Article 131 of the Costitution of India with Case law
Here is a detailed explanation of Article 131 of the Constitution of India, along with relevant case law:
🧾 Article 131 – Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
📜 Bare Text:
Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction in any dispute—
(a) between the Government of India and one or more States; or
(b) between the Government of India and any State or States on one side and one or more other States on the other; or
(c) between two or more States,if and in so far as the dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends:
Provided that the said jurisdiction shall not extend to a dispute arising out of any treaty, agreement, covenant, engagement, sanad or other similar instrument which, having been entered into or executed before the commencement of this Constitution, continues to be in operation after such commencement, or which provides that the said jurisdiction shall not extend to such a dispute.
🔍 Key Features of Article 131:
Grants exclusive original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court.
Meant for federal disputes involving:
Centre and one or more states,
Centre and some states versus other states,
Or between two or more states.
Only legal rights (not political disputes) are entertained.
Private parties cannot be part of proceedings under Article 131.
⚖️ Important Case Laws under Article 131:
🧑⚖️ State of Karnataka v. Union of India, AIR 1977 SC 1361
Issue: Whether the Union’s interference in state affairs (via a commission of inquiry) could be challenged under Article 131.
Held: The dispute must involve a legal right; not just a political disagreement. The case was dismissed as it lacked a dispute over legal rights.
🧑⚖️ State of Rajasthan v. Union of India, (1977) 3 SCC 592
Issue: Whether the dissolution of state assemblies by the Centre can be challenged under Article 131.
Held: The Court stated that political issues are outside the scope of Article 131, which is meant only for disputes involving legal rights.
🧑⚖️ State of Bihar v. Union of India, AIR 1970 SC 1446
Issue: Whether a contractual dispute between a state and the Centre can be raised under Article 131.
Held: Yes, if no private party is involved and the issue relates to legal rights, such a case is maintainable under Article 131.
🧑⚖️ Union of India v. State of Rajasthan, AIR 1984 SC 153
Held: Disputes arising out of statutory provisions or rights under law fall under Article 131; commercial or private rights involving third parties do not.
🧑⚖️ State of Jharkhand v. State of Bihar & Anr., (2015) 2 SCC 431
Facts: Jharkhand filed a case for division of assets after the Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000.
Held: The Supreme Court has jurisdiction under Article 131 as the dispute involves state legal rights post-reorganisation.
✅ Summary:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Exclusive & Original |
| Court | Supreme Court only |
| Parties involved | Centre and State(s), or inter-State |
| Nature of Dispute | Must involve legal rights |
| Exclusion | No private party; no political issues; no pre-Constitution agreements |
RELATED Blog
0 comments