Page 217 - SST Class 08
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The Judiciary
Democracies are characterised by the separation government because it safeguards the rights of
of functions and powers between the three citizens.
branches of government — the legislature, the
Supreme Court
executive and the judiciary. The three branches
check one another’s powers.
The judiciary is the third branch of the demo- High Courts
cratic government system. The judiciary inter-
prets the law, decides disputes and applies the
constitution in the name of the state. The judicial
Subordinate Courts
authority of the RSA is vested in the system of
courts as well as judges and magistrates who sit The courts help to ensure justice by giving
in these courts. punishment to the guilty. If there have been no
courts, people would take law and order into
their own hands leading to chaos. Courts settle
disputes, which arise among citizens and also
between citizen and state.
The courts deal with two types of cases, i.e., Civil
and Criminal. All the cases of theft, robbery,
murder, etc. comes under criminal cases.
Criminal Procedure Code provides that trials be
conducted publicly except in certain cases
involving state secrets. No person can be arrested
without warrants except in cases where delay
may cause problems.
The judiciary is tasked with ensuring equal justice
under the law. The branch must be strictly WHY DO WE NEED AN INDEPENDENT
independent, impartial and non-political as the JUDICIARY?
principle of the separation and balance of powers An independent judiciary is necessary so that
commands. judges can discharge their duties without pres-
The Indian judicial system is a single unified sure from the executive or the legislature. An
system. The constitution has provided for an independent judiciary does not mean that justice
independent judiciary headed by the Supreme is meted out arbitrarily. The judiciary has to
Court. Below which is the High Court and at the follow the Rule of Law. This means that the same
district level are the Subordinate Courts. The laws apply to all citizens. In other words, it means
judiciary is the most important organ of the Equality Before Law.
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