No strict separation of powers in India, says SC verdict

The theory that the courts cannot or do not make laws is a myth which has been “exploded a long while ago”, the Supreme Court asserted on Thursday.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice KM Joseph stated this as it ruled that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and ECs will be done by the President on the recommendation of a committee, comprising the prime minister, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India, to maintain the "purity of election".

Justice Joseph, while penning the verdict, gave illustrations where the top court had resorted to giving directions, which had the colour of a legislation, if there was a void in law or no legislation.

The judgement delved at length on the principles of separation of powers and judicial review as part of the basic structure of the Constitution.

It stressed that when a court declares a law or an amendment unconstitutional, it cannot be accused of transgressing the principle of separation of powers or not observing the limits set by the Constitution.

“The high courts and this court make rules under the power granted to them. No doubt, they will be acting as delegates of the legislature but the exercise of power in such cases would be legislative in nature," said the court.

"When an ordinance is made under Article 123 by the executive, that is, the Union of India, it is a case of the executive exercising legislative power. When Parliament adjudges a man guilty of contempt of itself and punishes him, the proceedings are informed by the attribute of judicial power,” it said.

“The theory that the courts cannot or do not make laws is a myth which has been exploded a long while ago,” the judgement said.

It said there was no “strict demarcation or separation of powers in India” as legislature and judiciary have been performing varying roles in a democracy.

Giving illustrations, the judgement said when Parliament summons and punishes a person for breach of its privilege then it is performing the role of the judiciary.

“It may be true that the resort to courts is not a remedy for all ills in a society...We are equally cognisant that the courts must not try to run a government nor behave like emperors,” it said.

It said the separation of powers is part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India.

“Equally, judicial review has been recognised as forming a part of the basic structure. Judicial review of legislation is expressly provided in Article 13 of the Constitution,” it said, adding, “A court when it declares a law made by the legislature as unconstitutional, if it be that, it is within its bounds, cannot be accused of transgressing the principle of separation of powers.”

Dealing with the court's power of judicial review, it said declaring even a law made by Parliament as unconstitutional forms a part of its powers.

“In view of the enunciation of the doctrine of basic structure in India unlike perhaps in most countries, even an amendment to the Constitution can be declared unconstitutional by the court. Such exercise cannot expose the court to the charge that it is not observing the limits set by the Constitution,” it said.

The theory of separation of powers in an ultimate analysis is meant to prevent tyranny of power flowing from the assumption of excess power in one source, it said.

“Judicial activism, however, must have a sound juridical underpinning and cannot degenerate into a mere exercise of subjectivism,” it said.