JUDICIAL REVIEW: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN U.S.A AND INDIA
AUTHORED BY - RISHAV
The foundation of constitutional government, judicial review, is a crucial tool for preserving democratic and rule-of-law principles and ensuring the supremacy of the constitution. It grants judges the authority to examine the actions of the executive and legislative branches of government to make sure they are compliant with the constitution. While the notion of judicial review exists in diverse forms throughout legal systems, a comparison of the United States of America (USA) and India sheds light on its use and relevance.
Judicial review dates back to the foundational case of Marbury v. Madison (1803) in the United States. Prior to this case, the concept was based on several philosophical and legal traditions, including classical thought and the British legal system. The American Founding Fathers, influenced by Enlightenment concepts and check-and-balance principles, argued the need for systems to avoid governmental expansion. The Supreme Court was given the authority to interpret the Constitution and invalidate laws that were in conflict with it, thanks to Chief Justice John Marshall's ruling in Marbury v. Madison, which created the notion of judicial review. Through Marshall's logic, judicial review was established as a cornerstone of American law and the judiciary's obligation to uphold the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
The US has long been seen as a global leader in constitutional government thanks to its robust judicial review system. In the well-known Marbury v. Madison (1803) ruling, the US Supreme Court established its authority to invalidate laws that contravene the Constitution. Through constitutional interpretation, the US courts defend the separation of powers, safeguard individual rights, and guarantee the supremacy of the US Constitution.
In contrast, India, the world's biggest democracy, included the notion of judicial review into its constitutional structure after gaining independence in 1947. The Indian judiciary, as enshrined in Articles 13 and 32 of the Indian Constitution, has been developed as the bulwark against governmental abuses and a safeguard for basic rights. Notably, the idea of fundamental structure, established in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), defines the boundaries of legislative power and strengthens the judiciary's jurisdiction to evaluate constitutional modifications.
Despite shared principles, the judicial review systems in the United States and India differ significantly in terms of scope, method, and jurisprudence. While the United States maintains the idea of judicial supremacy, which states that the Supreme Court's interpretations of the Constitution are final and binding, India takes a more dialogic approach, stressing collaborative interpretation of the Constitution by all arms of government.
Furthermore, differences in the two nations' political and social settings influence how judicial review is exercised. In the US, judicial activism are frequently considered as the way of advancing progressive objectives and addressing injustices, but in India, it is seen as a response to political stagnation and societal inequality.
In this comparative research, we look at the history of judicial review in the United States and India, as well as institutional frameworks, landmark cases, and social outcomes. By contrasting these two diverse forms of judicial review, we want to reveal their respective strengths, flaws, and long-term importance in the quest of constitutional democracy and justice.
Sargam Jain, Judicial Review: “A Comparative Analysis of India, USA & UK”, IJLMH
Volume 1, Issue 2
This paper deals with the concept of judicial review. This paper dealt with the various doctrines formulated by the Apex Court on the basis of judicial review, for e.g., Doctrine of Severability, Doctrine of Eclipse, Doctrine of Prospective Over-ruling etc. The paper also focued on Judicial Review of Constitutional Amendments, Judicial Review of Legislative Actions and Judicial Review of Administrative Actions and further look into the stand of judicial review in USA and UK. Judicial review had mainly originated in USA from the notable landmark case of Marbury vs. Madison. This paper examined as to how the U.S. Constitution does not provide power of judicial review expressly but Articles III and VI of the U.S. Constitution touch down this concept. There being no written Constitution in UK.
Likhitha Landa, “A comparative study of judicial review in the United States and India”, IJCRT Volume 10, Issue 2 February 2022
This research is meant to provide a thorough picture of the extent to which the United States and India adhere to judicial review in practice, as well as their disparities. This study discusses the origins of judicial review, as well as its character, functioning, features, importance, scope, and specialised tasks. As a result, the primary concept of this research paper is to provide an overview and related aspects of judicial review and its current state, using the United States of America and India as examples. The evolution, evaluation, and conclusions drawn from this work have all been heavily emphasised. Criticism, like admiration, plays a significant role, and this comment has been addressed whenever it was judged to be relevant.
Sharan P. “CONSTITUTION OF INDIA AND JUDICIAL REVIEW.” The Indian Journal of Political Science 39, no. 4 (1978): 526–37.
This paper begins with defining judicial review and further goes to Constitution of India and discusses its federal nature. The paper examines that there is few provisions in Constitution of India such as article-32, which clearly expresses the concept of judicial review. The paper had also dealt with the famous landmark case named A.K Gopalan vs State of Madras (1950). The paper explores around that how time and again the Supreme Court of India through judicial review had protected the rights of citizens.
Rao, V. Nageswara, and G.B. Reddy. “DOCTRINE OF JUDICIAL REVIEW AND TRIBUNALS : SPEED BREAKERS AHEAD.” Journal of the Indian Law Institute 39, no. 2/4 (1997): 411–23
"JUDICIAL REVIEW, in its most widely accepted meaning, is the power of courts to consider the constitutionality of acts of other organs of government where the issue of constitutionality is germane to the disposition of law- properly pending before the courts." The paper examines the meaning of judicial review in USA and also briefly discusses about the origin of it which is from U.S.A. The paper further discusses about the judicial review in India where article-32 and 226 have been discussed briefly. Afterwards the paper examines the famous landmark case Keshwanand Bharti along with the basic structure doctrine.
Despite differences in institutional structures and legal traditions, both the Indian Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court play pivotal roles in safeguarding constitutional principles, promoting the rule of law, and ensuring accountability within their respective democratic systems.
The researcher will rely on the doctrinal method of research. The researcher will use the latest blue book citation for footnote.
The researcher will use both primary and secondary source of data.
The rule of law is the foundation of the United States Constitution, which has a written language and a federal democratic culture. It creates a system of checks and balances for the separation of powers. Judicial Review is an essential component of this system since it serves as a fundamental instrument for judging whether legislation passed in the US is lawful. Within this framework, the judiciary has the authority to evaluate Congress's and the President's actions and annul them if they violate the Constitution.
Articles III and IV implicitly recognize judicial review, despite the fact that it is not officially stated in the Constitution. According to Bernard Schwartz, determining a law's legality is central to the judicial power provided in the American Constitution.
The primary objectives of Judicial Review in the US are:
Constitutional Basis of judicial review in USA :
Judicial review is based on the United States Constitution's language and structure. The Constitution does not specifically address the authority of judicial review; however, a number of clauses and concepts provide the framework for this doctrine:
The Constitution, together with federal laws and treaties, is the supreme law of the land, according to Article VI, Clause 2. This means that every action taken by the government, including presidential and congressional legislation, must be compliant with the Constitution. A law or activity is deemed invalid if it is found to be unconstitutional.
Article III, Section 2: This section explains the Supreme Court's and other federal courts' jurisdiction. In addition to appellate jurisdiction over any other issue arising under the Constitution, federal legislation, or treaties, it grants the Supreme Court original jurisdiction over cases involving ambassadors, public ministers, and interstate conflicts. The power of federal courts to interpret the Constitution and determine whether laws are constitutional is implicitly acknowledged in this clause.
Two major decisions by the US Supreme Court upheld the judicial review process presumed constitutional authority. The United States Supreme Court considered the important issue of Hylton v. United State[1] in 1796. The case started as an attempt to overturn a federal carriage tax that Congress had enacted in 1794. Those who were subject to the tax had to pay a set sum according to how many carriages they possessed.
A significant question in the case is how to interpret Article I, Section 8, Clause 1, which gives Congress the authority to impose and collect taxes, as it relates to taxes. The carriage tax was a direct tax that was not distributed among the states in accordance with population as required by the Constitution, according to the plaintiffs, which included Hylton.
Chief Justice John Jay of the Supreme Court considered whether the carriage tax qualified as a direct tax and was therefore obligated to be distributed according to the formula. The Court decided in favor of the tax's constitutionality in a 4-0 ruling (two justices dissented). Delivering the ruling, Chief Justice Jay reasoned that the carriage tax was an indirect tax, not a direct tax, and hence did not need state-by-state allocation.
The Court's ruling defined direct and indirect taxes under the Constitution and upheld Congress's extensive tax-levying authority. It set a precedent that Congress might levy some taxes, including consumption taxes or taxes on particular items, without having to divide the states' revenue according to population.
Overall, Hylton v. United States was a pivotal case in early American jurisprudence, setting a foundation for the interpretation of federal taxation powers and shaping the relationship between the federal government and the states in matters of taxation.
Marbury v. Madison[2] is considered among the most significant instances in the history of American law. The United States Supreme Court rendered a decision on it in 1803, and it is mostly recognized for founding the concept of judicial review in the country.
The conflict surfaced during the last few days of President John Adams' presidency. President John Adams made important political decisions in his last days in office after losing the race for a second term in 1801. James Madison, President Thomas Jefferson's secretary of state, was given orders not to give official printed papers to the officials Adams had nominated for the administration.
Judges, including Marbury. Marbury petitioned the SC for a writ of mandamus, hoping to compel Madison to deliver his commission. This resulted in the administration officials, including William Marbury, being deprived of their new positions. William Marbury then petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking a writ of mandamus to compel Madison to deliver the commission.
Among the questions was: Can the Supreme Court examine acts of Congress?
William Marbury's right to be appointed as a District of Columbia justice of the peace was upheld by the Court's decision in his favour. Nonetheless, the Court found that the Judiciary Act of 1789 provision, which served as the foundation for Marbury's argument, was unconstitutional. The provision in dispute, according to Chief Justice Marshall, went outside the Court's basic constitutional jurisdiction. Consequently, the Court decided that it was not authorized to grant Marbury's requested writ of mandamus.
The concept of judicial review—the ability of the courts to declare laws illegal if they are in violation with the Constitution—was created by Chief Justice Marshall. This ruling profoundly altered the distribution of power among the US government's branches and cemented the Supreme Court's position as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution.Top of Form
In India, judicial review is the process by which the Supreme Court and High Courts examine and invalidate government actions that are in conflict with the Indian Constitution. The Indian Constitution does not use the term judicial review directly, but it does provide an implied framework for it through articles 13, 32, 136, 142, and 226. These clauses of the constitution give the courts the authority to judge whether executive or legislative actions are lawful and uphold the values and protections found in the constitution.
In India, judicial review can take numerous forms, each having a different goal and acting under different legal frameworks. Some of the basic forms of judicial review in India include:
Constitutional Basis for Judicial Review in India[3]
The Indian Constitution's multiple provisions that implicitly give the judiciary the authority to assess and declare unconstitutional any legislative or executive action that violates the constitution are the main source of the country's constitutional foundation for judicial review. Important elements supporting India's constitutional foundation for judicial review include:
Judicial review in India has various characteristics which distinguish it apart from judicial review in other nations. These elements reflect India's distinctive constitutional and legal framework, as well as the evolution of judicial activism within the Indian court. Some major elements of judicial review in India are:
In India, judicial review has been used in a number of historic judgments that have changed the country's legal landscape and reinforced the judiciary's role as the custodian of constitutional values. Some noteworthy cases on judicial review in India are:
DIFFERENCES
Judicial review in both countries share some similarities but also has significant differences due to the distinct legal and constitutional frameworks of each country. Here are some key differences:
United States: Judicial review is specifically established in the US Constitution, particularly in the famous decision of Marbury v. Madison (1803), in which the Supreme Court claimed its authority to review and overturn legislation that are in conflict with the Constitution.
India: Although judicial review is not officially mentioned in the Indian Constitution, the Supreme Court of India has construed many clauses, including Article 13, to suggest the authority of judicial review to overturn legislation that are in conflict with the Constitution.
United States: The US SC has the power to judge whether acts of Congress, state legislatures, and federal and state executive branch operations are lawful.
India: The Indian Supreme Court has the authority to examine court rulings in addition to executive and legislative actions. In order to make sure administrative actions adhere to constitutional standards, it might also assess them.
United States: The US Constitution places a strong emphasis on the division of powers, and judicial review is a vital instrument for preserving this equilibrium by making sure that the legislative and executive departments stay within their constitutional bounds.
India: The Indian Constitution permits a more adaptable and peaceful implementation of the concept of separation of powers, even if the country nevertheless maintains this structure. Compared to its US equivalent, the Indian Supreme Court has intervened more frequently in legislative and executive matters.
While judicial review in both countries may have differences in their legal frameworks and procedures, there are several similarities between the two systems:
SIMILARATIES
Both the United States and India have constitutional provisions allowing their judiciaries to assess the constitutionality of laws, presidential actions, and government decisions. In all countries, the judiciary serves as the final arbiter of constitutional conflicts, ensuring that the ideals enshrined in the respective constitutions are followed.
Both countries' Constitution guarantee fundamental rights, which are protected by judicial scrutiny. The judiciaries in the United States and India play an important role in protecting individual liberties such as free expression, equality before the law, the right to life and personal liberty, and protection against arbitrary state action.
In both the United States and India, the Constitution is regarded as the supreme legal authority. Judicial review guarantees that all laws, governmental activities, and policies adhere to constitutional provisions. Any law or conduct that violates the Constitution may be overturned by either court.
Both countries' judicial review systems are based on judicial independence. The judiciary is expected to operate impartially and without interference from the executive or legislative arms of government. Judicial independence is required to protect the rule of law and ensure the integrity of the judicial review process.
Due to important court rulings and well-established precedents, judicial review has evolved throughout time in both nations. Key rulings that have shaped the bounds of judicial review and established fundamental ideas that direct constitutional interpretation are Marbury v. Madison in the United States and Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala in India.
USA: There isn't a formal idea in the US that is similar to India's fundamental structural ideology. The language and tenets of the Constitution serve as the foundation for the United States Supreme Court's authority to invalidate legislation; there is no express prohibition for constitutional amendment.
India: Parliament's ability to change the Constitution is limited by the fundamental structure doctrine, which was established by the Indian Supreme Court in the 1973 case of Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala . It grants the judiciary the power to evaluate and declare unconstitutional any amendments to the Constitution that deviate from its core principles.
The Indian Constitution guarantees 'procedure established by law', while the American Constitution provides 'due process of law'. The Supreme Court's extensive ability to uphold the rights of its citizens is granted by the "due process of law," which distinguishes the two. It has the authority to declare laws that violate fundamental rights unconstitutional not only on substantive grounds, but also on procedural grounds, such as being unreasonable. When considering the constitutionality of a law, our Supreme Court considers solely the substantive matter, namely whether the statute is within the authority's powers or not. It is not expected to address the topic of its logic, suitability, or policy ramifications.
While judicial review is a valuable tool, it is not without limitations. Some of the constraints of judicial review in India include:
In conclusion, the comparative analysis of judicial review in both countries reveals both similarities and contrasts in the methods, scope, and issues confronting each system. While both countries use judicial review to maintain constitutional values and protect individual rights, their constitutional frameworks, historical evolution, and institutional dynamics differ significantly.
Judiciary supremacy and a robust system of checks and balances are longstanding traditions in the United States, which established the concept of implied judicial review in Marbury v. Madison. With an emphasis on protecting the fundamental rights protected by the Constitution, judicial review is widely applied in the United States, encompassing all tiers of government.
On the other hand , the Indian Constitution expressly permits judicial review, with particular clauses empowering the court to examine and invalidate laws that deviate from basic standards. From creating the basic structure theory to expanding the scope of fundamental rights protection through innovative remedies like Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Indian judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, has had a significant influence on the nation's legal environment. However, issues including judicial activity, challenges to enforcement, and the social and cultural milieu all affect how successful judicial review is in India.
To strengthen judicial review in both countries, several recommendations can be made:
The United States and India can full-fill their constitutional mandates to uphold the rule of law and protect individual rights in the twenty-first century by putting these recommendations into practice and fostering a culture of constitutionalism. This will also increase the efficacy, legitimacy, and public trust in their respective judicial review systems.
WEBLINKS
[1] 3 U.S. (3 Dall.) 171 (1796).
[2] 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803).
[3] Mohd Faiz Khan and Syed umam Fatima Hasan, Doctrine Of Judicial Review In Indian Constitution, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL SCIENCE AND INNOVATION, Volume 2 | Issue 3, 2020
[4] INDIA CONST. art. 13
[5] INDIA CONST. art. 32
[6] INDIA CONST. art. 132
[7] INDIA CONST. art. 226
[8] (1973) SCC (1) 249
[9] (1978) SCC (2) 248
[10] (1997) 6 SCC 241.
[11] (1994) 3 SCC 1
[12] (1975) AIR 1975 SC 2299.
[13] (2018) 10 SCC 1.
Authors: RISHAV
Registration ID: 102582 | Published Paper ID: 2582
Year :April - 2024 | Volume: 2 | Issue: 16
Approved ISSN : 2581-8503 | Country : Delhi, India