Question

Explain the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India.

Discuss the original jurisdictions of the Supreme Court of India.

Answer 1

The Supreme Court, as a federal court, makes decisions for disputes between various units of the Federation of India. It can directly hear several cases that cannot be heard by any other court.

For e.g.

• The Central government and one or more states;
• The Central government and any state or states Vs one or more states;
• Between two or more states.

In these federal disputes, the Supreme Court holds original jurisdiction exclusively. No other court has the right to decide on these disputes, and by original, it means that it has the right to hear these disputes at the first instance and not as an appeal.

However, even in these cases, this jurisdiction can only extend when the dispute is about a question of law or fact, on the existence of which another law depends.

This doesn’t mean that any suit brought by a citizen against the government can be entertained under this power. Article 32 of the Constitution vests the powers of protector of Fundamental Rights in the Supreme Court, and any person who feels that their rights were violated can appeal to the Supreme Court. All matters connected to the fundamental rights of the citizens of the country come under the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. It is the highest interpreter of the Constitution in the country.