Constitution law – 1

Objectives

The purpose of the course is to acquaint the students with the idea that the Indian Constitution is a normative Constitution with value aspirations. The Indian Constitution envisages establishing a justice system with legal technique. The basic postulates of the Constitution like Constitutional Supremacy, Rule of Law, and Concept of Liberty are emphasized in this paper. Exhaustive analysis of Fundamental Rights and a committed approach to Directive Principles would form the essence of the course.

UNIT – I

Constitution
  • Meaning & Definition of Constitution
  • Kinds of Constitution
  • Constitutionalism
  • Salient Features of the Indian Constitution
Preamble
  • Meaning
  • Scope
  • Importance
  • Objectives
  • Values enshrined in the Preamble
Citizenship
  • Modes of acquisition
  • Termination of citizenship

UNIT – II

State
  • Definition under Article 12
  • New judicial trends on the concept of State Action
  • Need for widening the definition
Definition and Meaning of Law
  • Pre-Constitutional and Post-Constitutional Laws
  • Doctrine of Severability
  • Doctrine of Eclipse
  • Judicial Review
  • Article 13
Equality and Social Justice
  • General Equality Clause under Article 14
  • New Concept of Equality
  • Judicial Interpretation on Equality

UNIT – III

Protective Discrimination and Social Justice
  • Articles 15 and 16
  • New Judicial Trends on Social Justice
  • Constitutional Provisions on Untouchability under Article 17
Right to Freedom
  • Freedom of Speech and Expression
  • Different dimensions:
    • Freedom of Assembly
    • Freedom of Association
    • Freedom of Movement and Residence
    • Freedom of Profession, Occupation, Trade or Business
  • Reasonable Restrictions

UNIT – IV

Rights of the Accused
  • Ex-post facto Law
  • Double Jeopardy
  • Right against Self-Incrimination (Article 20)
  • Rights of the Arrested Person
  • Preventive Detention Laws (Article 22)
  • Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21)
  • Various Facets of Life and Liberty
  • Right against Exploitation
  • Secularism
  • Freedom of Religion
  • Judicial Interpretation
  • Restrictions on Freedom of Religion

UNIT – V

Cultural and Educational Rights of Minorities
  • Recent trends
Right to Constitutional Remedies
  • Article 32 and Article 226
  • Kinds of Writs
Right to Property
  • Position prior to 1978
  • Present position
Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties
  • Interrelationship between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles