In the context of judicial interpretation, the presumption of constitu...
• In constitutional law, the presumption of constitutionality is the legal principle that the judiciary should presume statutes enacted by the legislature to be constitutional unless the law is clearly unconstitutional or a fundamental right is implicated. Hence, a court cannot declare legislation to be constitutional as there is any way a presumption of constitutionality. Hence option (b) is the correct answer.
• The 99th Constitutional Amendment Act-2014 passed by the Lok Sabha on 13 August 2014 and by the Rajya Sabha on 14 August 2014 which created a National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)responsible for the appointment and transfer of judges to the higher judiciary in India. The Constitution Bench of Supreme Court by 4:1 Majority upheld the collegium system and struck down the NJAC as unconstitutional after hearing the petitions filed by several persons and bodies. Hence, the 99th constitutional amendment act violated the presumption of constitutionality.
• The court ought not to interpret the statutory provisions, unless compelled by their language, in such a manner as would involve its unconstitutionality, since the legislature of the rulemaking authority is presumed to enact a law which does not contravene or violate the constitutional provisions. Therefore, there is a presumption in favor of the constitutionality of legislation or statutory rule unless ex facie it violates the fundamental rights guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution
• Article 13: Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental rights
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In the context of judicial interpretation, the presumption of constitu...
The Presumption of Constitutionality in Judicial Interpretation
The presumption of constitutionality is a fundamental principle in judicial interpretation, particularly in the context of constitutional law. It refers to the judicial presumption that a statute enacted by the legislature is constitutional unless it is clearly unconstitutional or violates a fundamental right.
Explanation of Option B:
Option B correctly describes the presumption of constitutionality. According to this presumption, the judiciary assumes that a statute enacted by the legislature is constitutional unless there is clear evidence to the contrary. This presumption is based on the principle of separation of powers and the understanding that the legislature is the primary body responsible for making laws. The judiciary, therefore, gives deference to legislative decisions and interprets statutes in a manner that upholds their constitutionality, unless there are compelling reasons to declare them unconstitutional.
Reasoning behind the Presumption of Constitutionality:
The presumption of constitutionality serves several important purposes:
1. Promotes Legislative Primacy: By presuming the constitutionality of statutes, the judiciary respects the principle of separation of powers and acknowledges that the legislature has the primary responsibility to make laws. This ensures that the judiciary does not encroach upon the legislative domain and respects the democratic process.
2. Promotes Judicial Restraint: The presumption of constitutionality encourages judicial restraint, as it requires the judiciary to exercise caution before declaring a statute unconstitutional. This prevents excessive judicial interference in the functioning of the legislature and promotes stability and predictability in the legal system.
3. Promotes Legal Certainty: The presumption of constitutionality provides legal certainty by upholding the validity of laws unless there are clear grounds for their unconstitutionality. This allows individuals and institutions to rely on the law and ensures a stable legal framework for society.
4. Promotes Constitutional Harmony: The presumption of constitutionality helps maintain the balance between the legislature and the judiciary. It recognizes that the judiciary has the power of judicial review to strike down unconstitutional laws, but also acknowledges the legislature's role in lawmaking. By presuming constitutionality, the judiciary encourages a harmonious interpretation of the constitution, avoiding unnecessary conflicts between the two branches of government.
In conclusion, the presumption of constitutionality is a crucial principle in judicial interpretation. It ensures that statutes enacted by the legislature are given deference and interpreted in a manner that upholds their constitutionality, unless there are compelling reasons to declare them unconstitutional. This presumption promotes legislative primacy, judicial restraint, legal certainty, and constitutional harmony.
In the context of judicial interpretation, the presumption of constitu...
B
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