YES is the answer, if it is for the
purpose of enforcement of the Fundamental Rights under part III of the
Constitution of India. In such a case, the Court cannot even decline to
entertain the Petition. It has to act upon it. This is because the Article 32
of the Constitution of India by which this Right to file the Petition directly
in the Supreme Court itself is a Fundamental Right under part III of the Constitution.
This Right cannot even suspended by ordinary laws. In other words, it is
mandatory for the Supreme Court to act upon it.
It is also true that the High Courts below
the Supreme Court are also equipped with similar power under Article 226 of the
Constitution. That power is also wider than the power of the Supreme Court in
the sense that it can be used not only for the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights,
but for other purpose too. Still the fact remains that the Supreme Court cannot
abdicate its duty under Article 32 on the ground that the person first not approached
the lower court. Otherwise the very purpose of Article 32 would be powerless and
purposeless.
(“A
FRAUD IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION” part of my autobiography detailing my crusade
against corruption/scams while in service. To know more go to the link: https://www.amazon.in/FRAUD-INDIAN-CONSTITUTION-M-P-JOSEPH-ebook/dp/B00SQKTADY and
enter “LOOK INSIDE” to read the free part.)
Further, the Writ jurisdiction of the
High Court under Article 226 is discretionary in nature, whereas the right to
remedy under Article 32 is compulsory in nature. Therefore, if the Supreme
Court declines to entertain the Petition for enforcement of the Fundamental
Rights under Art.32 only on the ground that the person concerned did not
approach the lower court, that itself become a violation of the Fundamental
Right of the person concerned. That is the reason why the founding Fathers of
the Constitution made the remedy to approach the Supreme Court of India under
Article 32 itself is made a Fundamental Right.
In spite of all these safeguards,
whether the Fundamental Rights are available to the poor illiterate majority
population of India?
Home Page: https://www.manjaly.net