What is Article 137 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 137: Review of judgments or orders by the Supreme Court Subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament or any rules made under article 145,
📅 Part V – The Union
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📚 UPSC Relevant

Article Number

137

part

Part V – The Union

Status

Active

Full Definition & Explanation

Article 137 of the Indian Constitution gives the Supreme Court the authority to review its own judgments and orders. This means that if someone believes the Supreme Court made a mistake in its decision, they can request a review. The aim is to ensure that justice is served, allowing for corrections if necessary. This power is necessary for maintaining the integrity of the judiciary, as it helps address potential errors in legal interpretations and decisions. This article affects individuals and entities that have been involved in cases decided by the Supreme Court. It provides a legal avenue for parties to seek reconsideration of the judgments that might impact their rights or interests. There are exceptions, as reviews can only happen under provisions of laws made by Parliament or rules created under Article 145. This ensures that the review process remains structured and does not lead to endless litigation, which could burden the judicial system. In real-world scenarios, the review process can have major implications. For example, if a landmark judgment regarding property rights or human rights is challenged, a successful review can lead to changes in the law or legal interpretations. This can reshape the legal landscape and impact many lives. Thus, Article 137 plays a critical role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done.

Historical Context

This means that if someone believes the Supreme Court made a mistake in its decision, they can request a review. The aim is to ensure that justice is served, allowing for corrections if necessary. This power is necessary for maintaining the integrity of the judiciary, as it helps address potential errors in legal interpretations and decisions. This article affects individuals and entities that have been involved in cases decided by the Supreme Court. Article 137 of the Indian Constitution gives the Supreme Court the authority to review its own judgments and orders. It provides a legal avenue for parties to seek reconsideration of the judgments that might impact their rights or interests.

Key Features

– The Supreme Court can review its own judgments or orders.
– This power is subject to laws made by Parliament.
– Rules for reviews are established under Article 145.
– The review process helps correct judicial errors
– It ensures justice is served and maintained in legal proceedings.

Importance & Impact

– Judicial reviews can correct potential errors in Supreme Court decisions.
– It provides a chance for justice in major legal matters.
– Parties can seek reviews when their rights are affected
– This process contributes to the integrity of the legal system.
– It helps maintain public confidence in judicial decisions

Sample UPSC Question

Consider the following statements regarding Article 137 of the Indian Constitution: A) It allows the Supreme Court to review its own judgments. B) The review authority is unconditional and can be invoked anytime. C) The review process is governed by laws made by Parliament. D) Article 137 has been amended multiple times since 1950. Which of the statements is/are correct? A) Only A and B B) Only A and C C) Only B and D D) All of the above.

Answer

Answer: b) 1, 3 and 4 only Statement 1 is correct per Article 137. Statement 2 is wrong — review is available on three grounds: new evidence, error apparent on the face of the record, or other sufficient reason; not just new evidence alone. Statement 3 is correct — a curative petition follows a dismissed review. Statement 4 is correct — Rupa Ashok Hurra (2002) established the curative petition doctrine.

Key Takeaways

✓ Article 137 allows Supreme Court to review its decisions.
✓ The review process is governed by specific legal provisions.
✓ It helps correct judicial errors for better justice.
✓ Parties can challenge decisions that affect their rights.
✓ The review mechanism enhances trust in the judiciary.

FAQs

Article 137 of the Indian Constitution gives the Supreme Court the authority to review its own judgments and orders. This means that if someone believes the Supreme Court made a mistake in its decision, they can request a review. The aim is to ensure that justice is served, allowing for corrections if necessary.

There are exceptions, as reviews can only happen under provisions of laws made by Parliament or rules created under Article 145. This ensures that the review process remains structured and does not lead to endless litigation, which could burden the judicial system. In real-world scenarios, the review process can have major implications.

For example, if a landmark judgment regarding property rights or human rights is challenged, a successful review can lead to changes in the law or legal interpretations. This can reshape the legal landscape and impact many lives. Thus, Article 137 plays a critical role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done.

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Founder and Editor-in-Chief at StudyHub. Pramod has spent over 7 years tracking Indian government recruitments and analyzing exam trends. He oversees the StudyHub editorial board, managing a dedicated team of subject-matter experts across History, Polity, Geography, Geology, and General Sciences. His mission is to ensure that every job alert and study resource published on StudyHub is 100% verified, accurate, and helpful for competitive exam aspirants.
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