Page 220 - SST Class 08

are in accordance with the constitution. If the Marriage and divorce also fall under the original
orders or law is in violation of the constitution, jurisdiction of the High Court. Appeals from
the Supreme Court can declare them null or district courts in civil or criminal cases come to
void. the High Court.

JUDICIAL ACTIVISM SUBORDINATE COURTS
When cases are filed not necessarily by the The District Courts of India are the district courts
aggrieved person but by others because they are of the State governments in India for every
issues related to public interest, it is known as district or for one or more districts together taking
public interest litigation. The first public interest into account the number of cases, population
litigation was heard in 1779. Public Interest distribution in the district.
Litigation has now become very popular. Any They administer justice in India at a district level.
person can move the court on behalf of someone These courts are under administrative control of
who they feel has been wronged of someone or the High Court of the State to which the district
against issues of public interest, e.g., pollution concerned belongs. The decisions of District
caused by the plastic industries. court are subject to the appellate jurisdiction of
HIGH COURTS the High court.
High Court stands at the head of the State’s The provisions related to subordinate courts are
Judicial Administration. There are 21 High provided in the 6th part of the Indian constitu-
Courts in the country, three having jurisdiction tion. Articles 233-237 deal with the subordinate
over more than one State. Among the Union courts.
Territories, Delhi alone has a High Court of its LOK ADALATS
own. Other six Union Territories come under Lok Adalats were started for implementing cheap
jurisdiction of different State High Courts. Each and speedy justice to the poor. The first Lok
High Court comprises a Chief Justice and such Adalat met in 1985 in which 105 cases were
other Judges as the President may, from time to settled in a single day.
time appoint.
FIRST INFORMATION REPORT
Composition
You might have heard the term FIR, i.e., First
The High Court consists of the Chief Justice Information Report. It is very important because
appointed by the President in consultation with it has documents of the reports of the victim or
the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of witnesses. The FIR has to be filed at the police
the State. The number of judges varies according station in whose jurisdiction the offence has been
to the size of the State. The President appoints
committed. The person filling the FIR has to
judges of the High Court.
narrate the events correctly. Incorrect documen-
Term tation of FIR can change the entire case or
The Chief Justice of judges of the High Court weaken the case. It is for this reason that the
remain in office till the age of 62. Supreme Court issued certain directives regard-

Powers and Functions ing FIR. Some of these are:
Like the Supreme Court, the High Court has 1. The police personnel carrying out the arrest
original and appellate jurisdiction. A case related should bear clear indentification nametags
to fundamental rights is an original jurisdiction. with designation.

Social Science-8 220