Top 30 Landmark Judgements of Supreme Court of India in 2019
Here’s a quick list of some landmark SC Judgments of 2019:
Joseph Shine v. Union of India (Section 497 IPC - Adultery)
Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (Right to Privacy – Aadhaar)
Sabarimala Temple Case (Entry of Women of all ages)
Rafale Deal Case (Transparency in Defense Procurement)
Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (Communication blackout in Jammu & Kashmir)
Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (LGBT rights – Section 377 IPC)
Nirbhaya Case (Death penalty review)
Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (Sabarimala verdict detailed)
S.P. Sampath Kumar v. Union of India (Reservation policies)
Vishaka Guidelines (Sexual harassment at workplace enforcement)
Ayodhya Verdict (Land dispute, though final verdict in 2019)
Tripura State Case (Forest Rights Act interpretation)
Sabarimala Review Petition
Ayodhya Land Dispute
CJI Appointment Case (Collegium system)
Motor Vehicle Act amendments
Freedom of Press – Right to Report PILs
Section 66A of IT Act Review
Environmental Protection – Ganga Pollution
Right to Education – Enforcement
Rape Laws – Amendments
Tribunal Reforms
Defamation Law – Truth as Defense
Freedom of Speech vs Public Order
Right to Fair Trial – Access to Counsel
Juvenile Justice Law
Death Penalty – Rarest of Rare Doctrine
Right to Dignity – Transgender Rights
Section 124A – Sedition Laws
Privacy in Digital Age
Let’s begin with 3 important ones — I’ll explain each with case law principles:
1. Joseph Shine v. Union of India (2019)
Issue: Constitutionality of Section 497 IPC (Adultery law)
Holding: Section 497 IPC, which criminalized adultery as an offense by the man against the husband of a married woman, was declared unconstitutional.
Reason: It violated Articles 14 (Equality), 15 (Non-discrimination on sex), and 21 (Personal liberty).
Impact: Adultery was decriminalized; adultery became a civil matter, not criminal.
Significance: Marked progress for gender equality and personal autonomy.
2. Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2019)
Issue: Communication blackout and internet shutdown in Jammu & Kashmir after revocation of Article 370.
Holding: Court held that freedom of speech and expression and right to carry on trade through the internet is a fundamental right.
Ruling: Any restriction must be judicially approved and proportionate.
Significance: Landmark on digital rights and internet freedom.
3. Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018 but impact in 2019)
Issue: Criminalization of consensual homosexual acts under Section 377 IPC.
Holding: Supreme Court read down Section 377 to exclude consensual acts among adults.
Significance: Landmark for LGBTQ rights and equality.
Constitutional principles: Right to privacy, dignity, and freedom under Articles 14, 15, and 21.
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