?

Decision:

Yes. The concept would include a public authority which “is a body which has public or statutory duties to perform and which performs those duties and carries out its transactions for benefit of the public and not for private profit. Such an authority is not precluded from making a profit for public benefit”.

Case 3               1981:       Ajay Hasia          v.             Khalid Mujib Sehravardi

Question:

Whether a college established and administered by a society registered under the Jammu and Kashmir Registration of Societies Act, a State?

Decision:

Yes. The Society was an authority falling within the definition of “State” in Article 12.

Case 4              1981:       Som Prakash Rekhi       v.       Union of India    

Question:

Whether Bharat Petroleum Corporation was a “State” under article 12?

Decision

Bharat Petroleum Corporation was held to be a “State” within the “enlarged meaning of Article 12”.

Case 5            1983:       B.S. Minhas    v.         Indian Statistical Institute

Decision:

The Indian Statistical Institute, a registered society is an instrumentality of the Central Government and as such is an “authority” within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution.

Case 6             1984:       P.K. Ramachandra Iyer     v.     Union of India     

Decision:

Both the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and its affiliate, the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, were bodies as would be comprehended in the expression “other authority” in Article 12 of the Constitution.

Case 7       1991:      Chander Mohan Khanna     v.       NCERT

Question

Whether the National Council of Educational Research (NCERT) was a “State” as defined under Article 12 of the Constitution.

Reasoning

No. Since NCERT was largely an autonomous body and the activities of NCERT were not wholly related to governmental functions and that the government control was confined only to the proper utilisation of the grant and since its funding was not entirely from government resources, the case did not satisfy the requirements of the State under Article 12 of the Constitution.

Case 8            2002:   Mysore Paper Mills   v.   Mysore Paper Mills Officers’ Assn

Decision:

Yes. A company substantially financed and financially controlled by the Government, managed by a Board of Directors nominated and removable at the instance of the Government and carrying on important functions of public interest under the control of the Government is “an authority” within the meaning of Article 12.

Case 9    2002:   Pradeep Kumar Biswas    v.  Indian Institute of Chemical Biology    

Question:

Is CSIR a State within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution and if it is, should this Court reverse a decision which has stood for over a quarter of a century?

Decision:

Yes. Control of the Government in CSIR is ubiquitous. Given the fact that President of CSIR is the Prime Minister, subjugation of the Governing Body to the will of the Central Government is complete. Non-governmental contributions are a pittance compared to the massive governmental input.

case 10:       2005         Zee Telefilms    v.     Union of India

 Question:

Whether BCCI a State within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution ?

Decision:

No.

                                       

THE  FIRST  FUNDAMENTAL  RIGHT:       RIGHT     TO     EQUALITY

  Equality before law                 Article 14

• State shall not deny to any person
  • equality before law
• State shall not deny to any person
  • equal protection of laws within the territory of India

Scope of Article 14

• Article 14 guarantees
  • equal treatment to persons who are equally situated
• Unequals are not only permitted to be treated unequally
  • but also they have to be so treated
• Equal treatment to unequals
  • is nothing but inequality
• Article 14 allows reasonable classification
  • on an objective basis having nexus with the object to be achieved

Supreme Court in M Nagaraj    v.   Union of India   [2006]

The gravamen of Article 14 is equality of treatment. Article 14 confers a personal right by enacting a prohibition which is absolute. By judicial decisions, the doctrine of classification is read into Article 14.  The basic principle underlying Article 14 is that the law must operate equally on all persons under like circumstances. Every discretionary power is not necessarily discriminatory.

Equality is not violated by mere conferment of discretionary power. It is violated by arbitrary exercise by those on whom it is conferred.

Equality before the law, guaranteed by the first part of Article 14, is a negative concept while the second part is a positive concept which is enough to validate equalizing measures depending upon the fact situation.

Supreme Court in  Maneka Gandhi  v. Union of India  [1978] 

Equality is a dynamic concept with many aspects and dimensions and it cannot be imprisoned within traditional and doctrinaire limits. Article 14 strikes at arbitrariness in State action and ensures fairness and equality of-treatment. The principle of reasonableness, which legally as well as philosophically, is an essential element of equality or non-arbitrariness pervades Article 14 like a brooding omnipresence.

Supreme Court in  E.P. Royappa v. State of Tamil Nadu [1974]

“From a positivistic point of view, equality is antithetic to arbitrariness. In fact equality and arbitrariness are sworn enemies; one belongs to the rule of law in a republic, while the other, to the whim and caprice of an absolute monarch. Where an act is arbitrary, it is implicit in it that it is unequal both according to political logic and constitutional law and is therefore violative of Article 14”.

Prohibition of discrimination                          Article 15(1)

• State shall not discriminate against any citizen
  • on grounds only of
    • Religion
    • Race
    • Caste
    • Sex
    • Place of birth

Article 15(2)

• No citizen shall be subjected to
  • any disability, liability or restriction on these grounds only

Article 15(3)

• This Article does not prevent State
  • from making any special provision
  • for women and children

Article 15(4)

• This Article does not prevent State
  • from making any special provision for
    • socially or educationally backward class of citizens
    • Scheduled Castes
    • Scheduled Tribes

Note

• Clause (4) was added
  • by the 1^st Amendment Act in 1951

Article 15(5)

• This Article does not prevent State
  • from making any special provision, by law, for any
    • socially or educationally backward class of citizens
    • Scheduled Castes
    • Scheduled Tribes
  • for their admission to educational institutions
    • including private institutions
    • whether aided or unaided by State

Exception:

• Minority educational institutions under Article 30(1)

Notes on Article 15(5)

Note 1:

• Clause (5) was added
  • by the 93^rd Amendment Act in 2005

Note 2:

• Implementation of article 15(5):
  • Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006

Note 3:

Supreme Court in Ashok Kumar Thakur  v.  Union of India   [2008]

Issue 1

Whether the Ninety-Third Amendment of the Constitution is against the “basic structure” of the Constitution?

Decision

The Constitution (Ninety-Third Amendment) Act, 2005 does not violate the “basic structure” of the Constitution so far as it relates to the state maintained institutions and aided educational institutions. Question whether the Constitution (Ninety-Third Amendment) Act, 2005 would be constitutionally valid or not so far as “private unaided” educational institutions are concerned, is left open to be decided in an appropriate case.

Issue 2

Whether exclusion of minority educational institutions from Article 15(5) is violative of Article 14 of Constitution?

Decision

Exclusion of minority educational institutions from Article 15(5) is not violative of Article 14 of the Constitution as the minority educational institutions, by themselves, are a separate class and their rights are protected by other constitutional provisions.

Issue 3

Whether “Creamy Layer” is to be excluded from SEBCs?

Decision

“Creamy Layer” is to be excluded from SEBCs. The identification of SEBCs will not be complete and without the exclusion of “creamy layer” such identification may not be valid under Article 15(1) of the Constitution.

Issue 4

Whether the “creamy layer” principle is applicable to Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes?

Decision

“Creamy Layer” principle is not applicable to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Equality of Opportunity                       Article 16(1)

• There shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens
  • in matters of employment or appointment
  • to any office under State

Article 16(2)

• No citizen shall be discriminated against
  • in employment or office under State on grounds only of
    • Religion
    • Race
    • Caste
    • Sex
    • Descent
    • Place of birth
    • Place of residence

Article 16(3)

• Parliament may by law
  • make residence within a State/UT
  • a condition for employment or appointment
  • to an office under govt of that State/UT

Article 16(4)

• This Article does not prevent the State
  • from making a provision for reservation of appointment
  • in favour of a backward class of citizens
  • which is not adequately represented in services under State

Supreme Court in Indra Sawhney   v.  Union of India   [1992]

Issue 1

Whether clause (4) of Article 16 is an exception to clause (1)?

Decision

Clause (4) of Article 16 is not an exception to clause (1). It is an instance and an illustration of the classification inherent in clause (1).

Issue 2

Whether Article 16(4) is exhaustive of the concept of reservations in favour of backward classes?

Decision

Article 16(4) is exhaustive of the subject of reservation in favour of backward class of citizens, as explained in this judgment.

Issue 3

Whether Article 16(4) is exhaustive of the very concept of reservations? Whether clause (1) of Article 16 does not permit any reservations?

Decision

Reservations can also be provided under clause (1) of Article 16. It is not confined to extending of preferences, concessions or exemptions alone. These reservations, if any, made under clause (1) have to be so adjusted and implemented as not to exceed the level of representation prescribed for ‘backward class of citizens’ – as explained in this Judgment.

Issue 4

Meaning of the expression “backward class of citizens” in Article 16(4).

Answer

A caste can be and quite often is a social class in India. If it is backward socially, it would be a backward class for the purposes of Article 16(4). Among non- Hindus, there are several occupational groups, sects and denominations, which for historical reasons, are socially backward. They too represent backward social collectivities for the purposes of Article 16(4).

Issue 5

‘Means-test’ and ‘creamy layer’?

Answer

‘Creamy layer’ can be, and must be excluded.

Issue 6

To what extent can the reservation be made? Whether the 50% rule enunciated in Balaji a binding rule or only a rule of caution or rule of prudence?

Decision

The reservations contemplated in clause (4) of Article 16 should not exceed 50%. While 50% shall be the rule, it is necessary not to put out of consideration certain extraordinary situations inherent in the great diversity of this country and the people.

Issue 7

Whether clause (4) of Article 16 provides reservation only in the matter of initial appointments/direct recruitment or does it contemplate and provide for reservations being made in the matter of promotion as well?

Decision

Article 16(4) does not permit provision for reservations in the matter of promotion. This rule shall, however, have only prospective operation and shall not affect the promotions already made.

Issue 8

Desirability of a Permanent Statutory Body to Examine Complaints of Over-inclusion/ Under-inclusion

Decision

The Government of India and the State Governments have the power to, and ought to, create a permanent mechanism – in the nature of a Commission – for examining requests of inclusion and complaints of over-inclusion or non-inclusion in the list of OBCs and to advise the Government, which advice shall ordinarily be binding upon the Government.

Article 16(4A)

• This Article does not prevent the State
  • from making a provision for reservation in matters of promotion
    • with consequential seniority
  • in favour of SCs and STs
  • which are not adequately represented in services under State

Note:

• Clause (4A) was inserted
  • by the 77^th Amendment Act in 1995

Article 16(4B)

• This Article does not prevent the State
  • from considering any reserved unfilled vacancies of a year
  • as separate class of vacancies for subsequent years
• Such vacancies are not to be considered
  • for determining ceiling of 50% reservation
  • for those subsequent years

Note:

• Clause (4B) was inserted
  • by the 81^st Amendment Act in 2000]

Landmark case law on Articles 16(4A) and 16(4B):

• M. Nagraj         v.        Union of India      [2006 SC]

Supreme Court in M. Nagraj  v.  Union of India   [2006]

The constitutional amendments by which Articles 16(4-A) and 16(4-B) have been inserted flow from Article 16(4). They do not alter the structure of Article 16(4).

They retain the controlling factors or the compelling reasons, namely, backwardness and inadequacy of representation which enables the States to provide for reservation keeping in mind the overall efficiency of the State administration under Article 335. They do not obliterate any of the constitutional requirements, namely, ceiling limit of 50% (quantitative limitation), the concept of creamy layer (qualitative exclusion), the sub-classification between OBCs on one hand and SCs and STs on the other hand , the concept of post-based roster with inbuilt concept of replacement.

The State concerned will have to show in each case existence of the compelling reasons, namely, backwardness, inadequacy of representation and overall administrative efficiency before making provision for reservation.

The impugned provision is an enabling provision. The State is not bound to make reservation for SCs/STs in matters of promotions. However, if they wish to exercise their discretion and make such provision, the State has to collect quantifiable data showing backwardness of the class and inadequacy of representation of that class in public employment in addition to compliance with Article 335.

It is made clear that even if the State has compelling reasons, the State will have to see that its reservation provision does not lead to excessiveness so as to breach the ceiling limit of 50% or obliterate the creamy layer or extend the reservation indefinitely.

Abolition of Untouchability                             Article 17

• Untouchability is abolished
  • Its practice in any form is forbidden
• Enforcement of any disability arising out of untouchability
  • shall be an offence, punishable by law

Enactments under article 17:

• Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955
• SCs and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989

Abolition of titles                                Article 18

• State shall not confer any title
  • except for military or academic distinction
• No citizen of India shall accept
  • any title from any foreign State

Note:

• Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhusan etc. are National Awards and not Titles
  • These should not be prefixed and suffixed
  • Balaji Raghavan          v.           Union of India       [1996 SC]

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