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Difficulty: HardIndian Judiciary: Supreme Court, High Courts, Judicial Review, and PIL

Regarding the exclusive Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India under Article 131 of the Constitution, which of the following legal propositions accurately reflects its constitutional scope and judicial limitations?

  1. It is strictly confined to legal rights disputes between the constituent units of the Indian federation and does not extend to suits brought by private citizens or statutory public corporations.Answer
  2. B
    It encompasses any petition filed by a State government seeking the enforcement of Fundamental Rights of its residents directly against the Union Government.
  3. C
    It extends to disputes arising out of pre-constitutional treaties, covenants, and sanads whenever referred to the court by the President of India.
  4. D
    It empowers the Supreme Court to issue administrative directives to State Governors to enforce compliance with central legislation during non-emergency periods.

Answer

The exclusive original jurisdiction under Article 131 is strictly confined to legal rights disputes between the constituent federal units (Union and States) and does not extend to suits brought by private citizens or statutory public corporations.
Article 131 of the Constitution endows the Supreme Court with exclusive original jurisdiction in disputes between federal units—the Union and States or among States—concerning legal rights. Judicial interpretation strictly limits 'State' to constituent governments of the federation, excluding statutory corporations, autonomous bodies, and private citizens.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the requisite parties and subject matter for invoking Article 131.
Article 131 requires a dispute between the Government of India and one or more States, or between two or more States, centered on a question of legal right.
This establishes Article 131 as an exclusive federal forum for intergovernmental legal disputes.
2
Analyze judicial interpretation regarding the definition of 'State' under Article 131.
The Supreme Court ruled in landmark decisions (e.g., State of Bihar v. Union of India) that statutory corporations and private individuals do not constitute a 'State' for Article 131 suits.
Non-state entities must seek legal remedies through standard civil suits or writ petitions under Article 32 or Article 226.
3
Identify express constitutional exclusions under the proviso to Article 131.
Disputes arising from pre-constitutional treaties, covenants, engagements, or sanads are explicitly barred from the original jurisdiction of the Court.
Such historical disputes are reserved for executive resolution or advisory references under Article 143.

Key Concept

Scope and federal limitations of Supreme Court's Original Jurisdiction under Article 131
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Indian Judiciary: Supreme Court, High Courts, Judicial Review, and PIL

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