⚖️PRACTICES
“DEFENDING YOUR RIGHTS”
🏛️SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
- Date of Establishment: 28th January, 1950
- First Sitting: Chamber of Princes, Old Parliament House, New Delhi
- Replaced: Federal Court of India & Privy Council
- Chief Justice of India (CJI) & up to 33 Judges
- Appointed by President on Collegium’s recommendation
- Term: Until age 65
- Original: Inter-state & Gov-Centre disputes
- Appellate: Final appeal in civil, criminal, constitutional matters
- Advisory: On President’s query (Article 143)
- Review: May review its own judgements
- Writ: Enforce Fundamental Rights (Article 32)
- Guardian of Constitution (Judicial Review)
- Protector of Fundamental Rights (Direct Approach under Article 32)
- Ensures checks and balances between Legislature, Executive & Judiciary
- Proceedings in English
- Decisions binding on all courts (Article 141)
🏢 DELHI HIGH COURT
- Established: 31st October, 1966
- Created via: Delhi High Court Act, 1966
- Pre-1947: Under Lahore High Court (1919)
- Post-1947: High Court of East Punjab, Shimla
- Operated via Circuit Bench in Delhi, shifted fully by 1966
- Initially had jurisdiction over Delhi, Himachal Pradesh
- Chief Justice: K.S. Hegde
- Puisne Judges: I.D. Dua, H.R. Khanna, S.K. Kapur
- Present: 45 Permanent + 15 Additional Judges
📜 CALCUTTA HIGH COURT
- Similar establishment day & legacy as Supreme Court (1950)
- Composed of CJI and Judges (appointed by President)
- Judges serve until 65 years
- Original: Inter-state/central disputes
- Appellate: Highest civil/criminal/constitutional appeals in East
- Can issue writs for Fundamental Rights
- Enforces judicial review, protects rights, checks government action
- All proceedings in English
- Decisions binding on subordinate courts
🏛️ PATNA HIGH COURT
- Genesis: Bihar/Orissa separated from Bengal – 1912
- Foundation: 1 Dec 1913 by Lord Hardinge; Inauguration: Feb 1916
- First Chief Justice: Sir Edward Chamier
- Started: 1 C.J. + 6 Judges
- Now: 29 permanent, 14 additional Judges
- Supervises 37 judgeships in Bihar
- Issues writs for rights (Art. 226)
- Controls subordinate judiciary
🗃️ DISTRICT & SUBORDINATE COURTS
Delhi District Courts
- Tis Hazari Complex (Central, West)
- Karkardooma (East, North-East, Shahdara)
- Patiala House (New Delhi)
- Rohini (North, North-West)
- Dwarka (South-West)
- Saket (South-East, South)
- Rouse Avenue (Special matters)
Patna District Courts
- Principal District & Sessions Judge Court
- Sub-divisional Courts:
Patna Sadar, Patna City, Danapur, Masaurhi, Barh, Gaya, Darbhanga, Katihar, Arra, Gopalganj, Bhagalpur
Calcutta District Courts
- City Civil, City Sessions (Bankshall)
- Alipore, Barasat, Sealdah
- Sub-divisional and Consumer Courts
- Other districts: Hooghly, Howrah, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Small Causes, Kalimpong, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, Purulia, South Dinajpur, etc.
🏢 TRIBUNALS & SPECIAL COMMISSIONS
👨⚖️ Central Admin. Tribunal (CAT)
Resolves service matters for central govt. employees—set up under Admin. Tribunals Act (1985) for fast, affordable solutions.
🛡️ NCDRC
National apex commission for consumer issues. Jurisdiction: disputes over ₹10 crore. Hears appeals from state commissions.
🚄 Railway Claims Tribunal
Handles claims on railway losses, damages, or non-delivery. Also manages refunds and compensation disputes under Railways Act.
🏠 Bihar State Housing Board (BSHB)
Statutory body for affordable housing and urban development since 1972, focusing on low-income groups and urban planning.
💰 DRT & DRAT
Specialised tribunals for recovery of debts above ₹20 lakh. Empowered with strong recovery, arrest, and attachment powers. Appeals go to DRAT.
🌱 Bihar Land Tribunal
Fast-track justice in land disputes, vital for land reforms and safeguarding weaker, underprivileged sections. Under Bihar Land Tribunal Act, 2009.
👥 BSCDRC / District Consumer Commission
State and District-level consumer dispute commissions: dispose appeals, original cases, and promote consumer protection and quick redressal.
🏢 Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (REAT)
Appellate body under RERA Act. Hears challenges to decisions by Real Estate Authority or Adjudicating Officer in real estate sector.