This GSEB Class 8 Social Science Notes Chapter 4 The Supreme Court covers all the important topics and concepts as mentioned in the chapter.
The Supreme Court Class 8 GSEB Notes
→ Law is necessary for the safety and welfare of people.
→ In our country a hierarchy of courts is in place to impart justice. It starts with the lowest court known as the Taluka Court, which is succeeded by the District Court, then comes the High Court and finally the Supreme Court or the Highest Court of the country.
→ This hierarchy of courts is known as the Judiciary. The Judiciary is one of the most important organs of the government and it is a well-knit and continuous process.
→ The Judiciary is independent from the Legislature and the Executive Body.
→ The Supreme Court of India is in Delhi.
→ The Supreme Court of our country came into existence on 28th January, 1950.
→ The Supreme Court resolves disputes between citizens and the government, between states and between the centre and any state.
→ Let us understand this with the following example: A protest was made against increasing the height of Narmada Dam (located near Navagam) above 110 metres. Environmentalist organisations and NGOs from Madhya Pradesh were fighting for the rights of tribal people who would lose their land and habitat forever due to this project.
→ On March 8, 2006, the Supreme Court passed a judgement to resolve the conflict between the two states. The judgement was in favour of Gujarat State.
→ Independent Judiciary: Should the judges be under anyone’s influence or if they are controlled by any influential or powerful people, they will not be able to give impartial judgements. Therefore, our Constitution does not allow any such interference. Consequently, the Judiciary is independent of the Legislature and the Executive Body.
→ High Courts and the Supreme Court protect the fundamental rights of citizens.
→ Any citizen can approach a court with his or her complaint. However, it is very difficult for poor people who are illiterate and have to earn their living on a daily basis to go to court and demand justice.
→ Keeping this fact in mind, the Supreme Court announced the provision of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 1980. For example:
- PIL was filed to free labourers from inhuman labour and
- to release prisoners who were not released from the jail in Bihar even after they had served their term.
→ If the Supreme Court feels that the fundamental rights of any one group of society are being threatened, it can take an interest in the case and pass a judgement in favour of the people.
→ Should the Supreme Court find any PIL regarding fundamental rights and/or their implementation inappropriate, then it may punish the person / group / institution concerned.