Test: Judiciary - 4 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

Article 32 of the Constitution provides an extensive original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court for the enforcement of fundamental rights, known as Writ jurisdiction. This is significant because:

• Right to Constitutional Remedies: Article 32 itself is a fundamental right, ensuring that individuals can approach the Supreme Court directly for the enforcement of their fundamental rights.
• Writs: The Supreme Court has the authority to issue five types of writs - Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto - for the protection of fundamental rights.
• Heart and Soul of the Constitution: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, referred to Article 32 as the "heart and soul of the Constitution" because it guarantees the effectiveness of fundamental rights.
• Original Jurisdiction: This means that the Supreme Court can hear cases related to the enforcement of fundamental rights directly, without going through lower courts.
• Power to Punish for Contempt: Article 32 also grants the Supreme Court the power to punish for contempt of itself, ensuring that its authority is respected and upheld.

In conclusion, Article 32 of the Constitution plays a crucial role in safeguarding the fundamental rights of citizens by granting the Supreme Court extensive original jurisdiction, also known as Writ jurisdiction.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) handles matters related to environmental issues. It was established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.

The full form of CAT is Central Administrative Tribunal. It is a specialized court established under the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, to handle disputes and complaints related to the recruitment and service conditions of public servants in India.

Article 217 of the Constitution of India provides the procedure for the appointment of judges at the High Court. It states that every judge of a High Court shall be appointed by the President of India after consulting the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State, and the Chief Justice of the High Court.

The correct hierarchy of courts in India is as follows: Supreme Court, High Court, District Court, and Gram Panchayat. The Supreme Court is the highest court in India, followed by the High Courts at the state level, District Courts at the district level, and Gram Panchayats at the village level.

The Supreme Court is also known as the 'Apex Court' as it is the highest judicial authority in India. It has the power to hear appeals from lower courts and interpret the Constitution. It also has the authority to issue various writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights.

The first four high courts of India were established in Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, and Allahabad. Delhi High Court is not one of these first four high courts; it was established later in 1966.

The Governor of the State appoints district judges in consultation with the High Court. This is done as per Article 233 of the Indian Constitution, which states that the appointment of judges in the district courts shall be made by the Governor in consultation with the State Public Service Commission and the High Court exercising jurisdiction in relation to such State.

The first-ever Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in 1979 by Justice P.N. Bhagwati and Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer in the case of Hussainara Khatoon vs. State of Bihar. PIL is a legal action taken in a court of law for the enforcement of public interest, where the petitioner is not necessarily a victim of the violation of rights but brings the issue to the notice of the court on behalf of the public.

Article 76 of the Indian Constitution provides for the appointment of the Attorney General of India. The Attorney General is the highest law officer in the country, appointed by the President of India, and serves as the chief legal advisor to the Government of India. The Attorney General has the right to participate in the proceedings of both houses of Parliament and their joint sittings, but without the right to vote.