Tag: legal studies

The high court is the highest court at the state level. Each High Court has jurisdiction over a state, a union territory or a group of states and union territories. Below the High Courts is a hierarchy of subordinate courts such as the civil courts, family courts, criminal courts and various other district courts. The High Courts are the principal civil courts of original jurisdiction in each state and union territory. 

A Judge of a High Court can be removed by the President on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity on an address of each House of Parliament. Such an address should be supported by a majority of the total membership of the House and by two-thirds of the members present and voting. 

The Constitution of India provides for a legislature in each State and entrusts it with the responsibility to make laws for the state. The State Legislature can make laws on the subjects of the State List and the Concurrent List. It can enact any bill on any subject of State List, which becomes an Act with the signatures of the Governor. Normally, the Governor acts as a nominal and constitutional head and as such follows the advice of the State Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers. But the state legislatures are not allowed to discuss conduct of any High Court judge.

The Calcutta High Court is the oldest High Court in India. It has jurisdiction over the state of West Bengal and the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Each High Court consists of a Chief Justice and such other judges as the President of India may appoint from time to time. Besides, the President has the power to appoint additional judges for a temporary period not exceeding two years; an acting judge when a permanent judge is absent or unable to perform his duties.

Writs can be issued for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights by both the Supreme Court and High Court. To enforce the Fundamental Rights, the Supreme Court is empowered under Article 32, to issue writs of various forms. The Article 226 empowers High Courts to issue directions, orders or writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari.

A Judge of a High Court can be removed by the President on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity'' on an address of each house of Parliament. Such an address should be supported by a majority of the total membership of the House and by two-thirds of the members present and voting. 

The High Court of Delhi was established on 31 October 1966. The High Court of Delhi was established with four judges. They were Chief Justice K. S. Hegde, Justice I. D. Dua, Justice H. R. Khanna and Justice S. K. Kapur.

The ‘Indian High Court Act’ of 1861, vested in Queen of England to issue letters patent to erect and establish High Courts of Calcutta, Madras and Bombay. The High Courts of Calcutta, Madras and Bombay were established by Indian High Courts Act 1861.

The Constitution of India provides for a High Court for each State. There are 24 High Courts in India, including those having jurisdiction over more than one State. Among the Union Territories, only Delhi has a High Court of its own.