STATE OF KARNATAKA v.

UNION OF INDIA & ANOTHER

November 8, 1977

[M. H. BEG, C.J., Y. V. CHANDRACHUD, P. N. BHAGWATI, N. L.

UNTWALIA, P. N. SHINGHAL, JASWANT SINGH AND

P. S. KAILASAM, JJ.]

Constitution of India 1950-Art. 131-Scope of-Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Central Government under the Cornmissions of lr_iquiry 4ct, 1952 to inquire into allegations of corruption, favouritism and nepotlsm agaifl!t the Chief Minister of a State-Suit filed by the State under Art. 131-If main

tainable-Central Government, if could constitute a Commission of Inquiry against sitting Chief Mini.ster and Ministers of the State Government-Action of Central Government, if destructive of federal structure of the Constitution and distribution of powers betweell the Cen1re and the States-.ff subverts the principle of collective responsibility under which Ministers are responsible only to the State Legislature-If violates privileges of the menibers of the Assembly under Art. 194(3).

Co1n1nissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 validity of-Section 3-Scope of-If s. 3 ultra vires Part XI of the Constitution-Inquiry-Purpose and scope of- "Defintte matter of public importance" meaning of.

Article 131 of the Constitution of India provides that the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction in any dispute :- (a) between the Government of !ndia and one or more States; or (b) between Government of India and any State or States on one side and one or more other States on the other; or ( c) between two or more States if and in so far as the dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.

A memorandum alleging corruption, favouritism and nepotism against the Chief Minister of the State of Kamat.aka was submitted to the Union Homo Minister by certain opposition members of the State Assembly. The Chief Minister repelled the allegations as frivolous and pclitica.Ily motivated. By a notification dated May 18, 1977 .the State Government appointed under s. 3(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, a one man commission presided over by a retired Judge of the Karnataka High Court for inquiring into the allegations specified in the nOtification.

By notifica tion dated May 23, 1977, the Government of India appointed under s. 3(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, a one man commission presided over by a retired judge of the Supreme Court to enquire into the charges made agaimt the Chief Minister excluding "any matter covered by the notification of the Government of Karnataka". Thereupon, the State Qiovemment filed in this Court a suit under Art. 131 of the Constitution.

On the pleadings of the parties, three issues were framed by this Court. These \Vere : (1) Is the suit maintainable? (2) Is the impugned notification ultra vires the powers of the Central Government under s. 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 ?

(3) Even if the notification falls within sec. 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act is the section itself unconstitutional ?

It was contended on behalf of the plaintiff that : (I) the Central Govern ment has no jurisdiction or authority to constitute the Commission of Inciuiry in the purported exercise of its powers under the Act; (2) the action of the Central Government in appointing the Commission against the Ministers of the State Government is destrnctive of the federal strncture of the Constitution and the scheme of distribution of powers between the Centre and the States;

(3) under the Cabinet system of government the Council of Ministers is responsible to the Legislature for all its actions and the inquiry ordered by the Central Government against the State Ministers, while they are in office would subvert the principle of collective responsibility of Ministers to the Legislature;

(4) by virtue of Art 194(3) it is the privilege of the Assembly (and not of 1

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

[1978] 2 S.C.R. \{ A any other body) to appoint a Committee for inquiring into the conduct of ·,, any of its members; (S) interpretation of s. 3 of the 1952 Act in such a way as to empower the Central Government to appoint a Coion for inquiring into matters relating to any of the entries in List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution would make s. 3 itself ultra vires thet provisions of Part XI of the Constitution; and (6) r:.ince on the basis of the report the Central Government cannot take any action against the Ministers of the State Government such . a -Comm~~>ion cannot serve any . useful purpose. B

On the other hand, the 4.efendant (Central Government) raised preli:mi-

- nary objections as to the maintainability of the suit -on the ground that the appointment of such a Commission does not affect any legal right of the State; and-(2) also that the Central Government is competent to constitute a Com- . mission to inquire into a. definite matter of public importance, -(3) that, furthermore, its notification does not cover any of the matters mentioned in the State Government's notification, nam'!ly, the conduct of Afinisters of the State Government.:·

I , (Per majority_ Beg, C.J. Chandrachud, Bhagwati_ and K.ailasam, JJ) (Untwalia, Shinghal and Jaswant Singh, JJ dissenting) The suit is maintainable.

BEG, C. 1. l(a) The sUte concerned~ ~1hich challenges the validity of the action of.th~ Central Government against one or moie of its ~Iinisters in respect of acts involving exercise of its governmental powers, \\'Ould have sufficient interest to maintain a suit under Art. 131 because it involves claims to what appertains to the State os a "State."

[94 CD]

(b) The case involves consideration of the exercise of govemffiental powers \\'hich vest in the: Government of the State and its Ministers :is such l-'is-avis those of the Central Government and its 1\finisters. It also raises questions relating to the meaning and the ambit and the applicability of the particular provisions of the Constitution whose. operations are of vital inten:st to every State. Interpretations given to those provisions mu'it necessarily be of great concern to he Union as well.

[91 CD] ( c) The Union of India, acting through the Central Government. could be said to represent the v.1hole of the people of India. The individual States, act ing through their Governments and Ministers, could be said to represent the people of each individual State and their intere'its. When differences arise between the representatives of the State and those of the whole people of India, on questions of interpretation of the Constitution, \\'hich must affect the welfare of the whole people, and, particularly that of the people of the State concerned, it is too technical an argument to be accepted that a suit does not lie under Article 131 of the Constitution. [91 EFJ ·

(d) Article 131 can be invoked "\Vhenever a State and other States or the Union differ on a question of interpretation of the Constitution so that a. decision of it will affect the scope or ex,.erci.se of governmental powers which are attributes of a State. It makes no difference to the maintainability of the action if the pov:ers of the State which are executive, legislative, and judicial G are exercised through particular individuals.. [92 FGl .

(e) The distinction between the State and its Government is, 3.t the most.--- one -between the whole and an inseparable part of the whole.

It would be immaterial as regards claims on behalf of either the State or its Government whether the two are distinct juristic entities. Assuming that these are distinctly separate entities, the claim of the- Government wOUld be that of the 'State.

[91-.HJ

' (f) The fact thai th~ state aCts tbrou&h its Miniters r officials ot affoct the maintainability. of a c; uit under Art. 131 of the Constitution. ; .-\rticle

166(3)_ provides for allocation of the business of the Government an1ong the

~Ii('isters for "the more convenient transaction of the business". This implies that the State cannot act merely through its Govcmtnent as a "\vhole but also

' " ',

i ' a .,.,

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KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 3

tbrouih its intfoidual Ministers as provi:lcd by the rules.

Articles 166(3) and A 154(1), far from establishing any antithesis between the official capacity of a Minister and the State for which he acts, only show that, as a Minis fer, he "is an agent or a limb of the Government of the State and, therefore, he can be treated as an officer for purposes of Art. 154,(1).

The result is that a Minister's official acts cannot be distinguished from those of the State on whose behalf he acts. There is nothing in Art. 131 of the Constitution it.elf, to debar the State, which must always necessarily act through its officers or agents or Ministers, from suing the Central Government not only to protect one of its B dfficers, agents or Ministers from being proceeded against, by the Central Government, but to prefer its own claim to exclusive power to deal with him and this is what the plaintiff has done by means of the suit. [92 H; 93 DJ

State of Raiasthan v. Union of India A.l.R. 1977 S.C. 1361, King Emperor


The Governor-General in Council v. The Province of Madras, [1943] FCR C p. 1, United Provinces v. GovernorGeneral in Council, AIR 1939 PC 58,

Attorney~General for Victoriaat the Relation of Dale and Ors. v. The Commonwalth & Ors., 71 C.L.R. 237 and Attorney-General for Victoria (At the relation of the Victorian Chamber of Manufacturers) v. The Commonwealth 1933-1934 (2) C.L.R. 533 held inapplicable.

The Central Government's notification is valid.

[94 G)

2(a) A perusal of the tv.10 notifications sho\VS that while the State notification is meant to set up the commission which has to enquire whether the veil worn by certain transactions is correct in fo1m and covers it fully, the Central Government notification j5 clearly meant to enable the Commission appointed by it to tear down the veil of appareilt legality and regularity which may be worn by some transactions. It cannot be said that the two notifications would be covering "the same matter" as contemplated by proviso (b) to s. 3(1) of the Act. If the State notification is meant only to superficially scratch the -surface of the allegations made whereas the Central Government notification is meant to probe into the crux or the heart of what may or may not have gone wrong with the body politic in the State, this Court could not be too technical or astute in finding reasons to hold that the subject-matter of the two inquiries is substantially the same.

[36 G-H]

(b) Since the two notifications authorise inquiries into matters \Vhich are substantially different in nature and object, the inquiry of the Central Commission cannot be said to be barred by reason of the State Government notification under proviso (b) to s. 3 (!) of the Act even if, in order to deal with a substantially different subject-matter, central areas of fact or rules governing the transactions may be common.

If the objectives are different the examination of common areas of fact and Jaw for different purposes will be permissible. [39 Bl

3(a) The obvious intention behind the 1952 Act is to enable the machinery of democratic Government to function more efficiently and effectively.

It could hardly be construed as an Act n1eant to 1hv;'art democratic methods of Government. [44 El

(b) In all democratic countries when allegations and rumours circulate causing crisis of confidence in the integrity of public life or about other matters of public importance, it is essential that public confidence should be restored and this can be done only by thoroughly investigating and probing the rumours and allegations.

Such an inquiry might reveal either that the evil exists or that there is no force in the rumours. In either caseconfidence is restored. [40 H]

(c) In England; the Tribunal of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 was passed to displace the procedure of Select Parliamentary Committees which tilt then H

wr~ use? "tp investigat~ .aJleged ytrong doing in high places". Such a method of 111vct1gullon by a political Tnbun::i1 \vas found to be wholly unsatisfa1ctory fuecause such hod1es could never be free from party political influences. When

reports of these committees came to be debated in the House of Commons. the House was divided on party-lines and by a majority exonerated the minis~ ters from all blame. Therefore, investigation by a political tribunal on matters causing grave public disquiet had been discredited and the 1921 Act was passed for setting up some permanent investigating machinery.

Even in the United States, where the system of Congressional Committees is still in vogue, ad hoc tribunals (such as the Warren Commission) are appointed to avoid a matter being referred to Congressional Committees.

This clearly, shows that. in democratic countries, not only does modem practice but statute can provide for inquiries of the kind which are to be conducted under the 1952 Act. The proceedings of the Commission can only result in a report which is to be laid before the Legislature concerned under s. 3.i( 4) of the Act. The Act contains no provision for giving effect to the1 findings of the Commission or for enforcing any order which can be made by the C0mmission. t41 C-H; 44 EJ

4. The question whether a State Government or its Chief !\-1inister is or is not carrying out the trust which the constitutional po\ver places in the hands of a State Government and its head for the purposes of determining whether any exercise of extraordinary powers under Art. 356 is called for or not. is a matter which lay within the powers of the Central Government. What is contemplated by Art. 356 when it speaks of the "satisfaction" of the President fron1 a report of the Governor "or otherwise" whether a particular situation has arisen in which the Government of the State can be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution is a matter which would be of public importance. If the President deems it necessary to give the State Government or i~ Chief Minister an opportunity of being beard before an impartial Commission of Inquiry constit'uted under the Act, it could not be said that such a mode of exercise of power under Art. 356 is not fully covered by what i3

necessarily implied in the provisions of the Constitution, that is. the power to

on.l~r an inquiry for the. purposes of the satisfaction jCquired by Art. 356. [48 F-Hl

5(a) Provisions of either Art. 75(2) or Art. 164(2) cannot operate as bars against the institution of inquiries by Commissions set up under the Act. To infer such bars would be to misunderstand the object as well as the mode and s):lhere of operation of these articles as also the purposes, scope, and function - of Commissions to be set up under the Act.

[53 HJ

(b) The Council of Ministers, though theoretically <1ppointcd by the Gvvernor. is curlectively responsible to the Legblntivc Assembly of the State.

But ihis col!ecti>.e responsibility doe'i ot abrid,!!c or truncate the power of the Central Government to appoint a Commission under s. J of tho Act. Coltectivc responsibility has a scope and mode of operation which are very different from

those of an inquiry under s. 3 of the Act even thou, gh the same or similar matters may some times give rise to both.

Matters investigated under s. 3 of the Act may have no bearing on any collective responsibility.

The sphere of inquiry under s. 3 is very different from that in which collective resoonsibility functions.

While the obiect of collective responsibility is to make the whole body of Ministers collectively or vicariously responsible for acts of others even if an individual minister may not personally be responsible. the inquiry under s. 3 has been ordered by the Central Government to determine who is actuallv responsible for certain actions and what \vi11 be the motive behind them. [50 F]

(c) Inasmuch ns the Council of Ministers is able to stay in office only so long asit continues the support and confidence of a majority of the Members of the Legislature. the whole Council of Ministers is politica11y responsible forthe decisions and policies of each of the 1-finisters and of his department. S0 far as the Ministry's nnswerability to the Legislative Assembly is concerned, the \Vhole Ministry has to be treated as one entity.

The purpose of Art. 164(2). \\hich embodies this principle, is not to find out facts or to establish the actu<il

responsibility of a Chief Minister or anv other Minister or Ministers for particular decisions or governmental acts.

The principle of individual as well as collective miilisterial /responsibility can work most efficiently only when cases requiring proper sifting an~ evaluatin of evidence and isussion f q_u~_qons involved have ta-ken place 1n proceedings before a Con1n11ss1on appointed unaer s. 3 of lhe Act.

[51 F-G]

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 5

6(a) The only sanction for the enforcement of collective responsibility is the pressure of public opinion. In England, the principle operates as a matter of convention backed by political judgment, but for us, this principle is stated in our Constitution itself [Arts. 75(2) and 164(2)]. Nevertheless, here also it depends upon convention and public opinion, particularly as reflected in Parliament or in State Legislatures, for its effectiveness.

The principle, of coti.:.;.tive re,•.pcnsibility also exists &eparately J.1d independently from the IP.gal liability of a Minister holding anr office in the Union or a State Government. [52 HJ

(b) An investigation by a Commission of inquiry should facilitate or help the formation of sound public opinion.

A Minister's_ individual actions, however, do not bring into operation the principle of collective responsibility where his colleagues in the Government cannot reasonably be held guilty of dereliction or breach of any duty.

[53 C-D] Constitutional Law-Wade & Phillips 8th Edn. p. 87.

Constitutional and Administrative Law Prof. S. A. dt1 Smith, pp. 170-179 referred to.

7. A Commission of Inquiry has an orbit of action of its own within which it can move so as not to conflict with or impede other forms of action or modes of redress.

A Commission of Inquiry is meant to explore and discover real facts. It is neither a substitute for action in a court of law nor can its report or findings relieve courts of their duty.

The appointment of a Commission is generally a confession of want of sufficient evidence to take the matter to a court combined with an attempt to satisfy the public need and dre to discover what had really gone wrong and how and where, if po6Sible.

[53 G-H]

8. There is no force in the contention that Ministers answerable to the Legislature are governed by a separate law which exempted them from liabilities under the ordinary law. Articles 194 and 105' which deal with powe~. privileges and immunities of each House as well as its Members, do not apply to legislative powers of Parliament or of the State Legislatures. The "powers"

meant to be indicated in these Articles are powers which depend upon or are E necessary for the conduct of business Of each House. [57 B-C]

9(a) The Constitution could not mention and exhaust every conceivable topic of legislation and it is precisely to meet such a situation that Art. 248' read with Entry 97 was inserted. Therefore. Art 248 read with Entry 97 of List I will fully cover s. 3 of the Act even if Entry 94 c>f List I does not. The term 'constitutional law' can be neither clearly nor exhciustively defined.

Constitution could be expected to contain only the basic frame-work.r It is not a part of its nature to exhaustively deal with all ma.tters. It is well accepted F that nJt all ccnstitutional law need - b.~ written.

Ther~ can be no clear-cut distinction between what could or should and what could not or should not be comprehended within the bcxly of rule~ called _constitutional law. In practice, what is embodied even in a written constitution depends sometimes on the peculiar notions of a people. It reflects their views about what should be consideff!d so basic or fundamental as to find a place in the constitutional document.

To expect the content of the Constitution to be so all-embracing as to deal with every ccri.ceivable topic of legislation exhaustively so as to leave no roon1 for doubt is to expect the humanly impracticable, if not the impossible. The

. G most that could be expected from the human foresight of Constitution-maki; rs is that they should provide for the residual power of legislation which could cover topics on which Parliament or State legislatures could legis-late even though the legislation may not be easily assignable to any specific entry. Such a provision our Constitution-makers did wake. [61 H; 59 G-H; 61 B-C; D-El

(b) The term 'inquires' as used in Entry 94 of List 1 and Entry 45 of List III, without any limitations, is wide enough to _embrace every kind of inquiry, u: whether a criminal offence by any one is disclosed or not by facts alleged. "' Entry 45 in List Ill must include inquires tocover allegations against all persons which bring them within the sphere of Entry I of List III relatin~ to criminal law.

Alt that "inquires" covered by Entry 45 require is that they

-,_ -~-- . .---

J I ,.-' ·-

.\,'

ill

', '\ must be .. for the purpose -of any of the mati:ers specified in List II or List lll".

The language used " ...... any of the matters specified.• .. " is broad enough to cover anything reasonably related to any of the enumerated items even if done by holders of ministerial offices in the States. Other subjects will be

foun<; t in List II. Even assuming that neither Entry 94 -List I nor Entry 45 of list III v.:ouid cover inquires against 11inisters in the States,: relatin~ to act'\ connected \Vith the exercise of ministerial powers: Art. 248, read with Entry 97 of List 1~- n:usl necessarily cover an inquiry against r.Hnisters on matters of public importance, whether the allegations include violations of criminal law or not. A contrary view would have the whoHy unacceptable consequence of placing finisters in State Governments practically above the law. [63 CE] .

t_ __ (c)'Since the powei-sconfefrd by-s. 3 upon the Central and State Govern ments. including the PQ'o\'er to institute inquiries of the kind set up under each of the two Notifications. are covered by the express constitutional pro••isions. no question of any exclusion, either by necessary implication or by any principle supposed to form a part of or to flow from the basic structure of the Constitution, can arise here. Nor is it possible to so read down and interpret s. 3 of the Act as to exclude from its purview inquiries of the. kind instituted under the two notifications; To do so would' be to give an incentive to possible misuse and perversion of governmental machinery -and powers for objects not \\'arranted by law. Such powers carry constitutional obligations with them. They are to be exercised like the powers and obligations of tlustees who must not deviate from the purposes of their trusts. \Vhether a linhtcr has or h<ls not abused his powers and privileges could be bcSt detf'rmined by fair and honest people anyv..here only after a just and impartial inquiry hn.s taken place into co:r; nplaints made against him so that jts results are before them. {64 A-CJ

(d) There is no room for applying the rule Exprc.sio Ur.ius Est Excfr1jio

Altrius to exclude "''hat falls within an expressly provided legislative entry.

Before the principle can be applied at rill, the Courtmust find an exoress n1ode of doing something that is provided in a statute which, by its necessary implication, could exclude doing of that very thing and not something else in some other way. Far from this being the case here, the constitution-makers intendt:d to cover the making of provisions by. Parliament for inquiries for various - object5 which 1nay be matters of public importance V.'ithout any indications of any other limits except that they must relate to subjects found in the I.ist.- [64 }11

Coll1uhoun v. Brooks, [1888] Q.B.D. 52 @ 65 referred to.

(e)" The proposition that what is not specifically mentioned in the Consti tutlon must be deemed to be deliberately excluded from its purview so that nothing short of a constitutional amendment could authorise legislation upon it, is really to invent a "Ca.sus Omissus~ so as to apply the rule that. \\"here there is such a gap in the law, the Court cannot fill it. The rule, however. is equally clear that the Court cannot so interpret a statute as to produce a ca.sus omissus _where there is really none. If the Constitution itself provides for legislation to

fill what is sought to be construed as a lacuna, legislation seeking to it!.o this cannot be held to be void because it performs its .intended function by an exercise of an expressly conferred legislative power. l, n declaring the purpose of the provisions so made and the authority for making it~ Courts_ do not supply an omission or fill up .a gap at all. It is Parliament hich can do so and has~ done it. [65 A-BJ

The Mer; y Docks and HarbOur Board v. V. Hfnderson Brothers, [1888] 13 A.C. 595 @ 602 T'ferred to. ·

lO(a) "fhe \\'ritten Cotitution by its very nature as the embodiment of the fundamental law of the land makes it imperative for Courts to determine

th;.; meanings of_ its parts. in _keeping, with its broad. and hsi.; ur~, s :tnd objectives.

It nlust be read: as a v..holei and construed in keeping w1th _1ts decla- Ted objects and __ its fhctio~~. Although .the Courts. actiriJ?. in exerce of

judicial pov.'cr, may supplem\nt those parts where-the'Jetter of.the Constttut10:1 is silent or may leave room-: fo~ it'i development by either ordinary legislation _

...

KARNATAKA l'. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 7

'or judicial intcrprcta'tion, they cannot nullify, defeat, or dtrt the reasonably clear meaning of any part of the Constituion in order to give expression to some theories of their own about the broad or basic scheme of the Constitution.

This must be done with reference to the express provisions of the Consti:tution.

The dubiousness of expressions used may be cured by Courts by making their n1canings clear and definite,'. if necessary, in the Hght of the broad and basic purposes set before themsel.ves by th-: Constitution-makers. The power of judicial interpretation cannot extend to Jaying down what is in direct conflict with, express provisions of the. Constitution.

Nor can express provisions be curtailed by importing limits based on a_ mere theory of limitations on legis lative powers:~ [66 C-GJ ·

(b) In the matter of interpretation of the Constitution~ in a Jong line of decisions, this Court has held that where two constructions are possible, the Court shouldadopt that __ which will implement and discard that which .will stultify the apparent intention~ of the Constitution-makers, that the Court should adopt a construction which harmonizes rather than one which produces a conflict between its provisions, the construction which will ensure smooth and harmonious working of the Constitution and eschew the other which will lead to absurdity or give rise to practical inconvenience or make well-established provisions of existing law nugatory, that the plenitude of power to legislate, indicated by a legislative entry, has to be given as wide and liberal an interpretatiOn as is reasonably possible.

If a subject does not fall within a specificaily demarcated field found in List Il or List III, it would fall in List I,

apparently because of the amplitude of the residuary field indicated by Entry

97~ List I.

Legislative entries only denote fields of operation of legislative power which is actually conferred -by one of the articles of the Constitution.

This Court has also rejected argument -that the wide range given to Entry 97 of List I, read with ArL 248 of the Constitution, would destroy the federal structure of Our Republic.

On an application of_ a similar test. the powers. given to the Central Government by s. 3 of the Act, cOuld not be held to be invalid on the ground that the federal structure of the State is jeopardized_. [68 C;

E: 69 C; 70 B & DJ · - - A. K. Gopalan v. State of Madras

[1950] SCR 88 & 119 to 120.

State of Bi/lar v. Kame'shwar Singh. (1952] SCR 889 & 980.81, I. C. Go/aknath v. State of Puniab [1967] 2 SCR 762 @ 791, K. K. Kochuni "· State of Madras & Kera/a, [1960] 3 SCR 887 & 905, Mohd. Hanif v. State of Ei/1ar, [1959] SCR 629 @ 648, State of M.P. v. Ranojirao Shinde. [1963]

3 SCR 489, Prem--Chand Garg v. Excise Commissioner, U.P. [1963] Suppl. 1 SCR 885 @ 911 Deradasan v. Union of India, [1964] 4 SCR 680 @ 695, Kes-; ananda BT.arati v. State of Kerala, [1973] 4 SCC 225 @ 426, (=1973 Suppl. SCR !),

Sakal Papers (P) Ltd: v. Union of lndia, [1962] 3 SCR 842, lagannat/i Bklh

Singh v. State of U.P., [1963] 1 SCR 2,0 @ 228-229 and Union of lndie1 v.

R. S. Dhillon, [1972] 2 SCR 33 referred to. ( c) Whenever the doctrine of basic structure -- bas been expounded or applied it is only as a doctrine of interpretation of the Constitution as it actual- Jy exists and not of a Constitution which could exist only subjectively in the minds of different individuals as mere theories about what the Constitution is.

The doctrine did not add to the contents of the Constitution. It did not, in theory, deduct anything from what was there. lt only purported to bring out exrlain the meaning of what was already there. It \\'as~ in fact, used .by all • the Judges for this purpose with differing results simply because . their assessments or inferences as to what was part of the basic structure in the Coru.titution differed. This is the correct interpretation of the doctrine of the basic structure of the Constitution. It should only_ be applied if it is clear, beyond the region of doubt, that what is put forward as a restriction upon otherwise clear and plenary legislative power is -there as a Constitutional imperative. [ 86 G-HJ ·

(d) If thfa is the correct view about the basic structure, as a mode of interprctin6 the Constitution only, the so called federalism as a fetter on legislative

poV.'er must fin~ xpression in some expi:ess provision to be recognised by

Court~. A .ma1onty of Judges who decided the Keshvanand Bharati's case have not treated "federalism" as part of the basic structure of the Constitution and none of them ba.s discussed the extent of the "federal" part of this struc~ tu:-e. It h r.ot enough to point out Art. 1 of the Constituiion to emphasise that

SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1978] 2 S.C.Jt.

A our R<!public is a "Union" of States. The word "Union" was used in the

contex~ of the peculiar character of our federal Republic revealed by its express provisions.

One . has to find from other express provisions what this "Union" n1cans or what is th;! extent or nature of "federalism" implied by it. The Cons.titution itself does not use the word "federation" at all. It is not possible to ~1scover any such. fetter which could, by a necessary implication, preYent PaTliament from enacting s. 3 of the Act.

[87 B~D]

Per Chandrachud, l.

The preliminary objection to the maintainability of the suit ought to be rejected.

The proceeding brought by the State of Karna.taka is maintainable under Art. 131 of the Constitution.

[100 C~

(a) The jurisdiction conferred on the Supreme Court by Art. 131 of the Constitution should not b~ tested on the anvil of rules which are applied under the Code of Civil Procedure for determining whether a suit is maintainable.

A constitutional provision which confers exclusive jurisdiction on this Court to entertain disputes of a certain nature in th'! exercise of its original jurisdiction, cannot be equated with a provision conferring a right on a civil court to entertain a common suit so as to apply to an original proceeding under Art. 131 the canons of a suit which is ordinarily triable under s. 15 of the C.P.C. by a court of the lowest grade competent to try it.

The Constitution docs not describe a proceeding under Art. 131 as a suit but uses words nnd phrases commonly employed for determining the jurisdiction of a court of first instance to entertain and try a suit.

It does not Speak of a cause of action; instead it employs the word "dispute".

Above all, Art. 131 is a self-contained code on matters falling within its purview.

By the very terms of the Article, the sole conditiOn required to be satisfied for invoking the original jurisdiction of this Court is that the dispute l1ctween the parties, referred to in clauses (a) to (c) must involve a question on which the existence or ex1ent of a legal right depends.

[97 E-H]

(b) The quintessence of Art. 131 is that there has to be a dispute between the parties regarding a question on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.

A challenge by the State Government to the authority of the Central Government to appoint a Commission of Inquiry clearly involves a question on which the existence or extent of the legal right of the Central Government to appoint the Commission of Inquiry depends and that is enough to sustain the proceeding brought by the State under Art. 131 of the Constitution. Tlie Constitution has purposefully conferred on this Court a jurisdiction \vhich is untrammelled by considerations which fetter the jurisdiction of a court of first instance which entertains and tries suits of a civil nature.

The very nature of the dispute arising under Art. 131 is different both in form and substance from the nature of claims which require adjudication in ordinary suits. [98 B-DJ

(c) Part XI of the Constitution is devoted specially to the delineation of 1elations between the Union and the States. The object of Art. 131 is to provide a high powered machinery for ensuring that the Central Government and the State Governments act within the respective spheres of their authority and do not trespass upon each other's constitutional functions or powers.

Therefore a challenge to the constitutional capacity of the defendant to act in an intnded n1anner is enough to attract the application of Art. 131 particularly when the plaintiff claims that right exclusively for itself. [98 F-GJ

(d) A procedi.ng under , Art. 13,1.stans ii! sarp contrat with an ordinary civil suit.

While in an ordinary c1v1l suit re1ectton of a nght asserted by the defendant cannot correspondingly and of its own force establish the right claimed by the. plaintiff, proceedings under Art. 131 are adjudicatory of the limits of constitutional power vested in the Central or the State Governments.

Jn a civil suit the plaintiff has to succeed on the strength of his own title; the competition in a proc_eeding undr Art~ '131 , is. beteen t'"'.o or D!Ore Gvern ments. There is no third ltema~1vc a~ 1n :i. civil Sl}tt wherein the nght cla1iped

by the plaintiff may reside neither 1n htm nor tn the defendant but 1n a stranger. A demarcation and definili0n of constitutional power between the

-,..

' I

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 9

rival claimants and restricted to t!zeni and tfiem alone is \Vhat a proceeding A under Art. 13 J necessarily involves.

[98 H & 99 A-C]

(e) There is no force in the defendant's contention that if a State Govern inent challenges the constitutional rights! .of the Central Government to tk~ a particular course of action, Art. 131 will not be attracted.

The contention -0f the State Government is not only that the Central Government has no power to appoint the Inquiry Commission for enquiring into the conduct of State

Ministers but that such right is exclusively vested in the State Government.

B There is, therefore, not only a denial of. the right. claimed. by t!'e Central Government but an assertion that the nght exclusively resides 1n the State Government. [99 D-E]

State of Rajasthan v. Union of India A.I.R. 1977 S.C.J. 361 referred to,

(f) A writ under Art. 226 is hardly a substitute for a proceeding under Art. 131. A dispute between one or more States or bet\veen the Government Qf India and a State on the one hand and another State or other States on C the other, cannot properly be decided by a High Court under Art. 226. Moreover disputes of the nature described in Art. 131 being usually of an urgent natue should be decided by this Court to obviate dilatoriness of a possible appeal.

Tue original proceeding is decided once and for all by this Court.

[100 A-BJ

2. The notification issued by the Central Government is within the scope of s. 3 (!) of the Act. The objection of the State Government that it offends against cl. (b) of th' proviso to s. 3(1) of the Act is factually unfounded D and theoretically unsound. [114 F; 10 I HJ

(a) It is wrong to contend that the Central Government has appointed the Comn1ission of Inquiry for the purpose of inquiring into the same matter into which the Commission of Inquiry appointed by the State Government is directed to inquire. [IOI El

(b) Considering the terms of the notifications issued by the State Government and the Central Government and the matters into which the respective E Commissions are directed to inquire, it is obvious that the obiect and purpose of the two inqciries is basically different The primary object of the Stare Government in appointing the commission is to ascertain whether imorooer or excessive payments were made, undue favours were shown, irregularities or fraud had occurred in the conduct of official business etc; and secondly to find out as to who are "the persons responsible for the lanses, if any, regarding the aforesaid and to what extent".

On the other hand, the Commission appointed bv the Central Government is specifically directed to inquire 11whether

lhe Chief Minister practised favouritism and nepctism" in regard to various F matters mentioned in the notification.

[IOO G; IOI D-E]

( c) Moreover, it is hardly ever possible that the State Government will appoint a Commission to inquire into actci of corruption, favouritism and nepotism on the part of its Chief Minister. [IOI G]

3(a) On a plain reading of s. 3(1) of the Act, it is impossible to hold that the section cannot be construed as authorising the Central Government to appoint a Commission of lnquirv for the purpose of inquiring into the conduct of a sitting Minister of a State Government. [l 02 BJ

(b) Section 3 ( 1) cannot be S?iven a restricted meaning. There is no justifica- Hon for readin_g down the provisions of the section to limit the. power of the Central Government to appointing a Commission of Inquiry for inquiring into the con.duct of persons in relation to matters concerning the affairs of the Union Government only. The section empowers the Central Government to appoint a Commission: for making an inquiry into any definite matter of public importance.

It is inarguable that the conduct of Ministers of State Governments in the purported discharge of their official functions is not a definite ma1ter of public importance .. Further, it cannot bo said that the Central Go\'trnment does not even possess the power to collect facts in regard to

A allegations of corruption made by a section of the State Legislature against sitting l\linisters of the Sta.te Governn1ent.

[102 E~F]

(c) The argument thats. 3(1) will offend against the principle of collective responsibility unless it is construed narrowly is without substance. Whatever may be the findings of the Commission of Inquiry, the Council of Ministers Vvhether at the Centre or in the States, continues to be collectively answerable or accountable to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly.

Neither the appointment of the Commission nor even the rejection by thc:t Commission of all or any of the allegations referred to it for its inquiry would make the Council of Ministers any the less answerable to those bodies. The object of Articles 75(3) and 164(21 of the Constitution is to provide that for every decision taken by the Cabinet each one of th~ Ministers is responsible to the Legislature concerned. It is difficult to accept that for acts of co1ruption, nepotism or favouritis1n which are alleged by members against an individual Minister, the entire Council of Ministers can be held collectively responsible to the Legislature. If an individual Minister uses his office as an occasion or pretence for committing acts of corruption, he would be personally answerable for his unlawful acts and no question of collective responsibilit~ of the Council of Ministers can nrise in such a case.

[105 C; 103 F-H]

(d) The essence of collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers is that the Cabinet is responsible to the Legislature for every action taken in any of the ministries.

In other words the principle of collective responsibility governs only those acts which a Minister performs or can reasonably be said to have performed in the la\vful discharge of his oflicial functions. l104. B]

A. Sanjeel'i l\1aidu etc. v. Stale of Atadra.1 & Anr., [1970] 3 SCR 505, 512 referred to.

(e) In lhe llb:-:u1ce of a specific provision in the consruiion t!J~1t ; lie conduct of a member of the Legislature shall be inquired into by the Legislature only, It is impossible to hold that the appointment o~ a Commisslon of Inquiry under the Act constitutes interference with the privHeges of the Legislature. English precedents relating to the privileges of the House of Commons which are relevant under Art. 194(3) do not support th~ State's contention. [105 0]

(f) The po\ver conferred by Parliament on the Central (Jovernment to appoint a Commission of Inquiry under s. 3 ( 1) of the Act for the purpose of finding facts in regard to allegations of corruption, favouritism and nepotism against a sitting Chief Minister or Ministers cannot be held to constitute inter~ ference with the executive functions of the State Government or that it confer~ on the Central Government the power to control the functions of the State executive.

[109 F-G]

(g) i\n examination of the provisions and scheme of the Act shows that a Commission appointed under the Act is purely ·.a fact finding body \Vith no power to pronounce a binding or a definitive judgment. The larger interest of the community requires that sensitive matters of public importance should be enquired into by a high-po\Vercd Commission whose findings can command the confidence of the people. If, on receipt of the report, the Central Government decides to take any action. the validity thereof may have to be decided in the light of the contitutional provisions. But, until that stage arrives, it is difficult to hold that the Central Government is exercising any control or supervisory jurisdiction over the executive functions of the State.

[108 B-C]

(h) The impugned Act cannot b~ held to suffer from ;.vant of legislative competence in the Parliament to enact it.

Entry 94 of List I, Entry 45 of List fl! and failing these, Entry 97 of l.ist I must sustain the Act. [112 Bl

(i) In Shri Ra1n Krishna Dalniia v. Shri Justice S. R. Tcndo!kar and other.:1 this Court held that Parliament had the legislative competence to pas.;; the law under Enny 94 of Lis~ I and Entry 45 of List m of tho Seventh Schedule. The word "Inquiries" occurring in the two Entries must be held to cover the po\ver to

pa&s an Act providing for appointment of CommiS!ions of Inquiry.

Since

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.)

I 1

the power to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of sitting M1n1sters of State Governments does not offend against the principle of collective responsibility or against the privileges of the Legislative Assembly, and,

ince it does not also confer on the Central Government the power of control over the State executive, the provision must be held to be a valid exercise of the legislative competence of the Parliament.

[111 BC]

Shri Ram Krishna Dalmia v. Shri Justice S. R. Tendolkar & Others, [1959] SCR 279, 293 approved.

M. V. Rajwade v. Dr. S. M.

Hassan & Ors., AIR 1954 Nag. 71 and • Brajnandan Sinha v. Jyoti Narain, [1955] SCR 955, 975 referred to. '

(j) Entry 97 is in the nature of a residuary entry and the words "any other matter" which appear therein, mean "any matter other than those enumerated in List I". If entry 94, List I does not cover the Act, inquiries of the nature contemplated by the Act wilJ fall within the description "any other matter" occurring in entry 97 of List I. If entry 45 of List III and the vvhole of the

State List are to be kept out of consideration, the Act will relate to "a matter not enumerated in List IT or List III."

[111 G]

(k) The contention that by empowering the Central Government to appoint a Commission for inquiring into the conduct of the sitting Ministers of the

State Government, Parliament }las legislated, on the Centre-State relationship

\.\hich is a constitutional subject, is without any force.

The Act merely empowers the Central Government to appoint a Commission of Inquiry for col ...

lccting facts with a view to informing its own mind and the report of the Commission is not binding on any one. If a law is within the legislative competence of the legislature, it cannot b~ invalidated on the supposed ground that it has added something to, or has supplemented, a constitutional provision so long as the addition or supplementation is not inconsistent with any provision of the Constitution.

[113 A; 112 F-G; 114 C-D]

(1) Not only that the pith and substance of the Act is "inquiries" but it does not even incidentally encroach or trespass upon the constitutional field occupied by Part XI. If it does not touch the subject matter of Centre-State relationship, there is no question of its impinging upon a subject dealt with by the Constitution. Even assuming that legislation on the question of Centre- State relationship is impliedly barred, the impugned Act does not fall within the vice of that rule and cannot, therefore. be pronounced as unconstitutional. [113 Hl

Per I!hagwati, J. concurring

The suit filed under Art. 131 of the Constitution by the State of Karnataka against the Union of India iS maintainable. (122 BJ F

1. The State would have locus to challenge unconstitutional exercise of power by the Central Government which encroaches upon State:s exclusive sphere in relation to the conduct of its Council of Ministers.

By reason of proviso (a) to s. 3(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, it could challenge the impugned action of th.e Central Government because it prevents the . State from exercising its power to direct inquiry into matters specified in the notification, issued by the Central Governn1ent. [121 HJ

2. (a) The claim of the State that its Legislature and Govrnment alone have power to investigate and control misuse of governmental power by the Chief Minister and other Ministers of the State and that Central Government has no power to enquire into the same or to set up a Commission of Inquiry for that

purpos~. clearly raises a 1ispute as to he extent of the power of the State and the. existence of a supenor or co-ordinate power in the Central Government to tnq?ire into. the conduct of the Chief Minister and other Ministers of the State in the discharge of their governmental functions. Such a dispute con~ cerns the content of the respective powers of the State and the Union of India and the inter se relationship between the two entities and the State is vitally tcteres!ed in it.. The. State i~ very much concerned whether the conduct of its Council of Ministers 1n the discharge of governmental functions can be enquired

2-1042SCil77

into only by itself through its own agency or can be subjected to scrutiny by the Union of India. The State would have locus to say that the Union has no right to encroach upon its exclusive power to investigate into misuse of governmental power by its Council of Ministers. Apart from the Council of Ministers, the State can also competently make a claim that the Council of Ministers, acting on its behalf, is immune from subjection to the power af the Central Government to enquire into their conduct as Ministers. This immunity claimed in respect of the Council of Ministers can be ascribed to the State and the State can raise a dispute touching upon the existence of this immunity. [121 B-E]

Attorney-General for Victoria v. The Commonwealth, 71 C.L.R. 237 and Attorney-General for Victoria v. The Commonwealth, 52 C.L.R. 533 referred to.

(b) The two limitations in regard to a dispute which can be brought before the Supreme Court under Art. 131 are: parties and subject matter.

The object of the Article is that since in a federal or quasi-federal structure disputes_ may arise between the Government of India and one or more States or between two or more States, a forum should be provided for the resolution of such disputes and that forum should be the highest court in the land.

Article 131 is attracted only when the parties to the dispute are the Government of ludia or one or more States arrayed on either side. The limitation as to sub .. ject matter is contained in the words "if and in so far as the dispute involves any question whether of law or fact on which the existence or e:Xtent of legal right depends" which indicates that the dispute must be one affecting the existence or extent of a legal right and not a dispute on the political plane not involving a legal aspect. [115 G-H]

State of Rajastlian v. Union of India, A.l.R. 1977 S.C. 1361 referred to. ( c) There are two fallacies in the argument based on the distinction bet- \Veen State and State Government : one in dra"'ing a rather rigid, \vater-tight distinction between State and State Government and the other in assuming that it is only where the legal right of the plaintiff is infringed that the suit can be maintained under Art. 131. [117 B-D]

(d) Although theoretically a distinction exists between State and State Government (and this finds recognition ins. 3(58) and s. 3(60) of the General Clauses Act, 1897) constitutional authorities have pointed out that the distinction is analogous to that between a given human individual as a moral and intellectual person and bis material physical body.

By the term 'State' is understood the political person or entity which possesses the law-making right and by the term 'Government' is understood the agency through which the will of the State is formulated, expressed and executed. The Government thus acts as the machinery of the State and those who operate this machiner}' act as the agents of the State. Again, the State itself is an ideal person, intangible, invisible and immutable and the Gove1nment is its agent. Jf the State Government is the agent through which the State expresses its will, the State cannot be said to be unconcerned when any right or capacity or lack of it is attributed to the State Government.

It would be \\'holly unrealistic to suggest that since the State Gove1 nment is distinct from the State, any action or capacity or Jack of it in the State Government \\'Ollid not affect the State and the State would not be interested in it.

To do this would be to ignore the integral relationship between the State and the State Government.

Any action \Vhich affects the State Government or the Ministers in their capacity as ministers would raise a matter in which the State would be concerned. [117 D-H]

(e) When any right or capacity or lack of it is attributed to any institution or person acting on behalf of the State, it raises a matter in which the State is involved or concerned. The State would, in the circumstances. be affected or at any rate, interested if the Chief Minister and other Ministers in their caPacity as such that is in the matter of discharge of their official functions,,. are sub1ected to unconstitutional exercise of power by the Central Government.

If the Central Government were to issue a direction to the Chief Minister and other Ministers to exercise the executive power of the State in a particular 1!1-an.ner, the State would. be clearly a!fected. if . such Oireclion is unconstttut1onal and would be entitled to compl!!.1n against it. If

• I

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 13

the Central Government proceeds without aily constitutional authority to A enquire how the executive power of the State is exercised by the Chief Minister and other Ministers and whether it is exercised in a proper manner, the State would clearly have a locus to challenge the unconstitutional action of the Central Government. [ll8 B-GJ '

(f) It is not a sine qua non of the applicability of Art 13 l that there should be infringement of some legal right of the plaintiff before it can institute a suit under the Article. What the Article requires is that the dispute B must be one which involves a question "on which the existence or. extent of legal right depends". The legal right may be that of the plaintiff or of the defendant. In other words, what isi necessary is_ that the existence or extent of the legal right must be in issue in the dispute between the parties. [118' HJ

(g) Article 131 does not lay down any particular mode of proceeding for exercise of the original jurisdic-tion conferred by it.

Although the Supreme Court Rules contemplate that the original jurisdiction of the Court under this Article shall be invoked by means of a suit that is not the requirement of the C Article. While interpreting the Article one is perhaps unconsciously influenced to import the notion of cause of action which is germane in a suit and read this Article as limited only to cases whe.re some legal right of the plaintiff is infringed and consequently it has a cause of action against the defendant.

But there-is no reference to a suit or cause of action in Art. 131. That Article confers jurisdiction on the Supreme Court with reference to the character of the dispute which may be brought before it for adjudication. The requirement of cause of action, which is so necessary in a suit, cannot be imported 1'hile construing the scope and ambit of Art 131. [115 E & 119 B-CJ D

(h) The only requirement necessary for attracting the applicability of Art. 13 I is that the dispute must be one involving any question "on which the existence or extent of a legal right" depends irrespective of whether the legal right is -claimed by one party or the other and it is not necessarv that some , legal right of the plaintiff should be infringed before a suit can be brought under that Article. [119 E-FJ

(i) The word "right" is used in Art. 131 in a generic sense _and not accordinJ? to its strict meaning.

A right in its narrow sen~ con<; titutes the correlative of duty but in its generic sense includes not only right stricto .rensu but ''any advantage or benefit conferred upon a person by a rule of Jaw.'' The word "right" has four different meanings: (i) Right stricto sensu: (ii) liberty; (iii) power; and (iv) immunity. In its strict sense 'right' is defined as interest which the law protects by imposing corresponding duty nn otlurs. "Liberty" is exemption from the right of another and its correlative is "no ril!ht"; "power" is ability to change the legal relations of another and its correlative is liability. "Immunity" is exemntion from the legal p-Ower of another and its correlative is disability. [119 H & 120 Al

(j) The word 'right' is used in Art 131 in the generic sense, lf the State claims to be entitled to legislate exclusively on a particular matter on the ground that it falls within List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution

and the TJnlon of Tndia qu 0 stions this right of the State, the dispute would be

one relating, not to any right of th~ State in the strict sense of the term. but G to the 'liberty' of the State to legi"'late on such matters and it would come directly within the terms of Art. 131.

ETen a di,.pute relating to the vower of the Union of India to abolish the legiMatitve assembly of a. State or tu dissolve it would fall \vithin the scope and 3rnbit of Article 131. [120 C-D]

State of Rilia•than v, Union of lndi•. AJ, R, 1977 S, C, 1361, Artomey- General for Victoria v.

The Co1nmonweal1h. it C.L.R. 237 and AttorfleY- General for Victoria V, The Commonwealth, 5! CLR 533 referred to, ·

Untwa!ia, Shinghal aod Jaswant Sineh, JL (Dissenting)

The suit is not maintainable, [126 DJ

. . (a) The S_tate by itself is an ideal person, a legal entity, unchangeable, 1nvIS1ble and immutable.

The Government is the agency through which the will of the State is forn1ulated, exprcs5ed and executed. [123 El

(b) In relation to the existence of a dispute between the Union of India on the one hand and one or more States on the other, the expression used

n Art. 13_1 for the former is Government of India signifying that the dispute may be with the Government of India but the other party to the dispute must be the State oilly and not any limb of the State, n<lmely, the executive, the legislature or the judiciary. Article 300 of the Constitution which states that the Government of I n<l.ia may sue or be sued by the name of Union of India and the (Tovernment of a State may sue or be sued by the name of the State is only an enabling provision. /\.n ; nroad upon the right of the Government n1ay, in certain circu1nstances, be an inroad upon the legal right of the State, and if there is any invasion on the legal right of a State the agency through which action will be commenced, may be the Government of the State. Article 300 n1crely nrescrihes the n1ode of describing a party to the suit. But the real ans\ver to the maintainability of the suit is to be found from Art. 131 itself.

[123 F-0]

(c) Article 131 does not specifically state whose legal riµht the question involved in the dispute must relate to and in \Vhat respect.

To say that for the application of the Article it is sufficient that the plaintiff questions the.

legal or can5titutional right asserted by the defendant may not be correct.

Ordinarily and generally in any suit the competition is between the legal right of the plaintiff and the defendant.

But primarily the plaintiff has to establish his legal right to succf'ed in the suit.

If the defend.'lnt establishes his legal right, the suit fails.

If either party -fails to establish the legal right, yet the suit fails because the p1antiff cannot succeed unless he establishes his legal right The expres'.'=ion "the exitcnce or extent of a legal right' 11sed in Art. 131 is meant to bring about this result.

It was neither necessary nor advisable to state further in the Article that the dispute must involve any question on which the legal right of the plaintiff must depend. [124 B; E-Fl

(d) It is \\'ell-established that a Minister is an officer subordinate to the Governor. The enquiry set up in this case is not against the State or the State Government, but against the Chief Minister and other Ministers to whom it is open to move the High Court under Art. 226 of the Constitution and the High Court \Vould then have referred the auestion of vires of the Act to the Supreme

Court under Art. 131A.

But, that in no way entitles the State to invoke the original jurisdiction of the Supre1ne Court under Art. 131.

[125 A.-B1


(e) There is no force in the contention that it is only the State Government and not the Central Government which has the right to order an enquiry under s. 3. There may be competition between the power of one authority. (Central Government) and another (State Government), but unless the power exercised by one authority brings about a dispute impinging upon the legal right of the other party, the latter cannot come under Art. 131 and say that merely because it was within its power to do so, its legal right is affected by the illegal , exercise of the pov.•er by the other party.

The exercise of power must directly or by necessarv imnlication affect the legal riht of the other party.

Suppose for example. if Parliament passes a law under Entry 8 (intoxicating liquors) in List II and in pursuance of that law, makes an order against a resident in a State, the order is bad as having been issued under an invalid law made by Parliament.

The State Government. in such a case, cannot file a suit under Art. 131 merely because the order had been made against its resident under a law which encroached upon the legislative field of the State.

In the instant case, the c0ncrned ministers can challenge the impugned notification but the notification can in no way be said to hav~ affected or restrained the State Government from gi\'1ng effect to its notification. [125 B; DG]

• I

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.)

I 5

(f) Moreover, if a restricted meaning were not to be given to the scope of A the suit which can be filed under Art. 131 very anomalous results may follow.

Any action taken by the Central Govefnment under the Act or otherwise q.gainst any citizen residing in or an officer of a State, could be challenged by institution of a suit under Art. 131 by the State on the ground that the action of the Central Government is ultra vires and without any legal right.

A Minister, being an officer of the State, the order affecting him cannot confer a right of suit on the State under Art. 131. [126 B-CJ

(Concurring with the majority)

2(a) There is no justification for reading down the provisions of the Act nor are the provisions constitutionally invalid on any account. [137 CJ

(b). The Indian Constitution is not. federal in character, but has been characterised as quasi-federal in nature.

Even though the executive and legislative functions of the Centre and States have been defined and distributed, there runs through it all a thread or rein in the hands of the Centre in both the fields.

Apart from the exclusive legislative power of the Centre and the States, both have concurrent powers of legislation in regard to the entries of List III.

The residuary power lies with the Parliament (Art. 248, Entry 97 of List I).

Parliament has a predominant hand in respect of matters in the concurrent list (Art. 254).

In certain circumstances. Parliament has power to legislate on matters in the State List (Articles 249, 250, 252 and 253).

Article 256 provides, inter alia, that the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of such directions to a State as may appear to the Government of India to be necessary for that purpose.

There are also other important features which demonstrate the weak federal structure and the controlling hand of the Centre over the States. . The Governor is appointed by the President and holds office at his pleasure. He reports to the Centre from time to time about the administration of the State. Entry 45 in List III empowers the Parliament to legislate on the subject of inquiries. for the purpose of any of the matters specified ill List II.

Parliament has power to admit , into the Union, or establish, new States (Art. 2) and can make a law for the formation of new States and alteration of areas and boundaries if existing States (Art. 3). [128 A-D; 129 C.E]


(c) The law made under Entry 45 of List III can cover an inquiry in matters like corruption, nepotism or mal-administration in any executive action of the State Government. Such an enquiry neither interferes with the legislative power of the State nor With its . executive action.

An inquiry under the Act by a Commission appointed thereunder, which is a fact finding body, is

for the purpose of finding the facts.

It cannot be said that a Comrnission appointed by the Central Government under the Act cannot be appointed for f fiil.ding facts in relation to the allegations made against a Minister of a State. '

[131 B-CJ

(d) In an enquiry set up under the Act, there is no prosecution, no framing of a formal charge, no accused before the Commission of Inquiry and there is no exercise of any supervisory or disciplinary jurisdiction by the Central Government against the State Government nor is there any usurpation of any executive function of the State. The Centre is concerned with and interested only in knowing and ascertaining facts as regards the allegations made against G a Chief Minister, Minister or any other officer o.f the State Government. [132

A-B; CJ

(3) It may be true to say that the. Ministers of the State Government are not under the disciplinary control of the Central Government.

But it would be incongruous and anomalous to say that it is only the State Government which is competent to appoint a Commission of Inquiry against itself or its Ministers. It is not likely that the Ministers, while remaining in office, would set up Commissions of Inquiry for enquiring in:o their alleged _misdeeds even if it is assumed that thi'i is possible, it does not lead to the conclusion that their H power i~ exclusive and excludes the power of the Central Government under the Act. There is nothing in the Constitution to indicate that the power of the State Legislature or the State Government is exclusive. It may be co-extensive

and such a situation is postulated and provided fo11 in the proviso to s. 3 ( 1) of the Act.

There is nothing in the Act or the. Constittuion which excludes the power of the Central Government to set up a Commission of Inquiry for find~ ing facts in regard to the nlJeged n1al-administration of the State.

After ascertaining the facts, further action may follow in accordance with. the provisions of the Constitution or the law.

The Act does not provide for any kind of disciplinary action against a Minister.

[132 F-H]

( 4) The doctrine of collective responsibility does not grant immunity to the State Ministers from being subjected to the provisions of the Commissions of lnquiry Act.

In truth, it is little more than a political practice which is commonplace and inevitable.

All that it means is that Cabinet decisions bind all Cabinet Ministers even if they argued in the opposite direction in the Cabinet, and that the team must not be weakened by some of its members making clear in public that they disapprove of the Government'~ policy. It only means that the Council of Ministers will have to stand or fall together, every member be· ing responsible for, the action of any other. [134 EJ

"Representative and Responsible Governn1ent'' by A. H. Birch.

"Government and Law• by T.C. Hertley and J. A. C. Griffith.

State of Ja111n1u and Kashmir v. Bakshi Ghula1n Moha1nrnad, [1966] Suppl S.C.R. 401 referred to.

(5) The power granted to Parliament under Entry 45 of List Ill is clear and explicit for passing a law for inqajries in regard to any of the matters in List II.

That being so, the power cannot be curtailed by the doctrine of implied prohibition.

The doctrine of implied prohibition was definitely rejected hY Courts in England and Australia end by an overwhelming majority of this Court in Kt.l'a1 1anda Bharati's case. The only way in which the Court could determine whether the prescribed limits of legislative power had been exceeded or not is by looking to the terms of the instrument by which ttffirmatively the legislative power was created and by \11hich negatively they are restricted. [136 E]


v. Outrim [1907] A.C. 81 The Amalgamated Society of Engineers and The Adelaide Steamship Company Limited and Others, 28 Commonwealth Law Reports, 129.

The State of Victoria and The Co1umonwealth of Au.tralia, 122 Commonwealth Law Reports, 353 and His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalavaru v. State of Kera/a; [1973] Suppl. S.C.R. 1 referred to. -

( 6) There is no, substance in the argument that a commission appointed by the Central Government to inquire into the same matter for which a commission had already been set up by the State Government is violative of s. 3(1)

(b) of the Act. The notification of the State Government has not, in terms, appointed any com.mission for inquiring into the matters of alleged corruption, nepotism, favouritism and mal-administration of the Chief Minister or any other Minister of the Government.

The items referred to for inquiry by the State Commission were "irregularities committed or excess payments made in certain matters relating to contracts, grant of loan, allotment of sites, purchase of furniture, disposal of foodgrains, etc." In none of those clauses, is it mentioned as o the person responsible for the alleged irregularities or mal-adn1inistration.

There is no reference to any alleged misconduct, corruption or maladministration of the Chief Minister or any other Minister.

In contrast, the terms of reference in the notification issued by the Centre is to enquire into the specific matters enumerated in Annexure I, one of which is covered by the _ notification of the State Government.

In regard to specific matters in Annexture JJ, there may be some common matters which are the subject-matter of enquiry by the State Government, but in regard to matters in Annexure II, the notification in clear terms excludes any matter covered by the notification of the State Government.

The Commission appointed by the Central Government, therefore, wouk1 he competent to exclude such matters from the yiurvie\v of its enquiry. [137 E-F] '

,--""f;

.. ~

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 17

-Per Kailasam., J. (concurring)

1 (a) The suit is maintainable.

When the exercise of the executive functions of the State through its officers is interfered with by the Central Government, it cannot be said that the legal right of the State is not affected.

[168 G; 167 Al

(b) The executive _powers of the State will be exercised by the Governor with the aid and advice of the Chief Minister and other Ministers. The power

is exercised either directly or indirectly through officers subordinate to the B Governor in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. According to the impugned notification the Commission of Inquiry was appointed for the purpose of making an inquiry into a definite matter of public importance, namely, charges ofcorruptioil, nepotism, favouritism and misuse of governmental power levelled against the Chief Minister and certain other Ministers -of the State.

Therefore, the scope of the inquiry would inevitably involve the -functioning of the executive of the State.

The dispute in the instant case , relates to the -functioning of the State in exercise of the powers conferred under th~ Constitution and so the State's legal rights are affected. [166 D-Fl C

State of Rajasthan v. Union of India AIR 1977 SC 1361 referred to.

(c) The .Government of India Act, 1858, provided only absolute imperial control without any popular participation in the administration. The Government of India Act 1919, for the first time introduced dyarchy in the Provinces.

Under this Act the Provinces were delegates of the Centre and the Central legislature retained the po\ver to legislate on any subject for the whole of India.

The Government of India .Act, 1935 changed the unitary nature of the Gov- D '<'rnment under the 1919 Act into a federal structure and made the Provinces ..as units.

The 1935 Act divided legislative powers between the.centre and the provinces; the Federal list comprising of subjects over which the federal legis~ lature had exclusive powers of legislation, the Provincia1 List comprising of -subjects over which the Provincial legislatures had exclusive jurisdiction and the Concurrent List comprising of subjects over which both the Federal and Provincial legislatures had power to make laws.

Undr the Constitution the States, in several respects, are subordinate to the Central Government in that the formation of the federation was not as a result of any treaty between the E States and the Federation.

There are various features of the Constitution which make it strictly not federal. It has variously been described as quasifederal or federal in structure or federal system with a strong central bias. In thescheme of distribution of powers between the Union and the States, there is a strong tilt in favour of the Union. For the purpose of settling disputes

between the Centre and the States a machinery is also provided for in the Constitution itself. (140 C; 141 C; 142)

(d) In determining what the respective powers of the Centre and the States F are, one has to look into the Constitution.

Since the States are not the dele gates of the Central Government and the source of power both for the Union as well as the States being the Constitution itself, the Central Government cannot exercise any power over the States which is not provided for in the Consti

tution. There is no overriding power \Vith the Union Government.

(143 B] ·

Atiabari Tea Co. Ltd. v. The State of Assam & Ors.

[1961] 1 SCR 809, Automobile Transport (Rajasthan) Ltd. v. The State of Rajasthan [1963] 1

SCR 491.

State of West Bengal v.

Union of India [1964) 1 SCR 371 and G Ke.mvanand Bharti [1973) Supp. S.C.R. 1 referred to.

(e) Under Article 254(1) when a law made by the State Legislature is in conflict with any provision of law made by Parliament or to any -orovision of any existing law with respect to one of the matterS eiiumerated in the Concurrent List, then the law made by Parliament shall prevail and the State , Jaw shall be void to the extent of repugnancy. [149 CJ

(f) Before declaring a law as repugnant an attempt should be made to see whether the conflict could be avoided by construction. [149 CJ

(g) Article 248(1) and Entry 97 in List I of the Seventh Schedule make :it clear that the residuary power is with Parlian1ent and when a matter sought

to be legislated is not included in List II or List III Parliament has power tom.ake laws with respect to that matter or tax.

But the function of the Lists is not to confer powers on thr legislature; they only den1arcate the legislative field.

Since there is no provision in the Constitution conferring on the Union the power to supervise the governmental functions of the State reference to the Lists will not solve the problem raised in this case. [149 C-D]

The Governor General in Council v.

The Raleigh lnves1rnent Co. [1944] F.C.R. 229, 261 and Union of India v. H. S. Dhillon [1972] 2 SCR 33 referred to.

(h) The well accepted basic principles of construction of the Constitution as laid down by decided cases are that when a questicn arises whether the prescribed limits have been exceeded, the only way in which it can be done is by looking into the terms of the instrument by which affirmatively the legislative powers were created and by which negatively they are restricted.

If what has been done is legislation within the general scope of the affirmative words which give the power, and if it violates no express condition or restriction by which that power is limited, it is not for any Court of justice to inquire further or to enlarge constructively those conditions and restrictions.

If the text is explicit the text is conclusive.

When the text is ambiguous, recourse must be had to the context and scheme of the Act. Yet another well-accepted <)id to construction is that the history which lies tehind an enactment is admissible because to find out the meaning of the law, recourse may legitimately be had to the prior state of the law, the evil sought to be remedied and the process by

\ 1.'hich the la\".r was e'volYed.

[150 H; 151 A] ' ·

(i) The golden rule of interpretation that in construing words in a Constitution conferring legislative po"•er, the most liberal construction should be put upon the words, admits of certain exceptions.

If it is found necessry to prevent conflict between t\vo exclusive jurisdictions a restricted meaning may be given to the words.

Further, in interpreting the words of a statute the main object is to ascertain the intention expressed by the words used, that is, to ascertain "the intention of them that made it." [154 F-GJ

R. v. Burah [18781 3 A.C. 889 and Attorney-General for the Prorince o/ Ontario and Others. v. Attorney-General for the Dominion of Canada and Another [1912} A.C. 571 at 573, The Amalgamated Society of Engineers v.

The Adelaide Stean1s/dp Company Ltd. & Ors. 28 C.L.R. 129, Webb \', Outrin1

[1907) A.C. 81.

The State of Victoria v. The Common-Wealth of Australic, 122 C.L.R. 353, LiyanRe v. R. [1967] A.C. 259 and The State of West Bcn1::al v.

Aliripendra Nath Bagcld [1966] 1 SCR 771 referred to.

(j) Articles 256 and 257 list the obligations of the States and the Union and control of the Union over the States in certain cases. Article 257(A) (introducted by 42nd Amendment of the Constitution) empQwers the Clovernment of lndia tn deploy any armed forces of the Union or anv o'.her force for dealing with any grave situation of la\v and order in any State.

Except in cases referred to in these Articles, the Constitution does not provide for the Union Government to give any directions to the State Government.

As there is no specific article in the Constitution enabling the Union Government to cau:'e an inquiry into the goven1menta1 functions of the State the power cannot be assumed byordinary legislation but resort must be had to a constitl1tional amendment. [152 C-D; F; HJ

(k) Tue Constitution being the fL1ndamental law, no la\v passed under mere legislative, power can effect any change in the Constitution unless there is an express power to that effect given in he Constitution itself.

There are a number of articles \Vhich expressly proYide for amendment of the Constitution bv law.

Rut \Yhere no power is conferred on the Parlian1cnt to 1nake laws. it' cannot add to the CC?nstitution by ordinary law mak[ng process. fl 53 B-C]

I. C. Golak Nath & Ors. v.


(1) Entry 45 in List III (Enquiries ........ for the purposes of any of the matters 'specified in List JI or List III) shguld not be given a wide meaning as

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 19

cotJferring on the Union and the State Government powers to enact a provi- A sio.n to embark on an inquiry as to the misuse of the governmental powers by the other. [155 C-D]

River Wear Co1nmissioners v. A damson [1877] 2

A.C. 743,

R.M.D.

Chamarbaugwalla .v. The Union of lndia [1957] SCR 930 and Bengal Immunity Co. Ltd. v. State of Bihar [1955] 2 SCR 603 referred to.

(m) The power conferred under Entry 45 List III cannot be construed in such a manner as to lead to the conclusion that if a law enacted by Parliament Bempowers the Union Government to conduct an inquiry into the misuse of governmental functions by a Minister of State Government, the Statewill have the power to legislate. empowering it to enquire into the misuse of governmental tJowers by a Union Minister relating to matters in List III.

Such an interpretation would Dot be conducive to the harmonious functioning of the Union and the States. [155 D-E]

(n) The decisions on which the Union Government relied fQr the propositior. that the words "definite matter of public importance" would embrace an C . inq1iry into the misuse of governmental functions of the State, do not support that contention.

In M. V. Rajwade v. Dr. S. M. Hassan and Others the commission appointed was o_nly a fact-finding body meant to instruct the mind of the Government and the scope of the inquiry fell within s. 3 as it related to a definite matter _of public imnortance and not an inquiry into the misuse of govern1nental functions of a Chief Minister or a State Minister. In Shri Ram

Krihna Dalmia v. Shri Justice S. R. Tendolkar and others, it was held that the act and conduct of individuals may assume such dangerous proportions as may well affect the public well-being and thus become & de.finite n1atter of !} public importance.

But neither decision concludes the point arising in this case, namely, whether the words "definite matter of public importance" should be construed as to include the right to inquire into the abuse of governmental fun:tions by a State Government.

Again in State of lammu & Kashmir v.

Bakshi Ghulanz Mohammad which is an authority for the proposition that inquiry into the acts of a person who had ceased to be a Chief Minister may continue to be a matter of public importance it \Vas held that the inquiry into the past acts which have affected. the public well-heing \You1d be matters K of ·::iublic importance and it was irrelevant if the person who committed those

act~ was still in power. to be able to repeat them. [158 A-H]

Shri Ram Krishna Dalmia v. Shri Justice S. R. Tendolkar & Others [1959] SClt 279, Suite of Jammu and Kashmir v. Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, [1966]

Supp. SCR 401 and M. V. Rajwade v. Dr. S. M. Hassan & Others l.L.R. [1954] Nag. 1 held inapplicable. (Dissenting)

2. The impugned notification impinges on the right of the State to function in its limited sphere and is beyond the powers of the Central Government under s. 3 of the Act. [168 G] ·

(a) If s. 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act. 1952 is construed as enabliniz the appointrnent of a Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of a CWef

Minister in office, it wou1d result in empowering the Central Government which is a delegate of the Parliament to exercise the powers which would never have been contemplated by the Parliament. The result of such a construction would amount to inviting the State Government to appoint Commissions of Inquiry into the conduct of Central Ministers regarding matters in List II and List

ITT. [161 HJ

(b) Section 3 ( 1 ) read with the proviso makes it clear that the intention of 1he Act is to enable the appropriate Governments that is, the Central or the Sta1 e Government to appoint a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of making an inquiry into any definite matter of public importance. The Central Government can appoint a Commission to make an inquiry into any matter rela1:.able to any .of the Entries enumerated in List I, List 11 or List III of the

Sev:nth Schedule of the Constitution while the State Government can appoint a Commfasion to inquire into any matter relatable to any of the EntrieS enumerated in List IT and List IIl of the Constitution. As both the Central Government and the State Government have power to appoint a Commission of Inquiry relating to Entries in List II and List III there Inight arise occasions

when there may be overlapping.

In order to avoid such a contingency provisos (a) and (b) to s. 3(1) enact that when the Central Government bas appointed a Cornmission of Inquiry, the State Government shall not appoint another Commission of Inquiry into the same matter without the ap}!lroval of the Central Government so long as the Commission appointed by the Central Governn1ent is functioning and the Central Governn1cnt shall not appoint another Commission to inquire into the same matter as long as the Commission appointed by the State Government is functioning.

These provisions are for the purpose of avoiding any conflict by the two Governments appointing two separate commissions to inquire into the same, matter.

[163 D-E]

( c) In the instant case the Court is not called upon to go into the tv.rO notifications and determine which item in the notification of the Central Government is not covered by the State Government's notification. [168 G]

ORIGINAL JURISDICTION : Original Suit No. 8 of 1977.

L. N. Sinha, R. N. Byra Reddy, Adv. Genl., S. C. Agarwal, Vinoo Bhagat and Narayan Nettar, for the Plaintiff.

S. N. Kacker, Solicitor General, Soli J. Sorabjee, Addi. Solicitor General, R. N. Sachthey, E. C. Agarwala and Girish Chandra, for Defendant No. 1.

The following Judgments were delivered by :

BEG, C.J.-"India, that is Bharat, shall be nnion of States". The very first mandate of the first article of our Constitution to which we owe allegiance thus prohibits, by necessary implication, according to , the plaintiff in the original suit now before us wider Article 131 of the Constitution of India, any constitutionally unjustifiable trespass by the Union Government upon the domain of the powers of the States.

The State of Karnataka, has, therefore, sued for a declaration that a notification dated 23-5-1977 (hereinafter referred to as 'The Central Notification') constituting a Commission of Inquiry in purported exercise of its powers under Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act'), is illegal and ultravires.

This declaration is sought on one of two alternative grounds : firstly, that the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, does not "authorise the Central Government to constitute a Commission of Inquiry in regard to matters falling exclusively within the sphere of the State's legislative and executive power", and, secondly, that if the provisions of the Act do cover the Central Government Notification, they are ultra-vires for contravention of "the terms of the Constitution as well as the federal structure implicit and accepted as an inviolable. basic feature of the Constitution".

Consequentially, the plaintlff seekS a perpetual injunction to restrain the respondents, the Union of India and Shri A. N. Grover, the one-man Commission of Inquiry into "charges of corruption, nepotism, favouritism and misuse of Governmental power against the Chief Minister and other Ministers of the State of Karnataka", from acting under the Central Government's notification.

• {

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.)

The plaintiff State's case is : that, the Congress Party was returned by tl1e electors by a majority at an election held in the State in 1972; that the majority pcuty in tho legillature alected Shri Devraj Un as

its leader who then formed his Government as required by Article 163 of the Constitution; that, the Government thus installed, by what must be deemed to be the will and decision of the State Legislature, continues to enjoy the confidence of the legislature and is in office; tbiil, in tl1e recent Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party headed by Shri Devraj Urs achieved a resounding success by having won 26 out of 2g seats so that the Janata party, which is in power at the Centre, must be deemed to have been rejected by the electorate, but it is in- <lirec:ly, through the appointment of a Central Commission of Inquiry trying to discredit the Congress Party and its leaders in the State of Karnataka, and, thereby, interfering with the democratic machinery of contrnl and supervision of the .Government of the State provided by the Constitution itself.

On 26th April, 1977, the Union Home Minister sent a letter to the Chief Minister of the State communicating the allegations contained in a Memorandum submitted by certain members of the opposition party in th~ Kamataka State I..cgi'1aturo and asked him t.o make hie ron1r

ments. The Chief Minister gave :qeply dated 13th May, 1977 a copy of which was attached to the plaint.

The Chief Minister, in his reply, complains that "slanderous propaganda has been unleashed without any verification of the truth or otherwise of the allegations or past history of most of the charges". He points out that broadcasts and press reports had given him an intimation of the allegations sent to him even before they were received by him with the Home Ministor'' letter.

The Chief Mini~!tc said : "It is reasonable to presume that the object of this campaign of slander is mainly to tarnish the image of the Congress party, my colleagues and myself in an effort to gain, if possible, power for your party in the State immediately after your party was totally rejected by the electorate of the State in the recent Lok Sabha elections".

The insinuation was that the whole object of manipulated chartes against the Chief Minister was to vilify him and his Government and to bring hin_i down in the estimation of the public so as to destroy the support which the Congress party had from the people of the State. It was thus a charge of malice in fact.

The Chief Minister also admitted, in his letter to the !Jnion Home said to be embodied in onr Constitution and described them as "the

':?mt!r-"e 11ft:tional unity and national integrity".

He asserted : the constitution 1s the source of all power for the various organs of the Centre and the State and all actions and exercise of all power under any •)f the statutes either by the Centre or by the State must conform t? and be subodinaied to the scheme of distribution of powers, legislative and executive, under the Federal Scheme of the Constitution".

The Chief Minister also admitted in his letter to the Union Home Minister, that the Constitution "in certain exceptional circumstances pro..

vides for the Centre making inroads into the exclusive domain of the State Legislature or the State executive".

But, he denied that the exceptional circumstances, expressly provided for in the ConstitutiQ.11, for interference by the Centre, existed in the instant case.

Evidently, the Chief Minister meant that there was no room for invoking the emergency provisions under Article 356 of the Constitution which provides for the assumption by the President of India of any of the functions of the Government and by the Union Parliament of the functions of the State Legislature, provided "the President is satisfied on receipt of a report from the Governor of a State or :itherwise that a situation has arisen in which the Government of the State cannot.be carried on in terms of the Constitution".

The Chief Minister also invokes the aid of the principles of 0emocracy which, according to him, permeate the whole scheme of the Constitution, so that Chief Ministers and other State Ministers can be called to account only by the State Legislature to which they are responsible.

He asserted that "the Cabinet system of Government is a basic feature of the Indian Constitution". This implies, according to him, that all control over ministerial actions vests in the State Leislatures only and not in the Union Government, subject, of course, to exceptions expressly provided.

With regard to the actions of the State Government, he complained that the assumption of inquisitorial or supervisory functions by the Union Government at the instance of "an extra constitutional agency, however high, would destroy the basic character of the Cabinet system of Government and would rob the legislature of the State and its people, of the constitutionally guaranteed right of having a Government of their choice subject to their control".

He claimed that the State had exclusive right to investigate charoes relating to l]latters falling "within exclusive domain of the State under the Co119titution", He warned against the dangers to national interest by undue interference with the federal scheme contemplated by the Cor.stitutiori.

The Chief Minister, after_ having emphatically asserted what he conceived to be the object of the proceedings against him and his constitutional rights, very properly offered to place all the material having a bearing upon the 36 charges out of which he admitted that 23 related to him. He offered to clear himself of these charges. He pointed out that 4 of the charges related to his colleagues and had been discussed in the legislature.

He also said that 3 charges had already been enquired into by the former Prime Minister. He said that he did not want these to be reopened. He cited the speech of Shri Om Mehta. a former Minister of State, in the Lok Sabha, on 5th May 197G, where it was stated that some memoranda had been sent, containing allegations of corrnption and misuse of power made against the Chief Minister and other ministers of Karnataka by some members of the Legislative Assembly, as long ago as 1973. According to that statement, there were 99 allegations out of which 16 concerned the Chief Minister personally.

Shri Mehta was said to have declared that the allegations against the Chief Minister were found to lack substance after the settled procedure

-,...

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.)

. of inviting comments from the Chief Minister had been obsered: . The . Chief Minister then dealt at considerable length witn the md1v1dual

barges.

Jn the plaint before us, it was poirlted out that charges of the nature now referred to the one man Comm1ss10n by the Central Govcrnme_nt had been made over since 1972 elections both on the !loor of the Legislature and elsewhere. It also said that they had been explained and answered on the floor of the Legislature repeatedly. The Chief Minister complained that the same allegations had been repeated after a new Government had assumed office at the Centre.

It was also asserted in the plaint that, in order to allay any suspicion in the minds of the public in the State, and, in view of the continued agitation for a judicial probe, and, in accordance with the highest and best traditions of Government, the State Government, by a nohl:irnl!on, dated I.8th May, 1977, appointed a Commission of Inquiry under Section 3(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. A copy of the notification of the State Government was attached to the complaint.

It was alleged that a copy of it had also been sent to the Home Minister on 18th May, 1977.

One of the submissions by the plaintiff is that the State Government notification dated 18th May, 1977, appointing its own Commission to inquire into all the matters and irregularities, to which additions could be made and of which further particulars could be provided, covers all that could be enquired into by the Grover Commission under the notification dated 23rd May, 1977, which specifically excludes matters covered by the Karnataka Government's notification dated 18th May,

1977. Reliance is placed on proviso (b) to Section 3 (!) of the Act which prohibits the Central G.overnment from appointing another Commission "to inqnire into the same matter for so long as Commission appointed by the State Government is functioning, unless the Central Government is of opinion that the scope of the inquiry should be extended to two or more States".

The written statement filed on behalf of the Union of India raises 2 preliminary objections as follows b>fore replying seriatim to the para- :graphs in the plaint. The preliminary objections are :

"l. The suit by the State of Karnataka is not maintainable inasmuch as the impugned notification S.O. No. 365 fE) dated 23rd May 1977 onstituting the <=:ommission of _Inquiry does not affect the plamtiff-State. By impugned notification a Commission of Inquiry under section 3 of the Commissions of Inq':1iry At, 1?5~, has been constituted for the purpose of mak_u_ig an mqmy mto the charges of corrnption, nepotism,

fav?unllll'. and misuse o! Governmn!al power against the _ Chief M1mster and certam other M1111sters of the State of

Karnatka SI?eified in the noification. The inquiry is against the Chief Mm1ster and certam other Ministers as individuals

and not against the State of Karnataka. The inquiry is rather

. B

SUPREME COURT REPOr.TS

. [1978] 2 S~C.R.

in the interest o~ State that such curruption, nepotism, favouritism should not exist in the State. The State of Karnataka is not directly interested. in the inquiry proposed to be held against the Chief Minister aud certain other Ministers of the State. The individuals occupying the office of Chief Minister . and Ministers are distinct from the Sta~ itself .

- -2:-Article 131 of the Constitution of India gives original jurisdiction to the Hon'ble Supreme Court in any dispute between the Government of India aad one or more States etc., ____ if the dispute involves any question of law or fact or which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.

There being no dispute between the Government of India and the State,

C ._ the suit is n()t maintainable. There is no legal right of the / plaintiff-State to file the present suit.'' . ·

/ -· The Union of India denied that the matters now to be enquired into by the Grover Commission constituted a resuscitation o( previous charges and allegations which had been disposed of.

Halafides in the institution of the Commission of Inquiry is denied. The validity of all provisions of the Act is staunchly defended. The Inquiry ordered by the Central Government is, its asserted, quite competent and not covered by the State Government notification. It is denied that the federal scheme or democratic principles embodied in the Constitution are affected by the institution of a Commission of Inquiry of the kind set up. It is submitted that the Central Government Commission of Inquiry was ordered to enable an appropriate and completely impartial fact finding process to take place so that either the Central Government or any other authority or even members of the public may, i11 accordance with democratic principles, act in a manner which i; constituticnally proper and fully justified. In any case, the conduct of the Chief Minister of a State with regard to affairs of State and the mannr in which he used his official position were, according to Union Government, matters of public importance into which the Central Government was quite competent to order impartial fact finding inquiries in public interest. ·

On the above set of pleadings, the followi".ig issues were framed by this Court :

"1. I& the suit miinbinable?

2. Is the impugned notification ultra vires lhe powers of the Central Government under section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act ? '

3. If Section 3. of the Commission of Inquiry Act authorises the Central Government to issue the impu%fied notification, is the Section itself unconstitutional '!"

H An important preliminary question to be decided, for the reasons already indicated, concerns the nature of the two inqairies, one by the State Government and another instituted by the Central Government.

If the two notifications cover substantially "th<: same matter", it may

\.._

.~.

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 25

not be necessary to deal with other questions at all. The parties have very fully argued their cases on this question even through no >cparate or specific issue has been framed on it. Both the parties have raised this issue specifically in their pleadings.

They have argued on the assumption that a decision on it is implied in the trial of other issues in the case. We will, therefore, take it up first separately as a preliminary question which we should decide before taking up other matters in issue.

A determination of this question has an important bearing on matters argued for purposes of deciding each of !he three issues framed above.

Even if the question was not directly or indirectly involved in the decision of each of the three issues framed above, a decision on it seems necessary for clearing the ground for a correct approach to the whole case. It is certainly not a question we could abstain from deciding simply because no specific issue was framed separately on it at the outset. Although, in view of the fact that the question has been put in issue and so understood and very fully argued by the parties, a separate and specific issue need not be framed upon it, yet, because of the crucial importance of it, we formulate it now separately and specifically as follows : Do both the State and the Central Government inquiries relate to the 'same matter' within the meaning of proviso (b) to Section 3 (1) of the Act so as to bar an iuquiry by the Central or Union Government so long as the State Commission is functioning ? The State Government's notification dated 18-5-1977, reads as under:-

"Government of Kamataka"

Karnataka Government Secretariat

Vidhana Sondha E Bangalore, May 19, 1977

NOTIFICATION

WHEREAS allegations have been made on the floor of the Houses of the State Legislature and elsewhere that irregularities have been r committed/excess payments made n certain matters relating to contr; cts, grai:ts ol land, allotment of sites, purchase of furniture, disposal o' foodgrams, etc. :

WHEREAS the State Government is of the opinion that it is necessar~ to appoint a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into the said allegations : G

NOW, THEREf'.ORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by subsect10n ( 1) of Sect.ton 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1952 (Central Act 60 of 1952) the Government of Karnataka hereby ap-

Plint Justice Shri Mir Iqbal. ussain, Retired Judge of the Karnataka

H1g~ Curt .to be the C?mnussio~ of Inquiry for the purpose of making an mqm!y mto the said allegat1ons, particularly specified below and H to subnut a report thereon to the State Government within a period of four months from the date of this Notification :-

I. Whether improper or excessive payment was made to M/s.

Ninnala Engineering Construction Company in 1espect of tho contracts awarded to them by the Government of Karnataka and the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board for lift irrigation or water supply scheme ?

II. Whether any improper or excessive payment was made to M/s. Balaji Engineer'.ng and Construction Works Ltd., in respect of the contracts awarded to them for-

( 1) the construction of the right bank earth dam of the Hemavatbi Project from chainage No. 7890' to 851 O'.

(2) the construction of the right bank irrigation sluice of the Hemavathi Dam;

( 3) the construction of the left bank irrigation sluice of the Hemavathy Dam;

( 4) the construction of the masonry dam of the Hemavathy

Project from Chainage No. 4400' to 5740' including the overflow section and the protective works;

( 5) the construction of the spillway dam of the Hemavathy Project;

( 6) the construction of the masonry dam of the Harangi Project?

Ill. Whether any improper or excessive payment was made or undue favour shown to M/s. Nechipadam Construction Company E in respect of the contract awarded to them for the construction of the Hemavathy right Bank Earth Dam from chainage 2025m. to 2405m. and chainage 1750m. to 2025m?

IV. Whether any improper or excessive payment was made or undue favour shown to M/s. Shankaranarayan Construction Company in respect of the contracts awarded to them for-

( 1) the construction of the combined Board Administrative Division Building;

(2) the construction of the right bank earthen portion of the Hidkal Dam in tbe two reaches from 10,000 to 11,000 and 11,100 to 14,700?

V. Whether any improper or excessive payment was made or undue favour shown to M/s. EICIL in respect of the contracts awarded to them for-

( 1) the construction of the head race tunnel from the Born- • manhalli pick up dam to the surge point;

(2) the construction of the surge tank and the pressure shaft ? ..

VI.

Whether any undue favour was shown to M/s. Ghansham Commercial Co. Ltd., in the sale of 25.,000 tonnes of bajra at the rate of Rs. 73.50, per quintal in 1972?

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 27

VII.

Whether any undue favour was shown to ~/s. Kris!Jna Flour Mills in respect of the lease of the land next to its prem1Ses, measuring 200'X200' for a period of 30 years?

VIII. Whether any improper or excessive payment was made or any undue favour was shown to M/s. Shah Construction Company in the settlement of their claims for the contract awarded to them for the construction of the Almatti Dam.?

IX. Whether any undue favour was shown to M/s. Poornima Electronics in the placing of orders on them for supply of electronic equipments like Intercome etc. ?

Whether there was any disappropriation or fraud in the dealings of the State Co-operative Marketing Federation during C the period 1971-72 and 1972-73?

XI. Whether any undue favour has been shown by the Government or the KSTRC in leading out the building in the KSRTC bus stand at Mysore for a Canteen at Mysore?

XII.

Whether any undue favour was shown by Government or the KSTRC in leasing out resting rooms in the KSRTC in Mysore to Shri Prem Kumar ?

XIII. Whether the funds of the Agro Industries Corporation were wrongly diverted to the Gadag Co-operative Textile Mills, Hulkoti, Gadag, Dharwar district ?

XIV. Whether undue favour was shown to M/s. Navrasa Fertilizers in purchasing fertilisers and whether payment was made even with out receipt of the stock ?

XV.

Whether site ou J.C. Road was leased to Shri M. B.

Lal and N. V. Venkatappa contrary to the interests of the City of Bangalore Municipal Corporation?

XVI.

Whether the grant of land in S. No. 15 of Bommenahalli Village, Nelamangala Taluk, Bangalore District was made contrary to rules ?

XVII. Whether sites in Rajmahal Vilas and Palace Orchard--;;

layouts were irregularly allotted ?

XVIII. Whether the purchase of one thousand tonnes of paddy from Tamil Nadu by Shri Atheeq Ahmed, Proprietor of the Mandya Rice Mills, Mandya at the instance of the State Government and the subsequent disposal thereof were adverse to the interests of the State ?

XIX. Whether the contract for the preparation of models and designs for the re-modelling of the K. R. Market, Bangalore was irregularly awarded to Mis. Karekar and Sundaram? 3-1042 SCl/77

A XX. Whether the conversion of land owned by Shri C. M.

Dinshaw and family in Narasipura Village, Bangalore North Taluk (known as 'Dinshaw Estate') as non-agricultural land was not in accordance with the rules ?

XXL Whether any irregularities or improprieties have been committed in the administration of the Karnataka Film Develop- B ment Corporation since 1971 ?

XXIL Whether the cement or steel allotted for the construction of the Government Harijan Hostel building in Bangalore City was diverted to other purposes ?

XXIII.

Whether orders for the purchase of furniture for the Health Department for the years 1972-73, 1973-74 were placed at exorbitant rates with firms who were neither furniture dealers nor approved PWD contractors/suppliers ?

XXIV. Whether essentiality certificates for stainless steel were issued to bogus firms or fictitious persons during the period !st March 1974 to 30th June 1974 ?

XXV.

Whether the purchase of Fargo and Bedford Chassis by the KSR TC in August 1972 was against the Corporation's interests ?

XXVL Whether the appointments of agents, sub-agents and dealers during the years 1967-77 by the Visvesvarnya Iron and Steel Ltd., Bhadravathi for the distribution of Steel and cement E were adverse to the Company's interests?

XXVII.

Whether the appointments of agents, sub-agents and dealers for the years 1967-77 by the Mysore Paper Mills Ltd., Bhadravathi for the distribntion of paper were adverse to the Company's interests ?

XXVIII.

Whether improper or excessive payment was made to Shri M. S. Ramaiah, contractor, in respect of the contract awarded to him for the construction of the Talakalele dam and its appurtenant works, which form part of the Sharavathi Valley Project.

XXIX.

Whether there were any defects in the construction of Talakalele Dam owing to bad design, use of sub-standard materials caused by negligence or wilful commission of the contractor or any individual?

XXX.

Whether unjust or excessive payment was made to M/s. Tarapore & Co., in respect of the contract awarded to them for the rock fill work both up and down stream, in the Lingannamakki earthen dam ?

XXXI.

Whether there was any irregularity or impropriety in the grant of 3000 acres of land in Periyapatna Taluk to M/s.

Oriental Aromatics ?

' •

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.)

XXXII.

Whether any favour was shown to Shri Bhooma Reddy in the matter of award of the right to retail vend of liquors in the year 1968 ?

XXXIII.

Who are the persons responsible for the lapses, if any regarding the aforesaid and to what extent?

By order and in the name of the Governor of Karnataka.

Sd./- G. V. K. RAO, Chief Secretary to the Government

The Compilor, Karnataka Gazette, for publication of this Noti-- fication in a Gazette Extraordinary and supply of 200 copies.

Copy to:

All Secretaries to Government,

The Registrar, High Court of Karnataka with a covering D letter."

The Central Government Notification dt. 23-5-1977 reads as follows:-

"THE GAZETTE OF INDIA

EXTRAORDINARY

PART II-SECTION 3-SUB-SECTION (ii)

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & A.R.

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 23rd May, 1977

S.C.365(E)-Whereas the Central Government is of opinion that it is necessary to appoint a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose

of making an inquiry into a definite matter of public importance, G namely, charges of corruption, nepotism, favouritism or misuse of Government power against the Chief Minister and certain other Ministers of the State of Karnataka, hereinafter specified;

Now, therefore in exercise of the powers conferred by secti, on 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952), the Central Government hereby appoints a Commission of Inquiry consisting of a single member, namely, Shri A. N. Grover, retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India.

2. The terms of reference of the Commission shall be as

follows:-

(a) to inquire into the following allegations, namely :-

(i) such of the allegations contained in the memorandum dated 11th April, 1977, received from some Members of the Karnataka State Legislature and addressed to the Prime Minister as are specified in Annexure I;

(ii) such of the allegations contained in the memoranda aforesaid as are specified in Annexure II, but exclud- \ ing any matter covered by the notification of the •

Government of Karnataka in the Chief Secretariat No. DPAR 7 GAM 77, dated the 18th May, 1977;

(b) to inquire into any irregularity, impropriety or contravention of law other than those specified in the said notification of the Government of the State of Karnataka, on the part of any person in relation to any matter referred to in the allegations aforesaid;

(c) to inquire into any other matter which arises from, or is D connected with or incidental to, any act, omission or transaction referred to in the allegations aforesaid;

Explanation-In the Armexures to this notification, "Chief Minister" means Shri Dev:raj Urs, the Chief Minister of the State of Karnataka.

3. The headquarters of the Commission will be nt New Delhi.

4. The Commission will complete its inquiries and report to the Central Government on or before the !st day of December. 1977. 5.

And whereas the Central Government is of opinion having regard to the nature of the inquiry to be made by the Commission

and other circumstances of the case, that all the provisions of subsection (2), sub-section (3), sub-section (4) and sub-section (5). of section 5 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952) should be made applicable to the Commission, the Central Government hereby directs, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section

(I) of the said section 5, that all the provisions of the said sub-section (2), (3), (4) a'.nd (5) of that section shall apply to the Commission.

ANNEXURE I

Whether the Chief Minister practised favouritism and nepotism by appointicg his own brother, Shri D Kamparaj Urs, as a Director of the Karnataka State film Industries Development Corporation in place of Shri R. J. Rebello, Chief Secretary to the Government, in 1974, and later as Director-in-charge with the powers to exercise all _,,.

H the powers of the Managing Director.

Whether the Chief Minister had directed auction of excise shops out of turn in five districts on the eve of the recent Lok Sabha

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 31

Elections in the month of February, 1977, with corrupt motives al- A though the auctions were due in the month of May, 1977, and whether this was done with the object 0f collecting funds for the Elections.

Whether the Chief Minister had released Rs. 50.60 lakhs to buy "Understanding Science" from I.B.H. over-ruling the decision of the Sub-Committee constituted for the purpose under the Chairman- B ship of the Chief Minister and also over-ruling the orders of the con- .cerned Minister.

4. Whelher the Chief Minister was guilty of shielding corrupt, officers, in particular, two, officers of the Public Works Department, namely, Shri Sesbagiri Rao, Assistant Engineer, and Shri Shivanna, a Clerk, against whom prosecution orders were passed by tlte Govern- C ment on the basis of the recommendations of the Vigilance Commission.

Whether the Chief Minister on his own revised the order and withdrew the prosecution for any consideration.

Whether Shri Hanumantha Reddy, Superintending Engineer, was promoted as Chief Engineer by the Chief Minister against the recommendation of the Vigilance Commission that he should be D demoted and certain amounts should be recovered from him and whether the Chief Minister also over-ruled the orders of the concerned Minister and whether such action of the Chief Minister was for anv consideration. "'

Whether the following payments were made to M/s. Shankarauarayana Construction Co. :- E

(i) an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 6.37 lakhs in Malaprabha Project; '

(ii) excess payment to the tune of Rs. 12.00 lakhs in Ghataprabha Project with an intention to favour the contractors.

7. Whether any misappropriation of funds and fabrication of F accounts of the Social Welfare Department was made with the connivance of the then Minister Shri N. Rachaih to the extent of Rs. 30.00 Jakh3 and whether any fraud was practised in connection with the said matter.

8. Whether appointment was made of fictitious persons as dealers in sandal soap by Mysore Sales International under the orders of the G Chief Minister and the Minister for Industry and payment was made of hugs amounts by way of commission.

9. Whether gross misuse of powers and position was made by Shri H, ilI. Channa Bassappa, formerly Minister-in-charge of Public Works Department and Electricity (now Minister of Health) in converting the residential site which he got allotted to him by the Trust Board into a commercial site and starting a company with his family members as directors.

10.

Whether any favouritism was shown or whether there was. any corruption in the purchase of new tyres and in body building contract for the new chassis by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation under the undue influence of the Chief Minister and the Minister for Transport Shri Aziz Sail.

11. Whether there was any nepotism and favouritism and misuse of power by the Chief Minister and the Minister of Transport in the matter of nationalisation of contract carriages and wil1ully benefiting certain parties with whom the Chief Minister's second son-in-law was a partner.

12.

Whether any favouritism was shown in the nomination of Shri K. V. Rao as a member of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation Board against the provisions of the Act.

13.

Whether an undue favour was shown to M/s. Balaji Engineering Construction Company by accepting the tender for construction of houses under Housing and Urban Development Corporation's Low Income Group Scheme in Dumlur Lay-out by the Bangalore Development Authority, which is under the administrative control of the Chief Minister.

14.

Whether allotment of 20 acres of land was made to the three sons of the Finance Minister, Shri M. V. Ghc•rpade, in contravention of land grant rules and the provisions of the Land Reforms Act and the Land Revenue Acts.

15. Whether any misuse of power was committed, or any corrup- E tion committed by Shri D. K. Naikar, Minister for Municipal Admi--

\ •

nistration, with regard to the grant of land to Boroka Textile Milles -~

in Hubli-Dharwar Corporation Area.

ANNEXURE II

Whether the Chief Minister or any other Minister of the State of Karnataka was guilty of corruption, nepotism, favouritism or misuse of governmental power in connection with all or any of the following matters, namely :-

( 1) Grant of 20 acres of Government land, reserved for grazing of cattle in Hommanahalli, Nelamangala taluk, Bangalore District, to the son-in-law of the Chief Minister, Shri M. D. Nataraj, in violation of the provisions of the Land Revenue Code and disregarding the claims of local Scheduled Caste applicants;

(2) Allotment of 4 large valuable house sites in the most posh locality of Bangalore, Raj Mahal Vilas Extension, to Shri Devaraj Urs and his family members in supersession of the rightful claims of other applicants;·

(3) Undue favours shown to Messrs Nirmala Engineering Construction Company, by releasing Government funds.

(4)

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 33

in spite of the fact that the concerned Minister has taken a decision to prosecute the firm on the basis of the recommendations of the Vigilance Commissions.

Excess payment of Rs. 98.88 lakhs to Messrs Balaji Engineering Company, in Hemavathi Project, in contravention of the terms of the contract with a view to favouring the contractor;

(5) Under favour shown to Messrs Nechipadam Construction Compny in Hemavathi Project, by accepting the highest tender with an intent to benefit the contractors and involving excess payment to the extent of Rs. 3.5 lakhs;

(6) Excess payment of Rs. 1 crore to Messrs TICIL Conc tractors, in Kali Hyde! Project, for the benefit of the contractors;

(7) Whether about 5,000 tons of rice, purchased by the Government of Karnataka from the Tamil N adu Government on government-to-government basis, was allowed to be marketed by a private party, Shri H. R. Athu Ahmed, without the knowledge of the Food Department instead of the Mysore State Co-operative Marketing Federation as was earlier agreed, with the sole intent of benefiting the private party;

(8) Undue favonr shown to a fictitious cooperative society in regard to conversion of 270 acres of agricnltural land called Dinshaw Estate intq non-agricultural purpose in violation of the mandatory provisions of the Land Reforms Act and the Land Revenue Act;

(9) Whether undue favour was shown to one Ghanshyam in the sale of 2500 •tons of Bajra at the rate of Rs. 73.50 p. per quintal without calling for tenders and allowing Shri Ghanshyam to sell the Bajra in the State of Maharashtra at the rate of Rs. 125.00 per quintal during the time of drought in Karnataka.

(10) Whether undue favour was shown or concession was made to M/s. Karakar and Sundaram, Architects, in regard to the preparation of designs for remodelling the K. R. Market in supersession of the order of the con- G cerned Minister.

( 11) Whether undue favour was shown, or concession was made to M/s. Shah Construction Co., Contractors, in Upper Krishna Project at Alamatti.

(12) Whether undue favour was shown to M/s. Krishna flour Mills in granting valuable land in Bangalore City, which H land was meant for children's park, at a nominal rent by over-ruling the orders of the concerned Minister.

(13) Whether there was any misappropriation of funds of the Karnataka State Film Industries Development Corporation to the tune of Rs. 10.00 lakhs, when the Chief Minister himself was the Chairman of that Corporation and whether the business of the Corporation, its members, creditors or any other person or otherwise for a fraudulent or nnlawful purpose.

(14) Whether any undue favour was. shown to M/s. Poornima Electronics, Bangalore, in the purchase of electronic equipment (intercom) by superseding the recommendation of the Head of the Department and orders of the concerned Minister.

(15) Whether any misappropriation of the funds of the Karnataka State Co-operative Marketing Federation to the extent of several crorcs of rupees was made by Shri H. S.

Srikantiah, Minister of State for Home, when he was the

resident of that Federation and whether the business of the Federation was conducted with intent to defraud that Federation, its members, creditors, or any other person or otherwise for a fraudulent or unlawful purpose.

( 16) Whether any undue favour was shown by Shri Satya Pal by the Minister of Transport Shri Mohamed Ali, by accepting the once rejected tender of Shri Satya Pal in leasing out its building for canteen in Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation Bus Stand, Mysore, and whether any undue favour was shown by the same Minister to Shri Satya Pal's son Shri Prem Kumar, in leasing out its retiring rooms of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation in Mysore.

(17)

(18)

(19)

(20)

Whether any undue favour was shown to four firms, namely, All India Agencies, Vidyut Engineering Co., Trishul Enterprises and Mysore Woods, in purchasing furniture valued at Rs. 29.00 Lakhs in 1973-74 under I.P. Project by the Minister for Health, Shri H. Siddaveerappa.

Whether any undue favour was shown by the Minister of State for Small-scale Industries, Shri Koulajgi in 1974, in the issue of Essentiality Certificate to parties many of which are fictitious and bogus.

Whether undue favour was shown by the Chief Minister and the Minister of Transport, Shri Aziz Sait in 1973-74, to M/s. Fargo in buying 150 chassis against the advice of the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation.

Whether any undue favour was shown by the Minister of Industries, Shri S. M. Krishna, in allotting of paper, cement and steel of the State-owned Industries to Nontraditional dealers/agents including his kith and kin.

) ' \

(21)

(22)

(23)

(24)

(25)

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 35

Whether an excess payment of Rs. 3~.00 lakhs was _made to M/s. Shankaranarayana Construction Company m regard to the construction of combined Board Administrative Building Complex at Bangalore over and above the contract rates.

Whether any excess payment was made to M/s. Balji Enginering Company to the tune of Rs. 80.00 lakhs m Harangi Project with an intent to favour the contractor.

Whether Shri K. H. Patil, the then Minister for Agriculture and Forest, was guilty of any misuse of powr or undue favouritism in relation to Hukkeri Textile Mills or Gadage Co-operative Textile Mills, or both.

Whether any undue favour was shown or any corruption committed by Shri Chikke Cowda, the then Minister for Animal Husbandry and Agriculture in relation to the payment of a sum of Rs. 3.00 lakhs to M/s. Navarasa Fertilizers.

Whether there was any misuse of power and corruption committed by Shri D. K. Maikar, Minister for Municipal Administration in connection with the allotment of land on J.C. Road to Shri M. B. Lal and Shri M. V.

Venkatappa.

(No. 375/16/77-A VD-III)

R. K. TRIVEDI E Secretary

The first thing that strikes one, on a bare reading of the two notifications is that, whereas the State Notification seems scrupulously to avoid any mention of any particular act or part of any individual whatsoever, the whole object of the Central Government notification seems to be to inquire into the correctness of the allegations made against the Chief Minister of the State principally and into allegations against other specified individuals incidentally. The objects and subject matter of the Central Government notification become clearer by looking at Annexures 1 and 2 of it giving particulars of transactions to be investigated.

The first five items of Annexure 1 and separate

transactions in each of which the Chief Minister of the State is himself G alleged to have played the principal role in such a way as to indicate ·

his exclusive responsibility.

In other transactions, such as in items 10, 11 and 13, the Chief Minister is shown as having participated with others.

And, in the remaining transactions mentioned, the allegations do not place the responsibility on any particular individual, but they seem designed to elicit the truth of allegations of favouritism, nepotism, and misuse of power against whoever may be responsible.

Annexure 2 of the Central Government notification begins by a statement which shows that its object is to determine whether the Chief Minister or .<1ny other Minister of the Government of the State of Karnataka,

indulged in nepotism, favouritism, or misuse of Governmental powers in a number of transactions which are listed as items 1 to 25 there.

On the other hand, the State Government notification, without mentioning the persons who might be responsible for any excessive or improper payments, or favouritism, or misappropriation, or irregularity, mentions certain contracts in favour of various companies, or parties under 32 heads.

It then states, as a separate item of inquiry, the question as to who were the persons responsible in the lapses, if any, mentioned earlier.

In other words, apart from their parts in certain lapses the responsibility of the Chief Minister or any other Minister of the Government of Karnataka could not be inquired into by the Commission appointed under the State notification.

And, all that the State notification seems to empower its Commision to enquire into, with regard to transactions mentioned there is whether there was any excessive payment or irregularity involved.

Hence, it speaks of responsibility for "lapses" as though one could assume that there was no, dishonest motive.

The emphasis, in the State notification, is on the question of observance or non-observance of rules coupled with the question whether certain payments were proper.

And, the question of affixation of responsibility is confined to "lapses" in the course of these transactions only.

Even 11 a transaction has been made completely in accordance with the rules, it may, nevertheless, be an act of favouritism tainted with corruption or dishonesty.

Less deserving parties could be deliberately preferred over more deserving parties in much transactions.

It is not difficult to make out compliance with the rules or to show on paper that the most deserving party has received the benefit of a contract.

Indeed, even the post deserving party may receive a contract or a benefit under a decision taken by a Government or its Ministers who may have received an illegal gratification for it without anything what so

ever appearing on the records of the Government about the bribe received by the Minister concerned. Hence, in add1t10n to the fact that the items mentioned in the two notifications mostly do not tally with each other, it appears to us that the objects of the State notification do not go beyond investigation into the illegality or irregularity of any transaction and "responsibility" only of persons concerned to point: oul what they were.

If one may so put it, the Stale notification is meant to set up a Commission which has to inquire whether the veil worn by certain transactions is correct in form and covers it fully, but the Central Government notification is cleady meant to enable the Commission appoiiltcd to tear down even the veil of apparent legality and regularity wl1ich may be worn by some transactions. It authorises the Grover Commission to inquire into and discover the reality or substance, if any, behind certain (mostly other) transactions.

The object of the Central Government notification seems clearly not only to affix responsibilty for transactions mentioned there on individuals who may be really guilty even if a few of them could be said to have been mentioned in both notifications.

W c do not think that such notifications would justly or fairly be spoken of as covering "the same matter", as contemplated by proviso (b) to Section 3 ( 1) of the Act, because the

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 37

State Commission is there to examine the appearance or the surface whereas the Central Commission is expected to delve deeper into what could only lie behind or below it.

It is certainly a matter for concern to a State if some irregularity or illegality has been committed in a particular transaction by its Government or a Minister.

But, it would obviously be more helpful to determine why it has been committed.

And, it should be still more B: important for it to find out who, however highly placed, is really responsible for the commission of that irregularity and whether any dishonesty or corruption has operated at the highest levels in the State even if the form is proper and regular.

If the State notification shows no concern for what seem to us to be the much more important objects of the Central Government notification, one could perhaps guess that the indifference of the State towards the more serious matters is not C without some object or significance. Nevertheless, we do not propose to pass any judgment on the motives of the State Government or the fact that the most important or significant features of what has been alleged against the Chief Minister and members of his Government have been left out by the State Government notification even if the object of that notification was quite bonafide and proper so far as it went.

We think, however, that the State notification does not go far D enough.

But, the Central Government notification does proceed further.

It squarely levels charges against persons who, according to the allegations made, may have acted in a manner which makes them not only theoretically responsible but actually guilty of corruption.

For the success of the policies of any State or Government in it, in any part of the country over which its authonty runs, it should be E: shown to be capable of carrying out the constitutional mandates contained in Part IV of the Directive Principles of State Policy so as to make the basic human rights guaranteed by our Constitution a reality and not a mirage.

That, for the masses of our people, is the basic purpose of the whole Constitution which cannot be allowed to be frustrated.

If the basic rights of the people are not to be stultified anJ to appear chimerical, those in charge of the affairs of the State, F" at the highest levels, must be above suspicion.

This is only possible if their own bonafides and utterly unquestionable integrity are assured and apparent in the context of the high purposes of our Constitution and the dire needs of our poverty striken masses.

We cannot view allegations of corruption lightly.

We think that the interests of the States and of the Union are not anti-thetical when there are charges of corruption and misuse of power against those in authoritv anywhere.

G To serve the common interests of the whole people, on whose behalf our Constitution speaks, the States and the Union cannot stand apart.

They must stand toethcr united in purpose and action.

It is as important that unjustified and malicious attacks and charges against individuals in high places should be unmasked and the reality beliind them exposed for what it is worth, as it is that justified complaints must find adequate means of redress so that the interests of the dumb millions H of our country men are duly safeguarded against unscrupulousness wl1erever found.

If, as we find in this case, the State notification is meant only to superficially scratch the surface of the allegations made,

whereas the Central Government notification is meant to probe into the crux or the heart of what may or may not have gone wrong with the body politic in the State of Karnataka, we could not be too technical or astute in finding reasons to hold that the subjet matter of the two enquiries is substantially the same.

Obviously, this could not really be so.

A bare reading of the two notifications, set 1out in full above, shows that.

In the circumstances of this case, it may be more graceful for the Chief Minister of the State of Karnataka to waive his technical objections, as he seems to do in undertaking to place all the material before whichever commission may be found to have jurisdiction to inquire into the allegations made against him.

He could take the opportunity to honourably face and repel the charges which, according to him, have been repeatedly but unjustifiably and maliciously made against him over a sufficiently long period.

He could thus be able to establish that he is serving the interests of his State, its inhabitants, and, indeed, of the country as a whole, if his assertions are correct.

The plaintiff has not suggested anywhere that the Grover Co!llinission is not presided ever by an individual of unquestionable integrity and independence who has been a Judge of this Court.

Mr. Lal Narain Sinha, appearing for the plaintiff, has, very frankly and properly, conceded that he cannot successfully press want of bonafides on the part of the Central Government in issuing its notification.

This means that the question whether the Commission is either unnecessary, except as a weapon of political warfare, as well as any doubts about whether it could be or was to be misused in this case, must be dismissed as unsustainable.

The State Government must itself be deemed to admit that circumstances necessitated the appointment of a Commission, by appointing its own, to inquire into analogous matters which deserved investigation due to their public importance.

We find that the Central Government notification itself excludes from its purview those charges which may be fairly said to fall within the scope of the Commission set up by the State Government. We are not concerned with matters which may be subsequently added so as to expand the scope of inquiry by the State Commission.

We think that the provisions of proviso (b) to Section 3 ( 1) of the Act will prevent the State Government from adding such matters as are already covered by the Central Government notification.

We, however, leave it to the Grover Commission itself to determine, whenever it is faced with such an objection, whether a particular matter is already being properly enquired into by the State Commission.

In view of what we have observed above, it would perhaps be proper for the Government of Karnataka itself to withdraw its own notification if it thinks that certain members of the State Government will be unduly embarrassed by having to face inquiries by two Commissions on matters which may have some connections or even some common areas.

Indeed, to get to the heart of a transection, its surrounding or superficial shell, which is all that the State Commission

, )

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 39

can inquire into with regard to some transactions, may have to be pierced, or, to some degree, traversed before the core of these transactions can be reached .. As we hold that the two notifications authorise inquiries into matters which are substantially different in nature and object, the enquiry by the Grover Commission cannot be said to be barred by reason of the State Government notification under proviso

(b) to Section 3 (1) of the Act, even if, in order to deal with the substantially different subject matter, in view of the divergence in objects certain areas of fact or rules governing transaction may be common. If the objectives arc different the examination of common areas of fact and law for different purposes will still be permissible.

Without doubting the motives of the State Government in appointing its own Commission perhaps we may observe that, in a case involving charges of the kind made against the Chief Minister and other Ministers of the State, it would be better if the State's own Commision did not even remotely appear to have been set up merely in anticipation of a thorough investigation by an outside Central authority which would, presumably, appear more impartial and objective, or, to impede or embarrass the proceedings of the Central Government Commission.

Such doubts as could arise on these grounds will be dispelled by the withdrawal of the State notification.

Although the prompt action ,-01 the State Government may seem quite commendable and bonafidc, in appointing its own Commission in the context and circumstances disclosed above, its continued existence may not give exactly that impression after what we have held above on an analysis of the apparrent objects of the two Commissions judged by the contents of the two notifications.

In any case, the subject matter, not being substantially same, the Central Government Commission could proceed with its investigations if other objections, which we now proceed to examine, are not really fatal to the validity of the Central Government's notification.

Those other objections to the validity of the Central Government's notification may be summarised as follows :

Firstly, it is submitted that express provisions of the Constitution relating to the federal structure, distribution of executive and legislative powers between the State and the Union, joint responsibility of a State's Council of Ministers, conditions under which they can hold office or may be dismissed, the State Legislature's exclusive control over their actions and conduct of affairs of the State Government, are infringed by it, so that, if all this could be done, under the clock of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Act, by the Central Government, this provision: of the Act is, pro tanto, invalid. Secondly, and following logically and naturally from the set of propositions, as their necessary consequence, the notification constitutes violations by the Central Government of what must be held to be parts of the basic features or

the basic structure of the Constitution which do not permit the destruction of eitlier federalism or democracy by issuing executive fiats .. Thirdly, carryin~ the logic of the last mentioned set of submissions a step further, it is urged that, as the basic features of the Constitution have been held by this Court to be outside the procedure for amendment

. J\


(1978] 2 S.C.R. • contained in Article 368 of the Constitution, it must, a fortiori, be held to be outside the legislative competence of Parliament as contemplated by Articles 245-255 in Part XI of the Constitution read with provisions of the Legislative Lists in Schedule 7.

Fourthly, it is suggested, in the alternative, that, in any case, a necessary implication of the express provisions of _the Constitution is that a control by the

Union Government over the day-to-day working of the Governments in the States by the adoption of the legislative procedure found in Part XI of the Constitution must have a result which can only be achieved by a Co!lstitutional amendment under Article 368 of the Constitution.

Fifthly, it is submitted that even if interference with the day to day working of the Governmental machinery in the States is not barred by the basic structure of the Constitution, yet, the situations in which such interference is warranted having been specifically laid down in the emergency provisions contained in Articles 352-360 found in Part XVI!! of the Constitution, any other mode of interference with the operations of State Governments, not expressly prvvided by the Constitution itself, must be deemed to be outside the ordinary legislative competence of Parliament.

Sixthly, the plaintiff's counsel submitted that, in any event, the provisions of the Act must be so construed or interpreted, by reading them down if necessary, as to preclude interference by the Union Government with the operations of the State Government or the conduct of its Ministers keeping in view all the submissions mentioned above.

It is true that learned counsel for the plaintiff kept reverting to what he really meant to put forward as the basic or inviolable features of the Constitution, yet, he felt reluctant to unequivocally commit himself to the view that the Act contained provisions which constituted a violation of the basic structure of the Constitution which has been held to inelude both Democracy and Federalism.

Apparently, this somewhat shifting position arose from a realisation that the Act ma31 have very little, if anything at all, to do with provisions meant to ensure Democratic Government, and that our Constitution has, despite what- . ever federalism may be found in its structure, so strongly unitary features also in it that. when the totality of these provisions is examined, it becomes difficult to assert confidently how much federalism such a Constitution contains, whether those parts of it which seem to override the federal elements of our Constitution are not more basic or si!', nificant than what is described as its federalism, and whether possible actions under the Act, intended to authorise investigation, prsmnably with a view to finding remedies. into whatever dishonesty or corruption may be discovered in the conduct of governmental affairs by Ministers, are not really meant to safeguard or help rather than to destory or hinder democratic government.

It is interesting to note what Sir Gyril Salmon, Lord Justice of

( .

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A ppca 1, said in a lecture on Tribunals of Inquiry". ~

"In all countries, certainly in those which enjoy freedom of speech and a free Press, moments occur when allegations and rumours circulate causing a nation-wide crisis of confidence in the integrity of public life or about other matters

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.)

of vital public importance. .No doubt this rarely happens, but when it does it is essential that public confidence should be restored, for without it no democracy can long survive.

This confidence can be effectively restored only by thoroughly investigating and probing the rumours and allegations so as to search out and establish the truth.

The truth may show that the evil exists, thus enabling it to be rooted out, or that there is no foundation in the rumours and allegations by which the public has been disturbed.

In either case, confidence is restored".

In the lecture mentioned above, it was pointed out that the Tribunal of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, was passed in England to displace the procedure by which Sekct Parliamentary Committees were used "to investigate alleged wrongdoing in high places". About the Select Committee procedure he said : "Such a method of investigation by a political tribunal was wholly unsatisfactory.

Being a progressive people it took us only little more than about 300 years to do anything about it.

In the United States of America, however, which is still more progressive than we are, they still use virtually the same method.

Congressional Committees of investigation, like our Parliamentary committees, consist of members representing the relative strength of the majority and minority parties.

Clearly snch bodies can never be free from party political influences.

This is a very real defect in any tribunal investigating allegations of public misconduct-particularly as the subject matter of the inquiry often has highly charged political overtones." He observed : "Thfl history of such investigations in England by Parliamentary committees is, to say the least, unfortunate.

Let me give you but one example.

Early in the present century there occurred what became known as the Marconi Scandal.

In 1912 the Post Master General in a Liberal Government accepted a tender by the English Marconi Company for the construction of State-owned wireless telegraph stations throughout the Empir9. There followed widespread rumours that the Government bad corruptly favoured the Marconi Company and that certain prominent members of the Government had improperly profited by the transaction. The Select Parliamentary Committee appointed to investigate these rnmours represented the respective strengths of the Liberal and Conservative Parties.

The majority report of the Liberal members of the Committee exonerated the members of the Government concerned whereas a minority report by the Conservative members of the Committee found that these members of the Government bad been guilty of gross impropriety.

When the reports came to be debated in the House of Commons, the House divided on strictly party lines and by a majority exonerated the Ministers from all blame.

This is the last instance of a matter of this kind being investigated by a Select Committee of Parliament''. In other words, "it was because in England investigation by a political tribunal of matters causing grave public disquiet had been: discredited that the Tribunal of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, was passed, with a view to setting up some permanent investigating machinery to be available for use when re- {juircd''.

Furthermore, he pointed put that even in America ad hoc

A tribunals are not infrequently appointed to avoid a matter being referred to a Congressional Committee, as, for example, the Warren Commission to investigate the murder of President Kennedy.

It is thus clear that in democratic countries not only modern practice but statute can provide for Inquiries of the kind which are meant to be conducted under our Act of 1952. The Preamble of our Act shows that it was meant to "provide for appointment of the Commissions of Inquiry and for vesting such Commissions with certain powers". Section 1, sub-section (2) of the Act indicates that it extends to the whole of India; but, a proviso to it puts certain limitations to which its operation is subjected so far as the State of Jammu & Kashmir is concerned inasmuch as, for this State, Inquiries set up must relate to matters appertaining to such entries in List II or List ill of the Seventh Schedule as may be applicable to the State.

There is nothing in the Act to show any such limitations with regard to any other State.

Section 2 of the Act provides :

"2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) "appropriate Government" means-

(i) the Central Government, in relation to a Commission appointed by it to make an inquiry into any matter relatable to any of the entries enumerated in List I or List II or List III in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution; and

(ii) The State Government, in relation to a Commission appointed by it to make an inquiry into any matter relatable to any of the entries enumerated in List II or List III in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution :

Provided that in relation to the State of Jammu & Kashmir, these clauses shall have effect subject to the modification that-

(a) in sub-clause (i) thereof, for the words and figures "List I or List II or List III in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution" the words and figures "List I or List HI in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution as applicable to the State of Jammu and Kashmir" shall be substitufed;

(b) in sub-clause (ii) thereof, for the words and figures "List II or List Ill in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution", the words and figures "List ill in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution as applicable to the State of Jammu and Kashmir" shall be substituted;

(b) "Commission" means a Commission of Inquiry appointed under section 3;

....

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 43

( c) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act." ,._

Section 3 of the Act readsas foUows :

"3. (1) The appropriate Government may, if it is of opinion that it is necessary so to do, and shall, if a resolution in this behalf is pa5sed by the House of the People, or, as the case may be, the Legislative Assembly of the State, by notification in the Official Gazette appoint a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of making an inquiry into any definite matter of public importance and performing such functions and within such time as may be specified in the notificatiou, and the Commission so appointed shall make the inquiry and perform the functions accordingly :

Provided that where any such Commission has been appointed to inquire into any matter-

(a) by the Central Government, no State Government shall, except with the approval of the Cen- D tral Government, appoint another Commission to inquire into the same fuatter for so long as the Commission appointed by the Central Government is functioning;

(b) by a State Government, the Central Government shall not appoint another Commission to inquire into the same matter for so long as the Commission appointed by the State Government is functioning, unless the Central Government is of opinion that the scope of the inquiry should be extended to two or moi; e States.

(2) The Commission may consist of one or more members appointed by the appropriate Government, and where the Commission consists of more than one member, one of them may be appointed as the Chairman thereof.

(3) The appropriate Government may, at a1fy stage of an inquiry by the Commission fill any vacancy which ntay have arisen in the office of a member of the Commission (whether consisting of one or more than one member) .

( 4) The appropriate Government shall cause< to be laid before the House of the People or, as the case may be, the Legislative Assembly of the State, the report, if any, of the Commission on the inquiry made by the Commission under sub-section ( 1 ) together with a memorandum of the action taken thereon, within a period of six months ci the submission of the report by the Commission to the appropriate Government". 4-l 042 SCI/77

A After the two sections, set out above, which disclose the apparently very wide and undefined sc.ope of inquiries to be conducted under the Act, the only limit being that they must relate to matters of "definite public importance", follow sections conferring upon Commissions under the Act powers of a civil court for the purpose of eliciting evidence, both oral and documentary, and power to punish those guilty of its contempts.

Section 6 of the Act, however, makes it _ B clear that statements made by a person in the course of his evidence before the Commission "will not subject him to or be used against him in any civil or criminal proceeding except in a prosecution for giving false evidence by making such statements". But, this protection is not extended to statements made in reply to questions not required by the Commission to be answered,. or, those made on matters which are not relevant to the subject-matter of the inquiry.

The Act, how- C ever, contains no provisions for giving any effect to the findings of the Commission or for enforcing any order which conld be made by the Commission against any person as a result of an inquiry.

In fact, the only orders a Commission under the Act is empowered to make against anybody are those relating to adduction of evidence, whether oral or documentary, and those which may be required to protect the Commission against "acts calculated to bring the Commission or any D member thereof into disrepute".

The proceedings of a Commission could only result in a Report which is to be laid before the Legislature concerned under the provisioos of s. 3 ( 4) of the Act.

Hence, the obvious intention behind the Act is to enable the machinery of

demoqtic government to function mcire efficiently and effectively. It could hardly be construed as an Act meant to thwart democratic

methods of government.

Even in countries with undiluted unitary systems of Govt. there is devolution of powers of local self-Government for restricted purposes.

In our country, there is, at the top, a Central or the Union Government responsible to Parliament, and there are, below, it State Governments, responsible to the State Legislatures, each functioning within the sphere of its own powers which are divided into two categories; the exclusive and the concurrent.

Within the exclusive sphere of the powers of the State legislature is local Government.

And, in all States there is a system of local Government in both Urban and Rural areas, functioning under State enactments. Thus, we can speak of a three tier system of Government in our country in which the Central or the Union Govt. comes at the apex with certain subjects wh; ch are exclusively left to the States concerned ordinarily or in normal times.

But, even problems which arise within the territories of States may fall within the sphere of overriding Central power in emergencies.

And. if a subject is considered important enough to be regarded as the cooeern of the whole nation, the Constitution makers have themselves placed it either in the exclusively Central Legislative List I or in the concurrent Legislative List III of items mentioned in Schedule VII.

Our Parliament consists of the President and the two Houses of Perliament.

The House of the People is not meant to represent the States as independent units of a federation (Article 79). It has to

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KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 45

.have a sirength of members not exceeding 525 in number chosen by A .direct election by the people from various territorial constituencies in the States and not more than twenty representatives oi people living in the Union territories (Article 81J. There the people of India living in the States and of the Union territories are directly represented so that their interests and rights could be presumed to be well looked after and protected by their direct representatives.

The Council of States has 12 members in it nominated by the President for B their special knowledge or experience in matters. of art, science, or social service, and not more than 23 8 representatives of the States and elected by members of the legislative assembly of each State in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote and from the Union territories in the manner prescribed by law made by the Parliament (Article 80). The repre:: sentation of the Legislative bodies o[ the States and oi the Union C territories is certainly a recognition ol tho federal prine; ple.

But, this does not mean that the Central Government is precluded from all interference in matters concerning individual States. For deter@inbg the extent of that interference and the circumstances in which it is possible we have to turn to other provisions of our Constitution.

Article 245 ( 1) of our Constitution gives the territorial operations D of the laws made by Parliament and the State legislatures.

Article 246(1) enacts that items in List I of the Seventh Schedule fall exclusively within the domain of Parliament and those in List II come exclusively )Vithin the legislative power of the State legislatures, but those in List III are to be concurrent.

Article 248, however, vests Parliament with exclusive power to legislate with respect to matters not enumerated in either the concurrent or State list.

This is what E is spoken of generally as the "residuary power".

In addition, Parliament has over-riding powers of legislating even for matters in the -State list for limited durations if th•c Council of States by resolution supported by not less than two thirds of its members declared that it is necessary to do so in national interest or during the continuance of a proclamation of emergency (Articles 249 and 250). Inconsistency between laws made by the Parliament and a State legislature on F an item found in a concurrent list, is to be resolved in favour of the law made by Parliament (Article 254). And, far-reaching. powers, contained in Articles 352-360 in Part XVIII of the Constitution, enable the President to suspend not only the enforcement of fundamental rights of citizens, and their operation as fetters on legislative powers but also the functions of the State legislature which can be assumed by Parliament and of State Governments which can be taken G over by the President.

It is true that the emergency powers are so drastic that they can be abused.

We have not, however, got before us a case of the exercise of emergency powers or of abuse of powers.

We are only considering here the extents of what are put forward as federal and democratic features of Govt. which may or may not be capable of suspension.

As the Constitution stands at present, the exercise of the emergency powers, whose validity is not questioned H before us by any party in this case, can completely remove even the semblance of a federal structure in our constitution for the duration of an emergncy.

A A look at Chapter II of Part XI on administrative relations between the Union and the States, shows us provisions for directions which can be given to the State Governmen!S eve!} in normal times by the Central Govt. described in Articles 256-257, as "the Govt. of

India." Article 256 enacts :

"256. The executive power of every State shall be so exercised as to ensure compliance with the Jaws made by Parliament and any existing Jaws which apply in that State, and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of such directions to a State as may appear to the Government of India to be necessary for that purpose".

Article 257 (1) may also be quoted to illustrate the extent of Executive powers of the State and Unio11 Govt. :

"257(1) The executive power of every State shall be so exercised as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive power of the Union, and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the gving of such directions to a State as may appear to the Government of India to be necessary for that purpose".

The extent of the normal executive powers of the Union are indicated as follows by Article 73 (1) of the Constitution :

"73 (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive power of the Union shall extend-

(a) to the matters with respect to which Parliament haspower to make laws; and

(b) to the exercise of such rights, authority and jurisdiction as are exercisable by the Government of India by virtue of any treaty or agreement; ·

Provided that the executive power referred to in subclause (a) shall not, save as expressly provided in this Constitution or in any Jaw made by Parliament, extend in any State to matters with respect to which the Legislature of the State has also power to make Jaws".

And, the exte.nt and limitations of the executive power of a State given in Article 162 as follows :

"162. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution the executive power of a. State shall extend to the matters 'with respect to which the Legislature of the State has power to make laws:

Provided that in any matter with respect to which the Legislature of a. State and Parliament have power to make laws, the executlve power of the State shall be subject to, and linlited by, the executive power expressly conferred by this Constitution or by any law made by Parliament upon the Union or authorities thereof".

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KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 47

The wide scope of executive powers of the Union Government was considered by this Court not Jong ago in State of Rajasthan v. Union of India('), where; after examining the relevant Constitutional provisions, one of us observed in the context of what was sought to be =trued as a "direction" to the State Government, given by the Home Minister in the Union Government, to dissolve a State Assembly :

"I may point out that there are various aspects of relations between the Union and the States governed by different provisions of the Constitution.

I may here refer to

thoe which relate to giving of 'directions' by the Union Government to the State Governments because Art. 365 provides :

'365. Where any State has failed to comply with or to give effect to any directions given in the exercise of the executive power of the Union under any of the provisions of this Constitution, it shall be lawful for the President to hold that a situation has arisen in which the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution'

Articles 256 and 257 mention a wide range of subjects on which the Union Government may give executive directions to Sl<'lte Governments.

Article 73(1) (a) of the Constitution tells us tha~ the Executive power of the Union extends to all matters on which 'Parliament has power to make laws'.

Article 248 of the Constitution vests exclusively in the Parliament residuary powers of making laws on any matter not enumerated in the Concurrent or State Lists.

Article 256 of the Constitution covers cases where the President may want to give directions in exercise of the executive power of the Union to a State Government in relation to a matter covered by an existing law made by Parliament which applies to that State. But, Art. 257(1) impo6es a wider obligation upon a State to exercise :!ts powers in such a way as not to impede the exercise of executhc power of the Union which, as would appear from Art. 73 of the Constitution, read with Art.- 248 may cover even a subject on which there is no existing law but on which some legislation by Parliament is possible.

It could, therefore, be argued that although, the. Constitution itself does not lay down specifically when the power of dissohition should be exercised by th.e Governor on the advice of

a Council of Ministers in the Sl<'lte, yet if a direction oil that matter was properly given by the Union Government to a State Government, there is a duty to carry it out. The time for the dissolution of a State Assembly is not covered by

(1) A.I.R. 1977 S.C. p. 1361, 1383-M.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1978] 2 S.C.Rc

A any specific provision of the Constitution or any law made on the subject. It is possible, however, for the Union Government, in exercise of its residuary executive power to consider it a fit subject for the issue of an appropriate direction when it considers that the political situation in the country is such that a fresh electio11 is necessary in the interest of political stability or to establish !he confidence of B the people in the Govt. of a State". (p. 1383-84).

In that case, after considering the extent of federalism m onr , Constitution it was also observed (p. 1383) :

"If thrn our Constitution creates a Central Government which is 'amphibian' in the sense that it can move either on the federal or unitary plane, according tc the needs of the situation and circumstances of a case, the question which we are driven back to consider is whether an assessment of the 'situation' in which the Union Government should move either on the federal or unitary plane arc matters for the Union Government itself or for this Court to consider and determine.

Each organ of the Republic is expected to know the limits of ifs own powers. The judiciary comes m generally only when any question f ultra vires action is involved, because questions relating to vires appertain to its domain".

ln the first quotation given above, what was spoken of as a "residuary executive power" of the Ce11tral Government, analogous to the "residuary" legislative powers of Parliament, was relied upon in support of the alleged "direction" from the Centre.

In the case before us it could certainly be urged that a consideration of the question whether a State Govt. or its Chief Minister is or is not carrying out the trust which Constitutional power places in the ha!1ds of a State Government and its head, so as to determine whether anv exercise of extraordinary powers under Article 356 of the Constitution is called for or not. is certainly a matter which lay within the powers of , the Central Government.

Article 356 speaks of the' "satisfaction" of the President fron1 n. report of the Governor "or other\visc'' whether a particular situation has arisen in \Vhich the Govt of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provision~ of the Ccnstitution.

Such a matter would certainly be a matter of public importance. ]f the President dccn1s it necessary to give the Slate Govt. or its Chief Minister an opportunity of being heard before an impartial Commission of Inquiry constituted under the Act. it could ccrta'nly not be said that such a mode of exercise of power under Article 356 is net fully covered by what is necessarily implied hy this article of the Cons1itution.

Indeed, such a procedure

wold be a very fair and reasonable one.

And, in judging the validity of provisions even hypothetical situations to which they could apply could be taken into account and not merely those present in the case before the Court. We do not think that an examination of the CJ:press provisions of the Constitution advances the case of the plaintiff.

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.)

On the other hand, the central Government can place relian.ce on, interalia, provisions of Article 356 of the Constitution for powers which could be held to be necessarily implied in the provisions of the Constitution-that is to say, a power to order . an inquiry for the purposes of the satisfaction required by article 356.

And the machinery provided by the Act could, it seems to us, be utilised to decide whether action nuder article 356 is really called for.

Reliance was, however, placed strongly on provisions of the Constitution setting up what, in the words of Dr. Ambedkar, one of the prime architects of our Constitution, is "a Dual Polity" by which, as was explained in the case of State of Rajasthan (supra), he meant a Republic "both unitary as well as federal" according to the needs of the time and circumstances. This "Dual Polity" of ours is a product of historical accidents, or, at any rate, of circumstances other than thOse which result in genuine federations in whieh the desire for a separate identity and governmental independence of the federating units is so strong that nothing more than a union with a strictly demarcated field of Central Government's powers is possible. A confoderal polity carries tl:ie attenuation of Central authority to the extent of confining combinecl or concerted action to the more strictly limited field of collaboration only to matters such as foreign affairs and defence so that it sets up a mechanism of cooperative action in limited areas which can nardly be spoken of as a Government.

A: genuine federation is a combination of political units which adhere rather tenaciously to the exclusion of the Central authority from stricttv deCiarcated spheres of State action, but there is a Central or Federal

"Government".

The extent of Federalism set up depends upon the extent of demarcafon in the executive, legislative and judicial spheres.

In a truly Federal Constitution this demarcation is carried out in a very carefully comprehensive and detailed manner.

The limits are clearly specified.

We will thus have to examine our Constition to determine how much of it is found here.

No doubt, throughout the long course of our history, our successive rulers 1iad been trying to build up, a unity of India by establishing their imperial sway politically and administratively over the whole country, but, it was really the British who succeeded in givin~ reality to such an objective.

And, even they preserved a duality of systems of Government.

There was a British India under the Governor General 'presiding over the destinies of the various provinces under Governors as Imperial sub-agents, but all acting on behalf of an Emperor whose; governments ruled from Westminster and Whitehall.

And, there were other parts of the country, ruled by Indian Princes

owing allegiance to a foreign Emperor to whose authority they paid homage by acknowledging his sovereignty or the paramountcy exercised through his Viceroy.

These two parts were sought to be knitted

togeher into a federal polity by the Government of India Act of

1935. Federal princlples, including a Federal Court, were embodied in it so as to bring together and co-ordinate two different types of palitical systems and sets of authorities.

But, after the Constitution

of our Republic, came the gradual disappearance of Princely States and a unification of India in a single polity with duality of agencies of Government only for the purposes of their more effective and efficient operations under a Central direction. It was, more or less, an application of the principle of division of labour under at least Central supervision.

In other words the duality or duplication of organs of government on the Central and State levels did not reflect a truly federal demarcation of powers based on any separatist sentiments which could threaten the sovereignty and integrity of the Indian Republic to which members! of our Constituent Assembly seemed ardently devoted, particularly after an unfortunate division of the country with certain obviously disastrous results.

However, we may examine t:he express provisions of our Constitution relating to the organs of Government in the States which, no doubt, give the appearance of full-fledged separate States for Certain purposes.

Each State has its own Governor exercising the executive power of that State.

But, all Governors, although undertaking tC> devote themselves to the service and well-being of the people of their respective States, owe an undivided allegiance to "the Constitution and the law".

Each of them is appointed by the President and holds office dnring the pleasure of the President to whom he sends his reports with a view to any proposed action under Article 356 of the Constitution.

The Governor's authority, under the Warrant of his appointment, is traceable to the President to whom he is to submit: his resignation if he resigns.

E Article 163 speaks of the Council of Ministers "with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except in so far as he is by or under this Constitution required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion." Now, the Council of Ministers, theoretically appointed by the Governor, is certainly "collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the State" (see: Article 164(2). But, this "collective responsi- F bility" does not, as has been erroneously attempted to be argued before us, abridge or truncate the power of the Central Government to appoint a Commission under s. 3 of the Act. In fact, this "collective responsibility" has a scope and mode of operation which are very different from those of an inquiry under s. 3 of the Act even though the same or similar matters may, sometimes, give rise to both: "Collective Responsibility" is basically political in origin and mode G of operation. It may arise even in cases which may not call for any inquiry under Section 3 of the Act.

And, matters investigated under Section 3 of the Act may have no bearing on any "collective responsibility".

The object of collective responsibility is to make the whole body of persons holding Ministerial office collectively, or, if one may so put it, "vicariously" responsible for such acts of the others as arc referable to their collective volition so that, even if an individual may not be personally responsible for it, yet, he will be deemed to share

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KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg; C.J.) 51

1he re; ponsibility 'with thos~ who may have actnally commit.led some wroag.

On the. other hand, in the case, before ns, the enqmry un'.ler Section 3 of the Act by the Grover Commision has been ordered by the Central Government so as to determine who is actually responsible ior certain actions and what could be the motive behind them.

The sphere of this enquiry is very different frorn that.in which ."i:IIective

respOnsibility" functions. Explaining ''collective respons1b1lity", as understood in England, two writers on Constituticnal matters (see : "Some Problems of the Constitution" by Geoffery Marshall and Graeme C. Moodie) say: (at p. 71)

. "If responsibility is taken in the formal constitutional sense, there would seem, granted collective governmental responsibility; to be no clear distinction to be drawn between.

Ministers inside and those. outside the Cabinet. . To be responsible in this sense simply is to share the consequences of responsibility-namely to be subject to the rnle thatno

member of the Government may properly remain a member anq dissociate. himself from its policies (except on occasions when the Government permits a free vote in the House)", .

They add: '

"The substance of the Government's collective responsibility could be defined as its duty to submit its policy to and defend its policy before the Honse of Commons, and to resign if defeated on an issue of confidence". ·

Each Minister can be and is separately responsible for his own decisions and . acts and omissions also.

But, inasmuch as the Council of Ministers is able to stay in office only so !Ong as it commands the support and confidence of a majority of Members cf the Legislature of the State, the whole Council of Ministers must be held to be politically responsible for the decisions and policies of each of

tl1e Ministers and of his department which could be presumed to have F the support of the whole Ministry.

Hence, the whole Ministry will, at least on issues involving matters of policy, have to be treated as ·one entity so far as its answerability to the Legislative Assembly representing the "electors is concerned.

This is the meaning of. the principle underlying article 164(2) of the Constitution.

The purpose of this provisiol\ i.s not to find out facts or to establish the actual responsibility ef a Chief Minister or any other Minister or Ministers G for particular decisions or-· Governmental acts..

That can be more suitably done, when wrongful a'-ts or decisions are complained of, by means of inquiries under the Act.

As already indicated above, the procedure of. Parliamentary Committees to inquire into every . legally or ethically wrong act was found to be unsatisfactory and unsound.

The principle of individual as well as collective ministerial responsibility can work most efficiently only when cases requiring H proper sifting and evaluation of evidence and discussion of questions involved have taken place, where this is required, in proceedings before a Commission appointed under."s.· 3 of the Act.

Text-books writers on Constitutional Law have indicated how collective ministerial responsibility to Parliament, which has essentially a political purpose and effects, developed later than individual responsibility of Ministers to Parliament which was also political in origin and operation. It is true that an individual Minister could, in England, where the principle of individual and collective responsibility of 'Ministers was evolved, be responsible either for wrongful acts done by him without the authority of the whole cabinet or of the monarch to support them, or under orders of the King who could, in the eye of law, do no wrong.

But, apart from an impeachment, which has become obsolete, or punishment for contempts of a House, which constitute only a limited kind of offences, the Parliament does not punish the offender.

For establishing his legal liability recourse to ordinary courts of law is indi_>pensable.

Responsibility to Parliament only means that the Minister may be compelled by convention to resign.

Out of this liability arose the principle of collective responsibility.

Thus, in Wade and Phillips on "Constitutional Law", 8th Edn., p. 87, we find; "Just as it became recognised that a single Minister could not retain office against the will of Parliament, so later it became clear that all Ministers must stand or fall together in Parliament, if the Government was to be carried on as a unity rather than by a number of advisers of the Sovereign acting separately". This development of collective responsil)ility was thus described in 1878 by Lord Salisbury:

"For all that passes in Cabinet every member of it who does not resign is absolutely and irretrievably responsible and has no right afterwards to say that he agreed in one case to a compromise, while in another he was persuaded by his colleagues .... It is only on the principle that absolute responsibility is undertaken by every member of the Cabinet, who, after a decision is arrived at; remains member of it, that the joint responsibility of Ministers to Parliament can be upheld and one of the most essential princi11les of parliamentary responsibility established."

The whole question of respm1sib.ility is related to the continuance of a Minister or a Government in office.

A Minister's cwn acts or omissions or those of others in the Department in his charge, for which he may fee]· morally responsible, or, for which others may hold him morally responsible, may compel him to resign.

By an extension of this logic, applied to individual Ministers at first, emerged the principle of "collective responsibility" which we find enacted in Articles 75 (2) and 164 (2) of our Constitution.

The only sanction for its enforcement is the pressure of public opinion cxpressed

pa1ticularly in terms of withdrawal of political support by members of Parliament or the State Legislature as the case may be_

As Prof. S. A. de Smith points out in his Constitutional and Administrative Law, 1971. at p. 170 to 179, the principle operates in a nebulous moral-cum-political sphere, sometimes forcing an individual Minister to resign, as in the case of Mr. Profumo, and, on

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 53

other occasions, involving the fate of the whole Ministry, depending npon the extent to which the Cabinet as a whole could. be, in the circnmstances of a parllcnlar case, deemed to be responsible for a particular decision or action or inaction. In England, the principle operates as a matter of convention backed by political jndgment, as reflected in Parliament whereas, for us, the principle is stated in onr Constitution itself, but it, nevertheless, depends upon convention and upon public opinion, particularly as reflected in Parliament or in

te State Legislature, s the case may be, for its effectiveness. The principle thus exists separately and independently from the legal liability of a Minister, holding an office in the Union or a State Government.

An investigation by a Commission of Inquiry should facilitate or help the formation of sound public opinion.

That was the object of the Commission of Inquiry presided over by Lord Denning on the Profnmo allair.

The fact that the Minister concerned was considered individually responsible to the House for a wrong statement made to it did not prevent an inquiry by a Commission into matters on which he had made the statement.

His individual actions, however, did not bring into operation the principle of collective responbility becasc his colleagues in the Government could not reasonably be held guilty of dereliction or b(each of any duty.

A Conll1lisson of Inquiry could not properly be meant, as is sometimes suspected, to merely white-wash ministerial or departmen-' tal acti011, rather than to explore and discover, if possible, real facts.

It is also not meant to serve al5 a mode of prosecution and much less of persecution.

Proceedings before it cannot serve as substitutes for, proceedings which should take place before a Court of law inves- . tcd with powers of adjudication as well as of awarding punishments or affording reliefs.

Its report or findings cannot relieve Courts which may have to detennine for themselves matters dealt with by a Commission.

Indeed, the legal relevance or evidentiary value of a Commission's report or findings on issues which a Court may have t0 decide for itself, is very questionable. The appoinllnent of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate a matter which should, in the ordinary course, have gone to a Court of law is generally a confession of want of sufficient evidence-as in the case of the appointment of the Warren Commission in the U.S.A. to inquire into facts concerning the murder of the late President Kennedy-to take it to Court combined with an attempt to satisfy the public need and desire to discover what had really gone wrong and how and where if possible.

A Commission of Inquiry has, therefore, a function of its own to fulfil.

Tt has an orbit of action of its own within which it can move so as not to conflict with or imnede other forms of action or modes of redress.

Its report or findings are not immune from.criticism if they are either not fair and impartial or arc unsatisfactory for other reasons as was said to be the case with the Warren Commission's report.

Provisions of either Article 75(2) or Article 164(2) could not operate as bars against the institution of inquiries by Commissions

A scl up under the Act.

To infer such bars as tbeir necessary consequences would be to misunderstand the object as well as the mode and sphere of operation of the principles found in both articles 75 (2) and I 64(2) of the Constitution and also the purpose, scope, and function of Commissions of Inquiry set up under the Act.

In a somewhat desperate alteJ11.Pt to fin~ some constitutional prohibition against the inquiries on which the Grover Commission has embarked, learned Counsel for the plaintiff relied on Article 194(3) of the Constitution.

The particular clause (3) of Article 194 has to be read in the context of other clauses of Article 194 as well as the remaining provisions of the Constitution as indicated by Article 194(1). We may here set out the whole of Article 194 which reads as follows :-

"I 94 (1). Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and to the rules and standing orders regulating the procedure of the Legislature, there shall be freedom of speech in the Legislature of every State.

(2) No member of the Legislature of a State shall be

liable to any proceedings in any Court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in the Legislature or any committee thereof, and no person shall be so liable in respect of the publication by or under the authority of a House of such a Legislature of any report, paR§r. votes or proceedings. ( 3) In other respects, the powers, privileges and immunities of a House of the Legislature of a State, and of the Members and the committees of a House of such Legislature, shall be such as may from time to time be defined by the Legislature by law, and, until so defined, shall be those of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and of its members and committees, at the commencement of this Constitution.

( 4) The provisions of clauses (I), (2) and (3) shall apply in relation to persons who by virtue of this Constitution have the right to speak in, and otherwise to take part in the proceedings of, a House of the Legislature of a State or any committee thereof as they pply in relation to members of that Legislature".

Article J 94 reproduces the terms of article 105 with this evident difference that, whereas article 194, is applicable to Houses of a State Legislature, article 105 applies to the two Houses of Parliament.

Each of these two articles subjects "the powers, privileges and immunities" of each House as well as all its Members and its Committees not only to the laws made by the appropriate legislature but also to all the other provisions of the Constitution. It is, clear, from these articles. that they do not apply to legislative po, wers of Parliament or of the

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.)

State Legislatures which are specifically dealt with by articles 245 to' A. 255 of the Constitution. Articles 105 and! 194, far from dealing with the legislative powers of Honses of Parliament or of State Legisla!uf".8 respectively, are confined in scope to such powers o~ each House as 1t may exercise separately functioning as a House. It also covers immunities and privileges of each House as a House as well as of its members.

The correct principle of interpretation to apply is "noscitur a sociis", or, in other words, the word "powers" gets its meaning a~<l co]our !lot B only from its context but also from the other words used m association \Vith.jt,

It is evident, from the Chapter in which article 194 occurs as well as the heading and its marginal note that the "powers" meant to be indicated here are not independent.

They are powers which depend upon and arc necessary for the conduct of the business of each House.

They cannot also be expanded into those of the House of Commons in England for all purposes.

For example, it could not, be contended that each House of a State Legislature has the same share of legislative power as the House of Commons has, as a constituent part of a completely sovereign legislature.

Under our law it is the Constitution which i~ sovereign or supreme.

The Parliament as well as each Legislature of a State in India enjoys only such legislative powers as the Constitution confers upon it.

Similarly, each House of Parliament or State Legislature has such share in Legislagve power as is assigned to it by the Constitution itself.

The powers conferred on a House of a State Legislature are distinct from the legislative powers of either Parliament or of a State legislature for whicb, as a!reasJy ob&, rvcd, there are separate provisions in our Constitution.

We need not travel beyond the words of article 194 itself, read with other provisions of the Constitution, to clearly reach such a conclusion.

There is, if We may say so, considerable confusion still in the ' minds of some people as to the seope of the undefined "powers, privileges and immunities" of a House of a State Legislature so much so that it-has sometimes been imagined that a House of a State legislature has some judicial or quasi-judicial powers also, quite apart from its recognised powers of punishment for its contempts or the power of investigations it may carry out by the appointment of its own committees.

Arguments of the kind which have been sometimes advanced in this country could not have been advanced ii it was clearly understood that, even in England, where the Constitution is largely conventioal, the .exercie of judicial powers directly by Houses of the legislature, mc!udmg powers such as those of impeachment, are practically obsolete.

Whatever remained of the power enjyed one by the High Cou; t of Parament, when the King could hunself sit, as a part of Parliament, with the Houses of Parliament to administer justice is now concentrated in the House oti Lords exer~ cised through a Committee of Law Lords. '

Every power of the House of Parliament in England is subject to an act of Parliament.

The Act \vith which we are concerned is an

Act of our Parliament.

We have to satisfy ourselves by reference to our Constitution and not the British Constitution that the provisions of the Act before us are within the legislative competence of Parliament.

Bnt, ii we could ignore the provisions of our Constitution relating to distribution of legislative powers, which is what the arguments based on Article 194(3) seem to imply, we would be left with no yard-stick for determining the legislative competence of our Parliament. It would be absurd to take that view simply because that is the position in England.

Nobody could, in England, question the validity of an Act of Parliament on the ground that it is in xcess of the power vested in a sovereign Parliament to legislate. If we could apply that principle here the Act before us would be a sufficient answer to all argument against its validity.

If that principle does not apply in our country because of the provisions of our Constitution, which constitute courts judges of constitutionality of even Acts of Parliament, we have to test the provisions of the Act on the anvil of ex9ress provisions of our own Constitution and not on the erroneously supposed powers of a House of Commons in England which could never ignore or invalidate the provisions of any Act made by the Parliament there although it could play a decisive role in its repeal if it so desired. '

A source of confusion about the "powers'' and "privileges" of the House of Commons even in England was sought to be removed long ago by Sir Erskine May when he pointed out in his "Parliamentary Procedure and Practice", in 1844, that Coke's dictum and Blackstone's views, according to which the ordinary law courts could not judge matters relating to "Lex Parliamenti", on the ground that "the High Court of Parliament hath no hi?, her", were out of date even in 17th Century England.

He said about such views :

"The views belonged to a time when the distinction between the judicial and legislative functions of Parliament was undrawn or only boginning to be drawn and when the separation of the Lords from the Commons was much less co111plete than it was in the seventeenth century. Views about the High Court of Parliament and its powers which were becoming antiquated in the time of Coke, continued to be repeated far into the eighteenth century, although after the Restoratiorr Principles began to be laid down. which were more in accord with. the facts of the modern Constitution.

But much confusion remained which was not dismissed by the use of the phrase "privileges of Parliament".

Sir Erskine May wont on to indicate the three notions resulting from this "confusion of thought" in the course of English Constitutional history. He wrote :

"Three notions arise from this co.nfusion of thought : ( 1) That the courts, being inferior to the High Court of Parliament, cannot call in question, the decision of either House on a matter of privilege.

KARNATAKA V. uNION (Beg, C.J.)

(2) That the lex ct conseutudo parliamenti is a separate law, and, therefore, unknown to the Courts.

(3) That a Resolution of either House declaratory of privil<Jge is a judicial precedent binding on the courts."

Now, what learned counsel for the plaintiff seemed to suggest was

that Ministers, answerable to a Legislature were governed by a separate B law which exempted them from liabilities under the ordinary law. This Wllll never the la.w in England. And, it is not so here. Our Constitution leaves no scope for such arguments, based on a confusion concerning the "powers" and "privileges" of the House of Commons mentioned in articles 105(3) and 194(3). Our Constitution vests only legislative power in Parliament as well as in the State Legislatures.! A House of Parliament or State Legisiatur~ cannot try anyone or any case direct- C ly, as a Court of Justice can, but it can proceed quasi-judicially in cases of contempts of its authority and take up motions concerning its "privileges" and "imn1unities" because, in doing so, it only seeks removal of obstructions. to the due performance of its legislative functions.

But, if any question of jurisdiction arises as to wheth, er a matter falls here <ir not, it has to be decided by the ordinary courts in appropriate proceedings. For example, the jurisdiction to try a criminal offence, such D as murder, committed even within a House vests in ordinary crinlinal

courts and not in a House of Parliament or in a State legislature. ' In Smt. Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Shri Raj Narain('), this Court held that a House of Parliament cannot, in exercise of any supposed "powers" under article 105, decide election disputes for which special authorities have been constituted under the Representation of People Act, 1961, enacted in compliance with article 329. Similarly, appropriate provi- E sions for appointments of suitable persons, invested with power to determine, in accordance with a procedure which is fair and just and regular and efficient, for ascertainment of facts on matters of public importance, is provided by the Act. If such provisions are covered by specific provisions relating to legislath:e competence of Parliament and one of the items in Central List I or the concurrent List III of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, we need not go F to other provisions which would, strictly speaking, not be relevant unless thy could be relied upon to clearly carve out some exception operating against such legislative competence.

Learned Counsel for the plaintiff has relied also upon the provisions of Chapter II, Part XI, containing Articles 256 to 263 of the G Constitution. Here, we find Articles 256 and 257 (I) of the Constitution which vve have already examined above to bring out the extent of Government of India's power to give necessary directions tn everv State. The term "State" used there could not possibly be held to apply

merely to a geographical entity or territory. Article l, sub-article (2) and Article 3 of our Constitution make a distinction between "the State" and its territory. Article 300, in the context of legal proceed- H ings, makes the Government of a: State tlie legal representative of the

(1) [19761 2 S.C.R. 347.

State.

A direction can only be given to a legal entity and not to a geographical or a territorial entity. Hence, "directions" to the "State", as these terms are used in Articles 256 and 257, must necessarily mean directions to States as legal entities which must have legal representatives.

There need be no difficulty in treating State Governments as repre-.; entatives of their respective individual States. Can we, with such a constitntion as ours, say that the Union Government must take no interest, and, consequently, no action whatsoever which savours of interference with governmental functions of a State Goverrnnent? In the dissolution of State Assemblies case we have already stated the views of this Court on such a subject at some length indicating there the kind of federation we have in this country with what has been characterised as "a strong unitary bias", or, at any rate, with powers given to the Union Goverrnnent of SUJ>crvision and even supersession, in certain circumstances, of State Governments temporarily to restore normalcy or to inject honesty, integrity, and effidency into State administrations where these essentials of good government may be wanting. c

Neither Chapter IL part Xl of the Constitution, dealing with the administrative relations between the Union and the States, nor any other part of the Constitution could be held to imply a prohibition against the •exercise of any legislative power of Parliament. Indeed, a glance through Chapter II in part XI shows that, apart from article& 256 and 257(1 ), it deals only with some special matters, such as maintenance of national highways, water ways, and railways, constructions to be undei; taken for objects of national or military importance, delegation of certain powers, some arbitrations, recognition throughout the territory of India of certain public acts and judicial proceedings of the Union and of every State, determination of disputes relating to waters, and certain other matters involving co-ordination between the States. It could not be said to exhaust all matters which may involve the interests of particular States as well as of the Union.

There is nothing in any of the provisions here or elsewhere in our Constitntion which could, by a necessary implication, be said to impose conditi.ons on the exercise of legislative powers distributed by Chapter I of Part XI of the Constitution read with the three lists in the Seventh Schedule.

Such a question must, therefore, be determined exclusively by the provisions of Chapter I of Part XI which refer us to the lgislative lists in the Seventh Schedule.

We cannot forget that. we are really, concerned here with legislative powers and not with administrative relations or directions. It is true that those powers cannot be so exercised as to displace or amend the Constitution. But, unless they have that effect, provisions meant to supplement and facilitate due discharge of Constitutional powers cannot be deemed to be in excess of ordinary legislative power.

Entry 94 in List I of exclusively Central subjects of legislation reads as follows :

"94. Inquiries, surveys and statistics for the purpose of any of the matters in this list".

It is true that matters affecting relations between the Union Government and the State Government are not found mentioned specifically

....

XAllNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.l.) 59

.anywhere in the Union List. It was, therefore, urged that "inquiries"

mentioned here, even if they extend beyond surveys and statistics, must, .nevertheless, be confined to "matters in this list". It was submitted. that such "inquiries" could not embrace the conduct of Ministers exercising governmental powers as such conduct does not fall under any item in the list but should, properly speaking, have found a place in the Chapter on "administrative relations". It was suggested that the Union Government was really trying to exercise a kind of unwarranted <lisciplinary authority and control ov>"r the conduct of Ministers in the States in the performance of governmental functions by setting up a Commission of Inquiry-a subject, it is submitted, that could properly be dealt with only as a part of "Constitutional law" and should have found a mention explicitly in some part of our Constitution so as to fo unmistakably identifiable there as such control exercisable through the means adopted for it.

We do not think that the term "Constitutional Jaw" can be either clearly or exhaustively defined although its natnre can be roughly indicatr'...d in the way in which text-book writers have attempted to do it.

For example, Professors E.C.S. Wade and Godfrey Phillips (See : Constitutional Law, 8th Ed. page 4) say : ·

"There is no hard and fast definition of constitutioual law. In the generally accepted use of the term it means the rules which regulate the structure of the principal organs of government and their relationship to each other, and determine their principal functions."

fn other words, it could be expected to contain only the basic framework. It is not part of its nature to exhaustively deal with all governmental matters.

AB there is no written Constitution in Britain, the authors quoted above said "the Constitution has no separate existence sinoo it is the ordinary law of the land". They added : "There is a common body of law which forms the constitution, partly statutory, partly common law, and partly conventions". It is not possible in England to equato all that passes as "constitutional law" with rules enforceable through Courts of law because conventions, which cannot be so enforced, are also, apparently, treated as parts of it since they also contain rules of conduct. Thus, not all "constitutional law" need be written or be even "Jaw" in the commonly accepted sense of this term. In any case, there can be no clear-cut distinction between what conld or should and what could not or should not be comprehended within the body of rules called "constitutional law". In practice, it will be found that what is embodied even in a written constitution depends sometimes on the peculiar notions for the time being of people who make it. It reflects their views about what should be considered so basic or fundamental as to find a place in the Constitutional document.

For example, one of the provisions of the Swiss Constitution of 1893 prohibits "sticking of animals for butchers" meat unless thev have previously been stunned". According to normal notions of "Constitutional law", such a subject should not have found a. place in it.

Others think that a

5-1042SCI/77

constitution should contain nothing more than the barest possible outlines of the structure of the Government of a country.

The rst, whether "constitutional law" or not, could be done by the exercise oi ordinary legislativ>~ powers.

Prof. K. C. Wheare, in his "modern Constitutions", wrote a Chapter on "What a constitution should contain", where he observes :

"A glance at the Constitutions of different countries shows at ono~ that people differ very much in what they think it necessary for a Constitution to contain.

The Norwegians were able to say all that they wanted to say in about twentyfive pages; the Indians occupy about two hundred and fifty pages in their Constitution of 1950.

A principal line of division is found between those who regard a Constitution as primarily and almost exclusively a legal document in which, therefore, there is a place for rules of law but for practically nothing else, and those who think of a Constitution as a sort of manifesto, a confession of faith, a statement of ideals, a 'charter of the land', as Mr. Podsnap calkd it".

He opined that "the one essential characteristic of the ideal or the best form of constitution is that it should be the shorbst possible".

And, Chief Justice John Marshall of the United States said in 1819 in McCulloch v. Maryland(') :

"A Constitution to contain an accurate detail of all the subdivisions of which its great powers will admit, and of all the means by which they may be carried into execution, wonld partake of the prolixity of a legal code, and could scarcely be embraced by the human mind.

It would probably never be undrstood by the public.

Its nature, therefore, requires that only its great outlines should be marked, its important objects designated, and the minor ingredients which compose those objects be deduced from the nature of the objects themselves."

It is true that our Constitution-makers did not try to conform to the standards indicated above.

This was due largely to the historical background and the manner of our Constitution making.

We did not start with a ckan slate.

We accepted as our starting point the scheme embodied in the Government of India Act, 1935, enacted by the British Parliament, evidently in an attempt to provide quite a comprehensive and foolproof set of legal rules for the governance of our country.

On it, were engrafted a set of provisions containing principles, sometimes conflicting, culled from the Constitutions of various countries, including Japan, and results of judicial wisdom and experience atliered from all comers of the earth, so that we Jiave a Constitution which, as Mr. Granville Austin suggests in his book on "The Indian Constitution : The cornerstone of a Nation", resembles. a coat of various colours.

(I) 4, L.Bd. 579.

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 61

Qui: Conititution may be lengthy and considerably more compre- A hensive and elaborate than Constitutions of other countries.

Nevertheless, to expect its contents to be so all embracing as to necessarily specify and deal with every conceivable topic of legislation on all constitutional matters exhaustively, with sufficient particulars, so as to leave no room for doubt as to what could be meant by it. ..... as though a topic of legislation had to be stated, with tNcessary parti culars, like a charge to an accused person .... is to expect the humanly B impracticable if not the impossible.

And, to build an argument founded on the suppo&d reasonableness of such an expectation and some loosely drafted comprehensive definition of either "Constitutional law"

or a "Constitution", to convince us that what is not so specified and identifiable as a subject of legislation, given in the Constitution must be necessarily prohibited at least as a topic of ordinary legislation, although it may become permissible by an amendment of the Constitu- C lion, by an addition to it, appears very unrealistic to us.

At any rate, our Constitution does not inhibit the growth or clevelopmcnt of supplementary constitutional law through channels other than Article 368.

Excessive particularity is not consistent, as already indicated above, with the generally accepted notions of a basic or what may be characterised as the "structural" law of the State delineating its broad B basic features only.

The inoot that could be expected from the human foresight of Constitution makers is that they should provide for that residual power of legislation which could cover topics on which, consistently with the constitutional framework, Parliament or State legislatures could depending on the constitutional pattern, legislate , even though the legislation may not be easily assignable to any specific entry.

Such a provision our Constitution makers did make.

J!l

Item 97 corresponds to the residuary legislative powers of Parliament under Article 248. It reads as follows :

"97. Any other matter not enumerated in List II or List ID including any tax not mentioned in either of those lists."

It gives effect to Article 248.

No dobt, resort to Article 248, read with item 97 of List I, could not overcome any specific constitutional bar against legislation on investigation of conduct of Ministers of any State Government in the discharge of their duties had there been one.

There is certainly no such express and specific bar in our Constitution. And, it is difficnlt to see how one can arise by some necessary implication of provisions dealing with entirely different topics.

There is no indication anywhere in our Constitution that, while enacting the provisions from which we are asked to infer a bar against or limitation upon legislation on such a topic as inquiries, that our Constitution-makers had any such bar or limitation even remotely in their minds.

There seems no legal or rational nexus between such a supposed bar or limitation and the subjects dealt with in the articles relied upon.

As already indicated above, the Constitution makers cannot always mention and exhaust every conceivable topic.

We think that it is in order to meet precisely such a situation that article 248 read \\ith Entry 97 was inserted.

Hence, we think that article 248 read

A IVith Entry 97 of List I will fully cover Section 3 of the Act even if \

iem 94 of Llst I does not .

A)ternatively, Entry 45 of the Concurrent List III of the Seventh Schedule was relied upon on behalf of the Union.. This item reads as follows :

B "45. Inquiries and statistics for the purposes of any of

the matters specified in List II or List ID'".

To fall under item 45 of List III the topic of inquiry must relate to one of the specified items in List II or Lisf III.

If neit.her items 94 and 97 of List I nor item 45 of List III which refers to inquiries relating to topics in List II as well, could cover Section 3 of the Act, it would necessarily follow that such an enactment, assuming that Section 3 was meant to cover an inquiry against a State Minister's conduct in the exercise of powers enjoyed by him by virtue of his office was not contemplated at all by our Constitution makers. If such an argument was correct, Section 3 would, on the assumption made, fall entirely outside the legislative competence of both Parliament and State Legislatures because there would be no legislative power conferred upon >any Legislature to deal with snch subject as it could not be covered by any entry in any list. Indeed, if we have correctly understood tlie argument of learned Counsel for the plaintiff in the form it finally took, this is precisely what is submitted to us for acceptance.

It was contended that this W'aS so because the conduct of governmental affairs by State Governments and their Ministers is subject exclusively to the control by State Legislature and those of the Union Government by Parliament alone by reason of the Constitutional provisions we have already examined and explained.

To accept such contentions of the learned Counsel for the plaintiff is to place Ministers, both in the States and in the Union Governments, completely outside the scope of legal answerability on the ground that they were only politically responsible to and controllable by appropriate F legislatures even when they, in the course of purported exercise of official powers, act dishonestly and corruptly and even commit criminal offences.

This would mean that even if a Minister receives bribes, •. as we genuinely hope that none in the whole country does, he could not be made answerable in ordinary courts or be subjected to criminal proceedings.

If no inquiry under any law into his conduct was possible simply because the act complained of was done by a Minister in G purported exercise of a power vested in him by virtne of his ministerial office, he would be placed in a privileged position above the ordinary processes of law applicable to other citizens. Mere holding of Ministerial office would confer immunity from any inquirv. He would thus become a legally irresponsible despot above the ordinllfY law .

H . The determine whether there is a prima facie case for a criminal offence facts have to be necessanly investigated or inqu; red into. But, of every type of inquiry and investigation except one by the House of the Legislature of which he is a member is barred, the very first step

) '

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 63

towards a prosecution for any serious crime would be shut out in limine.

No question of any further legal proceedings would arise under any enactment.

Such a consequence of the constitutional provisions relied upon by learned counsel for the plaintiff could not, in our opinion, be possible within the contemplation of our Constitution makers.

Indeed, such a view would clearly violate the express and very salutary provisions of Artiole 14.

We prefer to infer and hold that the term 'inquiries', as used in item 94 of List I and Item 45 of List III, without any .!imitations upon their nature or specification of their character or objects, is wide enough to embrace every kind of inquiry, whether a criminal offence by anyone is disclosed or not by facts alleged.

Entry 45 in List III must include inquiries to cover allegations against all persons which bring them within the sphere of Entry I of List ill relating to criminal law.

All that "Inquiries" covered by Item 45 require is that they must be "for the purpose of any of the matters specified in List II or List III." The language used-"any of the matters specified"-is broad enough to cover anything reasonably related to any of the enumerated items even if done by holders of ministerial offices in the States.

Other subjects will be found in State List II.

And, even assuming that neither Entry 94 of List I nor Entry 45 of List I!l, would cover inquiries against ministers in the States, relating to acts connected with the exercise of ministerial powers, we think that Article 248, read with Entry 97 of List I, must necessarily cover an inquiry against Ministers on matters of public importance whether the allegations include violations of criminal Jaw or not.

A contrary view would, in my opinion have the wholly unacceptable consequence of placing Ministers in State Governments practically above the law.

We must lean against an interpretation which has consequences which, had they flowed from an express enactment of Parliament or of a State Legislature, would have invalidated the provision for conflict with Article 14.

It would not be out of place to mention that even for the purposes of an inquiry into the conduct of Judges of the Supreme Court or of High Courts an Act of Parliament was passed for the specific purposes of Article 124 to provide, through appropriate investigation and inquiry, "proof of the misbehaviour or incapacity of a Judge" before proceedings under Article 124( 4) could be initiated for their removal.

(See: The Judges' (Inquiry) Act 51 of 1968).

Hence, even Judges, who have to be protected against unfounded or malicious charges, as they have to give decisions which must necessarily displease at least one out of two or more parties to a case, are not in a more privileged position.

It is true that, as somebody has observed, reckless charges are perhaps hurled against those holding public offices in our country with the abundance of confetti at a wedding, yet, we cannot do away with inquiries under the Act for this reason.

The liability to face such inquiries before a duly appointed impartial Commission is one of those hazards which individuals holding ministerial office have to face.

They can perhaps find solace in the thought that inquiries which are thorough and impartial, conducted by competent persons who have held high judicial office, are the best means of clearino them of charges which are really unfounded and malicious. "

As we think that the powers conferred by Section 3 upon the Central and State Governments, including the power to institute inquiries of the kind set up under each of the two Notifications, are covered by the express constitutional provisions mentioned above, no question of any exclusion, either by necessary implication or by any principle supposed to form a part of or to flow from the basic structure of the Constitution, can arise here.

Nor can we, upon the view we take, read down and so interpret Section 3 of the Act as to exclude from its purview inquiries of the kind instituted under the two Notifications.

To do so would be to give an incentive to possible misuse and perversion of governmental machinery and powers for objects not warranted by law.

Such powers carry constitutional obligations with them. They are to be exercised like the powers and obligations of trustees wlto must not deviate from the purposes of their trusts.

Whether a Minister has or has not abused his powers and privileges could be best determined by fair and honest people anywhere only after a just and impartial inquiry has taken place into complaints made against him so that its results are before them.

It is evident from the foregoing discussion that the principle relied upon by the plaintiff's learned Counsel repeatedly, in support of which a passage from Crawford's "Statutory Construction" (1940 Edn. paragraph 195 at p. 334-335) was also cited, as the basis of the submissions of the learned Counsel, was that what is expressly provided for by the Constitution must necessarily exclude what is not so provided for.

This reasoning is an attempted misapplication of the principle of construction "Expressio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius." Before, the principle can be applied at all the Court must find an express mode of doing something that is provided in a statute, which, by its necessary implication, could exclude the doing of that very thing and not something else in some other way.

Far from this being the case here. as the discussion above has shewn, the Constitution makers intended to cover the making of provisions by Parliament for inquiries for various objects which may be matters of public importance without any indications of any other limits except that they must relate to subjects found in the Lists.

I have also indicated why a provision like section 3 of the Act would, in any case, fall under entry 97 of List I of Schedule VII read with Articles 248 and 356 of the Constitution even if all subjects to which it may relate are not found spe"ified in the lists.

Thus, there is express provision in our Constitution to cover an enactment such as Section 3 of the Act.

Hence, there is no room whatsoever for applying the "Expressio Unius" rule to exclude what falls within an expressly provided legislative entry.

That maxim has been aptly described as a "useful servant but a dangerous master "(per Lopes L.J. ia

Colquhmm , .. Brooks('). The limitations or conditions nnder which this principle of construction operates are freq\lently overlooked by those who attempt to apply it.

(I) [1888] 21 Q.B.D. p. 52@ 65.


KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 65

To advance the balder and broader proposition that what is not A specifically mentioned in the Constitution must be deemed to be deliber- .ately 6!\"cluded from its purview, so that nothing short of a Constitutional amendment could authorise legislation upon it, is really t_o invent a "Casus Omissus" so as to apply the rule that, where ; here 1s such a gap in the law, the Court cannot fill it.

The rule, however, is equally clear that the Court cannot so interpret a statute as "to produce a casus omissus" where there is really none (see : The Mersey Docks B and Harbour Board v. Penderson Brotherst'). If our Constitution itself provides for legislation to fill what is sought to be construed as a lacuna how can legislation seeking to do this be held to be void because it performs its intended function by an exercise of an expressly conferred legislative power '?

In declaring the purpose of the provisions. so made and the authority for making it, Courts do not supply an omission or fill up a gap at all.

It is Parliament which can do so and € has done it.

To hold that parliament is incompetent to do this is . to substitute an indefensible theory or a figment of one's imaginationthat the Constitution stands in the way somehow-for that which only a clear Constitutional bar could achieve.

This brings me to the next question to be considered : Are there any special rules relating to the construction of Constitutions in D general or of our Constitution in particular ? And, i£ there be any such rules, would their application support the restrictive construction, submitted on behalf of the plaintiff for our acceptance, on the Parliament's power to enact section 3 of the Act? These seem to b.e important questions which need answers with some clarity if possible.

A written Constitntion, like any other enactment, is embodied in a E document.

There are certain genernl rules of interpretation and construction of all documents which, no doubt, apply to the Constitution as well.

Nevertheless, the nature of a Constitution of a Sovereign Republic, which is meant to endure and stand the test of time, the strains and stresses of changing circumstances, to govern the exercise of all Governmental powers, continuously, and to determine the destiny ot a nation could be said to require a special approach so that F judicial intervention does not unduly thwart the march of the nation towards the goals it has set before itself.

Napoleon Bonaparte once said that the best Constitution for any country is one which is both short and vagne.

Obviously, he memt that a Constitution must have the capacity to develop and to be easily adapted to the changing needs of the nation, to the vicissitudes of its G fortunes, to the growth and expansion of various spheres of its lifesocial economic, political, legal, cultural, and psychological.

If the Constitution is unable to perform this function it fails.

Prof. Willis, whose work on "Constitutional Law of the United States" has been £ited before this Court, has said (at p. 19):

"Our original Constitution was not an anchor but a IU.11- H der.

The Constitution of one period has not been . the

(I) [1888] 13 A.C. 595@ 602

Constitution of another period.

As one period has succeeded another, the Constitution has become larger and larger."

This elasticity or adaptability of the American Constitution may account for its durability.

Although, a written Constitution, which is always embodied in a document, must necessarily be subject to the basic cannons of construction of documents, yet, its very nature as the embodiment of the fundamental law of the land, which has to be adapted to the changing needs of a nation, makes it imperative for Courts to determine the meanings of its parts in keeping with its broad and basic purposes and objectives.

This approach seems to flow from what may be called a basic principle of construction. of documents of this type : that the paramount or predominant objects and purposes, evident from the contents, must prevail over lesser ones obscurely embedded here and there.

The Constitutional document, in other words, must be read as a whole and construed in keeping with its declared objects aud its functions.

The dynamic needs of the nation, which a Constitution mu&t fulfil, leave no room for merely pedantic hairsplitting play with words or semantic quibblings. .

This, however, does not mean that the Courts, acting under the guise of a judicial power, which certainly extends to even making the Constitution, in the sense that they may supplement it in those parts of it where the letter of the Constitution is silent or mayleave room for its development by either ordinary legislation or judicial interpretation, can actually nullify, defeat, or distort the reasonably clear meaning of any part of the Constitution in order to give expression to some theories of their own abont the broad or basic scheme of the Constitution.

The theory behind the Constitution which can be taken into account for purposes of interpretation, by going even so far s to fill what have been called the 'nterstices" or spaces left unfilled, due perhaps to some deliberate vagueness or indefiniteness in the Jetter of the Constitution, must itself be gathered from express provisions of the Constitution.

The dubiousness of expressions used may be cured by Court by making their meanings clear and definite if necessary in the light of the broad and basic purposes set before themselves by the Constitution makers.

And, these meanings may, in keeping with the objectives or ends which the Constitution of every nation must serve, change with changing requirements of the times.

The power of judicial interpretation, even if it includes what mav be termed as "intersticial" law making, cannot extend to direct conflict with express orovisions of the Constitution or to ruling them out of existence.

What the express provisions authorise cannot be curtailed by importing limits based on a mere theory of limitations on legislative powers.

The statement of general principles of construction set out above, is borne out by earlier pronouncements of this Court-some emphasizing the clearly expressed meanings of words used in the Constitution, which canI)ot be deviated from. others layin~ stress on the paramount purposes and objectives of the Constitution Jl1akers, some assertin$ the

'\ .:i

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J .. ) 67

uudoubted power of Courts to decle void legislation in conflict with A' the Constitutional provisions, others pointing out the plenitude of legislative powers conferred by. the Constitunon upon Parliaimi_nt and the State Legislatures, presumed to know best the needs of the people, so that Courts could not lightly invalidate statutes.

I will briefly refer to some of the past pronouncements of this Court where emphasis would naturally differ from case to case according to the particular context in which some rule of construction arose for consideration.

B Kania, C. J., quite clearly laid down a basically sound approach, if I may so characterise it with great respect, to the interpretation of the Constitution in A. K. Gopalan v. State of Madras(!), when he said:

"In respect of the construction of a Constitution Lord Wright in James v. The Commonwealth of Austraiia (1936 A.C. 578 at 614) observed that "a Constitution must not be construed in any narrow and pedantic sense." Mr. Justice Higgins in Attorney-General of New South Wales v. Brewery Employees' Union (1908 6) Com. L.R. 469 @ 611-12, observed : 'Although we are to interpret words of the Constitution on the same principles of interpretation as we apply to any ordinary law, these very principles of interpretation compel us to take into account the nature and scope of the Act that we are interpreting-to remember that it is a Constitution, a mechanism under which laws are to be made and not a mere Act which declares what the law is to be'. In In re the Central Provinces and Berar Act XIV of 1938 (1939 FCR 18 ( 193 7), Sir Maurice Gwyer, C.J., after adopting these observations said : 'especially is this true of a federal Constitution with its nice balance of jurisdictions.

I conceive that a broad and liberal spirit should inspire tliose whose duty it is to interpret it; but I do not imply by this that they are free to stretch or pervert legal or constitutional theory or even for the purpose of supplying omissions or of correcting supposed errors'.

There is considerable authority for the statement that the Courts are not at liberty to declare an Act void because in their opinion it is opposed to a spirit supposed to pervade the ConstJtution bnt not expressed in words.

Where the fundamental law has not limited, either in terms or by lilecessary implication, the general powers conferred npon the legislature we cannot declare a limitation under the notion of having discovered something in the spirit of the Constitution which is not even mentioned in the instrument.

It is difficult upon any general principles to limit the omnipotence of the sovereign legislative p0wer by jndicial interposition, except so far as the express words of a written Constitntion give th11t anthority. It is also stated, if the words be positive and without ambiguity, there is no authority for a Court to vacate or repeal a Statute on that gronnd alone.

But, it is only in express constitntional provisions limiting legislative power and controlling the temporary will of a

-----~


majority by a permanent and paramount law settled by the deliberate wisdom of the nation that one can find a safe and solid ground for the authority of Courts of justice to declare void any legislative enactment.

Any assumption of authority beyond this would be to place in the hands of the judiciary powers too great and too indefinite either for its own security or the protection of private rights."

In State of Bihar v. Kameshwar Singh('), this Court held that where two constructions are possible, "the Court should adopt that which will implement and discard that which will stultify the apparent • intention of the makers of the Constitution". \

Another principle which this Court has repeatedly laid down, for cases in which two constructions may be reasonably possible, is that it should adopt one which harmonizes rather than one which produces a conflict between Constitutional provisions (See : /. C. Golaknath v.

State of Punjab( 2); K. K. Kochuni v. State of Madras & Kerala( 3 ); Mohd. Hanif v. State Bihar('); State of M.P. v. Ranojirao Shinde( 5); Prem Chand Garg v. Excise Commissioner, U.P.(6), Devadasan v.

Union of lndia(7).

Courts liave been advised to adopt the construction "which will ensure smooth and harmonious working of the Constitution and eschew the other which will lead to absurdity or give rise to practical inconvenience or make well-established provisions of existing law nugatory {See: Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala( 8).

In Kesavananda Bharati's case (supra) Sikri C.J., said about the mode of construing the Constitution :

"One must not construe it as an ordinary statute.

The Constitution, apart from setting up a machinery for Government, has a noble and grand vision in the Preamble."

In the very case Khanna J. observed :

"A Constitution cannot be regarded as a mere legal document to be read as a will or an agreement nor is constitution like a plaint or a written statement filed in a suit between two litigants.

xx xx

(I) [19521 S.C.R. 889 at 980-81.


(3) [l 960] 3 S.C.R. 887 at 905.

(4) [19591 S.C.R. 629 at 648.


(6) [19631 Suppl. (l) S.C.R. 885 at 91 l.


(8) [19731 4 S.C.C. 225 at 426 (1973 Suppl S.C.R.l).

xx xx

-y-

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.)

It provides for the framework of the different organs of the State, viz the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.

A Constitution also reflects the hopes and aspirations of a

people".

Repeatedly, this Court has declared that a broad and liberal c?nstruction in keeping with the purposes of a Constitution must be given

preforence over adherence to too literal an interpretation (see : e.g.

Sakal Papers <P) Ltd. v. Union of India,('), of the Constitution.

In particular, the plenitude of power to legislate, indicated by a legislative entry, ha8 to be given as wide and liberal an interpretation

a~ is reasonably possible.

Thus, in Jagannath Baksh Singh v. State ;, f lf.P.,(2) this Court said:

" ... .it is an elementary cardinal rule of interprtation that the. words used in the Constitution which confer legislative power must receive the most liberal construction and if they are words of wide amplitude, they must be interpreted so

a~ to give effect to that amplitude.

It would be out of place to put a narrow or restricted constructiqn on words of wide amplitude in a Constitution.

A general word used in an entry like the present one must be construed to extend to all ancilliary or subsidiary matters which can fairly and reasonably be held to be included in it".

In Union of India v. H. S. Dhillon,(3) Sikri, C.J., after discussing the tests adopted both in India and i11 Canada for determining whether a particular subject falls within the Union or the State List observed ·(at p. 51) : "It seems to us that the function of Art. 246(1), read with entries 1-96 List I is to give positive power to Parliament to legislate in respect of these entries.

Object is not to debar Parliament from legislating on a matter, even if other provivisions of the Constitution enable it to do so.

Accordingly, we do not interpret the words 'any other matter' occurring in entry 97 List I to mean a topic mentioned by way of exclusion.

These words really refer to the matters contained in each of the entries 1 to 96. The words 'any other matter' had to be used because entry 97 List I follows entries 1-96 List I. It is true that the field of legislation is demarcated by entries 1-96 List I, but demarcation does not men that if entry 97 List I confers additional powers we should refuse to give effect to it.

At any rate, whatever doubt there may be on the interpretation of entry 97 List I is removed by the wide terms of Art. 248.

It is framed in the widest possible terms.

On its terms the only question to be asked is : Is the matter , sought to be legislated on included in List II or in List III or is the tax sought to be levied mentioned in List II or in List --...,.--


(2) [1961] I S.C.R. 220@ 228-229.


Ji.

III ?

No question has to be asked about List I.

If the answer is in the negative, then it follows that Parliament has power to make laws with respect to that matter of tax".

It will be seen that the test adopted in Dhilloris case (supra) was that if a subject does not fall within a specifically demarcated field found in List II or List III it would fall in List I apparently because of the amplitude of the residuary field indicated by entry 97, List I, Legislative entries only denote fields of operation of legislative power which is actually conferred by one of the articles of the Constitution. It was pointed out that' Artiole 248 of the <L'onstitution conferring legislative power is "framed in the widest possible terms".

The validity of the Wealth Tax Act was upheld in that case.

The argument that a wide range given to entry 97 of List I, read with Article 248 of the Coustitution, would destroy the "federal structure" of our Republic was rejected there.

On an application of a similar test here, the powers given to the Central 'Government by Section 3 of the Act, now before us, could not be held to be invalid on the ground that the federal structure of the State is jeopardized by the view we are adopting in conformity with the previous decisions of this Court.

I may next refer to what may be regarded as certain special features of our Constitution so as to indicate its broad purposes and .objectives.

Our Constitution lias, in it, not only an elevating preamble setting forth the presumed wi.Jl of the whole people of India, conceived of as one entity, but a set of Fundamental Rights in Part III.

Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV of the Constitution, a rough separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial branches of Government, a pragmatic federalism which, while distributing legislative powers between the Parliament and State Legislatures, with a concurrent field also, and indicating the spheres of Governmental powers of State and Central Governments, is overlaid, as already indicated above, by strongly 'unitary' features, particularly exhibited by lodging in Parliament the residuary legislative powers, and in the Central Govt, the executive power of appointing State Governors, and Chief Justices and Judges of High Courts, powers of giving appropriate directions to the State Governments, and of even displacing the State Legislatures and Governments in exceptional circumstances or emergencies of not very clearly defined am bits or characters.

No other "federation" in the world has exactly similar unitary features.

One wonders whether such a system is entitled to be dubbed "federal" in a sense denoting anything more than a merely convenient division of functions opera tive in ordinary times.

The function of "supervisionn is certainly that of the Central Government with all that it implies.

It may be noticed that the basic allegiame contemplated by the Constitution is, legally speaking, to the Constitution itself about whose advent this Court once said (in Virendra Singh & Ors. v. Tile State of

U.P.(')).

U " .... , . at one moment of time the new order was born with the new allegiance springing from the same source for

(1) [1955] S, C.R, 415 at 436.

v '

J..,

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.)

all, grounded on the same basis : the sovereign will of the people of India with no class, no caste, no race, no creed, no distinction, no reservation".

The Constitution, as its Preamble makes it clear, is of a sovereign republic.

The legal sovereignty which it represents includes legal legislative sovereignty which must embrace the power of making any law on any subject.

Such .legislative power to enact any law must, therefore, vest somewhere in a legislative organ of the Republic. It cannot be placed anywhere outside these organs. To apply the test

fom.ulated in Dhillon's case (supra) the Parliament alone would have the power to enact by a simple majority, by reason of Article 248 read with entry 97 of List I, if it falls neither in List II nor in List rn.

As indicated above, the contention on behalf of the plaintiff, if accepted, would expel the power. of legislation itself on any matter involving an inquiry into the conduct of Governmental affairs by a minister in a State Government from the legislative Lists and place it under Article 368.

This means that, although the express provisions of the Constitution, broadly interpreted, as they should be, would prima facie authorise a provision such as Section 3 of the Act, yet, we should imply a Constitutional prohibition against such an enactment by Parliament even if its wide terms could as they prima facie do, include inquiries against State Ministers exercising Governmental p0wers.

As indicated above, the first step of the argument mentioned above is a theory of what the Constitution must necessarily contain as contrasted with ordinary law.

To support this submission, a passage was cjted from the judgment of Wanchoo J, in I. C. Golak Nath & Ors.

v. State of Punjab and Anr.(') which ootains the following question from Ivor Jennings on "The Law and the Constitution" (1933 Ed.ti.

at p. 51 onwards) :

"A written constitution is thus the fundamental law of a country, the express embodiment of the doctrine of the reign of Jaw.

All public authorities--legislative, administrative and judicial .... take their powers directly or indirectly from it ...... whatever the nature of the written constitution it is clear that there is a fundamental distinction between constitutional law and the rest of the law, .... There is a clear separation, therefore, between the constitutional law and the rest of the law" .

• , The learned Judge then went on to observe :

"It is becanse of this difference between the fundamental law (namely, the Constitution) and the law passed .nnder the legislative provisions of the Constitution that it is not possible

in the absence of an express provision to that effect in the fundament:M law to change the fundamental law by ordinary legislation passed thereunder, for such ordinary legislation must always confonn to the fundamental law (i.e. the Constitution)."


A In Golaknath's case, Wanchoo J. had also pointed out at page 827 :

"The Constitution is the fundamental law and no law passed under mere legislative power conferred by the Constitution can affect any change in the Constitution unless there is an express power to that effect given in the Constitution itself.

But subject to such express power given by the Constitution itself, the fundamental law, namely the Constitution, cannot be changed by a law passed under the legislative provisions contained in the Constitution as all legislative acts passed under the power conferred by the Constitution must conform to the Constitution can make no change therein.

There are a number of Articles in the Constitution which expressly provide for amendment by law, as, for example, 3, 4, . 10, 59(3), 65(3), 73(2), 97, 98(3), 106, 120(2), 135, 137, 142(1), 146(2), 148(3), 149, 169, 171(2), 186, 187(3), 189(3), 194(3), 195, 210(2), 221(2), 225, 229(2), 239(1), 241(3), 283(1) and (2). 285(2), 287, 300(1), 313, 345, 373, Sch. V. cl. 7 and Sch. VI cl. 2!; and so far as these Articles are concerned they can be amended by Parliament by ordinary law-making process.

But so far as the other Articles are concerned they can only be amended by amendment of the Constitution under Art. 368.

Now Art. 245 which gives power to make law for the whole or any part of the territory of India by Parliament is "subject to the provisions of this Constitution" and any law made by Parliament whether under Art. 246 read with List 1 or under Art. 248 read with item 97 of List I must be subject to the provisions of the Constitution. If therefore the power to amend the Constitution is contained in Art. 248 read with item 97 of List J, that power has to be exercised subject to the prm~ sions of Constitution and cannot be used to change the fundamental law (namely, the Constitution) itself."

The passages cited above cannot provide a foundation for the theory that "constitutional Law" and the rest of the law can, in respect of their contents or subject matter be placed in two sharply divided or distinct and water-tight compartments with no overlapping or nncertain fields between them.

It must not be forgotten that Wan- G choo, J. repeatedly explained, by putting in the words namely, the

"Constitution" within brackets, that he was really concerned with indicating the special featnres of a very detailed or comprehensive Constitution such as ours.

Indeed as regards the snbject matter of the laws contained in the Constitution and these which may be introduced by the ordinary law making procednre, the above mentioned H judgment of Wanchoo J. itself indicates how even certain parts of the law found in onr written Constitntion may be amended by the ordinary law making procedure.

This passage was nsed by the learned Connsel for the plaintiff to urge that additions or changes in

I ~-

;·•;:7-t

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 73

"Constitutional Law" cannot be made by ordinary law making proce- A. dure but must take place only in accordance with the provisions found in Article 368 unless the Constitution expressly provides otherwise.

This contention, however, overlooks the fact that Article 368 of the Constitution only provides the procedure for an amendment of "the Constitution", and says nothing about any amendment of other laws by the introduction of or changes in laws which may conceivably be classed or construed as "constitutional laws" because of their subject B; matter.

This passage should not be torn out of its context, in which the difference in procedure, between the one for an amendment of "the Constitution", provided by article 368, and that for ordinary legislation, contemplated by Articles 245 to 248, was under consideration.

It was in that connection that the observation was rightly made that, unless there is specific authority given by constitutional provisions for changing the law laid down by "the Constitution" itself, by adopting C only the ordinary law making procedure, a change in the law contained in express provisions of the constitution" itself could not be brought about without complying with Article 368 of the Constitution.

This follows obviously from the very notion of a Constitution as an embodiment of a "fundamental law" which serves as a touchstone for all other

"laws".

The "fundamental distinction" between "the Constitutional law" or "the fundamental law" and the ordinary laws, referred to there, D• was meant to bring ont only this difference in the nses made of laws which, being "fundamental", can test the validity of all other laws on a lower normative level and these other laws which are so tested.

In that very speci"'l or restricted sense, the law not found in "the Constitution" could not be "constitutional" or "fundamental" law.

Other parts of the law, even though they may appertain to important constitutional matters, are not parts of "the Constitution", and, therefore, E. could not test the validity of laws made by Parliament. What was said with reference to the actual provisions of the Constitution could not, however, be used to infer some bar on legislative power which is not there in the Constitution at all for reasons repeatedly indicated above.

In an earlie~ part of this judgi:ient, it is held that legislative power to enact a provIS1on such as Sect10n 3 of the Act could be found in any event, in Article 248 read with entry 97 of List I, even if it culd possibly be urged that it is not covered by entries 94 of list I and 45 of List III, which seem to exhaust the three Lists in so far as the subject matters of enquiries are concerned.

Learned Counsel for the plaintiff tried to introduce some doubts on the ground that there is no specific entry in any of the lists to cover the conduct of Ministers in State Governments in relation to governmental functions: And it was submitted, reference to sub.iects specified in the Lists would ex~

cluc _those _which, are, unspecified. It cou.ld e urged in reply that, as md1cated m Dhllon s case (supra), a legislative entry only indicates the field of operation of the power, but the sources of ordinary legislative power are to1 be found in one of the Articles 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 252, or 253 of the Constitution, and, so far as the field of operation of the leislative power is concerned, both entry 94 of List f and entry 45 of List III are so widely worded as to embrace inquiries

.A touching any of the fields indicated by any of the entries in the lists.

A Minister must necessarily exercise governmental powers in relation to one of these fields. It is not necessary to specify which tha! field is.

The field of power to legislate about inquiries is indicated in wide enough terms to make it unnecessary to specify the field, in the law made itself, to which the inquiry must relate. It is enough if the enquiry set up relates to a matter of "public importance." Again, it is not a B necessary part of an entry in a legislative list, which only roughly indicates a field of legislation, that it must also specify the classes of persons who may be affected by the legislation.

That is neither a CO!!Stitutiona:l nor a reasonable requirement.

This Court has already held that overlapping of fields oE operation of legislative power does not take away the legislative power.

Indeed, C as we have said, both entries 94 of List I and 45 of List III must necessarily be related to a variety of fields of operation of legislativ0 power.

And, in any case, even if an inquiry on a matter of "public importance" relates to an unspecified field, it should be covered by entry 97 of List I itself.

Therefore, it is immaterial whether we hold that entry 97 of List I by itself singly or that entry, read with entry 94 of List I, conld be deemed to cover the field of operation of such legislation, D what is material and important is that the three entries-Nos. 94 and 97 of List I and 45 of List III are bound to cover, between them, legislation authorising inquiries such as the one entrusted to the Grover Commission. If the subject of inquiries against Ministers in State Governments is not mentioned specifically either in any of the articles of the Constitution or in the legislative lists it does not follow from it that legislation covering such inquiries is incompetent except by means E of a constitutional amendment.

On the contrary, such a subject would be prima facie covered by the wide terms of article 248 for the very reason that the Constitution contains no express or implied bar which conld curtail the presumably plenary powers of legislation of our Parliament

Once we have located the legislative power in one of the articles T of the Constitution, authorising ordinary legislation by Parliament for inquiries covered by section 3 of the Act, and we find also the appropriate entries in legislative Lists I and III indicating the fields of operation of that legislative power of Parliament, the well recognised principle which would apply and exclude an implied bar against the exercise of that plcnary power has been stated by this Court and also by other Courts in Commonwealth countries on several occasions.

That G principle follows logically from R. v. Burah (1878) (3 A. C. 889) which is the locus classicus on the subject The general principle laid down in Burah's case was that once what is conferred upon a Parlia- . ment or other Legislature is legislative power, its plenary character must be presumed so that, unless the instrument conferring the power to legislate itself contains some express limitation on the exercise of legislative power, the ambit of that power cannot be indirectly cut H down by supposed implications.

The cases on this subject were comprehensively considered by this Court in Kesavananda B!urrati's case

(supra) where the majority view was that there can be no merely implied limitations on expressly conferred legislative powers.

This Court

~- •

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 75

; there referred to and adopted the principles laid down in Burah's case A

~ '

(supra) .

Palekar J. quoted the following passage from it (jn Kesarnnanda Bharati's case at p. 607) :

"The established Courts of Justice, when a question arises whether the prescribed limits have been exceeded, must of necessity determine that question; and the only way in which B they can properly do so, is by looking to the terms of the instrument by which, affirmatively, the legislative powers were created, and by which, negatively, they are restricted.

If ,,,_ what has been done is legislation, within the general scope ,, of the affirmative words which give the power, and if it vio- !ates no express condition or restriction by which that power is limited it is not for any Court of Justice to inquire further, c or to enlarge constructively those conditions and restrictions."

In that case, Judges of this Court also relied upon Attorney General for the Province of Ontario v. Attorney General for the Dominion of Canada(') where Earl Loreburn had said (at p. 583) :

~ "In the interpretation of a completely self-governing Constitiition founded npon a written organic instrument such as D the British North America Act, if the text is explicit the text ' .... is conclusive, alike in what it directs and what it forbids.

When the text is ambiguous, as for example, when the words establishing two mutually exclusive jurisdictions are wide

enough to bring a particular power within either, recourse must be had to the context and scheme of the Act." .,., • The learned Additional Solicitor General has strongly relied upon E -, the State of Victoria v. The Commonwealth( 2) where earlier cases applying the reasoning contained in Burah's case (supra) were surveyed and Barwick C. J. cited the two passages set out abcve by us, on0 from Lord Selbome's judgment in Burah's case (supra) and the other from the judgment o! Earl Loreburn in the Province of Ontario's case

(supra) from Canada. Barwick. C.J. also cited the following passage from the Amalgamated Society of Engineers v. Adelaide Steamship F

Co. Ltd. (3).

' "'The nature and principles of legislation' (to employ the words of Lord Selborne in Burah's case), the nature of dominion self-government and the decisions just cited entirely preelude, in our opinion, an a priori contention that the grant of G legislative power to the Commonwealth Parliament as rcpresentin~ the will of the whole of the people of all the States of Australia sh0uld not bind within the geographical area of the Commonwealth and within the limits of the enumerated ' powers, ascertained by the ordinary process of construction,

I •

the States and their agencies as representing separate sections of the territory."

(I\ [1912) App. Cas. 571.

(2) 45 Amtralian Law Journal Reports 251-22 C.L.R. 353.

(3\ [1910) 28 C.L.R. 129@ 152-153. 6- J C42SupremeCourt'77

~ ~

In Victoria's case (supra), Barwick C.J., although not in entire agreement with the way in which Sir Owen Dixon, C.J., had expressed hnnself in West v.

Commissioner of Taxation (N.S.W.( ') opined that it was only another way of putting what had been consistently laid down as the principle of interpretation of Constitutions of British selfgoverning Dominions since Burah's case (supra). The passage thus explained was :

" ...... the principle is that whenever the Constitution confers a power to make laws in respect of a specific subject matte~ prima facie i~ is to be understood as enabling the Pwliament to make laws affecting the operations of !he States and their agencies. The prima facie meaning may be displaced by considerations based on the nature or the sµbje9t matter of the power or the language in which it is conferred on some other provision in the Constitution."

Learned Counsel for the plaintiff, conscious of the basic principles of construction of the plenary constitutional power to legislate, tried to sustain his very gallant attacks upon the validity of section 3 of the Act by referring to express provisions of the Constitution where, as we have explained above, we could discover no such bar by a necessary implication.

However, the theory of the basic structure of the Constitution kept "popping up", if we may so put it, like the "jack in the box", from behind the constitutional provisions, from time to time.

It was said to "underlie" constitutional provisions.

Thus, the plaintiff's learned Counsel did not entirely give up reliance on what has been described as "the basic structure of the Constitution" although he, very astutely and rightly, tried to put the express provisions of the Constitution in the fore-front.

Whatever may be said about the strategic value for the plaintiff of thi~ mode of using the doctrine of "the basic structure of the Constitution'', it doe> not relieve us from the necessity of considering whether an application of such a doctrine could be involved in the case before us.

We cannot overlook that Kesavananda Bharati's case (supra) where although a maj<>-

rity of learned Judges of this Court which rejected the theory of "implied limitations" upon express plenary legislative powers of constitutional amendment, yet, we accepted, I say so with the utmost respect, again by a majority, limitations which appeared to be not easily distinguishable from implied limitations upon plenary legislative powers even though they were classed as parts of "the basic structure of the Constitution." We are bound by the majority view in Kesavananda Bharati's case (supra) which we have followed in other cases.

We have, however, to make it clear and explicit enough to be able to determine, without inconsistency and with some confidence, the type of cases to which it could and others to which it could not apply as specific cases come up before us for consideration.

(1) (1937) 56 C.L.R. 657@ 682.

i '

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 77

What, therefore, is this doctrine of "the basic structure of our Constitution" of which, according to some learned Judges of this Court, expressing the majority views on this doctrine, "federalism" is a part ?

We can only answer this question by quoting from certain , passages from the opinions of the learned Judges who were parties to the decision of this Court in Kesavananda Bharati's case (supra).

Silrri C. J., who accepted the doctrine of implied limitations, and, consistently with its logic, found that the basic structure of the Constitution forms an orbit of exercise of power which is outside the purview of Article 368, relied on the observations and dicta found in Melbourne Corporation v. The Commonwealth(!) and Australian National Airways Pvt. Ltd. v. The Commonwealth(2 ).

The learned Chief Justice cited Starke J .'s views expressed Melbourne Corporation's case (supra) :

"The federal character of the Australian Constitution carries implications of its own.'' ....... .

xx xx xx xx'

"The position that I take is this : The several subject matters with respect to which the Commonwealth is empowered by the Constitution to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Commonwealth are not to be narrowed or limited by implications.

Their scope and amplitude .depend simply on the words by which they are expressed.

But implications arising from the existence of the States as parts of the Commonwealth and as constitutents of the federation may restrict the manner in which the Parliament can lawfully exercise its power to make laws with respect to a particular subject-matter.

These implications, or perhaps it were better to say underlying assumptions of the Constitution, relate to the use of a power not to the inherent nature of the subject matter of the law.

Of course whether or opt a law promotes peace, order and good government is for the Parliament, not for a court, to decide.

But a law although it be with respect to a designated subject matter, cannot be for the peace, order and good government of the Commonwealth if it be directed to the States to prevent their carrying out their functions as parts of the Commonwealth.''

Again Gibbs J was quoted :

"The ordinary principles of statutory construction do not preclude the making of implications when these are necessary to give effect to the intention of the legislature as revealed in the statute as a whole" . .. .. .. . .. ..

(!) (194i) 74 C.L.R. 31.

{2) (1945) 71 C.L.R. 29.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1978] 2 S.C.lt.

........ "Thus, the purpose of the Constitution, and the scheme by which it is intended to be given effect, necessarily give rise to implications as to the manner in which the Coll!- monwealth and the States respectively may exercise their powers, vis-a-vis each other."

After considering a number of cases the Chief Justice stated ltis conclusion on implied limitations as follows (at p. 163-164) :

"What is the necessary implication from all the provisions of the Constitution '?

It seems to me that reading the Preamble, the fundamental importance of the freedom of the individual, indeed its inalienability, and the importance of the economic, social and political justice mentioned in the Preamble, the importance of directive principles, the non-inclusion in art. 368 of provisions like arts. 52, 53 and various other provisions to which reference has already been made an irresistible conclusion emerges that it was not the intention to use the word 'amendment' in the widest sense.

It was the common understanding that fundamental rights would remain in substance as they are and they would not be amended out of existence. It seems also to have been a common understanding that the fundamental features of the constitution, namely, secularism, democracy and the freedom of the individual would always subsist in the welfare state.

In view of the above reasons, a necessary implication arises that there are imnlied limitations on the power of Parliament that the expression 'amendment of this Cons•itution' has consequently a limited meaning in our Constitution and not the meaning suggested by the respondents".

Sikri C.J. recorded his finding on the basic structure in Kesavanando Bharti's case (supra) as follows (at pp. 165-166) :

"1be true position is that every provision of the Constitution can be amended provided in the result the basic foundation and structure of the constitution remains the same.

The basic structure may be said to consist of the following features :

(1) Supremacy of the Constitution;

(2) Republican and Democratic form of Government;

(3) Secular character of the Constitution;

( 4) Separation of powers between the Legislatvre, the

executive and the judiciary;

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.)

(5) Federal character of the Constitution.

The above structure is built on the basic foundation, i.e. the dignity and freedom of the individual.

This is of supreme importance.

This cannot by any form of amendment be destroyed.

The above foundation and the above basic features are easily discernible not only from the preamble but the whole

&.:heme of the Constitution, which I have already discussed".

Simllarly, Shelat and Grover JJ, after surveying principles of interp:etation and construction of the Constitution, accepted the theory of

implied limitations on the power of Partiament as well as the doctrine of basic structure.

They recorded their conclusion as follows (at C pp. 280-281) :

"The basic structure of the constitution is not a vagne concept and the apprehensions expressed on behalf of the respondents that neither the citizen nor the Parliament would be able to understand it are unfounded. If the historical background, the Preamble, the entire scheme of the Consti- D tution, the relevant provisions thereof including Art. 368 are kept in mind there can be no difficulty in discerning that the following can be regarded as the basic elements of the Constitutional structure. (These cannot be catalogued but can only be illustrated).

1. The Supremacy of the Constitution.

2. Republican and Democratic form of Government and

sovereignty of the country.

3. Secular and federal character of the Constitution.

4. Demarcation of power between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

5. The dignity of the individual secured by the various freedoms and basic rights in Part Ill and the mandate to build a welfare State contained in Part IV.

6. The unity and the integrity of the nation".

Hegde and Mukherjea, JJ. also considered at length principles of G interpretation and construction in this country and in the Commonwealth countries. They distinguished earlier cases of this Court. They purported to apply well established principles of interpretation and construction such as the Mischief Rule in Heyrlon's case, the need to view the Constitution as a whole, and its history and objects. They said (at p. 307) :

"While interpreting a provision in a statute, or, Constitution the primary duty of the Court is to find out the legislative intent. In the present case our duty is to find out the

intention of the foundin~ fathers in enacting article 3 68.

Ordinarily the legislative intent is gathered from the language used. If the language employed is plain and unambiguous, the same must be given effect to irrespective of the conse-- quences that may arise.

But if the language employed is reasonably capable of more meanings than one, then the Court will have to coall into aid various well settled rules of construction and in particular, the history of the legislation to find out the evil that was sought to be remedied and also m some cases the underlying purpose of the legislation-the legislative scheme and the consequences that may possible flow from accepting one or the other of the interpretations because no legislative body is presumed to confer a power which is capable of misuse".

They cited the Preamble and the objectives underlying the Constitution and found (at p. 316) : ·

"Implied limitations on the powers conferred under a statute constitute a general feature of all statutes.

The position cannot be different in the case of powers conferred under a Constitution.

A grant of power in general terms or even in absolute terms may be qualified by other express provisions in the same enactment or may be qualified by the implications of the context or even by considerations arising out of what appears to be the general scheme of the statute".

They did not enumerate all the basic features of the Constitution but E recorded their conclusion as follows (at p. 356) :

"Though the power to amend the Constitution under Article 368 is a very wide J?OWer, it does not yet include the power to destroy or emasculate the basic elements or the fundamental features of !lie Constitution".

Jaganmohan Reddy, J, in the course of a detailed consideration of Constitutional provisions, dwelt on the Preamble largely and on the needs of the nation for stability of its values and gaye a narrower connotation to the word "amendment" than one which could destroy the very identity of the Constitution. He said (at p. 517):

"There is nothing vague or unascertainable in the preamble and if what is stated therein is subject to this criticism it would be equally true of what is stated in Article 39 (b) and ( c) as these are also objectives fundamental in. the governance of the country which the State is enjoined to achiee for the amelioration and happiness of its people.

The elements of the basic structure are indicated in the pre-- amble and translated in the various provisions of the Constitution.

The edifice of our Constitution is bmlt upon and stands on several props, remove any ol them. tl1e Constitution collapses. These are : ( 1) Sovereign Democratic Re-- public; (2) Justice, social, economic and politic<tl; (3}

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 81 ·

Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; ( 4) A Equality of status and of opportunity. Each one of these is important and collectively they assure a way of life to the people of India which the Constitution guarantees.

To withdraw any of the above elements the structure will not survive and it will not be the same Constitution, or this Constitution nor can it maintain its identity, if something quite different is substituted in its place, which the sovereign B will of the people alone can do."

Khanna, J., while definitely rejecting the theory of implied limitations on plenary powers of legislation, nevertheless, thought that the need to reconcile the urge for change with the need for continuity imposed even upon the wide power of amendment of the Constitution the limitation that it must move with'n the orbit defined by its basic C structure.

He did not, and I say so with great respect, explicitly attempt a reconciliation between his views on implied limitations with those on the basic structure, which at least resembled impli~J limits on the plenary power of legislation. He also relied heavily on the preamble to the Constitution.

He explained later, in Shrimati Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Ra1 Narain('), that he did not exclude such amendments in the chapter on Fnndamental Rights as may form parts of the "basic D structure" from the purview of what could not be touched by the power of amendment contained in Article 368 of the Constitution.

The judgment of Khanna J. tilted the balance, by a narrow majority of one, in favour of the "the basic structure" of the Constitution as a limitation oo the expressly conferred legislative power of amendment.

I need not set out similarly the views of Ray, Palekar, Mathew, Beg, Dwivedi, and Chandraehud, JJ, as they, while accepting the undeniable proposition that the Constitution contained what was basic, held the view, supported also by reference to the history of our Constitµtion-making and to its express provioions, that the power to amend or change the Constitution in any manner and in any respect desired by the representatives of the people was also a part of that basic F structure or the urges of the people whlch had found expression in Article 368 of the Constitution and which had to be fully recognised by giving it the widest possible amplitude.

They too, therefore, recognised that there was "a basic structure" of the Contitution in the light of its history and contents and by an application of well established rules of construction.

The difference between the majority and minority views was only on the question whether " wide scope G . of powers of amendment given to the representalives of the people

.was or was not a part of this basic structure or its functioning as evidenced by the express declarations and provisions of the Ccnstitution.

I do not think that what those learned Judges who, in Kesavananda Bharti's case (supra), found a narrower orbit for the legislative H power of amendment of the Constitution itself to move in cant to

(I) [1976! 2 S.C.R. 347.

lay down some theory of a vague basic structure floating, like a cloud in the skies, above the swface of the Constitution and outside it or one that lies buried beneath the surface !or which we have to dig in order to discover it.

I prefer to think rhat the doctrine of "a basic structure" was nothing more than a set of obvious in[erences relating to the intents of the Constitution makers arrived at by applying the established canons of construction rather broadly, as they should be so far as an organic Constitutional docu'llent, meant to govern the fate of a nation, is concerned. But, in every cae where reliance is placed upon it, in the course of an attack upon legislation, whether ordinary or constituent (in the sense that it is au amendment of the Constitution), what is put forward as part of "a basic structure" must be justified by references to the express provisions of the Constitution.

That structure does not exist in vacuo.

Inferences from it must be shown to be embedded in and to flow IogicaUy and naturally from the bases of that structure.

Jn other words, it must be related to the provisions of the Constitution and to the manner in which they could indubitably be presumed to naturally and reasonably function.

So viewed, the doctrine is nothing more than a way of advancing a well recognised mode of construing the Constitution.

It should be used with due care and caution. No exposition of it which could make it appear as a figment of judicial imagination or as capable of such subjective interpretations that it may become impossible to decipher or fix its meaning with reasonable certainty could be accepted by us because that would amount to declaring its futility.

In Kesavananda Bhartcs case (supra), il1is Court liad not worked out the implications of the basic >tructure doctnne in all its applications.

It could, therefore, be said, with utmost respect, that it was perhaps left there in an amorphous state which could give rise to possible misunderstandings as to whether it is not too vaguely stated or too loosely and variously formulated without attempting a basic uniformity of its meanings or implications. The one principle, however, which is deducible in all the applications of the basic structure doctrine, which bas' been used by this Court to limit even the power of Constitutional amendment, is that whatever is put forward as a basic limitation upon legislative power must be correlated to one or more of the express provisions of the Constitution from which the limitation should naturally and necessarily spring forth. The doctrine of basic structure, as explained above, requires that any limitation on legislative power must be so definitely discernible from the provisions of the Constitution itself that there could be no doubt or mistake that the prohibition is a part of the basic structure imposing a limit on even the power of Constitutional amendment.

And, whenever we construe any document, by reading its provisions as a whole, tr}ing to eliminate or resolve its disharmonies, do we not attempt to interpret it in accordance with what we find in its "basic structure" or purposes ? The doctrine is neither unique nor new.

I may here point out that in Smt. Indira Nehru Gandh' v. Rai Narain (supra), when the doctrine of the basic s1111cture of the Constitution was invoked to assail the provisions of Representation of People Act, Ray C.J., seemed to reject tle theorv of basic structure

I !CARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 83

altogether in its application either to the construction of the Constitution or of ordinary legislation.

He said (at pp. 436-437) :

~'To accept the basic features or basic structures theory with regard to ordinary legislation would mean that there would be two kinds of limitations for legislative measures.

One witl pertain to l.egislativ.e power under A:ticle~ 245 nd 246 and the legislallve entnes and the prov1"10n m Article

13. The other would be that no legisatiou can oe made as to 4amage or 4estroy basic features or basic structures.

This will mean rewriting the Constitution and robbing the legislature of acting within the framework of the Consti~ tion. No legislation can be free from challenge on this ground even though the legislative measure is within the plenary powers of the leglature".

He went 011. to observe (at p. 437) :

"The theory of basic structures or ba<ic features is an exercise in imponderables.

Basic structures or basic features are indefinable.

The legislative entries are the fields of legislation.

The pith and substance doctrine has been applied in order to find out legislative competncy, and eliminate encroachment on legislative entrks. If the theory of basic structures or basic features will be app!iej to legislative measures it will denude Parliament anJ State Legislatures of the power of legislation and cleprive them of laying down legislative policies. This will be encroachment on the separation of powers".

Mathew, J., observed: in Smt. Indira Gaflllhi's case (supra) (at pp. 525-526) :

"I think the inhibition lo destroy or damage the basic structure by an amendment of the Constitution flows from the limitation on 'the power of amendment under Article 368 read into it by the majority in Bharati's case because of their assumption that there are certain fundamental features in the Constitution which its ma:Cers intended to remain there in perpetuity. But I do not fuJd any such inhibition so far as the power of Parliament or State Legislaturr-s to pass laws is concerned. Articles 245 and 246 give the power and also provide the limitation upon the power of these organs to pass laws. It is only the specific provisions enacted in the Constitution which could operate as !imitation upoo the power.

The Preamble, though a part of the Constitution, is neither a source of power nor a limitation upon the power. The preamble sets out the ideological aspirations of the people.

The essential features of the great concepts set out in the preamble are delineated in the various provisions of the Constitution. It is these specific provisions in the body of the Constitution which determine the type of democracy which the founders of

that irutrument established; the quality and nature of justice, political, social and econontic which was their desideratum, the content of liberty of thought and expression which they entrenched in that document, the scope of equality of status and of opportunity which they eruhrined in it. These specific provisions enacted in the Constitution alone can determine the basic structure of the Constitution as established. These spedfic provisions, either separately or in combination determine the content of the great concepts set out in the preamble. It is impossible to spin out any concrete concept of basic structure out of the gossamer concepts set out in the preamble.

The specific provisions of the Constitution are the stuff from which the basic structure has to be woven".

In Smt. Indira Gandhi's case (supra), Chandrachud, J., after making :similar observations on the nature of the Preamble and pointing out that there was no agreed list of basic features of the Constitu'.ion given by learned Judges constituting the majority in Kesavananda Bharati's (supra), said, on the applicability of the basic structure doctrine to the power of ordinary legislation. (at pp. 669·

670) :

"The Corutitutional amendments may, on the ratio of the Fundamental Rights case, be tested on the anvil of basic structure.

But apart from the principle that a case is only an authority for what it decides, it does not logically follow from. the majority judgment in the Fundamental Rights case that ordinary legislation must also answer the same test as a constitutional amendment.

Ordinarv laws have to answer two tests for their validity : ( 1) The law munt be within the legislative competence of !eg; slaturc as defined and specified in Chapter I, part XI, of the Constitution and (2) it must not offend against the provisions of Article 13(1) and (2) of the Constitution. 'Basic Structure', by the majority judgment. is not a part of the fundamental rights uor indeed a provision of the Constitution.

Th<: theory of basic structure is woven out of the conspectus of the Constitution and the amending power is subject to :it because it is a constituent power. 'The power to amend the I undamental instrument cannot carry with it the power to destroy its essential featnres'-this, in brief, is the arch of the theory of basic structure. It is wholly out of place in matters relating to the validity of ordinary laws made under the Constitution".

Both Khanna J., and T, however, expressed view> there showing that aspirations of the people of India, set out in the Preamble as well as other parts of the Constitution, provided general guidance in judging the Constitutionality of all laws whether constitutional or ordinary.

I specifically said there that the doctrine of the basic structure of the Constitution could b!l used to test the validity of laws made by Parliament either in its constituent or ordinary law making capacities

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 85

.• ,, because "ordinary law making cannot go beyond the range of constituent power".

No doubt, as a set of inferences from a document (i.e. the Constitution), the doctrine of "the basic structure" arose out of ad relates to the Constitution onIY and does not, in that sense, appcrtarn to the sphere of ordinary statutes or arise for applicatio?- t? them .in the sa'; lle

way. But, if, as a result of the dtrine, certam 11Ilperat1ves. ar: herent in or logically and necessarily flow from the Constttutmn s 'basic structure", just as though they are its express mandates, they can be and have to be used to test the validity of ordinary laws just as other parts of the Constitution are so used.

in Smt. Indira Gandhi's case (supra), the differences of approach between the learned Judges were not so much on the question whether

"the basic structure" was to be deemed to be really an additional part of the Constitution (on this there is agreement that 1t could not) or only a principle of its construction, but on the question whether, once ir was found to be a permissible mode of construction, what followed from it was applicable to test the validity of both constitutional as well as ordinary law-making.

Th~ majority view of learned Judges of this Court seemed to be that, it was not available to test the validity of the impugned provisions of the Representation of People Act because the expressly laid down ordinary law making powers of Parliament are clear enough. In other words, it wa;; held to be inapplicable here on the view that there was no ambiguity to be resolved about the ordinary law making powers of Parliament. It was applied to interpret the ambit of the Constituent power as there was some uncertainty about its scope. It, however, seems to me that the test of "free and fair elections" and of "equality before the law" were used by this Court in judging the validity of the impugned provisions of the Representation of People Act in Smt. Indira Nehm Gandhi'r c:isc (supra) although the majority of learned judges of the bench preferred to do so without characterising these featmes as parts of a basic structure of the Constitution. But, when decldinJ the question whether the purported constitutional amendment could take away the powers of this Court to hear and decide on merits •he election appeals pending before it, all the learned Judges who part; cipated in the decision of that case seemed to rely, in varying degrees, either expressly or impliedly, upon the "basic structure" of the Constitution itself, as revealed by its express provisions, to hold that, under the gui'e of exercising a legislative power, the Parliamot could not, in effect, adjudicate on the merits of an individual case under the Constitution as it stood.

It 1s important to note that majority opinions of Judges who participated in the decision in Kesavananda Bharati's case (supra) and those who took part in the decision in Smt. Indira Gandhi's case

(supra), mvalidating certain conslitutional amendl!lents, make out limitations founded on the basic structure of the Constitution by very detailed references to the express provisions of the Constitution.

In Smt. Indira Nehru Gandhi's case (supra), parts of the Constitution

{Thirty-Ninth Amedment) Act of 1975 were struck down primarily because specific provisions of Artide 368 of the C:h1stitution left no r..mm for doubt that what was conierred by the Constitution upon a major:ty of not less than two thirds of the members of the two Houses of Parliament present and voting, supported by rsolutions of legislatures of not less than one half of the States, was a legislative power and not a judicial power judged both by its contents and procedure.

Hence, it was held that, on the very terms of the sp~ific power conferred, an exercise of judicial power, in purported exercise of legislative powers contained in Article 368 of the Constitution, was prima Jacie ultra vires.

Such exercise of power contravenes the basic structure of the Constitution of which the legislative orbit of power indica•ed by Article 368 of the C')nstitution is also a necessary part.

The principle asserted there was stated by me as follows :

"Neither of the three constitutionally separate organs of State can, according to the basic scheme of our Constitution today, leap outside the boundaries of its own constitututionally assigned sphere or orbit of authority into that of the other".

These orbits were expressly chalked out by the law found in the Co<Jslituticm.

There could be no doubt, whatsoeve; upon reading the rrovis.ons of the Constitution as a whole, that t1'~ orbits 0! legislative and judicial power are not the same.

But, so far as the orbits of legislative power are concerned, it is clear that thos0 of Parliament and of the State legislatures are not mutually exclusive in every respect.

There is also a concurrent field of legislation.

And, there is nothing there which could come in the way of the plenary legislative power conferred upon our Parliament in fields assigned to it.

These can be limited, at the most, by a necessary or unavoidable implication, such as the one which must flow from the conferment of judicial and legislative and execntive powers separately, with nnmistakably different characteristics, upon different authorities. The basic scheme of the Constitution could certainly be invoked to invalidate legislation by Parliament, acting in its ordinary law making capacity, on a subject which falls either exclusively within the orbit of an amendment of "the Constitution" or in List II of the Seventlr Schedule of , exclusively State subjects. But, as I have indicated above, this is not so here.

Thus, it is clear that whenever the doctrine of the basic structure has been expounded or applied it is only as a doctrine of interpretation of the Constitution as it actually exists, and not of a Constitution which could exist only subjectively in the minds of different individuals as mere theories about what the Consnution is.

The doctrine did not add to the contents of the Cpnstitution. It did not, in theory, deduct anything from what was there. It only purported to bring out and explain the meaning of what was already there.

Tt was, in fact, used by all the judges for only this purpose with differing results simply because their assessments or inferences as to what was part of the basic structure in our Constitution differed.

This, I think, is the correct interpretation of the doctine of the basic structure of the

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 87

Constitution. It should only be applied if it is clear, beyond the region of doubt, that what is put forward as a restriction upon otherwise clear and plenary legislative power is there as a Constitutional imperative.

If this be the correct view about the basic structure, as a mode of

interpreting the Constitution only, the se>-called federalism as a fetter

1J. on legislaive power must find expression in some express provision to be recognised by Courts. It may be mentioned here that a majority of Judges who decided the Kesavananda Bharati's case (supra) have not treated "Federalism" as part of the basic structure of the Constitution. And, none of them has discussed the extent of the "federal" part of this structure. It is not enough to point to Article 1 of the Constitution to emphasize that our Republic is a 'Union" of States.

C That, no doubt is true. But, the word "union" was used in the context of the peculiar character of our federal Republic revealed by its express provisions.

We have still to find, from other express provisions, what this "Union" means or what is the extent or nature of "federalism" implied by it.

The Constitution itself does not use the word "federation" at all. In any case, after examining all the express provisions of the Constitution, relied upon by the learned Counsel " for the plaintiff, I am unable to discover there any such fetter which c()uld, bv a necessary implication, prevent Parliament from enacting Section 3 of the Act.

Indeed, if the theory of necessary implications is to be applied here, the entrenched provisions of our Constitution, for which a special procedure for amendment is prescribed within Article 368 itself, te>- E gether with the other provisions discussed above, give the express Iim'ts to which the operations of the federal principles is confined in our Constitution. None of the expressly mentioned features could, by any necessary implication, impinge upon the expressly given and distributed legislative powers. The doctrine that express mention excludes that which is not so mentioned applies also to express limitations. U the scheme of distribution of legislative powers is basic and express, F with its own express limitations, "implied" or unspecified alleged limitat'ons going beyond that scheme are eliminated by the very force of the express provisions.

In Shri Ram Krishna Dalmla v. Shri Justice S. R. Tendolkar & Ors('). I find that the validity of the Act and of a notification under Section 3 of the Act was challenged but upheld by th; s Court, although G a part of clause 10 of the notification which, in addition to reoniring it to recommend measures to prevent similar future cases, also directed it to repart on "the action which in the opinion of the Commission shouM be taken as :and by wa}'. of securing redress or punishment", was held to be outs•de the purview of the Act in so far as the latter part v.:ent beyond the purely investigatory character of the inquiry authf'n•ed by the Act. In that case, the Commission was reouired ff to inquire into and report on the administration of a!Fairs of certain

(I) [19551 S.C.R. 279.

A companies specified in a schedule annexed to the notification. It was held there inter-alia that mere possif>ility of misuse of powers given by the Act could not vitiate the power conferred by the Act.

It was also held there that the Act was made by Parliament acting in fields indicated by entries 94 of List I and 45 of List III of the Seventh Schedule so that the inquiries could be ordered "for the purposes of any of the matters in List I, List II and List Ill." Incompetence of .B Parliament to legislate on matters in List II could not, it was held, vitiate power to order inquiries relating to subjects in that list in view of the express terms of entry 45 in List III. It was held that the scope of inquiry may also cover matters ancilliary to the inquiries themselves.

Furthermore, relying on Kathi Raning Rawat v. State of Saurashtra,( 1) it was pointed out (at p. 293):

"The Commission has no power of adjudication in the sense of passing an order which can be enforced proprio vigore. A clear distinction must, on the authorities, be drawn between a decision which, by itself, has no forte

and no penal effect and a decision which becomes enforceable immediately or which may become enforceable by some

action being taken."

It is true that in R. K. Dalmia's case (supra) the provL, ions o! the Act were not assailed on all the extensive grounds on wliich they have now been questioned before us.

Nevertheless, the objects of the Act were considered and indicated there.

The purposes for which a Commission can be set up under the E Act was considered long ago by a Division Bench of the Nagpur High Court in M. V. Rajwade v. Dr. S. M. Hasan & Ors(2 ), which was cited with approval by this Court in Brajnandan Sinha v. Jyoti r Narain(•) and the following passage was quoted from the judgment:

"The Commission in question was obviously appointed by the State Government 'for the information of its own F mind', in order that it should not act, in exercise of its executive power, 'otherwise than in accordance with the dictates of justice and equity' in ordering a departmental enquiry against its officers. It was, therefore, a fact finding body meant only to instruct the mind of the Government without producing any document of a judicial nature".

G It may be mentioned here that in A. Sanjeev; Naidu etc. etc. v.

State of Madras & Anr.(4) this Court examined the position of an individual Minister who determines matters of policy and programmes of his Ministry, within the framework of major policies of the Government, vis-a-vis the officials in the De]Yilrlment in his charge who act on behalf of the Government subject to the directions given orally

(1) [1952] S.C.R. 435,

(2) [1954] I.LR. Nagpur p. 1 @ 13.


I -f

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.)

-0r in writing by the Minister concerned.

Hence, it may become a matter of considerable difficulty, delicacy. and importance, in a particular case, to apportion the blame or responsibility for 'ally act or decision, alleged to be wrongful, between the Minister concerned and the officials who work under his directions.

Such apportionments could be safely entrusted only to experts who have had considerable judicial experience and can deal with complete impartiality rutd dexterity with issues raised.

The moral or collective responsibility which is political is a different matter which may no doubt be affected by the reports of a Commission of Inquiry. Individual liability may have even more serious consequences for the Minister concerned than the collective responsibility which carries only political implications.

In State of Jammu & Kashmir v. Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad(') this Court pointed out that even if Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad had ceased to be the Chief Minister of the State of Jammu & Kashmir his past actions would not cease to, be matters of public importance. It definitely disapproved the view of the High Court when it said (at p. 407) :

"These learned Judges of the High Court expressed the view that the acts of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad would have been acts of public_ importance if he was in office but they ceased to be so as hewas out of office when the NotifiC'ation was issued. In takirig this view, they appear to have based themselves on the observation made by this Court in Ram Krishna Dalmia v. Sri Justice S. R. Tendolkar that "the conduct of an individual may assume such a dangerous proportion and may so prejudicially affect or threaten to affect

the public well-being as to make such conduct a definite matter of public importance, urgently calling for a full enquiry". The learned Judges felt that since Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad was out of office, he had become innocuous; apparently, it was felt that he could not long threaten the public well-being by his acts and so was outside the observation in Dalmia' s case.

We are clear in our mind that this is a misreading of this Court's observation.

This Court, as the learned Judges themselves noticed, was not laying down an exhaustive definition of matters of public importance.

What is to be inquired into in any case are necessarily past acts and it is because they have already affected the public well-being or their effect might do so, that they became matters of public importance. It is irrelevant whether the person who committed those acts is still in power to be able to repeat them."

The clear implication of the last mentioned pronouncement, with which I find myself in complete and respectful agreement was that even if a Minister in the exercise of his official power does' acts which may amount to criminal offences, yet, inquiry into them may be made as a matter of public importance and not of just private importance.

(I l [ 1 966] Supp. S.C.R. 401.

And, what can be done when he is out of office may, a fortiori,. be ordered when he is in office.

This Court also said there as follows with which also I entirely agree (p. 406) :

" .... it is difficult to imagine how a Commission can be set up by a Council of Ministers to inquire into the acts of its head, the Prime Minister, while he is in office. It certainly would be a most unusual thing to happen. If the rest of the Council of Ministers resolves to have any inquiry, the Prime Minister can be expected to ask for their resignation. In any case, he would himself gp out. If he takes the first course, then no Commission would be set up for the Ministers wanting the inquiry would have gone. If he went out himself, then the Commission would be set up to inquire into the acts of a person who was no longer in office and for that reason, if the learned Judges of the High Court were right, intQ matters which were not of public importance. The result would be that the acts of a Prime Minister could never be inquired into under the Act. We find it extremely difficult to accept that view."

In P. V. Jagannath Rao & Ors. v. State of Orissa & Ors.( 1) was held by a Constitution Bench of this Court that the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry under section 3 of the Act with the object of enabling the Government to frame "appropriate legislative or administrative measures to maintain the purity and integrity of the political administration in the State" was valid.

Again in Krishna Ballabh Sahay & Ors. v. Commission of Enquiry & Ors.( 2 ) a similar view was taken and it was observed by this.

Court with reference to the charges of corruption into the conduct of Ministers (at p. 394) :

"It cannot be stated sufficiently strongly that the public life of persons in authority must never admit of such charges being even framed against them.

If they can be made then an inquiry whether to establish them or to clear the name of the person charged is called for. xx xx xx xx

A perusal of the grounds assures us that the charges are specific, and that records rather than oral testimony will be used, to establish them."

I may also say that I fully agree with the views expressed by Kailasam C.J., of the Madras High Court, in M. Karunanidhi v. The

Union of India & Anr. (8 )

I may mention that the considerations placed before us for assailin~ the legislative competence of Parliament, having been rejected by us as quite insubstantial, could not be util'sed for "reading down" the provisions of section 3 of the Act-a procedure which may be some-

(!) [1%8] 3 S.C.R. 789.

(2) [1969] l S.C.R. 387.

(3) A.I.R. 1977 Mad. 192.

' "'--'-..

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, CJ.) 91

times available for saving a provision from partial or total invalidity.

A "Reading down" is, after all, only a logical outcome of the principle of construction-Ut Res Magis Va/eat Quam Pereat (See : Craies on "Statute Law" 6th. ed. p. 103).

The last question I propose to advert to relates to the preliminary objection to the maintainability of the suit under Article 131 of the B Constitution on which I share the conclusions of Chandrachud J. and of Bhagwati J. and Kailasam J. as against those, with due respect, of our learned brethern who have held that the plaintiff should be non-suited on the ground that a suit such as the one now before us does not lie at all under Article 131 of the Constitution.

I have dealt at length with all the arguments which were advanced C on behallf of the State of Karnataka because I accept as correct the submission of the learned Counsel for the plaintiff that the case involves consideration of the exercise of governmental powers which vest in the Government of the State and its Ministers as such vis a vis those. of the Central Government and its Ministers.

They also raise questions relating to the meaning and the ambit and the applicability of the particular provisions of the Constitution whose operations are of " vital interest to every State.

Indeed, the interprtations given to these provisions must necessarily be of great concern to the Union as well.

They are matters which involve the interesl~ of the whole of the people of India who gave unto themselves the Constitution whose provisions we have interpreted.

The Union of India, acting through the Central Government, could be said to represent the whole of the people of India.

The mdividual States, acting through their Governments and Ministers, could be said to represent the people of each individual State and their interests.

When differences arise between L'1e representatives of the State and those of the whole people of India on qnestions of interpretation of the Constitution, which must affect the welfare of the whole people, and particularly that of the people of the State concerned, it appears to me, , with great respect, to be too technical au argument to be accepted by us that a suit does not lie in such a case under Article 131 of the Constitution.

According to both sides to the case before us an exercise of powers

under section 3 of the Act is called for.

They differ only on the G question whether the Government of the State concerned or the Central Government also, on the facts of this case, can exercise those powers.

Their claims conflict.

There is a lis.

The parties to the dispute are before us.

We had to decide it and we have done so.

It seems to me that a distinction between the State and its Government is, at the most, one between the whole and an inseparable part of the whole.

It: would be immaterial as regards claims on behalf of either the State H or its Government whether the two are distinct jnristic entities.

Even if they could be distinctly separate, which is doubtful, the claim of the Government would be that of the State.

7-1042 SCI/77

A In State of Rajasthan v. Union of India(') this Court has recently considered the scope of Article 131. There, I said, inter alia, on this 5 question (at p. 1393) :

"I do not think that we need take a. too restrictive or i hyper-techincal view of the State's rights to sue for any righ:s,

actual or fancied which the State Government chooses to take B up on behalf of the State concerned in a suit under Art. 131."

It may be explained here that this observation was not meant to lay down more than that there would be presumed to be a news between the interests of the State and of the people it represents when the Government of the State takes up an issue relating to the interpretation of the Constitution against an action taken, or, even, as was the case there, one contemplated by the Central Government.

I would like to remove the impression that no such nexus is needed if the use of the words "actual or fancied", in the observations quoted above, create it.

I however, think that, in the case before us, the nexus between the rival claims advanced and the interests of the public of the State is reasonably made out.

It is a different matter that I do not accept t11e view put forward on behalf of the State of Karnataka that it alor.e and not the Union Government also bas the power to set up a Commission under section 3 of the Act on a matter of public importance primarily concerning the State.

It has to be remembered that Article 131 is traceable to section 204 of the Government of India Act.

The jurisdiction conferred by it thus originated in what was part of the federal structure set up by the Government of India Act, 1935.

It is a remnant of the Federalism found in that Act.

It should, therefore, he widely and generously interpreted for that reason too so as to advance the intended remedy.

It can be invoked, in my opinion, whenever a State and other States or the Union differ on a question of interpretation of the Constitution so that a decision of it will affect the scope or exercise of governmental powers which are attributes of a State.

It makes no difference to the maintainability of the action if the powers of the State, which are Executive, Legislative, and Judicial, are exercised through particular individuals as they necessarily must be.

It is trne that a criminal act committed by a Ministe~ is no part cif his official duties.

But, if any of the organs of the State claim exclusive power to take cognizance of it, the State, as such, becomes interested in the dispute about the legal competence or extent of powers of one of its organs which may emerge.

J do not think that the fact that the State acts through its Ministers or officials can affect the maintainability of a suit under Article 131 of the Constitution.

Both Article 166(3) of our Constitution as well as Section 59(3) of the Government of India Act of 1935 p•ovided for allocation of the business of the Government among the Ministers for "the more convenient transaction of the business." This implies tliat the State can act not merely through its Government as a whole

(1) A.LR. 1977 S.C. 1361.

' ...

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 93

but also through its individual Ministers as provided by the rnles .. Sec- A 1ion 49 (1) of the Government of India Act made this position absolutely clear by enacting :

"The executive authority of a Province shall be exercised on behalf of His Majesty by the Governor, either directly or through officers subordinate to him."

The equivalent to that is Article 154(1) of our Constitution which B reads as follows :

"154. Executive power of State--.(!) The executive power of the State shall be vested in the Governor and shall be exercised by him either direcHy or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with this Constitution."

In King-Emperor v. Sibrwth Banerji & Ors.(') the Privy Council had held that "a Minister is an officer subordinate to the Governor" for the purposes of Section 49 of the Government of India Act only. l; his

observation was no doubt relied upon by this Court in A. Sanjeevi Naidu .etc. etc. v. State of Madras & Anr.( 2 ) with regard to the position of our Ministers for the purposes of Article 154(1) of the Constitution.

These provisions, far from establishing any antithesis between the official capacity of a Minister and the Stale for which he acts, only show that, as a Minister, he is an agent or a limb of tlie Government of the State, and, therefore, he can be treated as an "officer" for purposes of Article 154(1) which corresponds to Section 49 of the Government of India Act.

The result is tliat a Minister's official acts cannot be distinguished from those of the State on whose behalf he acts.

With great respect for the view of my learned brethren who seem to hold otherwise, this feature cannot make a suit by the State under Article 131 of the Constitution incompetent merely because it relates to the exercise of a Minister's powers enjoyed by virtue of his office.

There is nothing in Article 131 of the Constitution itself to debar the State, which must always necessarily acl through its officers Dr agents or Ministers, from suing the Central Government not only to JJrotect one of its agents, officers, or Ministers from being proceeded against, in any way, by the Central Government, but to prefer its own claim to exclusive power to deal with him; and, this is what the plaintiff has done by means of the suit before us .

It is evident that a Minister has been treated, in the two cases cited before us as an "officer" for the very limited purpose of indicating thM the State itself can act through him as he holds an ofllce which enabk"'

him to act for it.

They do not equate or assimilate his status ur G position with that of a Government servant.

In my opinion, the Minister of a State, as the holder of an ofllce provided for by the Constitution is, like a Judge of a High Court, a "dignitary of State" to use the expression employed by Sir William Holdsworth the eminent British Constitutional lawyer and jurist, for a High Court Judge.

His dignity and position is bound up with that of the State he represents.

Hence, his State is entitled to sue to assert it.

(l) L.R. 72 I.A. 241 @ 266.


It niay be possible sometimes to distinguish a purely individual wrongful or criminal act, committed by a Minister, falling entirely outside the scope of his legal authority, as disconnected with his office.

But, even this cannot, in my opinion, disable the State itself from suing for the protection of its own authority to deal with the Minister concerned.

It is, as I have already indicated. a different matter if we hold, as we have held here, that the claim of the State to have exclusive power to deal with its Minister is not sustainable for some reason. The right to advance a claim, which is all that Article l 31 provides for, is to be distinguished from the strength of that claim in law.

So long as the cJaim is of the State, the fact that a Minister, in exercising governmental powers, represents the State, can make no difference whatsoever to the maintainability of the suit by the State.

I think that the State concerned, which challenges the validity of the action of the Central Government against one or more of its Ministers in respect of acts involving exercise of its governmental powers, would have sufficient interest to maintain a suit under Article 131 because it involves claims to what appertains to the State as a "State." It may be that, if the effect upon the rights or interests of a State, as the legal entity which constitutes the legally set up and recognised governmental organisation of the people residing within certain territorial limits is too remote, indirect, or infinitismal, upon the facts of a particular case, we may hold that it is not entitled to maintain a suit under Article 131.

But, I do not think that we can say that here.

The following cases were cited by the plaintiff's Counsel : The Governor-General in Council v. The Province of Madras;(') United Provinces v. Governor-General in Council;(') Attorney-General for.

Victoria at the Relation of Dale and Ors. v. The Commonwealth & Ors.(8 ) Attorney-General for Victoria (at the Relation of the Victorian Chamber of Manufacturers) v. The Commonwealth(4): State of Riiftisthan v. Union of India (supra).

Except for the last mentioned case they are not directly helpful on the scope of Article 131 or on the right of a State to sue under it.

They, however indicate the kind of questions on .which and the persons throuh whom the units and the Central authorities in a Federation may litigate.

My answers to the three issues framed are :

1. The suit is maintainable.

2. The Central Government's notification is valid.

3. Section 3 of the Act is valid.

On a fourth supplementary question framed on facts plarod and ar!!Uments advanced before us. my answer is tl1at t110 State' and Central Gvernment notifications do not relate substantially to "tre same ------·

(I) [19431 F.C.R. p. 1.

(2) A.1.R. 1939 F.C. 58.

(3) 71 C.L.R. 237.

(4) 1943-1934 (2) C.L.R.533.

' ...

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Beg, C.J.) 95

matter" within the meaning of proviso (b) to Section 3 (1) of the Act.

A It is, however, made clear that this question is answered by me on the assumption that there is no legal defect in the appointment co[ its own Commission by the State Government.

The validity of the State Government's notification was not challenged before us on any ground whatsoever.

The views expressed here will not, therefore, be deemed to have any bearing on questions relating to the validity of the State Government's notification which were not canvassed before us.

This B clarification seems necessary because the validity of the State Government's notification has also been, I understand, challenged in some other proceedings on grounds which can only be considered by us if and when they come up before us.

Consequently, this suit must be dismissed with costs.

CHANDRACHUD, J.-Consequent upon the result of the elections held to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in 1972, the Congress formed the government with Shri D. Devaraj Urs as the Chief Minister of the State.

That party was then in power at the centre too, but it lost its longheld majority in the 1977 Lok Sabha elections after which the Janata Party formed the Government at the centre.

However in those elections to the Lok Sabha, 26 out of 28 seats alloted to the State of Karnatana were won by the Congress.

Certain opposition members of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly submitted to the Union Home Minister a memorandum containing allegations of corruption, favouritism and nepotism against the Chief Minister, Shri Devaraj Urs.

In response to a request of the

Union Home Minister, the Chief Minister offered his comments on E the allegations but, while repelling the accusations as frivolous and politically motivated, the Chief Minister raised a point which forms the nucleus of the arguments advanced in the suit before us.

He contended that the federal structure enshrined in the Constitution is the corner-stone of national integrity; that the Constitution is the source of the power of the Centre and the States; that the exercise of all powers, whether by the Central Government or by the State Go- F verments, must conform to the scheme of distribution of powers devised under the federal scheme of our Constitution that the erring ministers of State Governments are accountable to the State legislature only; .and that, the Central Government has no authority or control over the government of a State in respect of matters which are within the State's exclusive domain, save in exceptional times when an emergency is in operation.

The Chief Minister asserted that an enquiry into the G charges levelled against him could only be held by or at the instance of the State Government.

By a notification dated May 18, 1977 issued under section 3 (1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 60 of 1952 the Government of Karnataka appointed a Commission of Inquiry consisting of Shri Mir Iqbal Hussain, a retired Judge of the Karnataka High Court, for H the purpose of conducting an inquiry into the allegations specified in the notification.

Within a few days thereafter, on May, 23, the Government of India issued a notification under the same Act, appoint-

A ing a Commission of Inquiry consisting of Shri A. N. Grover, <! retired

Judge of the Supreme Court, for inquiring into the charges made against the Chief Minister, as described in the notification.

The validity of this notification is challenged by the State of Karnataka by the present suit brought under article 131 of the Constitution.

The Union of India and Shri A. N. Grover are impleaded to the suit as defrndants 1 and 2 respectively.

The State of Karnataka contends by its plaint that the Cen.tral Government has no jurisdiction or authority to constitute the Commission in the purported exercise of its powers under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952; that the appointment of the Commission of Inquiry by the Central Government of or inquiring into allegations agaimt ministers of the State Government while they continue to be in office C and enjoy the confidence of the State legislature is destructive of the federal structure of the Constitution and the scheme of distribution of powers provided for under it, that the cabinet system of government under which the Conncil of Ministers is responsible to the legisbture of the State would fail of its purpose if the Union executive were to assume to itself the power to direct an inquiry into allegations made

against State ministers while they arc in office; that the provisions con- " tained in section 3 of the Act of 1952 cannot be interpreted so as to clothe the Central Government with the power to appoint a Commission for inquiring into matters relatable to any of the entries in List II of the Seventh Schednle to the Constitution, in respect of which Parliament has no power to make a law and the Union executive no power to take executive action; that such an interpretation would render section 3 .:if the Act ultra vires the provisions of Part XI of the Consti- E tution which deals exhaustively with the relations between the Union and the States; and that, the report of the Inquiry Commission appointed by the Union Government cannot serve any useful purpose as the Central Government is incompetent to take any remedial executive or legislative action against the ministers of the State Government or the State Government itself.

F These contentions are traversed by the Union of India by its written statement.

It has, in the first instance, raised a preliminary objection that the suit itself is not maintainable as the appointmtnt of the Commission to inquire into the personal conduct of the Chief Minister and other ministers does not affect any legal right of the State

of Karnataka.

It further contends that the notification issued by the State Government neither covers the questions comprised in the G notification of the Central Government nor does it cover all of the matters mentioned in the latter notification; that the Central Government is competent to constitute a Commission to inquire into a definite matter of public importance. namely, the conduct of a minister of State

Government; and that. the appointment of the Commission is neither destructive of the federal structure of the Constitution nor of any other basic feature thereof.

H Three issues were framed by this Court on these pleadings.

The first relates to the maintainability of the suit, the second to the question whether the notification issued by the Central Government ii

I •

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Chandrachud, J.) 97

ultr~ vires the powers possessed by it under section 3 of the Act of 1952 A and the third to the contention whether, if section 3 authorises the Central Government to issue the impugned notification, the section itself is at all constitutional.

On the preliminary objection as to the maintainability of the suit, I prefer to adhere to the view which I took in State oj Rajathan v.

Union of l11diu, where a similar objection was raised by the Union Government to the suits filed by the State of Rajasthan and certain other

States under article 131 of the Constitution, challenging a directive of the Union Home Minister advising the dissolution of State d;\ssemblies.

I have had the benefit of perusing the Judgment prepared by brother Untwalia on behalf of himself and Brethren Shmghal and Jaswant Singh in which they have taken the view that the Commission of Inquiry set-up by the Central Government is not against the State or the State Government but is against an individual minister or ministers and since the setting up of the Commission does not involve any invasion of the legal rights of the State or the State Government, the suit is not maintainable under article 131 at the instance of the State of Karnataka.

I am free to confess that I have considerably profited by the judgment of my learned Brethern because their poiut of view, with respect, is not to be overlooked simply because I have already expressed a contrary opinion in an earlier decision.

But having given a fresh and closer thought to the problem in the light of the view expressed by them and .a fuller argument advanced in this case by the learned Additional Solicitor-General, I am inclined to the opinion that even taking a strictly legalistic view of the matter, the prliminary objection to the maintainability of the suit ought to be rejected.

The jurisdiction conferred on the Supreme Court by article 131 of the Constitution should not be tested on the anvil of banal rules which are applied under the Code of Civil Procedure for determining whether a suit is maintainable.

Article 131 undoubtedly confers 'original jurisdiction' on the Supreme Court and the commonest form of a legal proceeding which is tried by a court in the exercise of its original jurisdiction is a suit.

But a constitutional provision, which confers exclusive jurisdiction on this Court to entertain disput, t~ of a certain nature in the exercise of its original jurisdiction, cannot be equated with a provision conferring a right on a civil court to entertain a common suit so as to apply to an original proceeding under article 131 the canons of a suit which is ordinarily triable under section l 5 of the Code of Civil Procedure by a court of the lowest grade competent to try it.

Advisedly, the Constitution does not describe the proceeding which may be brought under article 131 as a 'suit' and significantly, article 131 uses words and phrases not commonly employe ! for determining the jurisdiction of a court of first instance to entertain and try a suit.

It does not speak of a 'cause of action', an expression of known and definite legal import in the world of witness actions.

Instead, it employs the word 'dispute,' which is no part of the elliptical iargon of law.

But above all, article 131 which in a manner of speaking is a self-contained code on matters falling within its purview, provides expressly for the condition subject to which an action can lie

under it.

That condition is expressed by the clause : "if and in so far as the dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends".

By the very terms of the article, therefore, the sole condition which is required to be satisfied for invoking the original jurisdiction of this Court is that the dispute between the parties referred to in clauses (a) to (c) must involve a question on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.

The quintessence of article 131 is that there has to be a dispute between the parties regarding a question on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends. A challenge by the State Government to the authority of the Central Government to appoint a Commission of Inquiry clearly involves a question on which the existence or extent of the legal right of the Central Government to appoint the Commission of Inquiry depends and that is enough to sustain the proceeding brought by the State under article 131 of the Constitution. Far from its being a case of the "omission of the obvious", justifying the reading of words into article 131 which are not there, I consider that the Constitution has purposefully conferred on this Court a jurisdiction which is untrammelled by considerations which fetter the jurisdiction of a court of first instance, which entertains and tries suits of a civil nature.

The very nature of the disputes arising under article J 31 is different, both in form and substance, from the nature of claims which require adjudication in ordinary suits.

The Constitution aims at maintaining a fine balance not only between the three organs of power, the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, but it is designed to secure a similar balance between the powers of the Central Government and those of the State Governments.

The legislative lists in the Seventh Schedule contain a demarcation of legislative powers between the Central and State Governments.

The executive power of the Centrail Government extends to matters with respect to which Parliament has the power to make Laws while that of the State extends to matters with respect to which the State legislature has the power to make laws.

Part XI of the Constitutioq is devoted specially to the delineation of relations between the Union and the States.

That is a delicate relationship, particularly if different political parties are in power at the Centre and in the States.

The object of article 131 is to provide a high powered machinery for ensuring that the Central Government and the State Governments act within the respective spheres of their authority and do not trespass upon each other's constitutional functions or powers.

Therefore. a challenge to the constitutional capacity of the 'defendant' to act in an intended manner is enough to attract the application of article 131, particularly when the 'plaintiff' claims that right exclusively for itself.

If it fails to establish that right, its challenge may fail on merits but the proceeding cannot be thrown out on the ground that the impugned order is not calculated to affect or impair a legal right of the plaintiff.

In an ordinary civil suit, the rejection of a right asserted by the defendant cannot correspondingly and of its own force establish the right claimed by the plaintiff.

But proceedings under article 131 are adjudicatory of the limits of constitutional power vested in the

1.- I-

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Chandrachud, J.) 99

Central and State Governments.

The claim that the defenda, nt (the Central Government here) does not possess the requisite power involves the assertion that the power to appoint the Commission of Inquiry is vested exclusively in the plaintiff (the State Government here).

In a civil suit the plaintiff has to succeed on the strength of his own title, not on the weakness of his adversary's because the defendant may be a rank trespasser and yet he can .Jawfully hold on to his possession against the whole world except the true owner. If the plamtiff is not the true owner, his suit must fail.

A proceeding under article 131 stands in sharp contrast with an ordinary civil suit.

The competition in such a proceeding is between two or more governments-either. the one or the other possesses the constitutional power to act. There is no third alternative as in a civil suit wherein the right claimed by the plaintiff may reside neither in him nor in the defendant but in a stranger.

A demarcation and definition of constitutional power between the rival claimants and res1ricted to them and them alone is what a proceeding under article 131 necessarily involves.

That is how in

uch a proceeding, a denial of the defendant's right carries with it an assertion of the plaintiff's.

Firstly, therefore, I am unable to appreciate that if a State Government challenges the constitutional rights of the Central Government to take a particular course of action, article 131 will still not be attracted.

Secondly, the contention of the State Government in the present proceeding is not only that the Central Government has no power to appoint the Inquiry Commission for inquiring into the conduct of Slate Ministers but that such a right is exclusively vested in the State Government.

There is, therefore, not only a denial of the right claimed by the Central Government but an assertion that the right exclusively resides in the State Government.

In a sense, the instant case stands on a stronger footing than the Rajasthan Can because there the challenge made by the State Governments could perhaps be characterised as purely negative in nature since the basic contention .was that the Central Government had no power to dissolve the State Assemblies.

There is, therefore, all the greater reason here for rejecting the preliminary objection.

The State of Kamataka has claimed an alternative relief that if

ection 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act is construed as authorismg the ntral Government to issue the impugned notification it is ultra vires as being in violation of article 164(2) and the ', federal

cheme' embodied in the Constitution.

Whether this contention is well founded or not is another matter but it seems to me difficult to hold that the State of Karnataka does not even have the legal right to contend that the provisio~ of a arliamentary statute authorising the Central Government to act m a particular manner is unconstitutional.

The palliative o~ a writ petition under article 226 which is sugested , on JJ:half of the Umon Government as a sovereign remedy in such mat-

!ers 1s ardly any substitute for a proceeding under article 131.

It 1s o.tonous that w; it petitio~ ha~ its own_limitations and indeed many a petitron under article 226 rs re.1ected with the familiar quip : "Why don't ou file a suit ?" Apart from disputes b, etwecn the Government of Indra and a State Government, article 131 contemplates other permutations and combinations in the matter of array of parties.

A dispute between one or more States or between the Government of India and a State on one hand and another State or other States on the other hand cannot appropriately be decided by a High Court under article 226 and that could not have been the intendment of the constitution. Disputes of the nature described in article 131 are usually of an urgent nature and their decision can brook no delay.

It is therefore expedient in the interest of justice that they should, as far as possible, be brought before and decided by this Court so as to obviate the dilatoriness of a possible appeal.

An original proceeding decided by this Court is decided once and for all.

For these reasons I reject the preliminary objection raised by the Union Government and hold that the proceeding brought by the State C of Karnataka is maintainable under article 131 of the ConstitutioQ.

Another point, also of a preliminary nature, may now be disposed of Section 3 ( 1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act authorises the 'appropriate Government' to appoint a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of making an inquiry into any definite matter of public importance and perform such functions and within such time as may be specified in the notification.

Clauses (a) and (b) of the proviso to section 3 (I) cut down the width of that power with a view to ensuring that the Central Government and the State Governments do not appoint parallel Commissions which will simultaneously inquire into the 'same matter'. Since, in the instant case, the State of Karnataka bad appointed a Commission of Inquiry before the Unioo Government issued the irr.pugned notification, clause (b) of the proviso will be attracted.

That clause says that if a Commission has been appointed to inquire into any matter :

"(b) by a State Government, the Central Government shall not appoint another Commission to inquire into the same matter for so long as the Commission appointed by the State Government is functioning, unless the Central Government is of opinion that the scope of the inquiry should be 1 extended to two or more states."

'< ,

The question for consideration is whether the appointment of the commission of inquiry by the Central Government violates the injuncc:i....._ tion contained in this clause.

Considering the terms of the notifications issued by the State Government and the Central Government and the matters into which the G respective Commissions are directed to inquire, it seems obvious that the object and purpose of the two inquiries is basically of different character.

The very preambles to the two notifications highlight this difference and show that they are directed to different ends.

The preamble of the Karnataka notification recites :

"WHEREAS allegations have been made on the floor of the Houses of the State Legislature and elsewhere that irregularities have been committed/excess payments made in certain matters relating to contracts, grants of land, allotments of sites, purchase of furniture, disposal of food grains etc.

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Chandrachud, J.) l 0 I

NOW THEREFORE ...... The Government of Karnataka hereby appoint ...... the Commission of inquiry for the purpose of making an inquiry into the said allegations, particularly specified below ...... "

The preamble of the Central Government notification on the other hand recites :

"Whereas the Central Government is of opinion that it is necessary to appoint a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose ot makinl'. an inquiry into a definite matter of public importance, namely, charges of corruption, nepotism, favouritism or misuse of Governmental power against the Chief Minister and certain other Ministers of the State of Karnataka, hereinafter specified ...... "

The terms of reference of the two commissions disclose the same fundamental difference.

The primary object of the State Govertm1ent in appointing the Commission is to ascertain whether improper or excessive payments were made, undue favours were shown, irregularity or fraud had occurred in the conduct of official business etc; and secondarily to find out as to "who are the persons responsible for the lapses, if any, regarding the aforesaid and to what extent." On the other hand, the commission appointed by the Central Government is specifically directed to inquire "whether the Chief Minister practised favouritism and nepotism" in regard to various matters mentioned in the notification.

It is, therefore, wrong for the State Government to contend that the Central Govermnent has appointed the Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of inquiring into the 'same matter' into which

th~ Commission of Inquiry appointed by the State Govt. is directed to inquire.

In fact, the Central Government notification provides expressly by clause 2(a) (ii) that the Commission will inquire into the allegation contained in the memoranda submitted by certain members of the Karnataka State legislature, "excluding any matter covered by the notification of the Government of Karnataka."

The argument that the two notifications cover the same matter suffers from a lack of recognition of ordinary political realities.

It is hardly ever possible, except in utopian conditions, that the State Government will appoint a Commission to inquire into acts of corruption, favouritism and nepotism on the part of its Chief Minister. It is interesting that Sir Thomas More coined the name 'Utopia' from the Greek ou (not) and topos (.place) which together mean "No place." It is inconceivable that a Commission of Inquiry will be appointed by a State Government without the concurrence of the Chief Minister and if the political climate is so hostile that he is obliged to submit to an inquiry into his own conduct, he will quit rather than concur.

Indeed. a Council of Ministers which, considers that the conduct of its Chief Minister and some of the Ministers requires examination in a public inquiry, shall have forfeited the confidence of the legislature and would ordinarily have to tender its resignation.

Thus, the objection of the State Government that the notification of the Central Government offends against clause (b) of the proviso to section 3(1) of the Act is factually unfounded and theoretically unsound.

Hav_in15 disposed of the objections wltich were of a preliminary nature, it is necessary now to consider the merits of the rival contentions on issnes 2 and 3.

Shri Lal Narayan Sinha who appears on behalf of the State of Karnataka, contends that section 3 ( 1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act should not be construed as authorising the Central Government to appoint a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of inquiring into the conduct of a sitting minister of a State Government.

It is impossible, on a plain reading of the section, to accept this contention. Section 2 (a) (iJ and (ii) of the Act define 'appropriate Government' to mean :

(i) the Central Government, in relation to a Commission appointed by it to make an inquiry into any matter relatable to any of the entries enumerated in List I or List II or List III in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution; and

(ii) the State Government, in relation to a commission ppoin:ed by it to make an inquiry into any matter relatable to any of the entries enumerated in List II or List III in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution.

Section 3 (1) empowers the 'appropriate Government' if it is of opinion that it is necessary so to do, and obliges it if a resolution in that behalf is passed by the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the State as the case may be, to appoint a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of making an inquiry mto any definite matter of public i1nportance.

The constitutional considerations for vlhich the learned counsel contends that section 3 (!) should be given a restricted meaning and the minute niceties of his submission will be considered later.

But, keeping those considerations apart for the moment, I see no justification for reading down the provisions of section 3 (1) so as to limit the power of the Central Government to appointing Commissions of Inquiry for inquiring into the conduct of persons in relation to matters concerning the affairs of the Union

Government only.

Section 3 ( 1) empowers the Central Government to appoint a commission for making an inquiry into any definite matter of public importance.

It is inarguable that the conduct of ministers of State Governments in the purported discharge of their official functions is not a definite matter of public importance within the meanine of section 3 ( 1).

To what extent the principle of federalism will be impaired by such a construction will of course have to be examined with care but I see no substance in the contention that the Central Government does not even possess the power to collect facts in regard to allegations of corruption made by a section of the State legislature against sitting ministers of the State Government.

That power must undoubtedly be exercised sparingly and with restraint because under the !lliise of directing an inquiry under section 3 ( 1) . the Central Government cannot interfere with the day-to-day working of the Stale Government.

One cannot also contradict that what appears to be a proper use of power mav sometimes contain a veiled abuse of power. howsoever infinitesimally.

But statutory, construction cannot proceed on distrust and suspicion of those who are chRrged with the 'duty of administering laws.

Section 3(1) must. therefore. receive its lJTOper construction with the reservation that mala fides vitiate all acts.

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Chandrachud, J.)

I 0 3

Lack of bona fides was alleged but was not pressed in this case.

In A my opinion, tberefore, section 3 (I) cannot be given a restricted meaning, as canvassed by the State Government.

On this view, the contention that section 3 ( 1) should be read down and the impugned notification should be set aside as falling outside tbe scope of that section has to be rejected.

But tben it is urged by the State that if the section cannot be given a restricted meaning and has Bto be construed widely so as to authorise the Central Government to direct the holding of inquiries into the conduct of sitting State ministers, the provision would be rendered unconstitutional for a variety of reasons.

Those reasons must now. be considered.

It is said in tbe first place that if the language of section 3(1) is construed widely, it will not only enable the Central Government to C appoint a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into the conduct of sitting Ministers of State Governments but it will, applying the same rule of constrnction, also enable the State Government to appoint similar Commissions of Inquiry to inquire into the conduct of the Central Ministers.

This, according to the State's counsel, would offend against tbe provisions of articles 75(3) and 164(2) of the Constitution.

These articles provide respectively that tbe Central Council of Ministers shall )) be collectively responsible to the House of the People and the State Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Legislative

Assembly of the State.

The argument is tbat the power to appoint a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of inquiring into the conduct of sitting ministers of another Government is destructive of the principle of collective responsibility enunciated in these articles.

This argument is said to receive support from the circumstance tbat by virtue E of article 194 (3), it is the privilege of tbe Legislative Assembly of the State to appoint a committee for inquiring into tbe conduct of any of its members, including a minister.

That privilege, according to the learned counsel, is as inviolable as tbe principle of collective responsiblity.

I find it impossible to accept tbis contention.

Articles 75(3) and F 164 (2) speak of the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers as a body, to the House of the People or tbe Legislative Assembly of the State.

Whatever may be tbe findings of a Commission of Inquiry, the Council of Ministers, whether at tbe Centre or in the States, continues to be collectively answerable or accountable to tbe House of the People or the Legislative Assembly.

Indeed, neither the appointment of tbe Commission nor even the rejection by the Commis- G sion of all or any of tbe allegations referred to it for its inquiry would make the Council of Ministers any the less answerable to those bodies.

Tbe object of the two articles of the constitution on which the State of Karnataka relies is to provide that for every decision taken by tbe cabinet, each one of the ministers is responsible to the legislature concerned. It is difficult to accept that for acts of cormption, nepotism or favouritism which are alleged or proved against an individual minis- H ter, the entire Council of Ministers can be held collectively responsible to the legislature. If an individual minister uses bis office as an occasion of pretence for committing acts of corn1ption, he would be

personally answerable for his unlawful acts and no question of collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers can arise in such a case. As observed by Hegde J. while speaking for a constitution Bench of this Court in A. Sanjeevi Naidu etc. v. Slate of Madras & Anr.,( 1) the essence of collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers is that the cabinet is responsible to the legislature for every action taken in any of the ministries.

In other words, the principle of collective responsibility governs only those acts which a minister performs or can reasonably be said to have performed in the lawful discharge of his official functions.

The history of the principle of collective responsibility in England shows that it was originally developed as against the King.

The ministers maintained a common front against the king, accepted joint and several responsibility for their decisions whether they agreed with them or not, and resigned in a body if the king refused to accept their advice.

In relation to the British P)lrliament, collective responsibility means that the cabinet presents a co=on front. In Melbourne's famous phrase, 'the cabinet ministers must all say the same thing'.

The principle of collective responsibility perhaps compels ministers to compromise with their conscience, but in matters of policy they have to speak with one voice, each one of them being responsible for the decision taken by the cabinet. (2)

In his book on "Constitutional and Administrative Law" (Ed. 1971, page 175), S.A. de Smith says that the collective responsibility of the cabinet to the House of Commons is sometimes spoken of as a democratic bulwark of the British Constitution.

According to the learned author, collective responsibility implies that all cabinet ministers assume responsibility for cabinet decisions and action taken to implement those decisions.

A minister may disagree with a decision or with the manner of its implementation, but if he wishes to express a dissent in public he should first tender his rsignation.

While explaining the principle of collective responsibility, Sir Ivor F Jennings in his book "Cabinet Government" (Third Ed., 1959 p. 277) says :

"For all that passes in Cabinet (said Lord Salisbury in

1878) each member of it who does not resign is absolutely and irretrievably responsible, and has no right afterwards to say that he agreed in one case to' a compromise, while in another he was persuaded by his colleagues. . .

It is only on the principle that absolute responsibility is undertaken by every member of the Cabinet who, after a decision is arrived at, remains a member of it, that the joint responsibility of Ministers to Parliament can be upheld, and one of the most essential principles of parliamentary responsibility established."

(!) [1970J 3 SCR 505, 512

(2) Chamber's Encyclopaedia, 1973 Ed. Vol. 2, page 736 under the heading 'cabinet .... Collective Responsibility'.

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Chandrachud, J.) 105

The learned author says that perhaps Mr. Joseph Chamberlain's definition of collective responsibility was better since he had occasion to study the matter both as enfant terrible under Mr. Gladstone and in J1is middle age under Lord Salisbury.

According to Mr. Chamberlain.

"Absolute frankness in our private relations and. full discussion of all matters of common interest. . . the decisions freely arrived at should be loyally supported and considered as the decisions of the whole of the Government. Of course there may be occasions in which the difference is of so vital a character that it is impossible for the minority .... to continue their support, and in this case the Ministry breaks up or the minority member or members resign."

Thus the argument that section 3 ( 1) of the Act will offend against C the principle of collective responsibility uriless it is construed narrowly is without any substance.

As regards the suggested involvement of '1rticle 194(3), in the absence of a specific provision in the Constiution

that the conduct of a member of the legislature shall be inquired into by the legislature only, it is impossible to hold that the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry under the Act constitutes an interference with the privilege of the legislature.

English precedents relating to the D privileges of the House of Commons, which are relevant under article 194 ( 3), do not support the State's contention.

That disposes of an important limb of the State's submission.

The other contentions of the State Government directed towards showing that the impugned notification is unconstitutional are these : E

(a) the charges contained in the impugned notification relate to corruption, nepotism, favouritism and misuse of governme_ntal power hy the Chief Minister and other ministers in relation to the executive powers exercisable directly or through subordinate officers !ind neither the Central Executive nor the Parliament can exercise any controU over the State executive, except during an emergency; F

(b) India being a Union of States one must, while interpreting the Constitution, have regard to the essential features and general scheme of out federal or quasi-federal Constitution in which the powers of tl1e Union of India and the States are clearly defined and demarcated. "To hold otherwise would mean that the Union executive would G effectively control the State executive which is opposed to the basic scheme of our Federal Constitution;

(c) Neither article 248 of the Constitution which confers exclusive residuary powers of legislation on Parliament with respect to any matters not enumerated in the Concurrent List or the State List nor the residuary entry 97 in List I can include the power to make a law vesting in the Central H

Government a supervisory control over the State Governmen!;

( d) Entry 94 in List I is manifestly irrelevant on Parliament's

powers to pass the impugned Jaw. It confers power on Parliament to legislate on the topic; "Inquiries, surveys and statistics for the purpose of any of the matters" in List I. Misuse of power by ministers of State Governments, which is stated to be one of the matters of public importance dealt with in section 3 (1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, does not fall within the scope of any of the matters enumerated in List I;

(e} Entry 45 of List III : "Inquiries and statistics for the purpose of any of the matters specified in List II or List III" cannot also empower Parliament to pass the impugned legislation.

The reason is that if, as contended by the Union Government, the essence of the notification issued by the Central Govermnent is not the transactions described therein but the misuse of power by the Chief Minister or ministers of the Government of Karnataka, there is no entry in List II or List III relating to the misuse of governmental power by ministers of a State Government;

(f} A law conferring power on Parliament or the Central

executive to inquire into the conduct of a sitting minister of a State Government in regard to alleged misuse of governmental powers, by an agency chosen by the Central executive, is beyond the "Legislative"

competence of Parliament because in reality, such a law is supplemental to the provisions of Part XI, Chapter II of the Constitution which deals with the administrative part of the relations between the Union and the States and would fall in the category of Constitutional law. Parliament has no power to add to or vary or supplement the provisions of the Constitution by means of an ordinary legislation except when the Constitution provides to that effect specifically;

(g) To confer upon the Union executive the power to call upon the State executive to render explanation of its executive actions and the further power to compel the State executive to submit to the jurisdiction of an authority chosen by the Union executive for investigating charges against the State executive brings into existence a new relationship between the Central executive and the State executive which is not a permissible exercise of legislative power.

Such an empowerment can be made in the exercise of constituent power only after following the procedure prescribed by article 368 of the Constitution; and

(h) Legislative and administrative relations between the Union and the States having been defined in the Constitution. the provisions relating thereto are exhaustive of that subject and therefore legislation in

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Chandrachud, J.)

I 07

regard to Centre-State relationship is prohibited by necessary implication. By providing by article 164(2) that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively respomible to the Legislative Assembly of the State, by conferring on the Legislative Assembly by article 194 ( 3) the necessary powers to effectuate that responsibility, by enumerating the situations in Part XI,

Chapter II as to when the Central executive can control the State executive, and finally by providing for emergencies in articles 355 and 356, the Constitution has impliedly prohibited the imposition of the control of the Central executive over the State executive in any other manner. If an instrument enumerate:; the things upon which it has to operate, everything else is necessarily and by implication excluded from its operation and effect.

The dominant note of th•ese submissions is one and one only : that the Central executive cannot, save by a constitutional amendment, be given power to control the functions of the State executive through the medium of a Commission of Inquiry.

Whether Parliament has the competence to pass the impugned legislation in the exercise of its legislative, as distinguished from constituent power is a separate matter, but before considering the validity of the State's contention in that behalf, it is necessary to examine whether the assumption underlying that contention is at all justified, namely that by the impugned legislation, Parliament has conferred on the Central Government the power to control the executive functions of the State Government.

For that purp, Pse it is necei; sary to have a proper understanding of the scheme and purpose of the Commissions of Inquiry Act and the true effect of its more important provisions.

The Commissions of Inquiry Act was passed by th•e Parliament in 1952 in order to provide for the appointment of Commissions of Inquiry and for vesting them with certain powers.

Section 3 (1) read with section 2 (a) of that Act empowers, in so far as is relevant, the Central Government to appoint by notification a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of making an inquiry into any definite matter of public importance and perform such functions as may be specified in the notification.

The Commission has thereupon to make the inquiry and perform its functions, one of which of course is to submit its report to the Government.

Siction 3 ( 4) requires that the Central Government shall cause to be laid before the House of the People the report of the Commission of Inquiry together with a memorandum of the action taken thereon; within a period of six months of the submission of the report by the commission.

Section 4 confers on the Commission some of the powers possessed bv a civil court whi1e trying a suit, !iJ<:e enforcing the a~ndance of witnesses, examining them on oath, d•.scovery and producUon of documents, receiving evidence on affidavits requisitioning anv public record. etc.

Having regard to tb<o nature of the inquiry and the o•her circumstances of the case the Government can under section 5 ( 1) direct that all or any of th~ provisions contained in sub-sections (2), (3) (4) and (5) of section 5

8-1042 SCI/77

shall apply to the Commission.

Some of these sub-sections ooipower the Commission to require any !Y.'rson to furnish information to the Commission and to enter into any building or place where any document relating to the subject matter of the inquiry may be found.

For the purpo&~ of conducting any investigation pertaining to the inquiry, the Commission by section 5A can utilise the services in the case of a Commission appointed by the Central Government, of any officer or investigation agency of the Central Government.

It is clear from these provisions and the general scheme of the Act that a Commission of Inquiry appointed under the Act is a purely fact-finding body which has no power to pronounce a binding or definitive judgment. It has to collect facts through the evidence led before it and on a consideration thereof it is required to submit its report which the appointing authority may or may not accept.

There are sensitive matters of public importance which, if left to the normal investigational agencies, can create needless controversies and generate an atmosphere of suspicion.

The larger interests of the community require that such matters should be inquired into by high-powered commissions consisting of persons whose findings can command the confidence of the people.

In his address in the Lionel Cohen Lectures, Sir Cyril Salmon speaking on "Tribunals of Inquiry" said :

"In all countries, certainly in those which enjoy freedom of speech and a free Press, moments occur when allegations and rumours circulate causing a nation-wide crisis of confidence in the integtity of public life or about other matters of vital public importance.

No doubt this rarely happens, but when it does it is essential that public confidence should be restored, for without it no democracy can long survive.

This confidence can be effectively restored only by thoroughly investigating and probing the rumours and allegations so as to search out and establish the truth.

The truth may show that tho evil exists, thus enabling it to be noted out, or that there is no foundation in the rumours and allegations by which the pub1ic has been disturbed.

In either case, confidence is restored."

A police investigation is, at its very best, a unilateral inqniry into an accusation since the person whose conduct is the subject-matter o~ inqu 'ry has no right or opportunity to cross-examine the witness whose statements are being recorded by the po!ke. Section SC of the Act, on the other hand, confers the right of cross-examination, the right of audience and the right of representation through a legal practitioner on the appropriate Government, on every person referred to in Section SB and with the permission of the Commission, on any other person whnse evidence is recorded by the Commission. Clauses (a) and (b) of Section SB refer respectively to persons whose conduct the Commission considers it necessary to inquire into and persons whose reputation, in the opinion of the Commission, is likely to be prejudicially affected by the Inquiry. It is undeniable that the person whose conduct is being inqu'red into and if he be a Chief Minister or a Minister, the doings of the government itself, are exposed to the fierce light of publicity. But that is a risk which is inherent in every inquiry directed

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Chandrachud, !.) 109

at finding out the truth. It does not, however, justify the specious

ubmission that the inquiry constitutes an interference with the exe.- cutive functions of the State Government or that it confers on the Central Government the power to control the functions of the State

executive. After all, it is in the interest of those against whom open allegations of corruption and nepotism are made that they should have

an opportunity of repelling those allegations before a trained and inde.- pendent Commission of Inquiry which is not hide-bound by the technical rules of evidence. "It is only by establishing the truth that the purity and integrity of public life can be preserved" and that is the -0bject which the Commissions of Inquiry Act seeks to achieve.

In M. V. Rajwade v. Dr. S. M. Hassan & Ors.,(1) it was held by the Nagpur High Court that section 4 of the Act merely clothes the Commission with certain powers of a civil court but does not confer on it the status of a court and that the Commission is only fictionally a civil court for the limited purposes enumerated in section 5 ( 4) .

The Court observed that there is no accuser, no accused and no specific charges for trial before the Commission, nor is the Government, under the law, required to pronounce one way or the other <in the findings of the Commission.

In other words,

"The Commission governed by the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 is appointed by the State Government 'for the information of its own mind' . . . . . . . .

It is, therefore, a fact finding body meant only to instruct the mind of the Government without producing any document of a judicial nature."

These observations were extracted and quoted with approval by this Court in Brajnandan Sinha v. Jyoti Narain.(')

It is, therefore, clear that the power conferred by Parliament on

the Central Government to appoint a Commission of Inquiry under section 3 ( 1) of the Act for the purpose of finding facts in regard to F the allegations of corruption, favouritism and nepotism against a sitting Chief Minister or ministers cannot be held to constitute interference with the executive functions of the State Government.

On receipt of the Commission's report, the Central Government may or may not take any action, depending upon the nature of the findings recorded by the Commission. If it decides to take any action. the validity thereof may have to be tested in the light of the constitutional G provisions.

But until that stage arrives, it is difficult to hold that the Central Government is exercising any control or supervisory jurisdiction over the executive functions of the State Government.

As observed by this Court in Shri Ram Krishna Dalmia v. Shri Justice S. R. Tendnlkar & Others, (3) "the Commission has no power of adiudicatl0n in the sense of passing an order which can be enforced proprio vigore".

{l) AIR 1954 Nag. 71.

(2) (1955] S.C.R. 955, 915.

(3) [1959) S.C.R. 279, 293.

A Thus, the very assumption on which the State's counsel has built

(up the edifice of his argument seems to me to be fallacious.

The :rejection of that assumption furnishes at once an answer to most of his other submissions but, since the matter has been argued ou both sides fully and earnestly, it is desjrable to consider all the rival contentions and set the dispute at rest.

The next limb of Shri Sinha's argument is that India is a Union of States and that one must, while interpreting the Constitution, have regard to the essential features and th~ general scheme of our federal or quasi-federal Constitution by which, the powers of the Union of India and the States are clearly defined and demarcated.

Quoting a learned author on "Constitutional Law of India" Vol. 1, page 1074, counsel contends that to hold otherwise would mean that the Union executive would effectively control the State executive, which is opposed to the basic scheme of our fe<leral Constitution.

The statement from the "Constitutional Law of India" on which D counsel relies is out of context because it occurs in relation to the question whether in dismissing the ministry or in dissolving the legislature, the Governor acts as an agent of the President or nuder his directions.

While expressing the opinion that a responsible Union ministry would not be justified in advising the removal of a Governor merely because he takes action which does not fall in line with the policy of the Union ministry, the learned author says that any other view E would vest in the Union executive effective control over the State executive, which is opposed to the basic scheme of our federal Constitution.

Apart from the consideration that the statement relied upon is out of context, I have already rejected the submission that the appointment by the Central Government of a fact-finding Commission of Inquiry for inquiring into the conduct of sitting State Ministers can be deemed to vest effective control over the State executive in the F Central executive.

Counsel's submission shall, therefore have to be examined keeping aside this aspect of the matter.

India, undoubtedly, is a Union of States and that is what article 1 ( l) of our Constitution expressly provides. Whether we describe our Constitution as federal or quasi-federal, one cannot ever blind one's vision to the stark reality that India is a Union of States. The Constitution contains a carefully conceived demarcation of powers, legislative and executive, between the Central Government ou the one hand and the State Governments on the other. The balance of that power ought never to be disturbed, but that is a different thing from saying that inherent or implied limitations should be read into legislative powers or that because India is a Union of States, one must read lnto the Constitution powers and provisious which are not to be found therein but which may seem to follow logically from what the Constitution provides for expressly.

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Chandrachud, J.) 111

The first question which one must tackle is whether Parliament has the legislative competence to enact the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. This question, in my opinion, is concluded by a judgment of a Constitution Bench of this Court in Shri Ram Krishna Dalmia

(supra) in which the validity of the very Act was challenged in a matter in which a notification was issued by the Central Government under section 3 of the Act for inquiring into the affairs of certain companies. It was held by this Court that Parliament had the legislative competence to pass the law under entry 94 of List I and entry 45 of List III of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.

Entry 94 of List I relates to "Inquiriei;, surveys and statistics for the purpose of any of the matters" in List I, while entry 45 of List III relates to "Inquiries and statistics for the purposes of any of the matters specified in List II or List III".

It is well-ei; tablished that entries in the legislative lists must receive not a narrow or pedantic but a wide and liberal , construction and, considered from that point of view, the word 'inquiries' which occurs in the two entries must be held to cover the power to pass an Act providing for appointment of Commissions of Inquiry. It is in the exercise of this power that the Parliament has passed the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. Since the power to appoint a Commission to Inquire into the conduct of sitting ministers Of State Governments which is comprehended within section 3 ( 1) of the Act does not offend against the principle of collective responsibility of the State's Council of Ministers or against the privileges of the Legislative Assembly and since it does not also confer on the Central -Oove=ent the power of control over the State executive, the provision must be held to be a valid exercise of' the legislative competence -of the Parliament.

Shri Ram Krishna Dalmia (supra) in so far as it decide.s that the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 falls within 'the legislative competence of the Parliament in view of entry 94 of List I and entry 45 of List III must, with respect, re affirmed and accepted as good Jaw.

I may, however, add that if for any reason it were to appear, which it does not, that these entriei; do not justify the passing of the Act, the residuary entry 97 of List I will in any event support the legislative validity of the Act.

That entry confers on Parliament the power to legislate on 'Any other matter not enumerated in List II or List

III. ..... '.

Entry 97 is in the nature of a residuary entry and the words 'Any other matter' which appear therein mean 'Any matter other than those enumerated in List I'.

Jf entry 94 docs not cover the impugned Act, 'Inquiries' of the nature contemplated by the Act will fall within the description 'Any other matter'; and if entry 45 of List III and, admittedly, the whole of the State List are to be kept out of consideration, the Act will relate to 'a matter not enumerated in List II or List III'. Shri Sinha objected to recourse being had to entry 97 of List I on the ground that it cannot, any more than other entries in Lists I and III, confur on Parliament the power to make a law vesting in the Central executive supervisory control over the State executive. That contention having been rejected, entry 97 will in any event sustain the legislative validity of the Act.

It is unneccessary to consider the implications of article 248 because that may require an examination of the question, which is

needless here in view of the decision in Shri Ram Krishna Dalmia,

(supra) whether that article confers power which is not to be found in article 246 ( 1) read with entry 97 of List I and whether an affirmative answer to this question will render entries 1 to 96 of List I otiose.

One may sum up the discussion on the question of Parliament's legislative competence by saying that adopting "the construction most beneficial to the widest possible amplitude" of powers conferred by the Constitution and interpreting the legislative entries in "a broad and liberal spirit", the impugned Act cannot be held to suffer from want of legislative competence in the Parliament to enact it. Entry 94 of List I, entry 45 of List III and failing these, entry 97 of List l must sustain the Act.

That disposes of points (a) to (e) set out above, leaving for C consideration points (f), (g) and (h). For the sake of easy reference, these points may be summarised thus (i) Administrative relations between the Union and the States are dealt with in Chapter II of Part XI of the Constitution; (ii) The Commissions of Inquiry Act, as in1'3rpreted above, purports to supplement the provisions contained in Chapter II, Part XI; (iii) Parliament cannot supplement any provision of the Constitution except by an amendment of the Constitution; (iv) The D Commissions of Inquiry Act creates a new Centre,-State relationship hy vesting in the Central executive an added control over the State executive not provided for in the Constitution, and (v) Since the provisions contained in Chapter II of Part XI are exhaustive of matrers governing the administrative relations between the Union and the States, any legislative addition thereto or supplementing thereof must E be held to be impliedly prohibited.

The short answer to the first four points, (i) to (iv) above, is that though it is true that administrative relations between the Union and the States are dealt with by Chapter II Part XI of the Constitution and though the provisions contained therein cannot be altered save by a constitutional amendment, the Commissions of Inquiry Act does not bring about any change in the Centre-State relationship as envisaged by Part XI.

The Act merely empowers the Central Government to appoint a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of collecting facts with a view to informing its own mind; and the report of the Commission, not being binding on any one, has no force of its own. Revelations before the Commission may conceivably produce an impact on the credibility of the State Government, but the inqniry is directed not to the manner in which the State Government or the State executive conducts itself in the discharge of its constitntional functions but to the manner in which, if at all, its ministers have nsed their office as a cloak for committing acts of corruption and favouritism. It is possible that a Commission may accept the accusations against the minister and in fairness emphasise that the private doings of the minister have nothing to do with the public administration of the States' executive affairs.

Indeed, the Commission may reject the allegations as totally baseless and frivolous.

These are all imponderables and they cannot influence the decision of the basic question as to the nature of the Commission's functions.

Therefore, the contention that by empowering the Central

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Chandrachud, J.j 113

Government to appoint a Co=ission for inquiring into the conduct of A the silting m; nisters of State Government, Parliament has legislated on the Centre-State relationship which is a constitutional subject, is without any force.

However, it is necessary to say a word about the somewhat novel argument of the State Government that, by ordinary legislation, the Parliament cannot even supplement a, constitutional provision, unless the Constitntion expressly authorises it to do so.

Ordinary legislation, as contended by the learned Additional Solicitor-General. has to answer only two tests : Firstly, the law must be within the legislative competence of the legislature, and secondly, the law must not offend against the provisions of Part Ill or infringe any other specific provision of the Constitution. Once the legislative competence is established and no violation of any specific constitutional provision is made out, the validity of the Act cannot be assailed on the ground that it 'supplements' a constitutional provision.

The fallacy of the State's argument consists in the assumption that every law "in respect of" a subject-matter dealt with by the Constitution amounts necessarily to an amendment of the Constitution.

An illustration or two may help clarify the true position.

Article 297 of the Constitution vrovides that all lands, minerals and other things of value uudcrlymg the ocean within the territorial waters or the continental shelf of India shali vest in the Union and be held for the purposes of the Union. It is inarguable that since "lands, minerals and other things Of value underlying the ocean within the territorial waters or the continental shelf of India" is the subject matter of article, 297, no legislature, evenif it possesses legislative competence to do so, can legislate on that subject-matter.

It is elementary that the legislature cannot, while legislating on a topic enumerated in the relevant list, violate or infringe any provision of the Constitution. But so long as there is no such infringement, legislation on the subject dealt with by article 297 cannot be declared unconstitutional on the ground that it supplements the provisions of that article.

Article 299 of the Constitution deals with contracts. It seems to me equally inarguable that a legislation dealing with the subject-matter of contracts, even though not lacking in legislative competence, becomes unconstitutional for the reason that it deals with the subject-matter of contracts.

The argument of the State in this behalf is therefore wholly devoid of substance, apart from the consideration that the impugned legislation does not bear on the Centre-State relationship.

The fifth and the last contention is also capable of being disposed of with the answer that the Co=issions of Inquiry Act does not deal with the subject of Centre-State relationship, directly or indirectly.

There is, therefore, no question of its creating a new relationship between the Union and the States not known to the Constitution or inconsistent with that provided for ii] Chapter II, Part XI of the Coustitution. Not only that tho pith and substance of the Act is

"Inquiries", but it does not even incidentally encroach or trespass upon a constitutional field occupied by Part XI. If it does not touch the subject-matter of Centre-State relationship, there is no question of its impinging upon a subject dealt with by the Consti-

A tution.

Therefore, even assuming that legislation on the question of Centre-State relationship is impliedly barred, the impugned Act does not fall v.ithin the vice of that rule and cannot, therefore, be pronounced as unconstitutional.

All the same, it is necessary to examine briefly the validity of the State's contention that since the provisions in Chapter II, Part XI B are exhaustive of matters governing the administrative relations between the Union and the States, any legislative addition thereto, or supplementing thereof, if impliedly prohibited.

As already observed, if a law is within the legislative competence of the legislature, it cannot be invalidated on the supposed ground that it has added something to, or has supplemented, a constitutional provision so long as the addition or supplementation is not inconsistent with any pro- C vision of the Constitution.

I am, therefore, unable to appreciate the relevance of the State's reliance on the passage from Crawford's Statutory Construction (Ed. 1940 pages 334-335) to the effect that if a statute enumerates the things upon which it has to operate, everything else is necessarily and by implication excluded from its operation and its effect.

As I have said more than once in my judgment, the one common thread which runs through the argnment of the D State is that the Constitution must be deemed to have impliedly prohibited the imposition of the control of the Central executive over the State executive except in emergencies, and since the Commissions of Inquiry Act transgresses that constitutional prohibition, it is void.

The very assumption being unfounded, the supposed consequence has to be rejected.

Besides, the doctrine of implied prohibition which is necessarily based on the principle of inherent limitations has been E rejected by this Court in the Fundamental rights case(') and in Shrimati Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Shri Raj Narain(2 ).

I am, there(ore, of the opinion that though the suit filed by the State of Karnataka is maintainable under Article 131 of the Constitution, the notification issued by the Government of India on May 23, 1977 is within the scope of section 3(1) of the Commissions of P Inquiry Act, 1952 and that the Act is not unconstitutional for any of the reasons mentioned on behalf of the State Government.

Acwrdingly, I agree respectfully with the conclusions reached by my Lord the Chief Justice in the case.

BHAGWATI, J.-I entirely agree with the judgment jnst delivered by my learned brother Chandrachud so far as the merits of the claim G in the suit are concerned, but on the question of maintainability of the suit under Article 131 of the Constitution, I would like to express my opinion in a separate judgment, not only because the constitutional issue it raises is one of some importance, but also because I

...

find that though there was some discussion in regard to the scope and ambit of this article in the judgment delivered by me on behalf of my learned brother Gupta and myself in the State of Rajasthan - H

(I) [1973] Supp. S.C.R. 1,608, 916-917, 977-78.

(2) [19761 2 S.C.R. 34.,,

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Bhagwati, J.) 115

v, Union of India(!) it did not take into account certain aspects of

the question and a fuller consideration appeared to be clearly necessary. The facts giving rise to tbe suit are set out in detail in the judgment pronounced by my Lord the Chief Justice and hence it is not necessary to reiterate them.

Suffice it to state tbat tbe Suit has been filed by the State of Karnataka against the Union of. India to quash a notification issued by the Central Government settmg up a Commission to inquire into certain charges of corruption and nepotism against tbe Chief Minister and some other ministers of the State of Karnataka.

The question is whether the suit is maintainable under Art. 131, for a preliminary objection against tbe maintainability of tbe suit has been raised by the learned Additional Solicitor General on behalf of the Union of India.

The answer to tbe question depends primarily on the true interpretation of Art. 131. This article confers on the Supreme Court, subject to the otber provisions of the Constitution, exclusive original jurisdiction in any dispute-(a) between the Government of India and one or more States, or (b) between the Government of India and any State or States on one side and one or more other States on the other, or (c) between two or more States, if and in so far M the dispute involves any question (whetber of Jaw or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends. It is clear on a plain reading of this article tbat it does not lay down any particular mode of proceeding for exercise of tbe original jurisdiction conferred by it. No doubt, Part III of the Supreme Court Rules contemplates that the Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under this article shall be invoked by means of a suit, but that is not the requirement of the article and in interpreting it, we should be careful not to allow our approach to be influenced by considerations of 'cause of action' which are germane in a suit.

The scope and ambit of the original jurisdiction must be determined on the plain terms of the article without being inhibited by any a priori considerations.

Now, plainly there are two limitations in vJgard to the dispute which can be brought before the Supreme Court under Article 131.

One is in regard to parties and the other is in regard to tbe subjectmatter.

The article provides in so many terms that the dispute must be between the Government of India and one or more States or between two or more Statc; s. The object of the article seems to be tllat since in a foderal or quasi-federal structure, which the Constitution seeks to set up, disputes may arise between the Government of India and one or more States, or between two or more States, a forum should be provided for tbe resolution of such disputes and that forum should be the highest Court in the laud, so that final adjudication of such disputes could be achieved speedily and expeditiously without either party having to embark on a long, tortuous and time consuming journey through a hierarchy of Courts. The article is a necessary concomitant of a federal or a quasi-federal form of Government and it is attracted only when the parties to the dispute are the Government of India or one or more States arrayed on either side. This is the limitation as to parties.

The other limitation as to subjectmatter flows from the

(l) A.1.R. 1977 S.C. 1361.

A words "if and in so far as the dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right

depeds". These words clearly indicate that the dispute must be one affecting the existence or extent of a legal right and not a dispute on the political plane not involving a legal aspect. It was put by Chandrachud, J ., very aptly in his judgment in the State of Rajas than

v. Union of India (supra) when he said : "Mere wrangles between B governments have no place under the scheme of that article .... ".

It is only when a legal, as distinguished from a mere political, issue arises touching upon the existence or extent of a legal right that the article is attracted.

Hence the suit in the present case would obviously not be maintainable unless it complies with both these limitations.

The contention of the learned Additional Solicitor General on C behalf of the Union of India was that the test for determining the maintainability of the suit was not whether the right of the Central Government to set up a Commission of Inquiry against the Chief Minister and other ministers of the State of Karnataka was questioned in the suit, but whether th~ impugned action of the Central Government infringed any legal right of the State.

Even if the impugned action of the Central Government wen: invalid and I must assume it D to be so in order to determine the maintainability of the suit the question is as to whose legal right would be infringed : who would have a cause of action ? Can the State say that its legal right is infringed and is therefore, entitled to maintain the suit ? The learned Additional Solicitor General submitted that since the impugned action of the Central Government was directed against the Chief Minister and other ministers of the State, the legal right infringed would be that of the E Chief Minister and the concerned ministers and they would have a cause of action against th~ Union of India since they would be prejudicially affected by the executive action of the Central Government which is alleged to be in contravention of the Constitution and the law.

They have a legal right to immunity from subjection to the unconstitutional exercise of power by the Central Government and this right can certainly be enforced by them.

But that would be by way F of a petition under Article 226 or Article 32, if a fundamental right is involved, and not under Art. 131.

Even the State Govern.men! may be said to have a cause of action on the ground that the impugned action of the Central Government affects its personnel, namely, the Chief Minister and other ministers and the State Government may legitimately claim to have sufficient interest to maintain a petition under Art. 226 to challenge the impugned action.

But it cannot file G a suit under Artido 131 because it is only the State which can maintain such a suit and not the State Government.

The learned Additional Solicitor General contended that tbe expression used in Article 131 is 'State' and not "State Government" and there is a fundamental distinction between 'State' a:nd 'State Government' and it is, therefore, not enough to attract the applicability of Article 13 l that the State Government should have a cause of action.

It is the State whose legiJ, l H right must be infringed and who must have a cause of action in order to invoke the jurisdiction under Article 131.

The impugned action of the Central Government in tl1e present case, argued the learned Additional Solicitor General, affects the legal right of the Chief Minister

}--

KARNATAKA V. UNION (Bhagwati, J.) 117

and the concerned Ministers and also po8sibly of the State Government, but it does not infringe the legal right of the State as a legal entity as distinct from the legal right of its executive agent. nameJy, the State Government and the State is, therefore, not entitled to mamtain the suit under Article 131.

This contention of the learned Additional Solicitor General is, in my opinion, not well founded and callllot be sustained.

There are two fallacies underlying the contention of the learned Additional Solicitor General.

One is in drawing a rather rigid, watertight distinction between 'State' and 'State Government' in the context of Article 131 and the other, in assuming; that it is only where a legal right of the plaintiff is infringed that the suit can be maintained by the plaintiff under that article.

Turning first to the distinction between 'State' and 'State Government', it is true that theoretically this distinction does exist and it finds recognition in sub-sections (58) and (60) of section 3 of the Geireral Oauses Act, 1897.

The majority judges in the State of Rajasthan v. Umon of India (supra) also accepted that there is a distinction between 'State' and 'State Government'.

Willoughby points out in "The Fundamental Concepts of Public Law"

at page 49: "The distinction between the State and its Government is analogous to that between a given human individual, as a moral and intellectual person, and his material physical body.

By the term 'State' is understood the political person or entity which possesses the law making right.

By the term 'Government' is understood the ag;:ncy through which the will of the State is formulated, expressed and executed. The Government thus acts as the machinery of the State, and those who operate this machinery-act as the agents of the State". And to the same effect are the observations of the United States Supreme Court in Poindexter v. Greenhaw : (') "The State itself is an ideal person, intangib~~. invisible and immutable. The Government is an agent. ... ". It would thus be seen that the State Government is the agent through which the State exercises its executive power.

Now. if the State Government is the agent through which the State expresses its will, it is difficult to see how the State can be said to be unconoorned when any right or capacity or lack of it is attributed to the State Government. It would be wholly nn-realistic to suggest that since the State Government is distinct from the State, any action or capacity or lack of it in the State Government would not affect the State and the State would not be interested in it.

This is to ignore the integral relationship between the 'State' and the 'State Government'.

Any action which affects the State Government or the ministers in their capacity as ministers-for in that capacity they would be acting on behalf of the State-would raise a matter in which the State would be concerned.

It is true that analogies and metaphors are apt to mislead and it would be unsafe to base an argument npon them, but to reinforce what I have said, I may take the analogy giwn by Willoughby in the above quated passage and ask the question : if any action or capacity or lack of it is attributed to the "material physical body", would it not be ascribable to the individual whose body it is and would he not be affected by it ? I agree with Dr. Rajeev Dhavan and Prof. Alice

(I) 19 Law. Ed., 185.

Jacob when they say in their forth-coming article on the Assembly dissolution case namely, the State of Rajasthan v. Union of India tliat: "Any communication that is made to a Chief Minister in his capacity as Chief Minister" and equally to a minister in his capacity as minister,

"must create a matter which involves the State''.

S Murtaza Fazal Ali, J., in the State of RaJasthan v. Union of India sught to make a distinction between permaINnt institutions of the State and their changing peron!fel !Ind <;>bserved : "The question as to the personnel to run these mstitut1ons 1s wholly unrelatable to the existence of a dispute between the 'State' and the 'Government of India'. It is only when there is a complete abolition of any of the permanent institutions of a State'tliat a real dispute may arise." I do not think that this is a valid distinction for determining when a dispute can be said to be one with the State as distinct from the persons constituting the State Government.

To quote again from the forth-coming article of Dr. Rajeev Dhavan and Prof. Alice Jacob : "The hair splitting distinction cannot be between th~ permanent institutions of the State and the non-permanent institutions of the State; nor can it be between actions which limit the powers of the officials of th~ Government of a State and those that abolish the institutions of the State.

The hair splitting distinction is between those actions which can be attributed to the Stab~ or any official thereof and those actions which are personal and not ascribed to the officials in their capacity as officials of the State-A letter sent to the Chief Minister questioning his capacity or power to rule as Chief Minister may not allege lack of confidence in the Chief Minister as person, wife, husband, father or friend.

It alleges lack of confidence in the Chief Minister in his capacity as Chief Minister." I find myself in agreement with this opinion and I wholly endorse it.

I would, therefore. hold that when any right or capacity or lack of it is attributed to any institution or person acting on behalf of the State, it raises a matter in which the State is involved or concerned.

The State would, in the circumstances, be affected or at any rate interested, if the Chief Minister and other minist•ors in their capacity as such, or to put it differently, in the matter of discharge of their official functions, are subjecbd to unconstitutional exercise of power by the Central Government. If the Central Government were to issue a direction to the Chief Minister and other ministers to exercise the executive power of the State in a particular manner, the State would be clearly affected if such direction is unconstitutional and would be entitled to complain against it.

Then is the position any different, if the Central Government, instead, proceeds, without any constitutional authority, to inquire how the executive po\\'l~T o~ __ tc State is exercised by the Chief Minister and other ministers and wheilier it is exercised in a proper manner. The State would clearly in foch a case have locus to challenge the unconstitutional action of the Central

GoV'ornment.

It may also bo noted that, on a proper construction of Artic!e 131, it is not necessary that the plaintiff should have some legal. nght of its own to enforce, before it can institute a suit under that article.

It is not a sine qua non of the applicability of article 131 that there 5hould be infringement of some legal right of the plaint~. What article 131 requires is that the dispute must be one which involves a

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Bhagwati, J.) 119

question "on which the existence or extent of legal right depends".

The article does not say that the legal right must be of the plaintiff.

It may be of the plaintiff or of the defendant. What is necessary is that the existence or extent of the legal right must be in issue in the dispute between the parties. We cannot construe Article 131 as confined to cases where the dispute relates to the existence or extent of the legal right of the plaintiff, for to, do, so, would be to read words in the article which are not there.

It seems that because the mode of proceeding provided in Part III of the Supreme Court Rules for bringing a dispute before the Supreme Court under Article 131 is a suit, that we are unconsciously influenced to import the notion of 'cause of action', which is germane in a suit, in the interpretation of Article 131 and to read this article as limited only to cases where some legal right of the plaintiff is infringed and consequently, it has a 'cause of action' against the defendant.

But it must be remembered that there is no reference to a suit or 'cause of action' in Article 131 and that article confers jurisdiction on the Supreme Court with reference to the character of the dispute which may be brought before it for adjudication.

The requirement of 'cause of action', which is so necessary in a suit, cannot, therefore, be imported while construing the scope and ambit of Art 131. It is no doubt true that the judgment delivered by me in the State of Rajasthan v. Union of India proceeds 011 the assumption that a suit under Article 131 can be instituted only if some right of the plaintiff is infringed, but there was no proper discussion of this question in the course of the arguments in that case and on fuller consideration, I think that no such restriction can be imported in the construction of Article 131 so as to narrow down the ambit and coverage of that article.

The only requirement necessary for attracting the applicability of Atticle 131 is that the dispute must be one involving any question "on which the existence or extent of a legal right" depends. irrespective whether the legal right is claimed by one party or the other and it is not necessary that some legal right of the plaintiff should be infringed before a suit can be brought under that article.

The plaintiff must of course be a party to the dispute and obviously it cannot be a party to the dispute unless it is affected by it.

The plaintiff cannot raise a dispute in regard to a matter which does not affect it or in which it is not concerned. It cannot act as a mere busybody interfering with things which do not conoern it. . But if the plaintiff has interest in raising the dispute in the sense that it is affected by the action taken. it can bring the disoute before the Supreme Court under Article 131, even if no legal right of its is infringed, provi<fect of course the dispute is relatable to the existence or extent of a legal right.

It would also be convenient at this stage to consider what is the meaning of the expression 'legal right' as used in Article 131. It is obvio_us that the word 'right' is used here in a generic sense and not . according to its strict meaning. 'Right' in its narrow sense constitutes the conelative of duty, but in its generic sense it includes not only right stricto sensit, but "anv advantage or benefit conferred upon a person by a rule of law". Dias in his jurisprudence, 1976 ed., pages 33-34. says that the word 'riqht' has undere:one successive shif•s in meaning and Hohfeld in. his "Fundamental Legal Concepts as Applied

to Legczl Reasoning" gives four diflerent meanings of the word 'right'.

One is right stricto sensu, the other is liberty, the third is power and the fourth is immunity. In its strict sense 'right' is defined as interest which the law protects by imposing corresponding duty on otfiirs. 'Liberty' is exemption from the right of another and its correlative is 'no-right' and in the same way 'power' is ability to change the legal relations of another and its correlative is liability.

Similarly, 'immunity' is exemption from the legal power of another and the correlative of inununity is disability. To illustrate, where there is a right stricto sensu in A, there is a correlative duty in B to do X.

Similarly, where A has liberty to do X, there is a correlative no-right in B to interfere in regard to it.

The correlative of power in A is liability in B as regarQf; X and similarly, where there is immunity in A from the. legal power of B, its correlative is disability in B as regards X.

These are the four different jural relationships recognised by law and they are comprehended within the generic term 'right'.

Now, there can be no doubt that the word 'right' is used in Article 131 in !his generic sense. If, for example, the State claims to be entitled to legislate exclusively on a particular matter on the ground that it falls within List II of the VII Schedule to the Constitution and the Union of India questions this right of the State, the dispute would be one relating, not to any right of the State in the strict sense of the term, but to the 'liberty' of the State .to legislate on such matter and it would come directly within the terms of Art. 131.

Even a dispnte relating to th"' power of the Union of India to abolish the legislative assembly of a State or to dissolve it would fall within the scope and ambit of Art. 131 as held expressly by Chandrachud, J., Gupta, J., and myself and impliedly by Beg, C.J., in the State of Rajasthan v. Union of India.

What has, therefore, to be seen in order to determine the applicability of Art. 131 is whether there is any relational legal matter involving a right, liberty, power or immunity qua the parties to the dispute. If there is, the suit would be maintainable, but not otherwise.

The question which arises for consideration on this interpretation of Art. 131 is whether there is any dispute between the State of Karnataka and the Union of India involving a question as to the existence or extent of a relational legal pattern within the generic sense of the term 'right'.

It is true that it may not be possible to say that by reason of the impugned action of the Central Government in setting up a Commission of Inquiry against the Chief Minister and other m; nisters who constitute the State Government, any legal right of the State is infringed, but. as already pointed out above, it is not necessary, in order to invoke the iurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Art. 1? 1, that the State should be able to show that some legal right of its is breached. It is enough to show that the State is interested, not as a busybody or as a meddlesome interloper, but in a real sense in questioning the power of the Central Government to set up such Commission of Inquiry. If we look at the averments in the plaint, and for the purnose of determining the auesticm of iurisdiction we must proceed on the assumption that the averments are cnrrect, it is clear that according to the claim made by the State, the legislature of the State and the State Government alone have power to inve., til!llte and control misuse of governmental power by the Chief Minister

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Bhagwati, J.)

anti other ministers of the State and the Central Government has no A power to inquire into the same or to set up a Commission of Inquiry for that purpooe.

This claim of the State clearly raises a dispute as to the extent Of the power of the State and the existence of a superior or coordinate power in the Central Government to inquire into the conduct of the Chief Minister and other ministers of the State

in the discharge of their governmertal functions.

Such a dispute concerns the content of the respective powers of the State and the B Union of India and the inter se relmionship between the two entities and the State is vitally interested in it.

The State is very much concerned whether the conduct of its council of ministers in the discharge of governmental functions can be inquired into only by itself through its own agency or it can also be subjected to scrutiny by the

Union of India. The State would certainly havie locus to say that the Union of India has no right to encroach upon its exclusive power to C investigate into misuse of governmental power by its council of ministers. There can be no doubt that, apart from its council of mlnisters the State can also competently make a claim that the council of ministers acting on its behalf is immune from subjection to the power of the Central Government to inquire into their conduct as minisfors.

This immunity claimed in respect of the council of ministers can be ascribed to the State and it can certainly raise a dispute touching upon D the existence of this immunity. So far as dispute as to the scope of respective legislative fields between the Commonwealth and the States in Australia is concerned, it is now well settled as a result of the decision in Attorney General .for Victoria v.

The Commonwealth(') that the Attorney-General of a State can sue for a declaration of the invalidity of Federal legislation as an invasion of a purely State field of legislative power and E similarly the Attorney-General for the Commonwealth can sue a State in order to obtain a declaration of the invalidity of State legislation where it encroaches upon the legislative oower entrusted to the Commonwealth.

The High Court of Australia pointed out in this case that the position was correctly summarised by Gaven Duffy, C.J., Evatt and Me Tiernan, JJ. in Attorney-General for Victoria v.

The Commonwealth (2) in the following words : "It must now be F taken as established that the Attorney-General of a State of the Commonwealth has a sufficient title to invoke the provisions of the Constitution for the purpose of challengin~ the validity of Commonwealth legislation which extends to, and operates within. the State whose interests he represents".

Now, if a State has sufficient title to challenRe the validity of Union legislation on the ground that it interferes with the exercise of State legislative power, it must follow a G fortiori that the State would have locus to challenge unconstitutional exercise of power by the Central Government which encroaches upon its exclusive sphere in relation to the conduct of its Council of ministers. The State would also be entitled to challenge the impugned action of the Central Government as unconstitutional, because it prevents the State from exercising its power to direct inquiry into matters which are specified in the notification issued by the Central Govern- H

(1) 71 C.L.R. 237

(2) 52 C.L.R. 533.

ment, by reason of proviso (a) to sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. The suit filed by the State against the Union oil; India must, in the circumstances, be held to be maintainable under Article 131.

Since, however, the claim made by the State in the suit is not sustainable on merits as pointed out by my learned brother Chandrachud in his judgment, I agree with him that the suit should be dismissed with costs.

UNTWALIA J.-We agree that this suit should be dismissed with costs. We however regret our inability to concur in the view expressed by Bhagwati J., in regard to the maintainability of the suit under Article 131 of the Constitntion.

For the reasons stated hereinafter C we have come to the conclusion that the suit is not maintainable. We have also briefly discussed and decided the other issues in the suit on merits.

While generally agreeing respectfully with the leading judgment of the learned Chief Justice, we think it advisable to add a few pages by way of our concurring note.

The first issue in this suit is :

D "Is the suit maintainable ?"

Although the decision of this issue is interlinked with other issue.~ settled for adjudication, it can be dealt with separately also.

What, itt substance, is this suit filed under Article 13 l of the Constitntion of India ? Certain allegations of corruption, nepotism E and favouritism in relation to the administrative actions of the Chief Minister and some other Ministers of the State of Karnataka were made by some legislators of that •State.

A memorandum signed by 46 legislators of the State containing the allegations was forwarded to the Central Government.

Its Home Minister in his letter dated April 26, 1977, requested the Chief Minister to give information and his comments apropos the allegations made. The Chief Minister, F in his reply letter dated May, 13, 1977, inter alia, challenged the authority of the Central Government to call for an explanation and make any inquiry in the matter. He claimed that it was the exclusive right of the State to do so.

It seems, to forestall the appointment of any Commission of Inquiry by the Central Government, the State Government hastened to issue a notification on May 18, 1977 to set up some kind of inquiry in respect of the allegations made, although, G in terms the inquiry was not specifically in relation to the various charges of mis-conduct and mal-administration made against the Chief Minister and the other Ministers.

The notification was issued by the Sta1:e Government u"der section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 (Central Act 60 of 1952) (hereinafter to be referred to as ci1e Act). Shri Justice Mir Iqbal Hussain, a retired Judge of the Karnataka High Court, was app0inted as the sole member of H the Commission of Inquiry by the State Government.

Five days later, on May 23, 1977, the Central Government, in exercise of their power under section 3 of the Act, appointed another Commission consisting of a single Member, namely, Shri Justice A. N. Grover,

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Untwalia, J.) 123

a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India, to inquire into the various allegations specified in Annexures 'I' and 'II' to the notification excluding, however, from the latter-"any matter covered by the notification of the Govermnent of Kamataka in the Q1ief Secretariat No. DPAR 7 GAN 77, dated the 18th May, 1977". Thereupon the State of Kamataka filed the present suit claiming certain reliefs mainly on two grounds : (I) On a proper interpretation of the Act the State Govermnent is the appropriate Government and not the Central Government to set up a Commission of Inquiry; and (2) in the alternative the provisions in the Act in so far as they authorise the Central Government to issue the impugned notification are ultravires the Constitution.

The first defendant in the suit is the Union of India, the second being Shri A. N. Grover.

The contest is by the first defendant only and hereinafter in this judgment it will be referred to as the defendant.

In substance and effect the claim of the defendant is that it has got the legal right to issue the impugned notification; the right conferred by Section 3 of the Act is not ultravires the Constitution. The right of the State of Karnataka to institute the suit under Article 131 is challenged mainly on the ground that the nature of the dispute in the suit is such that it does not affect any legal right of the State.

Under Article I of the Constitution, India is a Union of States.

The State of Karnataka is one of the constituent units of the Union of India. The concept of State is that by itself it is an ideal person, a legal entity. It is intangible, invisible and immutable.

Tl1e Government, in a sense, is an agency through which the will of the State is fonnulated, expressed and executed. Both the exprcssiom have been separately defined in the General Ga uses Act, 1917.

In relation to the existence of a dispute between the Union of India on the one hand and one or more States on the other, the expression used in Article 131 for the former is the Government of India, signifying that the dispute may be with the Government of India but the other party to the dispute must be the State only and not any limb of the State-the Government, the Legislature or the Judiciary.

Article 300 is an enabling provision to descrihe the Government of India in a suit as the Union of India and to enahle the Govermnent of a State to sue or be sued in the name of the State. If there is an invasion on the legal right of a State the agency through which the action will be commenced may well be the Government of the State.

An inroad upon the right of the Government may, in certain circumstances, be an inroad upon the legal right of the State. Article 300, therefore, merely prescribes the mode of describing a party to the suit.

The real answer to the question of manitainability, however, has got to be found from the words of Article 131 itself. The following conditions must exist for invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court nnder the said Article :

( !) The dispute must be between the Government of India and one or more States or between two or more States; and

9-1042SCI/77

(2) 1be dispute must involve any question whether of 'law or of fact on which the existence or extent of the legal right depends.

There is some departure in this regard from the corresponding provision of Section 204 of the Govermnent of Inda Act, 1935, which is not necessary to be pin-pointed here.

In specific terms it B has not been stated in the Article as to whose legal right the question involved in the dispute must relate and in what respect. Chandrachud J., in this regard has expressed his opinion in the case of State of Rajasthan & Ors. v. Union of India(') at page 1396 as follows :-

"It is sufficient in order that its provisions may apply that the plaintiff questions the legal or constitutional right asserted by the defendant, be it the Government, of India C or any other State".

The learned Chief Justice in his leading judgment did not decide this question.

The other five Judges including one of us (Untwalia J.) took a contrary view.

Yet, Bhagwati and Gupta JJ. on the facts of that case held that the legal right of the State, the plaintiff, had been infringed.

The other three, even on merits, expressed an opposite view. If we may say so with great respect, we are unable to agree D with the view aforesaid, expressed by Chandrachud J.

Ordinarily and generally, in any suit including the one under Article 131 the competition is between the legal right of the plaintiff and the defendant. But primarily, and ahnost invariably, the plaintiff has to establish his legal right in order to succeed in the suit.

As against the claim of the plantiff, if the legal right of the defendant is established, E the suit is bound to fail.

But on failure of either to establish his own legal right, the _suit will still fail because the plaintiff cannot succeed unless he establishes his legal right.

This proposition of law is so clear and axiomatic that the expression-"the existence or extent of a legal right" -used in Article 131 undoubtedly is meant to bring about this result.

It was neither necessary, nor perhaps advisable, to state further in the article that the dispute must involve F any question on which the legal right of the plaintiff must depend.

It is matter of co=on experience that more often than not absence of a legal right in one party helps the other party to establish its legal right and vice versa.

In the case of King-Emperor v. Sibnath Banerji & Ors.(') Lord Thankerton opined at page 266 that "a Minister is an officer subordinate to th1~ Governor within the meaning of the Government of G India Act, 1935." The same view was expressed by Hegde J., in the case of A. Sanjeevi Naidu etc. etc. v. State of Madras ant!, Anr.(3), with reference to the provisions of the Constitution.

In the pre-ient case the inquiry set up by the Central Government is not against the State or the State Government.

It is against the Chief Minister and some other Ministers who are officers of the State.

(I) A.LR. 1977 S.C. 1361.

(2) 72 Indian Appeals, 241.

(3) [1970J 3 S.C.R., 505.

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Untwalia, J.)

It may be open to them to take the plea in an appropriate proceeding, such as a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution. that the action of the Central Government is illegal and nltra vires.

Under Article 131A (introduced by the. 42nd Amendment), the question of vires of section 3 of the Act may then have to be referred

for the decision of the Supreme Court by the High Court. .But that in no way entitled the State to invoke the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 131.

The submission made by Mr.

Lal Narayan Sinha on behalf of the plaintiff-State that the legal right of the State has been invaded by the impugned notification, is not correct.

Counsel submitted that it is only the State's right to order an inquiry under. section 3 of the Act against 1ts Ministers acting through its Government, that the Central Government has no right, that it has put an impediment in the right of the State Government to modify or issue a subsequent notification for the purpose of enlarging or clarifying the scope of the inquiry and that it has thus affected the legal right of the State.

We find no substance in this argument.

There may be a competition between the power of one authority and the other,; here in this case between the Central Government and the State Goveminent. But nnless the power exercised by one authority brings about a dispnte impinging upon the legal right of the other authority, the latter rnnnot come under Article 131 and say that merely because it was within its power to do so its legal right is affected by the illegal exercise of the power by the other authority.

The said exercise of the power must directly or by necessary implication affected the legal right of the other authority. We may support

the proposition by an illustration. Suppose, the Central Government, in pursuance of a law made by the Parliament in respect of an Entry in List II, say, Entry 8, relating to intoxicating liquors, makes an order against a person residing in or an officer of any State. The order will be obviously bad, as having been issued under an invalid law made by the Par Jiament.

Who can challenge this order ? Obviously the person affected or aggrieved by the order. If the order does not affect the legal right of the State or the State Government (for the purpose of testing the argument, the two may be equated), can the State file a snit under Article 131 merely because the order has been made against its resident in accordance with a law which encroached upon the exclusive legislative field of the State ? The answer in our opinion, must be in the negative. In the instant case if the stand on merits taken on behalf of the State Ministers in corrt:et, then tlte impugned notification is an invasion on their legal right. They can press into service the power of the State Government to order an inquiry and. challenge the impugned notification, but the said notification can in no way be said to have affected or restrained. the State Government from giving effect to its notification.

Some help may be derived from the definition of the word "State" given at page 856-57 of Vol. 81 Corpus Juris Secundum.

It says:

"The word. 'State' has various meanings, but as used in the federal Constitutioa, acts of congress, &nd State statutes,

SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1978] 2 S.C.ll.

it has a definite, fixed, and certain legal meaning as designating a member of the Union in contradistinction to the United States as a nation ......................... . . . . .. . .. . . . .. .. .. . .. . . . . . . .. .. . . .. .. .

The State is a legal entity, alld is entitled to the fundamental rights, privileges, and immunities belonging to every legal entity."

B If a restricted meaning were not to be given to the scope of the snit which can be filed under Article 131, very anomalous, and sometimes absurd, results may follow and it will be difficult to put a dividing line and a stop to the very wide scope of the suit resulting from such an interpretation. Any action taken by the Central Government either under the Act or otherwise, against :111Y citizen residing in, or an officer of the State could be challenged by institution of a suit under C Article 131 by the State on the ground that the action of the Central Government is ultra vires and without any legal right The argument that the State is interested in protecting its people and officers when their legal right has been illegally invaded by the Central Government and, therefore, it has a locus to invoke Article 131, in onr opinion, is too obviously wrong to be accepted.

As we hav<: said above, a Minister is an Officer of the Stute. An order affecting him cannot confer a right of suit on the State under Article 131. So the present suit, in our opinion, is not maintainable.

We, however; do not propose to non-suit the plaintiff on that ground alone, and proceed to discuss the other issues.

The other two issues framed for consideration in this suit am in the following terms :

"2. Is the impugned notification ultra vires the powers of the Central Government under Sec. 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act ?

3. If section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act authorises the Central Government to issue the impugned F notification, is the Section itself unconstitutional ?"

Both these issues may conveniently be dealt with togethet.

Several points of view were canvassed by Mr. Lal Narayan Sinha for the plaintiff with his usual clarity and precision but, at times, because of the inherent difficulties of the po'nts involved and the case being; one of first impression, he was obliged to change and modify his ftne of argument. Mr. Soli Sorabjee, the learned Additional Solicitor General, combated the arguments of the plaintiff very ably and succinctly. Eventually, the main points of attack of the plaintiff were crystallized in the following terms :

1. Onr Coustitution is of a Federal character clearly defining and dividing the legislative and the executive functions of the Centre and the States and their inter-se relationship.

The judicial functions of the Judiciary are in a well-defined and demarcated separate compartment.

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Untwalia, J.)

2. Except to the extent permitted by the Constitution

the Centre cannot encroach upon the legislative or executive field of the State.

3. The Act does not and cannot authorise the Centre to set up a Co=ission of Inquiry against the State Executive; Section 3 must be read down to save it from being constitutionally invalid.

4. If it be not possible to read down the Act in the manner suggested then the Act is invalid in so far as it authorises the Centre to set up a Commission of Inquiry against the State Executive.

5. Such a law is beyond the legislative competence of the Union Parliament as in substance and in effect it violates either expressly or by necessary implication certain provisions of the Constitution, its basic scheme, or the fundamental backbone of the Centre-State relationship as enshrined in the Constitution.

6. The law having the effect as aforesaid will really be a oonstitutional law bringing about an amendment in the Constitution which is obviously not permissible; an ordinary legislation unless expressly permitted by the provision of the Constitution cannot in any way amend the Constitution.

7. The Act is beyond the legislative competence of the Central Parliament if it means authorisation by the Central Government of any machinery for making inquiries in the executive actions of the State Government or the Chief Minister or any other Minister either collectively or individually.

8. Strictly speaking the subject-matter of the present in

quiry is not covered by the Act if it be held that it has been enacted in exercise of the power of the Parliament under Entry 94 of List I, Entry 45 of List III or the Residuary Entry 97 of List I read with Article 248 of the Constitution.

9. Lastly it was also submitted that the scope of the two inquiries one set up by the State Govt. & the other by the Central Govt. are more or less the same. Almost al! matters of inquiry are over-lapping and, therefore, the impugned notification is bad on that account too.

We proceed to discuss and consider briefly, as far as possible, the propositions aforesaid, but not strictly in the order we have set out above.

---/

Strictly speaking, our Constitution is not of a federal character where separate, independent and sovereign States could be said to have joined to form a nation as in the United States of America or as may be the posi1ion in some other countries of the World. It is because of that reason that sometimes it has been characterised as quasi-federal in nature. Leaving the functions of the Judiciary apart, by and large the legislative and the executive functions of the Centre and the States have been defined and distributed, but, even so, through it all runs an overall thread or rein in the hands of the Centre in both the fields. The Parliament has the exclusive authority to legislate on matters enumerated in List I. So has the State Legislature the exclusive legislative power with respect to the various entries in List II. Both have. concurrent powers in regard to the entries of List III. The residuary power in accordance with Article 248 and Entry 97 of List I, lies with the Central Parliament. It has got a predominant hand in respect of the matters in the concurrent list as is apparent from Article 254. Article 249 confers power on Parliament to legislate with respect to a matter in the State List, in the national interest. When a proclamation of emergency is in operation as provided for in Article 250, the Parliament has got the power to legislate with respect to any matter in the State List. Some inroad in the State legislative field by the Centre is permissible under circumstances mentioned in Articles 252 and 253.

As provided for in Article 254 in some situations, the State is under an obligation to reserve a Bill for the consideration of the President and receive his assent before it is made into a law.

"It shall. be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the E . Government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution''. (vide Art. 355, emphasis supplied). In case of failure of the constitutional machinery in States, provision has been made in Article 356 for the Centre to assume legislative -and executive powers but not the powers vested in or exercisable by a High Court of a State.

The effect of proclamation of emergency under F Article 352 is to enlarge the executive power of the Union nnd extend it to the giving of direction to any State as to the manner in which the executive power thereof is to be exercised as provided for in Artide

353. There could not have been, for obvious reasons, any such provision in regard to the administration of the Centre.

The administrative relations between the Centre and the States are IS by and large governed by the provisions of Chapter II of Part XI of the Constitution. While providing in Article 256 that "the executive power of every State shall be so exercised as to ensure compliance with the laws made by Parliament and any existing laws which apply in that State", it is significant to note that it has further been engrafted therein that "executive power of the Union shalf extend to the giving of 5UCh directions to. a State as may appear to the Government of India to be H necessary for that purpose." The control of the Un; on over the State.~ in certain cases has been provided for in Article 257. Mr. Sinha point

edly referred to Article 258A introduced in the Constitution by the Constitution (Seventh .Amendment) Act, 1956, to lend support to bis

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Untwalia, !.)

argument. But, in our opinion, instead of strengthening the point as urged, it weakens it because the said Article provides :

"258A. Power of the Sates to entrust functions to the Union.-Notwithstanding anything in the Constitution, the Governor of a State may, w:th the consent of the Government of India, entrust either conditionally or unconditionally to that Government or to its officers functions in relation to any matter to which the executive power of the State extends."

Of course, the Governor of a State would mean the State Government or the Council of Ministers and it is not meant to authorise the Governor to act in his discretion in this regard.

We may now refer to some other characteristics and features of c our Constitution to demonstrate the weak character of our federal structure and the con_trolling hand of the Centre on States in certain. matters. Some of the salient ones are the following :

1. The Governor of a State is appointed by the President and holds office at his pleasure. Only in some matters he has got a discretionary power but in all others the State administration is carried on by him or in his name by or with the aid and advice of the Ministers. Every action, even of an individual Minister, is the action of the whole Council and is governed by the theory of joint and collective responsibility.

But the Governor is there, as the head of the State, the Executive and the Legislature, to report to the Centre about the administration of the State.

2. Making a departure from the corresponding provision in the Government of India Act, Entry 45 in List III of the Seventh Schedule empowers the Parliament to legislate on the subject of "inquiries ...... for the purpose of any of the matters specified in List II" also besides List III, and List I as mentioned in Entry 94 of that List. The constituent power of amendment of the Constitution lies with the Parliament under Article 368 providing for concurrence by half the number of the States in certain matters.

3. Article 2 empowers the Parliament by law to admit into the Union, or establish, new States on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.

4. Parliament is also empowered by Article 3 to make law for the formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries of nar,1es of existing States.

Such i!s the nature of our federal structure.

- - In State of West Bengal v. Union of India(') in the majority judgment delivered by B. P. Sinha, C.J., the character and nature of

~I) [1964) l S.C.R. 371.

A our federal structure has been discussed from pages 396 onwards.

The learned Chief Justice observed at page 397 that in our Constitution the supreme authority of the Courts to interpret the Constitution and to invalidate action violative of the Constitution is to be found in fnll force. "The exercise of powers legislative and executive in the allotted fields is hedged in by numerous restrictions, so thalt the powers of the States are not coordinate with the Union and are not B in many respects independent".

At page 398 it is observed : "The political sovereignty is distributed between, as we will presently demonstrate, the Union of India and the States with greater weightage in favour of the Union".

If any Article of the Constitution in terms permits the Centre to encroach upon the legislative and the executive field of the State, as some of the Articles do, then there could be no doubt that the encroachmen\ .is perfectly legal and valid.

If, however, either the law .or the action taken under it makes an inroad on the executive power of the State in express violation of any provision of the Constitution or, even assuming, as was argued by Mr. Sinha, violating the provisions of the Constitution by necessary implication, then such a law or the action t:ken therennder would be invalid. 'The Constitution D does not permfr the Centre to violate it in any matter.

But in order lo appreciate as to whether the Act or the action taken by the Centre under Section 3 thereof has gone against the Constitution either expressly or by necessary implication, one has to appreciate the nature of the provioions made and the scope and functions of the Commission in question. The extent of the executive E power of the Union is co-extensive with the legislative power of the Parliament.

The position in respect of the executive power of the State is identical ('vide' Articles 73 and 162 respectively). Entry 94 in the Union List empowers the Parliament to legislate concerning inqniries for the purpose of any of the matters in that list, that is to say, if any kind of inquiry is necessary for any kind of purpose con-

F nected with any of the matters in List I then the Parliament is empowered to make a law for the setting up of a machinery or a Tribunal for the purpose of the said inquiry. List II does not contain any such entry.

Then comes Entry 45 in List III whlch hru;

alrdy been alluded to.

This authorises both the Central and the State Legislatures, of course subject to the other provisions of the Constitution e.g. Article 254, to enact law for the purpose of provid- G ing for the machinery of inquiry for the purposes of any of the matters specified in List II and List III. It has been so held in the case of Shri Ram Krishna Dalmia v. Shri Justice S. R. Tendolkar & Ors.(') where Das C.J. has lucidly discussed the matter, if we say so with great respect at pages 289-291.

r •

Empowering the Central Legislature to make a law for the purpose of inquiry in regard to the matters specified in List II is in no senae '-r' H empowering it to legislate vis-a-vis such matters. It is only for the purpose of achieving the object of the inquiry to be set up in regiird

(I) [1959] S.C.R. 279.

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Untwalia, l.) 131

to the matters enumerated in List II. The purpose may be as a matter A. of policy in relation to the legislation proposed to be passed by the various States or may be with regard to their executive actions taken apropos such matters. We may just illustrate our view by referring to Entry 6 of List II. The State Legislature has the exclusive auibority to legislate on "public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries"; of course, within the territory of that State.

The execu- ' tive power being co-extensive, the hospitals may be established and B doctors appointed therein by the State Government either in accordance with the law made in that regard or even in pure exercise of the executive power. If there has been corruption, nepotism, favouritism or mal-administration in connection with the said executive action of the State Government, the law made under Entry 45 of the Concurrent List can undoubtedly cover an inquiry in such matters. It neither interferes with the legislative power of the State nor with its executive C action.

A mere inquiry under the Act by a Commission appointed thereunder which is a fact-finding body, is for the purpose of finding the facts.

No body is a prosecutor; no body is an accused; all are invited and welcomed by the Commission to assjst it to find the necessary facts within the scope of the inquiry set up.

In passing we may also refer to Entry 8 of List I in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. It is in respect of "Central Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation." The Central Parliament is therefore competent to legislate on this topic and the Central Government can make an executive order asking the Central Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation to make any enquiry in relation to the acts of commission and omission whether amounting to an offence or not of any person including any officer or Minister of any State. It that be so, will it be reasonable to say that the Commission appointed by the Central Government under the Act cannot be appointed for finding facts in relation to the allegations made against the Minister of a

State ? Obviously not.

It was strenuously submitted on behalf o> the plaintiff that no such fact-finding Inquiry Commission could be set up against the Judiciary either Subordinate or Higher.

Reference was made to the cases of The State of West Bengal v. Nripendra Nath Bagchi,(') and Shamsher Singh & Anr. v. State of Punjab(') in support of this proposition.

But the exclusion of the inquiry under the Act against the Judiciary is based on entirely different principles. So far as the Subordinate Judiciary is concerned, inquiry of this nature will be impermissible the basis of the express language of Article 235 as interpreted by thii Court in the two cases referred to above and in various others. The setting up of such an inquiry against a High Court Judge or a Supreme Court Judge will be barred because of the constitutional provisiDilll contained in clauses ( 4) and (5) of Article 124 read with Article 21].

As a matter of fact in accordance with clause (5) of Article 124 the Parliament has enacted the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968 (Act 51 of 1968).

(1) [1966] l S.C.R. 771.

(2) (1975] I S.C.R. 841.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1978] 2 S.C.lt.

As already. pointed out: in an inquiry set up under the Act there JS no prosction, no frammg of a formal charge, no accused before the Comn.uss10n. o~ l?qUJry.

There is no exercise of any supervisory or d1sc1plinary 1unsdict10n by the Central Government against the State Government by the appointment of a Commission, nor is there any usurpat10n of any executive function of the State.

Reference in this connection .may be made to the following cases :

M. V. Rajwade v. Dr. S. M. Hasan & Ors;(1) Brajnand.m Sinha v.

Jyoti Narayan( 2 ) Shri Ram Krishna Dalmia v. Shri Justice S.

Tendolkar & Ors;( 3 ) State of Jammu & Kashmir v. Bakshi Chu/am Mohammad;(') P. V. Jagannath Rao & Ors. v. State of Orissa & Ors;(') and Krishna Ballabh Sahay and Ors. v. Commission of Enquiry & Ors. (6) The Centre, however, must be and is concerned with and interested in knowing and ascertaining facts as regards the allegations made against any Chief Minister, Minister or any other Officer of the State Government.

Now let ns proceed to examine the matter a bit more carefully with reference to the other arguments of Mr. Lal Narayan Sinha.

Counsel submitted that neither the Council of Ministers nor any individual Minister is under the disciplinary control of the Central Government, Setting up of a Commission of Inqniry to find facts in relation to the alleged mis-conduct or mal-administration of the Ministers is, in substance and effect, an exercise of disciplinary control over them.

He further submitted that the State Legislature to whom the Minis.ters are responsible is competent to set up an inquiry against them in accordance with the powers and privileges as provided for in Article

194. It may be so. It may well be, as further argued by Mr. Sinha, that not only the State Lemslnture but the State Government itself is competent to appoint a Commission of Inquiry against itself or its Ministers and officers.

But it sounds incongruous and highly anomalous that the State Government would think of instituting an inquiry against itself. It is equally strange to think that the Ministers in power, while remaining in office. would set up a Commission of Inquiry for inquiring into their alleed mis-deeds in the matter of administration of the State.

We shall assume for the purpose of ar!'llment that legally and technically the position is correct.

Even so 0 how does it lead to the conclusion that their power is exclusive an'd excludes the power of the Central Government under the Act ?

We fail to find any words in any of the Articles of the Constitution to indicate that the power of the State Ler)slature or the State G•wero':'ent in this matter is exclusive.

It may be co-extensive. and such a situation is undoubtedly postulated and provided for in the proviso anpended to sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Act.

Although technical:y and literally the Ministers are apppinted bv the Governor and hold office at his pleasure. in realitv. in the constitutional set up of our parliamentary democracy, the Governor in his discretion cannot 1'y

(l) [T, L.R.] 1954, Nagpur J,

(3) [l959] S.C.R. 279.

(5) [1968] 3 S.C.R"789.

(2) [J955J 2 S.C.R. 955,

(4) [J%FJ Sunpl. S.C.R. 401. !6) [1969] l S.C.R. 387.

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Untwalia, !.) 133

himself set up a Commission of Inquiry against the sitting Ministers, nor can the President direct him to do so--emergency provisions in Part XVIII apart. What then excludes the power of the Central Government to set up a Commission of Inquiry for finding facts in regard to the alleged mal-admimstration of the Ministers or officers of a particular State Govermnent ? After ascertainment of facts, further action may follow or be taken in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution or the law.

But surely the Act does not, nor could it, provide for any kind of disciplinary action such as removal or suspension of a Minister in office by the Centre on ascertaimnent of the truth of the alleged facts against him-provisions in the Emergency Chapter apart. If it were otherwise undoubtedly it will be encroaching upon the power of the State Government or the State Legislature.

India is a single country as a whole.

The nation is one and one alone.

Leaving also the special provisions of Article 370 in relation to the State of Jammu & Kashmir, there is no dual citizenship; there are no different nationalities.

e .

While assailing the impugned notification Mr. Lal Narayan Sinha has strenuously contended that Article 164(2) of the Constitution which makes the Council of Ministers collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the State indicates that a Minister is in no D other way responsible, answerable or accountable for anything that be does. while in office and he cannot be subjected to an inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act.

This contention is based on a miscon ception of the trne import and meaning of the doctrine of collective re!· ponsibility and as such cannot be countenanced. The following discussion on the subject in "Representative and Responsible GQvernment" by A. H. Birch will be found useful in this connection :- E

"Ministerial accountability to Parliament has two as• pects : the collective responsibility of Ministers for the policies of the Government and their individual responsibility for the work of their departments.

Both forms of responsibility are embodied in conventions which cannot be legally enforced.

Both conventions were developed during the nineteenth century, and in both cases the practice was established before the doctrine was annuonced (page 131) ."

In "Government and Law" by T. C. Hartlay and J. A. C. Griffith, the position in regard to the collective responsibility of Ministers to the Legislature is tersely stated as under :-

"Ministers are said to be collectively responsible.

This is often elevated by writers to the level of a 'doctrine' but is in truth little more than a political practice which is commonplace and inevitable.

Ordinarily, Ministers form the governmental team, all being appointed by the Prime Minister from one political party.

A Cabinet Minister deals with his own area of policy and does not normally have much to do with the area of other Ministers.

Certainly no Cabinet Minister would be likely to make public statements which impinged

SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1978] 2 S.C.It.

on the work of another Minister's department.

On a few important issues, policy is determined by the Cabinet after discussion.

Collective responsibility means that Cabinet decisions bind all Cabinet Ministers, even if they argued in the opposite direction in Cabinet. But this is to say no more than a Cabinet Minister who finds himself in a minority must either accept the majority view or resign.

The team must not be weakened by some of its members making clear in public that they disapprove of the Government's policy.

And obviously what is true for Cabinet Ministers is even more true for other Ministers. If they do not like what the

t)'.1 is doing, the_y must either keep quiet or leave" (page

Dealing with the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the Legislative Assembly of the State, Sarkar C. J., speaking for the Court said at page 405 as follows in State of !ammu and Kashmir

v. Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad(!) :

"Section 37 talks of collective responsibility of Ministers to the Legislative Assembly.

That only means that the Council of Ministers will have to stand or fall together, every member being responsible for the action of any other."

From the aboye, it is crystal clear that the doctrine of collective responsibility on which Mr. Lal Narayan Sinha has so heavily leaned does not grant immunity to the State Ministers from being subjected to the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act and the pl_aintiff can derive no help from it.

If the Act is really a constitutional law as understood and explained by eminent scholars, surely the Parliament has transgressed its limits in enacting such a law.

It is axiomatic that the amendment of the Constitution cannot be allowed except as provided for in Article 368.

There are certain exceptions to it.

Examples of exceptions are very few.

Numerous such examples given by Wanchoo J., as he then wa•, in Golak Nath(2) case, at page 827, if we may say so with great respect, are not quite accnrate.

The powers given to a particular Legislature under any of the Entries in the respective Lists of the Seventh Schedule or by any particular Article of the Constitution are of the same kind and quality; as for example, when Articles 10, 59 (3) and 65(3) speak about a law to be made by the Parliament then it is not conferring a power in the Parliament to amend the Constitution.

The power is an ordinary legislative one.

But there are a few Arti" cles in the catalogue given by Wanchoo J., which empower the Parliament, in substance and in effect, to amend a particular provision of the Constitution by an ordinary legislative procedure and that necessitated an express provisioll' to say that no such law as aforesaid shall

(I) [1966) Suppl. s.c.R. 401.

Section 37 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir corresponds to Ai"ticle

164 of the Constitution ofJndia.

(2) [19671 2 S.C.R. 762.

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Untwalia, /.) 135

be deemed to be an amendment of the Constitution for tbe purposes of Article 368 vide, for example, Articles 4(2) and 169(3). Although the law made under clause (I) of Article 4 and clauses ( 1) and (2) of Article 169 will be tantamount to an amendment of tbe Constitution, by a legal fiction clauses (2) and (3) of the said Articles respectively provide that such law shall not be deemed to be an amendment of tbe Costitution and tbe procedure prescribed by Article 368 will not be necessary to be followed .

A quotation from Hood Phillips' Constitutional Law was given to us by Mr. Sinha to say :

"The Constitutional Law of a State is the law relating to the conEtitution of that State (Page I) . The Constitution of a

State is the system of laws, customs and convention which C define tbe composition and powers of organs of the State and regulate the relations of the various State organs to one another and to the private citizen." (p. 4)

It is not necessary to multiply the quotations.

In no sense the impugned law is a constitutional law.

Mr. Sinha also contended that an ordinary law cannot go against the basic scheme or tbe fundamental back-bone of the Centre-State relationship as enshrined in tbe Constitution. He put his argument i11 this respect in a very ingenious way because he felt difficulty in placing it in a direct manner by saying that an ordinary law cannot violate tbe basic structure of the Constitution.

In the case of Smt.

Indira Nehru.Gandhi v. Shri Raj Narain(I) such an argument expressly re.iected by this Court.

We may rest content by referring to a passage from the judgment of our learned brother Chandrachud J., at pages 669-670 which runs thus :

"The Constitutional amendments may, on the ratio of tbe Fundamental Rights case, be tested on the anvil of basic :itructure.

But apart from the principle that a case is only an authority for what it decides, it does not logically follow from the majority judgment in the Fundamenal Rights case that ordinary legislation must also answer the same test as; !\ constitutional amendment. Ordinary .laws have to answer two tests for their validity : (1) The law must be within the legislative competence of the legislature as defined and specified in Chapter I, Part XI of the Constitution and (2) it must not offend against the provisions of Articles 13 (1) and (2) of the Constituion. 'Basic structure', by the majority judgment, is not a part of the fundamental rights nor indeed a provision of the Constitution.

The theory of basic structure is woven .out of the conspectus of the Constitution and the amending power is subjected to it because it is a constituent power. 'The power to amend the fundamental instrument cannot carry with it the power to destrov its essential features'-this, in brief, is the arch of the theory


of basic structure. It is wholly out of place in matters relating to the validity of ordinary laws made under the Constitution."

The doctrine of "implied prohibition'', relied upon by Mr. Sinha, has repeatedly been rejected by the Courts in England, Australia and by this Court.

There is a veritable roll call of such cases.

We B may .iust refer to a few : Webb and Outrirn, (') followed in The Amalgamated Society of Engineers and The Adelaide Steamship Company Limited and others(2) wherein at page 150 it has been stated :

"The doctrine of "implied prohibition" against the exercise of a power once ascertained in accordance with ordinary rules of construction, was definitely rejected by the Privy c Council in Webb v. Outrirn, ( 1907) A.C., 81".

Reference may also be made to The State of Victoria and The Commonwealth of Australia. (') These and many earlier cases of this Court were all considered and the doctrine of "implied prohibition" was definitely rejected by overwhehning majority in the case of His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalavaru v. State of Kera/a,(') D popularly known as Fundamental Rights case.

We may just refer to the observations of Palekar J., at page 608, Dwivedi J., at page 916 and Chandrachud J., at page 9 77.

To the same effect is the view expressed by Ray J., as he then was, Khanna J., and others. The power granted to the Central Legislature under Entry 45 of the Concurrent List is clear and explicit for passing a law of inquiry in regard to any of the matters in List II. That being so, the power E cannot be curtailed on the doctrine of. "implied prohibition".

AB a matter of fact one had to search in vain the basis for even applying this doctrine in this case.

Wynes in his book "Legisll!tive, Executive and Judicial Power5 in Australia," Fourth Edition has said at pages 12 and 13:

"The only way in which the Court could determili.e whether the prescribed limits of legislative power had been exceeded or not was "by looking to the terms of the instrument by which, affirmatively, the legislative powers were created, and by whfoh negatively, they are restricted." ·

"The effects of the Engineers' case upon Commonwealth.- State relations are considered in Chap. IX. What is important for present purposes are the principles of interpretation there laid down and acted. upon ever since.

The rejection of tl!e doctrines of mutual non-interference and State reserved powers has had a profound effect upon the Constitution

(I) (1907) A.C. 81.

(2) 28 Co111monwealth taw Reports, 129.

(3) 122 Commonwl!lllth Uw Reports 353.

(4) (1973) Suppl. S.C.R. I.

...

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Untwalia, J.) 137

inevitably leading to what Professor Sawer has described as A an "expansive" interpretation of federal powers.

For it followed from the principle that Dominion and Colonial Legislative powers are plenary (a principle from which the High Court has never deviated) and an interpretation of specific grants of power read in their entirety without regard to a reservation of all non-specified powers, thatthe enu- -merated powers of the Commonwealth were to be read in B their full sense subject only to the prohibitions expressly or by implication set upon them in the Constitution itself.

And the express provision for supremacy of Commonwealth over State laws in the event of conflict completed the process; as Dixon C. J. remarked in 1947, the Commonwealth is bound to be in the better position, because it is a Government of enumerated powers." c

There is, in our opinion, no justification for reading down the provisions of the Act, viz. Sections 2 and 3, nor are the said provisions constitutionally invalid on any account.

It is not necessary for us to discuss or deal with any detail the last submission made on behalf of the plaintiff. It was a faint, weak and hesitant argument to escape the Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Centre.

The grounds of ma/a /ides. somewhat vaguely ru1d faintly alleged in the plaint, could not be and were not, pressed at the time of the hearing of the suit.

What was, however, argued for our consideration was that the two inquiries-one set up by the State earlier and the other appofuted by the Centre later-are almost one and the same; they cannot be allowed to go side by side.

However the fact that the Commission of Inquiry appointed by. the Centre is for the purpose of making an inquiry into the definite matter of public importance within the meaning of Section 3 (1 ) of the Act conld not be and was not disputed.

The only point debated was whether another Commission appointed by the Central Government to inqurre into the same matter for which a Commission had already been set up by the State Government is violative of proviso (b) to section 3 (I).

But there is no substance in this argument.

Firstly, the notification of the State Govermnent has not In terms appointed any Commission for inquiry into the matters of alleged corruption, nepotism, favouritism and mal-administration of the Chief Minister or any other Minister of the Government of Karnataka. The items specified in clauses (I) to (XXXII) are said to be "irregnlarities committed or excess payments made in certain matters relating to contracts, grant of land, allotment of sites, purchase of furniture, disposal of food-grains etc ...

In none of those clauses it is mentioned as to who is said to be responsible for the alleged irregularities or mal-administration. There is no reference to any alleged mis-conduc!, corruption or mat-administration of the Chief Minister or of any other Minister. The last clause-

(XXXIll) is very v_aguely and conveniently worded. It says-

"Who are the persons responsible for the lapses, if any, regarding the aforesaid and to what extent?"

A :rhe. ter1!1s of referen.ce in the Notification issued by the Centre is to mqurre mto the specific matters enumerated in Annexure I, none of which is covered by the notification of the State Government ag for example, item 1 of Annexure I reads thus : '

"Whether the Chief Minister practised favouritism and nepotism by appointing his own brother, Shri D. Komparaj B Urs, as a Director of the Karnataka State Film Industries Development Corporation in place of Shri R. J.

Rebello, Chiet Secretary to the Govermnent, in 1974, and later as Director-in-Charge with the powers to exercise all the powers of the Managing Director."

In regard to the specific matters in Annexure II there may be found C 5ome common matters which are the subject-matter of inquiry hy the State Government but then, as we have already stated, in regard to the matters in Annexure II the notification in clear terms exclude& any matter covered by the notification of the Government of Karnataka dated 18th May, 1977. The Grover Commission, therefore, would be competent to exclude such matters from the purview of its inquiry.

KAILASAM, J.-This suit is filed by the State of Karnataka against D the Union of India through the Secretary to the Govermnent of India, and Shri A. N. Grover, Commision of Inquiry to inquire into charges of corruption, nepotism, favouritism and misuse of governmental power against the Chief Minister and other Ministers of the State of Karnataka under Article 131 of the Constitution of India.

The reliefs prayed for in the suit are :

(a) to declare that the notification No. SO. No. 365(E) dated May 23, 1977 constituting the Commission of Inquiry in purported exercise of powers under Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act as illegal, ultra vires; and unconstitutional and not authorised by law;

(b) to declare that the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 do not authorise the Central Government to constitute a Commission of Inquiry in regard to matters falling exclusively within the sphere of the State's legislative and executive power; or

( c) in the alternative, declare the said provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act as ultra vires both the terms of the Constitution as well as the federal structure implicit and accepted as inviolable basic feature of the Constitution;

( d) for a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from acting or taldng any further steps in furtherance of the notification No. S.O. No. 365(E) dated 23rd May, 1977.

The facts of the case briefly are : The Union Home Minii; ter H addressed a communication dated April 26, 1977 to the Chief Ministec of the State of Karnataka enclosing a copy of a memorandum of allegations purporting to be submitted by certain members of the opposition party in the Karnataka State Legislature seeking his comments thereon.

1 f

' 1

' \·

' ' KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kailasam, /.) 139

The Chief Minister of the State of Kamataka replied to the Union Home A Minister on May 13, 1977 answering the various allegations and charges, The Chief Minister of Karnataka also questioned the powers of the Central Government to ask for the comments of the State Government.

On May 18, 1977 the State Government by a notification appointed a Commission of Inquiry under section 3 ( 1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 to inquire into various allegations and irregularities specified in the notification.

The Chief Minister also addressed a B letter on May 18, 1977 to the Union Home Minister informing him on the appointment of the Commission.

On May 23, 1977 by a notification the Union of India appointed another Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of inquiring into charges.of corruption, favouritism and misuse of governmental power against the Chief Minister and other Ministers of the State of Karnataka.

In this suit the action of the Union Government in constituting a Commission of Inquiry under section 3(1) is challenged as illegal, ultra vires and unconstitutional.

The contention of the State Government is that the Central Government has no jurisdiction or authority to constitute the Commission of Inquiry in the exercise of its powers under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.

The plaintiff contended that the impugned notification is destructive of the federal structure oi the Constitution and scheme of distribution of powers that the Constitution does not confer any supervisory or disciplinary control by the Union executive over the State Government or its Ministers and that the Constitution does not vest the Cenral Governmen with any general

supervisory or inquisitorial power over the functioning of the State Governments within the respective fields.

As the matter in dispute affects the legal right of the State it was submitted that a suit under Article 131 of the Constitution is maintainable in the Supreme Court

On behalf of the 1st defendant, the Union of India, it was averred that the suit by the State of Karnataka is not maintainable in as much as the impugned notification dated May 23, 1977 does not affect the plaintiff State.

The inquiry against the Chief Minister and the other

Ministers is against individuals and not against the State of Karnatake F Them being no dispute between the Government of India and the State, a preliminary objection was taken that the suit was not maintainable under Article 131 of the Constitution. The various pleas put forward by the plaintiff were denied and it was submitted that the impugned notification was well within the powers of the Central Govef11ment and that there had been no infringement or interference with the State's executive functions.

On the pleadings the following issues were framed : J, Is the suit maintainable?

2. Is the impugned notification ultra vires the powers of the Central Government under section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act ?

3. If section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act authorises the Central Government to issue the impugned notification, is the section itself unconstitutional?

10-1042 SCI/77

The main CJ.uestion involved in the suit is one of Centre-State relationship and whether the impugned notification is within the powers of the Central Government under section 3 of the Commissions of lnquiry Act. Though certain allegations are made in the plaint that the impugned order was ma/a fide it was not pressed during arguments.

So also the power of the State Government to appoint a commission of inquiry is not challenged.

It is therefore not necessary to go into the reasons which induced the State Government to appoint a commission of inquiry.

Before dealing with the various contentions of the counsel on behalf of the State and t11e Central Government it is necessary to set out the background and the relevant provisions of the Constitution dealing with the Centre-State relationship and the scope of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.

The British Crown assumed sovereignty over India from East India Company in 1858 and the British Parliament enacted the first statute for the governance of India Act, 1858 (21 & 22 Viet., 106).

The Act provided absolute imperial control without any popular participation in the administration of the country.

The powers of the Crown were exercised by the Secretary of State for India assisted by a Council of Members.

Subsequently the Indian Councils Act, 1861, 1892 and 1909 were passed.

Later on the Government of India Acts 1912 and 1915 were passed by the British Parliament.

The Government of India Act, 1919, was the first step taken by the British Government for increasing the association of Indians in every branch of administration and the gradual development of selfgoverning instit)!tions with a view to progressive realisation of responsible government in British India.

The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced for the first time dyarchy in the provinces.

The central subjects were exclusively kept under the control of th~ Central Go;-ernment.

The provincial subjects were divided into 'transferred' and 'reserved' subjects.

Transferred subjects were dministered by the Governor with the aid of Ministers while reserved subiects were administered by the Governor and his Executive , council without any responsibility to the Legislature.

By Devolution Rules made under the Government of India Act, 1919 a' separation of the subjects of administration into Central and Provincial was made. To some extent the relation of central control over the provinces was relaxed.

Under the Act of 1919 the provinces were delegates of the centre and the central legislature retained the power to legislate for the whole of India relating to any subject.

The passing of the Government of India Act. 1935 introduced for the first time a change in the from of the Government i.e. the Government which was uriitary under the Government of India Act, 1919 gave way to a federation with the province~ and the Indian State as the units.

Under the nnitary system the provinces were under the administrative as well iis the le:; dslative control of the Central Government.

The Governor-General in Council was the kevstone of the whole constitutional edifice and the British Parliament discharged its responsibility through the Secretary of State and the Governor-General in Conncil.

The intention of the Government of Iridia Act, 1935 was to unite the provinces and the Indian States into a federation under the Crown.

i •

'I'.

~.

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kailasam, J.) 141

The unitary State was to be broken into a number of autonomous pro- A vinces deriving their authority directly from the Crown instead of from the Central Government and then building them up into a federal structure in which both the federal and provincial governments would get ; powers irectly from the Crown.

The basis of the change is the resumption into the hands of the Crown all rights, authority and jurisdiction in or over the territories of the British India and redistribution of the powers between the Central Government and the provinces.

B Though the federal structure contemplated under the Government of India Act, 1935 did not come into existence as the Indian States

refused to join the federation, so far as the provinces were concerned it took effect.

The Government of India Act, 1935 divided legislative powers between the Central and the provincial Legislatures and within its defined sphere, the Provinces were no longer delegates of the Central Government but were autonomous units of administration.

The .C Government o£ India assumed the role of the federal government. with regard to provincial governments the executive authority of the provinces was exercised by the Governor on behalf of the Crown and 11ot as a subordinate of the Governor-General, with the advice of Ministers responsible to the Legislature. In tlie centre the exec; utive authority was vested with the Governor General and with regard to reserved subjects, defence, external affairs, etc., the Governor General D was to act in his discretion, with the help of counsellors appointed by him without being responsible to the Lagislature. Governor-General was to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers who were responsible to the Legislature with regard to subjects other than reserved subjects.

The Governor General was to act under the control and directions of the .Secretary of State regarding his special responsibilities.

The Government of India Act, 1935 distributed the powers between the E federal legislature and the provincial governments by having (i) Federal List over which the Federal Legislature had exclusive powers of legis- 1ation; (ii) A Provincial List over which the Provincial Legislature

haWexclusive jurisdictipn; and (iii) A Concurrent List over which both the Federal and Provincial Legislatures had competence.

The Federal law prevailed over a Provincial law if there was any repu- . gnancy and the residuary power of legislation under the 1935 Act F vested with the Governor-General.

Under the scl1eme, t11e legislative powers of both the central and provincial legislatures were subject to various limitations and either of them was not a sovereign legislature.

Another feature of the 1935 Act was that the Federal Court was set up mainly for determining the disputes between the units and the federation.

The separation of legislative powers as Federal, Provincial and Concurrent Lists and the division of powers between the centre and G the provinceB and the setting up of the Federal Court under the 1935 Act were all adopted in the Constitution of India.

The Indian Independence Act 1947 was passed as an interim measure before the comin~ into force of the Constitution.

The object of the Indian Independence Act, 1947 as amended by Adaptation Orders was to make provisions for an interim Constitution until H the Constituent Assembly could draw up a future Constitution. Indian Independence Act. 194 7 altered the constitutional position by declaring that with effect from August 15, 1947 the suzerainty of the

British Crown over the Indian States would lapse and from that date United Kingdom would cease to have any responsibility in respect of the Government of the territories included in British India.

The Central Legislature of India ceased to exist from August 14, 194 7.

The Constituent Assembly came into existence for framing of the Constitution and also functioned as the Central Legislature of the Dominion. -nie new Constitution adopted the bulk of the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935.

The provisions relating to distribution of powers between the units and the centre were adopted and in fact extended.

The constitution-makers gave up the unitary bias and adopted detailed provisions regarding the distribution of powers and functions between the Union and the States in all aspects of their administrative and other activities.

Inter-state relations, co-ordination and adjudication of disputes amongst the States were also provided for.

The Indian Constitution cannot be described as a federal Constitution as the Indian Federation is not a result of an agreement by various States and the territorial integrity of the States is not guaranteed as the territories of the States can be changed or a State completely abolished under Article 4 of the Constitution. But it has to be borne in mind that after the lapse of paramountcy of the Ilritish Crown, the Indian States which acceded to the Dominion o! India were brought within the union envisaged by the Constitution. The Indian States which acceded to the Dominion were brought under the federal system on the same footing as other Units of the Federation, namely the Provinces.

The position of the States in the Constitution is in several respect~ subordimte to the Central Government in that the formation of the

federation was not as a result of any treaty between the States and the federation, and that the State may be reformed or altogether eliminated under Art. 4 of the Con, titution. Though the Constitution divides executive power between the Union and the States, the States are bound to execute certain directions of the Union.

The executive power regarding the laws made by the Union in the Concurrent subjects will be exercised by the States unless the Parliament direc~, otherwise and as regards the Union subjects the Union may delegate its executive functions to a State either by legislation by Parliament or by consent of the State Government. It is a duty of the State to execute the Union law and the executive power of the State must be exercised in such manner as not to interfere with the executive power of the union and the State shall be under the direction of the union regarding the Union laws.

The failure of the State to carry out the directions of the Union would empower the Gnion to supersede the State Government by assuming to itself the powers of the State Government.

These features make the Constitution strictlv not a federal constitution.

It has been variously called as quasi-federal or federal in stmcture or federal system with a strong central bias. But whether the Constitution is recorgnised as federal or not the position of the States is distinctly recognised.

Under Art. 1 of the Constitution of India, India shall be a Union of States.

Without States there can be no Union. Historically as the Princely Indian States joined the Union and for other reasons the State as an entity was recognised.

The Constitution is the source of power for the Union as well as the States.

...

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kailasam, J.) 143

While under the Government of India Act, 1935 the source of power for the Federal and the Provincial Government was the Crown, under the Constitution of India, the source of power for the States as well as .the Union is the Constitution.

In its own field i.e. as regards the power conferred on the State, it is supreme so also the Central Governmrnt.

But in determining what are the powers of the Union .and the State one has to look into the' Constitution and nowhere else.

The States are not the delegates of the Central Government and the 'Central Government cannot exercise any power over the State which is not provided for in the Constitution.

Part V of the Consttution deals with the Union.

Chapter I deals with the Executive, Chapter II with Parliament, Chapter III with Legislative Powers of the President, Chapter IV the Union Judiciary and Chapter V with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

Part Vl of the Constitution deals with the States.

Chapter I is General, Chapter II deals with the Executive, Ch. III with the State Legislature. Ch. IV with legislative Power of the Governor. Ch. V with the High Conrts in the States and Ch. VI with Subordinate Courts.

Part XI deals with the Relations between the Union and the States.

Ch. I of Part XI deals with Legislative Relations and distribution of Legislative Powers while Ch. II deals with Administrative Relations between the Union and the States.

A few of the Articles in these Chapters will be referred to in detail laier.

But it is sufficient at this stage to note that while Part V is assigned to the Union executive and

Part VI to the States, Part XI deals with the Relations between the Union and the States.

The distribution of powers between the Union and the States can be discerned from the various provisions of the Constitution. A machinery is also provided for, for settling their disputes in the Constitution.

In the distribution of powers it is clear there is strong tilt in favour of the Union.

According to the Constitution, the Union can assume powers of the State Government by taking over the State Administration under certain contingencies prcvided for in the Constitution.

But the Union Government cannot claim any power which is not vested in it under the provisions of the Constitution.

There is no overriding power with the Union Government.

It cannot deal with the State Government as its delegate, for the source of power for the Union as well as the State, is the Conti tution and the Union Government cannot claim any powers over the State which are not found in the Constitution.

The nature of our Constitution has been discussed by the Supreme Court in a few decisions which may be referred to at this stage.

In Atiabari Tea Co. Ltd. v. The State of Assam & Others,(') Gajendragadkar J. as he then was, in construing Art. 301 observed : "We must adopt a realistic approach and bear in mind the essential features of the separation of powers on which our Constitution rests.

It is a federal constitution which we are interpreting, and so that impact of Art. 301 must be iudged accordingly".

The matter was dealt with by S. K. Das J. in the Automobile Transport (Rajastll<ln) Ltd v. The

(!) [1961[ I S.C.R. 809.

<(2) [1963] 1 S.CR. 491.

State of Rajastha11 and Others. ( 2) The learned Judge after tracing the history of the Indian Constitution observed : "The evolution of a federal structure or a quasi-federal structure necessarily involved, in the context of the conditions then prevailing, a distribution of powers and a basic part of our Constitution relates to that distribution with the three legislative lists in the Seventh Schedule.

The Constitution itself says by Art. 1 that India is a Union of States and in interpreting. the Constitntion one must keep in view the essential structure of a federal or quasi-federal Constitution, nam<>ly, that the uni.ts of the Union have also certain powers as has the Union itself." The learned Judge further observed : "In evolving an integrated policy on this sub ject our Constitution-makers seem to have kept in mind three main considerations which may be broadly stated thus : first, in the larger interests of India there must be free flow of trade, commerce and intercourse, both inter-State and intra-State; second, the regional interests must not be ignored altogether; and third, there must be a power of intervention by the Union in any case of crisis to deal with particular problems that may arise in any part of India." The learned Jude concluded : "Therefore, in interpreting the relevant articlcs in Part XIII we must have regard to the general scheme of the Constitution of India with special reference to Part III (Fundamental Rights), Part XII (Finance, Property etc. containing Arts. 276 and 286) and their inter-relation to Part XIII in the context of a federal or quasi-federal constitution in which the States have certain powers including the power to raise revenues for their pnrposes by taxation.'' The decision is clear authority for the proposition that the essential structure of Indian Government is of federal or quasi-federal character, the units having also certain powers as the Union itself.

On this aspect the learned Solicitor-General very strongly relied on certain passages in State of West Bengal v. Union of India, (') in the majority judgment delivered by Sinha C. J. Referring to Art. 4! of the Constitution which empowers the Parliament by leghlation !OJ

alter the territory orf the State or abolish it altogther Sinha C. J. observed : "When the Parliament is invested with authority to alter the boundaries of any State and to diminish its areas so as to even destroy a State with all its power and authority, it would be difficult to hold that the Parliament which is competent to destory a State is, on account of some assumption as to absolute sovereignty of the State, incompetent effectively to acquire by legislation designed for that purpose the property owned by the State for Governmental purposes." The learned Chief Justice further observed that "Even if the Constitution were held to be a federal and the States regarded qua the Union as sovereign the power of the Union to legislate in respect of the property situate in the State would remain unrestricted." The Court was considering an Act passed by the Parliament, the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957, enabling the Union of India to acquire certain coal bearing areas in the State of West Bengal.

The State filed a suit contending that the Act did not apply to lands vested in or owned by the State and that if it applied to such lands. th~

(I) [1964J l S.C.R. 371.

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kailasam, J.) 145

Act was beyond the legislative competence of the Parliament.

The A decision as far as it holds that even if the Constitution were held to be a federal Constitution and the States regarded qua the Union as sovereign, the power of the Union to legislate in respect of the property would remain unrestricted, may be right as falling within power of the Parliament under Entry 42, List 111 and Entries 52 and 54 of List I. But with very great respect the observation that "the Constitution. of

India is not truly Federal in character .... that only those powers which B are concerned with the regulation of local problems are vested in the States" is not in accordance with the decisions of this Court in Atiabari Tea Co. Ltd. v. The State of Assam & Others (supra) and the Automobile Transport (Rajasthan) Ltd. vs. the State of Rajasthan and Others (supra) which is a decision of a Bench of seven Judges of this Court.

The observation of the Court that from the powers conferred on the Parliament under Art. 4 it cannot be held that it is C incompetent for the Parliament to acquire by legislation the propertv owned by the States on the theory of the absolute soverei)!l1ty of th" States, cannot be understood as having laid down that the States have Ill) sovereignty even in their own sphere or that Parliament has any overriding or supervening powers.

The observation of Subba Rao J. as he then was in the dissenting judgment that the Indian Constitu tion accepts the federal concept and distributes the sovereign powe" D between the co-ordinate constitutional entities, namely, the Union and the States and that this concept implies that one cannot encroach upon the Governmental functidns or instrumentalities of the other, unless the Constitution expressly provides for such interference, is in accordance with the accepted view of this Court.

It is unfortunate that the earlier decisions of this Court in Atiabari Tea Co. Ltd. v. The State of Assam and Others and the Automobile Transport (Raiasthan) E Ltd. v.

The State of Rajasthan and Others were not 'brought to the notice of the Court.

In Special Reference No. 1 of 1964('), dealing with the Centre-State relationship this Court observed :

"Our Legislatures have undoubtedly plenary powen, but these powers are controlled by the basic concepts of the written Constitution itself and can be exercised within the F legislative fields allotted to their jurisdiction by the three Lists under the Seventh Schedule; but beyond the Lists. the Legislatures cannot travel.

They can no doubt exercise their plenary legislative authority and discharge their legislative functions by virtue of the powers conferred on them by the relevant provisions of the Constitution; but the bas.is of the power is the Constitution itself.

Besides, G the legislative supremacy of our Legislatures includin rr the Parliament is normally controlled by the provisions econtained in part III of the Constitution.

If the Legislatures step beyond the legislative fields assigned to them or acting within their respective' fields, they trespass on the fundamental right_s of the <; itizen~ in a mal!"er not justified by the relevant articles dealing with the said fundamental rihts H their legisltive actions are liable to be struck down by court~

(1) [1965] t S.C.R. 413.

in India.

Therefore, it is necessary to remember that though our Legislatures have plenary powers, they function within the limits prescribed by the material and relevant provisions of the Constitution."

It was further observed :

"In a democratic country governed by a written Constitution, it is the Constitution which is supreme and sovereign.

It is no doubt true that the Constitution itself can be amended by the Parliament, but that is possible because Art. 368 of the Constitution itself makes a provision in that behalf and the amendments of the Constitution can be validly made only by following the procedure prescribed by the said article.

That shows that even when the Parliament purports to amend the Constitution, it has to comply with the relevant mandate of the Constitution itself."

The political gevelopment of British India took the form of dismantling a unitary Constitntion and introducing a federal scheme through Devolution Rules and the Government of India Act, 1935.

Our Constitution accepted a federal scheme though limited in extent having regard to the regional interests, resources, language and othe.r diversities existing in the vast sub-continent.

These facts have been taken into account by the Constitution-makers and a limited federalism was made a part of the Constitution by Art. I itself providing that India shall be a Union of States.

Effect is given to this inteµtion by separntion of the Lists and by providing legislative and executive power to the Union and the States in separate chapters of the Constitution.

This principle has been accepted by the Supreme Court in the decisions in Atiabari Tea Co. Ltd. v. The State of Assam & Others and the Automobile Transport (Rajastha 1) Ltd. v. The State of Rajasthan and Others cited earlier.

The obs.rvations made in the West Bengal case (supra) which have been referred to already are not in conformity with the otherwise consistent view of the Supreme Court that the Constitution is supreme and that the Union as well as the States will have to trace their powers from the provisions of the Constitution and that the Union is not supreme and the States, are not acting as delegates of the Union.

It may be useful to refer to the views expressed by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda (') and Election (') cases on this subject.

The question that arose in those cases was how far the Constitution could be amended.

In Kesavananda case, the majority was of the view that the basic structure of the Constitution cannot be amended.

The Election case proceeded on the basis of I{esavananda 's cse that the basic structure could not be amended.

The learned counsel for the plaintiff Mr. Lal Narain Sinha made it very clear that he is not inviting the Court to find any undefined basic structure but is confining his arguments to point out that the federal structure in the limited sense is an integral part of the Constitution and that the Union Government is not supreme and it has no power apart from what is found ---------- (!) [1973] Supp. S.C.R. I.


0 347.

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kailasam, J.) 147

in the Constitution. In Kesavanand~ case it was held by the, majority A that Art. 368 does not enable the Parliament to alter the basic :structure or the framewock of the Constitution.

Chief Justice Sikri in discussing as to what is the basic structure of the Constitution held that it consisted of (1) Supremacy of the Constitutio11, (2) Repub- ·[ican and democratic form of Government, ( 3) Secular character of the Constitution, ( 4) Separation of powers between legislatures, executive anu judiciary, and (5) Federal character of the Constitution.

B For the purposes of the present discussion it is unnecessary to go into the question as to whether the federal structure as found in the Constitution could be amended or not as it is sufficient to note that it is recognised that the States do constitute an integral part of the Constitution having their legislative and executive powers and that these powers cannot be interferred with by the Union Government unless in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

Before dealing with the position of the States in the Constitution, it has to be borne in mind that in the distribution of powers between the Vnion and the States there is a strong bias in favour of the Union.

In the event of an Emergency the federal Government can convert itself into a unitary one.

The Union Government can supersede the state Government which refused to carry out its directions as are D authorised under Art. 365 al' the Constitution.

While the Union Government is given powers to give directions in certain specified matters under Articles 256 and 257, when a Proclamation of Emergency is made under Art. 352, the power of the Union executive to give directions to the State Government will extend to any matter and the legislative power of the Union Pa'rliament will extend to matters in the State List under Art. 250.

There are provisions in the E Constitution conferring wider powers on the Union in case of Finantial Emergency.

The executive authority of the Union becomes enlarged enabling the Union to give directions to the State requirina financial discipline.

The Union Parliament can assume the legislativ~ powers over any subject included in the State List by a Resolution . under Art. 249 if such legislation is necessary in the national interest.

Whenever the State Government cannot be carried out in F accordance with the provisions of the Constitution the President is empowered to take over and the Union can assume the executive and Legislative powers of the State under Art. 356.

Though there is a division of powers between the Union and the States there is pro vision for control by the Union Government both over the administration and legislation of the State.

These are provided for under Art. 201 which empowers the President ta disallow any State LeQisiation which G is reserved for his consent.

A duty is cast upon the States by the Constitution under Arts. 256 and 257 to execute the Union laws.

The eecutive power of every State shall be so exercised as not to interfere with the executive power m the Union and that in these matters the States shall be under the directions of the Union.

These powers are specifically mentioned in the Constitntion and it is not disputed that the Union Government can exercise them.

H The question that arises for onsideratiori is whether the Union ·Government can order an inquiry into the Governmental functions of <the State which is not specifically conferred on the Union by the

Constitution.

The preliminary objection of the Union Government that it is not the State but only the Government of the State or the Ministers that are aggrieved will be dealt with in due course.

The position of the States is indicated in Art. 1 which declares that India shall be a Union of States and the States and the territories thereof shall be as specified in the First Schedule and the territory of India shall comprise the territories of the States, the Union territories and snch other territories as may be acquired.

Part VI of the Constitution deals with the States.

Art. 154(1) vests the executive power of the State in the Governor and pmvides that it shall he exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution.

Art. 162 provides that subject to the provisions of the Constitution the executive power of the State shall extend. to the matters with respect to which the Legislature of the State bas. power to make laws.

There is a proviso to Art. 162 which provides that in any matter with respect to which the Legislature of a State and Parliament have power to make laws, the executive powers of the State shall be subject to, and limited by, the executive power expressly conferred by this Constitution or by any law made by Parliament upon the Union or authorities thereof.

Art. 163 provides that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions. except in so far as he is by or under this Constitution required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion under Art. 164 the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor tin the advice of the Chief Minister.

It further provides that the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor and the Council of Ministers sha!L be collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the State.

Chapter III deals with the State Legislature.

Art. 168 relates to constitution of legislatures in the States.

This Chapter confers exe-· cutive powers of the State in the Governor who shall exercise it with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head.

It is also provided that the executive power of the lltate shall extend to matters with respect to which the legislature of the State has power to make laws.

So far as the executive and legislathe power of the State is concerned it is absolute subject only to the other provisions of the Constitution Part XI of the Constitution deals with relations between the Union and the states : Ch. I with legislative relations and Ch. II with administrative relations between the Union and the States.

The scheme for the distribution of legislative power between the Union and the States has been taken over from the Government of India Act, 1935 and Arts. 245 and 246 more or less reproduce sections 99 and 100 of the 1935 Act. Article 245 (1) provides "Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament may make laws for the whole or any oart of the territory of India, and the Leqislature of a State mav make laws for the whole or any part of the State". Art. 246 confers cin the Parliament the exclusive power to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List I of the Seventh Schedule. The Legislature of the State has exclusive power to make laws for the State in respect of any matters enumerated in List II i.e. State List.

The Parliament and the Legislature of the State shall have power to make 13'.VS wilh respect to any matter enumerated in List llT i.e. Con-

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kailasam, J.) 149

current List. It is important to note ihatthe powers conferred under Articles 245 and 246 are subject to the provisions of the Constitution. 111erefore the laws made by a Legislature may not be valid for either lack of jurisdiction in respect of the subject matter or on the ground that they violate the provisions of the Constitution. The residuary power of legislation is conferred on the Parliament under Art. 248 which provides that the Parliament has exclusive power to make any law with respect to any matter not enumerated in the concurrent List or in the State List. Under Art. 246 (!) and (2) and Art. 254 (1) when a State faw is m conflict with the State law or repugnant to Union law which Parliament is competent to enact the Union law shall prevail

and the State faw shall be void to the extent of repugnancy. But an attempt should be made to see whether the conflict could be avoided by construction.

If a reconciliation is impossible only then the federal power should prevail Article 248(1) and Entry 97 in List I of the Seventh Schedule make it clear that the re5iduary power is with the Parliament and when a matter sought to be legislated is not included in List II or List III the Parliament has power to make laws with re5pect to that matter or tax.

But function of the Lists is not to confer powers on the Legisfature.

They only demarcate the legislative field.

The Federal Court, in The Governor-General in Council v.

The Raleigh lnve.stment Co.(') observed that "the purpose of the List was not to create or confer power but only to distribute to federal and provincial legislature5 the powers which had been conferred by ss. 99 and 100 of the Act".

While approving the observations of the Federal Court in Union of India v. H. S. Dhillon (') the wajority for whom Chief Justice Sikri spoke held that "It (Art. 248) is framed in the widest possible terms.

On its terms the only question to be asked is : Is the matter sought to be legislated included in List II or in List III or is the tax sought to be levied mentioned in List II or in List ItI? No question has to be asked about List I.

If the answer is in the negative, then it follows that Parliament has power to make laws with respect to that matter or tax." But this observation does not decide the question whether the residuary legislative power of the Union includes a right to direct inquiry into the governmental functions of the State for as laid down by the Federal Court in the Govemnor-General in. Council v. The Raleigh Investment Co. the purpose of the Lists is not to create or confer powers and the powers conferred under Articles 245 and 246 are subject to the provisons of the Constitution.

As there is no provision in the Constitution conferring on the Union the power to supervise the governmental functions of the State the reference to the Lists will not solve the problem.

The crux of the controversy is while the Karnataka State would G" contend that relation between the Union and the States is a subject matter of the Constitution and is not a subject covered by any of the three Lists, the contention on behalf of the Union Government is that the notification does not contravene any of the ific pro, isions of tl1e Constitution and as such the legislative competence of the Union cannot be questioned.

While on behalf of the State of Karnataka it is submitted that the power to inquire into the conduct of a Minister

H.: --··--·----

(!) [1944] F.C.R. 229, 261.


who is responsible to the Legislature is only with the Legislature of the State, the submission on behalf of the Union is that the power of th~

Union is not specifically taken away by any of the provisions of the Constitution and therefore the contemplated inquiry is within the competence of the powers of the Union. According to the Solicitor General, the right question to ask is "Does the legislation provide for some matter which runs counter to or is inconsistent with or brings about a change in the existing provisions of the Constitution in such manner that the original and the amended provisions are different and inconsistent ?" If it does so then it can be regarded as amendment howsoever it may be brought about i.e. by addition, variation or repeal.

At the same time n1ere enactment of provisions \Vhich are not in any manner qualitatively inconsistent with the existing provisions of the Constitution but deal with certain aspects of legislative tapics or a Constitutional subject. does not postulate exercise of constituent power for amendment of the Constitution.

In support of his contention that unless an express provision of the Constitution is contravened the law can not be questioned on the ground of implied prohibition the learned counsel relied on Webb v. Outrim.(') The question that arose for decision by the Privy Council in that case was whether the respondent, an officer of the Australian Commonwealth, resident in Victoria and receiving his official salary in that State, is liable to be assessed in respect thereof for income tax imposed by an Act of the Victorian Le£i 0 - lature.

Jt was not contended before the Court that the restriction on the powers of the Victoria Constitution is enacted by any express provision of the Commonwealth Constitution Act but was argued that inasmuch as the imposition of an incon1e-tax might interfere \vith the free exercise of the legislative or executive power of the Commonwealth, such interference must be impliedly forbidden by the Constitution of the Commonwealth, although no such express prohibition can be found therein.

The Court held : "The enactments to which attention has been directed do not seem to leave any room for implied prohibition." Jt was further held that "It is impossible to suppose that the question now in debate was left to be decided upon an implied prohibition when the power to enact laws upon any subject whatsoever was before the Legislature." The basic principles of construction of the Constitution are laid down by Lord Se!bourne in R v. Burah (') which is accepted and applied by Earl Loreburn L. C. in Attorney- Ge11eral for the Province of Ontario and Others v. Attorney General for the Dominion of Canada and another. (') The rule laid down in R v. Burah is that "when a question arises whether the prescribed limits have been exceeded the only way in which it can be done is by looking into the terms of the instrument by which affirmatively the leQislative powers were created and by which "''gatively they are restricted.

If what has been done is legislation within the general scope of the affirmative words which give the power and if it violates no express, condition or restrktion by wl1ich that power is limited, it is not for any court of justice to inquire further, or to enlarge constructively

0) [1907] A.C 81.

(2) [1878] J A.C. 889.

(3) [19121 A.C. 571 at 583.

• ,

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kailasam, J.) 151

those conditions and restrictions".

In 1912 A. C. 571 it was held A. that "if the text is explicit the text is conclusive, alike in what it directs and what it forbids.

When the text is ambigious, as, for example, when the words establishing two mutually exclusive jurisdictions are wide enough to bring a particular power within either, recourse must be had to the context and scheme of the Act." The decision of the Australian High Court in The Amalgamated Society of Engineers v.

The Adelaide Steamship Company Ltd. and Others, (') in which it B was held that the doctrine of implied prohibition against the exercise of power once ascertained in accordance with ordinary rules of construction was rejected by the Privy Council in Webb v. Outrim. (')

The decision in The Stale of Victoria v. The Common-wealth of Australia (") was referred to but as that decision reiterates the principles laid down in R. v. Burah(') it is not necessary to refer to it. The C principle laid down is that if what has been done is legislation within the general words which give the power and if it violates no express

CO!ldition oc restriction by which that power is limited, then it is not for the court of justice to inquire but it cannot be understood as meaning that the word 'express' does not exclude what is necessarily implied.

In Liyanage v. R,( 5) the Privy Council while interpreting the Constitution of Ceylon held that the Constit.ution did not expressly vest the judicial power exclusively in the judiciary but, that fact was not decisive as the scheme of the Constitution particularly the provisions relating to the judiciary viewed in the light of the fact that the judicial power had always been vested in courts, held that the judicial power vested exclusively in the judiciary.

To the same effect is the decision of this Court in The State of West Bengal v. Nripendra Nath Bagchi (').

The question that arose in that case was whether the inquriy ordered by the E.

Government and conducted by an Executive Officer of the Government against a District and Sessions Judge contravened the provisions of Article 235 of the Constitution which vests in the High Court the control over the District Court and the courts subordinate thereto.

The Court construed the word 'control' used in Article 235 as including discip_linary co; itrol or juisdiction over District. Judges.

Relying on the mstory which lay behmd the enactment of tnese articles the Court F came to the conclusion that 'control' was vested in the High Court to effectuate a purpose, namely, the securing of the independence of the subordinate judiciary and unless it included disciplinary control as well, the very object would be frustrated.

It also took into a'ccount the fact that the word 'control' is accompanied by the word 'vest' which is a strong word which showed that the High Court is made the sole custodian of the control over the judiciary.

The Court observed : "This G; aid '.o .construction (the history which _lies behind the enactment) is adm1ss1ble because to find out the meanmg of a law, recourse may legitimately be had to the prior state of the law, the evil sought to be removed

and t.lie process by which the law was evolved." Though there is no

(I) 28 C.L.R. 129.

(2) [1907] A.C. 81,

(3) 122 C.L.R. 353.

(4) Supra.

(5) [1967] A.C. 259,

(6) 11966] l S.C.R. 771.

express provision in the Article conferring the disciplinary control and jurisdiction over the District judge it was implied from the wording of the Article. Reading the decision of the Privy Council in Liyanage v.

R. (Supra) and the decision of this Court in the State of West Bengal v.

Nripendra f\iath Bagchi (Supra), the word 'expre>&' in R. v.

Burah (Supra) should be construed as including what is necessarily implied.

Taking into account the history and the scheme of the Constitution the safeguards in the Constitution regarding the States have necessarily to be implied, though it is conceded on behalf of the State of Karnataka that no particular provision of the Constitution has been expressly modified, amended or altered.

The extent of the executive power of the Union is found in Art. 73 and that of the State is given in Art. 162.

In Part XI, Chapter II, which deals with the administrative relations between the Union and the States Articles 256 and 257 list the obligations of the Slates and the Union and control of the Union over the States in certain cases.

Article 256 provides that the executive power of every State shall be so exerclsed as to ensure compliance with the laws made by Parliament and any existing laws which apply in that State, and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of such directions to a State as may appear to the Government of India to be necessary for that purpose.

Under this Article it is obligatory on every State to so exercise its executive power as to ensure the compliance with the laws made by the Parliament and the executive power of the Union shall extend to giving such instructions to the State as are necessary for that purpose.

Article 257 (1) provides that the executive power of every State shall be so exercised as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive power of the Union, and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of such directions to a State as may appear to the Government of India to be necessary for that purpose. Sub-article (2) extends the power of the Union to giving directions as to the construction and maintenance of means of communication declared in the direction to be of nationai or military importance suh-article (3) extends the power of the Union to the giving of directions to a State as to the measures to to be taken for the protection of the railways withln the State.

By 42nd Amendment to the Constitntion Art. 257 A was introduced by which Government of India is empowered to deploy any armed force of Union or any other force subject to the control cf the Union for dealing with any grave situation of law and order in any State. Sub-article (2) of Article 257A provides that any Armed Force or other force or any contingent or unit thereof deplaycd under clause (1) in any State shall act in accordance with such directions as the Government of India may issue and shall not, save otherwise provided in such directions, be subject to the superintendence or control of the State Government or any officer or authority subordinate to the State Government. No reliance was placed by the Government of Tndia on any of its inherent or overriding powers.

Except in cases referred to in articles 256 and 257 and 257 A, the Constitution does not provide for the Union Government to H oive anv directions to the State Government.

Though under Article 355 it shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance, it was thought a constitutional amendment was necessary to enable the Govt. of India to deploy

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kailasam, J.) 153

armed forces to deal with grave situation of Jaw and order.

As there is no specific Article in the Constitution enabling the Union Government to cause an inquiry into the governmental functions of the State

the power cannot be assumed by ordinary legislation but resort must be had to a comtitutional amendment.

In/. C. Golak Nath & Ors. vs. State of Punjab & Anr.,(') Wanchoo J. has stated "The Constitution is the fundamental law and no law passed under mere legislative power conferred by the Constitution can affect any change in the Constitution unless there is an express power to that effect given in the Constitution itself. But subject to such express power given by the Constitution itself, the fundamental law, namely the Constitution, cannot be changed by a law passed under the legislative provisions contained in the Constitution as all legislative Acts passed under the power conferred by the Constitution must conform to the Constitution. There are a number of articles in the Constitution which expressly provide for amendment by Jaw, as for example, 3, 4, 10, 59(3), 65(3), 73(2), 97, 98(3), 106, 120(2), 135, 137, 142(1), 146(2), 148(3), 149, 169, 171(2), 186, 187(3), 189(3), 194(3), 195, 210(2), 221(2), 225, 229(2), 239(1), 241(3), 283(1) and (2), 285(2), 287, 300(1), 313, 345, 373, Sch. V. cl. 7 and Sch. VI, cl. 21''. Art. 2 enables the Parliament by law to admit into the Union, or establish, new States on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit and Art. 3 enables the Parliament by law to form new States and alteration of the areas or boundaries of nny State and the names of the existing States.

Article 4 provides that laws made under Articles 2 and 3 shall contain such provisions for the amendment of the First Schedule and the Fourth Schedule -as may be necessary to give effect to the provisions of the Jaw and may nlso contain such supplemental, incidental and consequential provisions as Parliament may deem necessary.

Sub-article (2) of Art. 4 provides that no such law as aforesaid shall be deemed to be an amendment of the Constitution for the purposes of Article 368.

So also Art. 169 (1) enables the Parliament by Jaw to provide for the abolition of the Legislative Council of a State and sub-article ( 3) provides that no such law as aforesaid shall be deemed to be an amendment of the Constitution for the purposes of Article 368. Similar provisions are found in Schedule V, cl. 7 and Schedule VI, cl. 21 where the law made by Parliament is deemed not to be an amendment of the Constitution for the purposes of Art. 368. So far as the other Articles mentioned above are concerned the Articles themselves enable the Parliament to make law for the purposes mentioned in the various Articles.

Regarding the Articles in which no power is conferred on the Parliament to make laws, Parliament cannot add to the Constitution by ordinary law making process.

The Union Government relied on Entry 94 in List I and Entry

45. in List III in the Seventh Schedule as empowering it to enact the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, and to issue the impugned nofiftcation. Entry 94 in List I rnns as follows :

"94. Inquiries, surveys and statistics for the purpose of any of the matters in this List."


Entry 45 in List III, Concurrent List, is as follows :

"45. Inquiries and statistics for the purposes of any of the matters specified in List II or List III."

As Entry 94 in List I is confined to matters in List I the learned Solicitor General rightly did not rely on that Entry but relied mainly on Entry 45 in List III. Entry 45 enables the Union to make laws for inquiries for the purpose of any of the matters specified in Lists II & III i.e. State List and the Concurrent List.

The question that arises is whether the word 'inquiries' would include the power to make inqmry into misuse of the governmental powers by the Chief Minister and the other Ministers of a State Government while in office.

The golden rule of interpretation is that the words should be read in their ordinary, natural and grammatical meaning and in construing words in a Constitution conferring legislative power the most liberal construction should be put upon the words so that they may have effect in their widest amplitude.

But this rule is subject to certain exceptions.

It it is found necessary to prevent conflict between two exclusive jurisdictions a restricted meaning may be given to the words.

The FeJeral Court in Re the Central Provinces and Berar Sales of Motor Spirit and Lubricants Taxation Act, 1938 (Central Provinces and Berar Act No. XIV of 1938) ( in Re A Special Reference under Section 213 of the Government of India Act. 1935) (') in construing the expressions "duties of excise" in Entry 45 of List I in the Seventh Schedule and "taxes on sale of goods" in Entry 48 of List II i.e. the State List, held that the conflict could be resolved by giving the expression "duties ot excise" a restricted meaning, namely that the duty of excise is a tax on manufacture or production of goods.

Thus it is permissible to give a restricted meaning in construing the language of conflicting provisions. !n Madras v. Gannon Dunkerly & Co. (Madras) Ltd.(2 ), it was held that though in construing a legislative entry widest construction must be put on the words used, as the expression "sale of goods" was a term of well-recognised legal import in the general law relating to the sale of goods and in the legislative practice relating to that topic, it must be interpreted in Entry 48, List II, Sch. 7 of the Act as having the same meaning as in the Sale of Goods Act.

The rule that in construing the words in a Constitution most liberal construction should be put upon the words is not a universal rule as is seen from the judgment of Lord Blackburn in River Wear Conunissioners v. Adamwn(•) where Lord Blackburn expressed his view that in interpreting the words, the object is to ascertain the intention ex- {lressed by the words used and that the object of interpretation of documents and statutes is to ascertain "the intention of them that made it".

Lord Coke in Heydon's case applied the principle which was laid down by Lord Blackburn. In R.M.D. Chamarbaugwalla v.

The Union of India(')," Venkatarama Ayyar J. cited with approval the rule in Heydon's case and added that the principles laid down

(!) [1939] F.C.R. 18.

(2) [1959] S.C.R. 379.

(3) [1877] S A.C. 743.

(4) [1957] S.C.R. 930.

''\

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kailasl! /.) 155

are well-settled and have been applied in Bengal Immunity Co. Ltd.

v. State of Bihar(1), and observed that the.legislative history of the impugned law showed. that prize competitions involving skill had presented no problems to .the legislatures, and thathaving regard to that history, and also the language used in the Act, the definition must,. by construction; be limited to prize competitions of a gambling nature.

Thus there is ample authority for the proposition that in interpretation . of statute$· the main object is to ascertain the "intention of them that B made if•.

It is therefore necessary to discern the intention of the Parliament in enacting the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. The inquiry under Entry 45 is for the purpose of any of the matters specified in List II or List III. It is seen that inquiry into the misconduct in exercising governmental functions by the Cbief Minister of a State cannot C be discerned from any of the entries in List II or List III. Entry 45 i• in the Concurrent List and if a Jaw could be enacted by the Parliament empowering the Union Government to conduct an inquiry into the misuse of the governmental functions by a Minister of State, it cannot be denied that the State Government will have the power tq . legislate empowering the State to inquire into the misuse of govern-

. mental powers by a Union Minister relating to matters in Llst II and D List III. Obviously the powers conferred under Entry 45 caiinot be construed in such manner, for it could never have been intended.

Otherwise the result will not be conducive to the harmonious functioning of the Union and the States. .This circumstance is a strong indication that Entry 45 in List Ill 'inquiries' should not be given a. wide meaning as conferring on the Union and the State Governments powers to enact a provision to embark on an enquiry as to the misuse E of the Governmental petwers by the other. . The provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, .1952, Act 60 of 1952 will now be examined. The preamble of the Act, is as follows:- · ·

"An Act to provide for appointment of Commissions of F Inquiry and for vesting such Commissions with certain powers."

Section 2 defines the "appropriate Government" as meaning the Central Covernment in relation-to a Commission appointed by it to mak 0 an inquiry into any matter relatable to any of the entries enumerated in List I or List II or List III in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution and the State Government, in relation to a Commission appointed c G by it to make an inquiry into any matter relatable to any of the entries enumerated in List II or List III in the Seventh Schedule to the COiistitntion. Section 3 (1) provides for the apintment of Commission ..

It runs as follows :- . .

"3. (1) The appropriate Government may, if it is of opinion that it ii; necessary so to do. and shall, if a resolu- H tion in this behalf is passed by the House of the People or,

(ll 1195SJ 2 S.C.R. l'-03.

IJ-1042 SCI/77

as the case may be, the Legislative Assembly of the State. by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint a Commissioo of Inquiry for the purpose of making an inquiry into any definite matter of public importance and performing such functions and within such time as may be specified in the notification, and the Commission so appointed shall make the inquiry and perform the functioos accordingly : "

The proviso to section 3 (l) bars the State Government except with the approval of the Central Government to appoint another Commission to inquire into the same matter when a Commission appointed by the Central Government is functioning and bars the Central Government from appointing a commission from inquiring into the same matter so long as the Commission appointed by the State Government is functioning unless the scope of the inquiry is extended to two or more States.

Under section 3 (1) the appropriate Government may appoint a commission but shall appoint one if a resolution is passed by the House of the People or, the Legislative Assembly of the State as the case may be.

The purpose of the commission is to make an inquiry into any "definite matter of public importance".

The Parliament under the Act has delegated its legislative functions to the appropriate Government and has conferred the discretion to appoint a commission if it is in its opinion necessary to do so and makes it obligatory on the Government to appoint a commission if there is a resolution by the Legislature concerned.

The purpose Of appointment of the commission is for making an inquiry into any definite matter of public importance. There is no mention or guidance as to the person against whom an inquiry is to be conducted. In. the proviso which bars the State Government from appointing the commission to inquire into the same matter when already the Central Government has appointed a commission and vice versa, it is clear that the section could not have contemplated the appointment by the Central Government of a commission to inquire into the abuse of the power by the State Government being aware of the fact that such a construction would enable the State Government to appoint a commission to inquire into the misuse of the power of the Central Government in any of the matters relating to Lists II and lll. Such a construction would not reflect, the intention of the Parliament. Before dealing fully with the scope of the powers of the appropriate Government as a delegate and the construction that has to be put on the scope of appointment of a commission of inquiry under this ection, it is necessary to notice other relevant provisions of the Act.

Sulr section ( 4 l of section 3 requires the appropriate Government to lay before the House of the People or the House of the Legislafive Assembly of the State, the report of the commission on the inquiry made by the commission together with a memorandum of the act•on taken thereon, with a period of six months of the submission of the report by the Commission to the appropriate Government. Sul>- section ( 4) therefore contemplates some action to be taken by fhe appropriate Government. Section 4 deals with the powers of a commiss\on. It shall have the powers of a civil conrt while trine the

uit uPder the Code of Civil Procedure. 1908, in respect of matters

' 4 ..

r •

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kailasam, !.) 157

mentioned in the section.

Section 5 enables the Commission to re- A .quire any person to furnish information on the subject matter of the inquiry and any person so required shall be deemed to be legally bound to furnish such information within the meaning of sections 176 and 177 of the Indian Penal Code. The Commission may also cause search and seizure of books of account and documents or take extracts or copies therefrom so far as they are applicable. The commission is deemed to be a civil c.ourt for certain purposes mentioned in B sub-sections ( 4) and (5) of section 5. Section SA empowers the commission to utilize the services of certain officers in the case of a commission appointed by the Central Government of any oflicer or investigation agency of the Central Government or any State Government with the concurrence of the Central Government or the State Government, as the case. may be, or in the case of a Commiss10n appointed by the State Government of any officer or investigation C agency of the State Government or Central Government with the concurrence of the State Government or the Central Government, as the case may be.

The commission may summon and enforce the attendance of any person and examine him, require the discovery and production of any document. and requisition any public record or copy thereof from any office. Section 8-B provides that if at any stage of inquiry the commission considers it necessary to inquire into the con- D duct of any person and is of opinion that his reputation is likely to be prejudicially affected by the inquiry the commission shall give to that person a reasonable opportunity of being heard and section 8-C confers a right of cross-examination and representation by the legal practitioner to persons referred to in section 8-B of the Act.

Reading the Act as a whole the Commission is given wide powers E of inquiry compelling the attendance of witnesses and persons who

are likely to be prejudicially affected giving them a right of crossexamination. When a report is submitted by the Commission, section 3( 4) contemplates action to be taken by the appropriate Goverri- 1nent.

While considering the scope of Entry 45 in List III and particularly the word 'inquiries' it has been found that in the context a restricted meaning should be given and if the word is given a wicfe meaning as to an inquiry into the governmental action of the State or the Union, as the case may be, it would not be conducive to the smooth running of the Constitution.

Under section 3 the Parliament has conferred the power on the appropriate Government to appoint a commission of inquiry to inquire into any definite matter of public impc>rtance. On behalf of the Union it was submitted that the words "definite matter of public importance" would embrace the inquiry into the misuse of the governmental functions of the State and in support of this contention several decisions were cited.

Tn M. V. Rajwade v. Dr. S. M. Hasan and others(') the question arose as to whether a commission appointed under the Commissions of Inquiry Act. 1952. has the status of a court.

The High Court at Nagpur held that the Act does not confer on it the status of a Court. -(!)I.LR. [1954] Nag. I.

A The facts of the case arc that the Government of Madhya Pradesh -;.., appointed a commission of inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry <

Act, 1952. with Hon'ble Shri Justice B. K. Chaudhuri as the sole member. The Commission was asked to inquire and report whether

( i) the firing was justified ;

(ii) excessive force was used; and

(iii) after the firing adequate action was taken to maintain peace and order, to prevent recrudescence of trouble and to give adequate medical and other aid to the injured.

Dealing with the nature of the inquiry the court held that the commission in question was obviously appointed by the State Government for the information of its own mind, in order that it should not act, in exercise of its executive power, otherwise than in accordance with the dictates of justice and equity, in ordering a departmental inquiry against its officers. It was therefore a fact finding body meant only to instruct the mind of the Government without producing any document of a judicial nature.

So far as the scope of the inquiry in the case was concerned it falls strictly within section 3 as the inquiry related to a definite matter of public importance and not an inquiry into the misuse of governmental functions of a Chief Minister or a State Minister.

On the facts of the case it was appropriate that the court found that it was merely a fact finding body meant to instruct the mind of th<- Government. In Branjnandan Sinlut v. Jvoti Narain(') the Supreme Court considered the question whether the Commission appointed under the Public Servants (Inquiries) Act, 1850, is not a court within the meaning of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1952.

The Court approved the view taken by the Nagpur High Court that the Commission was only a fact finding Commission meant only to instruct the mind of the Govenment and found that a Oommission under the Public Servants (Inquiries) Act, 1850. is not a court.

In Shri Ram Krishna Dalmia v Shri Justice S. R. Tendolkar and

Others(2) the Central Government appointed a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into and report in respect of certain companies mentioned in the schedule attached to the notification and in respect of the nature and extent of the control and interest which certain persons named in the notification exercised over these companies. The validity of the Commissions of Inquiry Act was questioned.

The Supreme Court held that the Act was valid and intra vires and the notification was also valid excepting the words "as and by way of securing fedre:; s or punishment" in clause 10 thereof which went beyond the scope of the Act. The Court also held that the Act does not delegate to the Government any arbitrary or uncontrolled power and does not offend Article 14 of the Constitution. The Court further observed that the discretion given to the Government to set up a commission of inquiry is guided by the policy laid down in the Act and the executive action is to be taken only when there exists a definite matter of public importance into which an inquiry is necessary.

The, facts of, the c~::_that the Central Government appointed a Commission

(1) [1955] S.C.R. 955,

(2) [1959] S.C.R. 279.

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kailasam, !.) 159

of Inquiry under section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, 10 inquire and report in respect of the administration of the affairs of .companies specified in the schedule and other matters mentioned in clauses (2) to (11) of the Order.

The inquiry under clause (3) is regarding the nature and extent of the control, direct and indirect. exercised over such companies and firms or any of them by Shri R. K.

Dalmia and 3 others, their relatives, employees and persons connected with them. Under clause (10) the inquiry was against any irregularities, frauds or breaches of trust etc. and required the Commission to recommend the action which in the opinion of the Commission should .bo taken as and by way of securing redress and arrangement or to act as a preventive in future cases. This Court held tht the Commission in the case was merely to investigate and record its findings and re- .commendations wilhout having any power to enforce them. It was further held that a portion of last part of cl. (10) which called upon the Commission of Inquiry to make recommendations about t1ie action to be taken as and by way of securing redress or punishment cannot be said to be at all necessary or ancillary to the purpose of the Commission.

The Court held that the words "as and by way of securing redress or punishment" clearly go outside the scope of the Act, and such a provision was not covered by the two legislative entries in the Constitution and should therefore be deleted. Considering the .scope of section 3 it observed that the "answer is furnished by the statute itself for section indicates that the appropriate Government can appoint a Commission of Inquiry only for the purpose of an inquiry into any definite matter of public importance and to no other matter. In other words, the subject matter of inquiry can only be of a "definite matter of public importance".

Rebutting the contention on behalf of the appellant that the delegation of the authority to the appropriate Government is unguided and uncontrolled, the Court observed that "the executive action of setting up a Commission ot: Inquiry must conform to the condition of the section, that is to say, that there must exist a definite matter of public importance into which an inquiry is, in the opinion of the appropriate Government, necessary or is required by a resolution in that behalf passed by the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the State".

The Court proceeded to observe that if the Parliament had declared with sufficient clarity the policy and laid down the principles for the guidance of the exercise of the powers conferred on the appropriate Government it cannot be said that an arbitrary and uncontrolled power had been delegated to the appropriate Government.

On the facts of the case before the Court the conclusion was reached that the power was exercised within the policy laid down by the Parliament and the guidance afforded by the preamble and section 3 of the Act. The decision was not dealing with a case in which the inquiry is ordered into the misuse of governmental functions of the Chief Minister of a State exercising the executive functions of the State.

The Court aTso rejected ihe plea on behalf of the appellant that the Act and conduct of individual persons can never be regarded as definite matter cit public importance, observing that the act and conduct of individuals may assume such dangerous proportions as may well affect the pnbtic well-being and thus hecome a definite matter of public importance. An inquiry into "definite matter of public importance" may be incidental or ancillary to such inquiry require inquiring into the conduct of persons. Section 8-B which was introduced by an amendment by Act 79 of 1971 provides that if at any stage of the inquiry the Commission considers it necessary to inquire into the conduct of any person or is of opinion that the reputation of any person is likely to, be prejudicially affected by the inquiry, the Commission shall give to that person a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the inquiry and to produce evidence in his defence. The amendment would indicate the procedure to be adopted if in the course o~ the inquiry it be-- comes necessary to inquire into the conduct of any person.

This would suggest that principally the inquiry is as regards a matter of definite public importance. It may be that _in some cases the conduct of individuals may become a definite mat(er of public importance as laid down in R. K Dalmia's case. But the decisinn docs not concludcthe point that has arisen in this case, namely whether t11e definite matter of public importance: should be construed as to include the right to inquire into the abuse of governmental functions by a State Government when no such intention could have been in the minds of the Parliament.

In .ltai'e of Jammu and Kaslu11ir v. Bakshi Glwlum Molwm111ad(') the State Government of Jammu and Kashmir issued a notificationunder section 3 of the Jammu aud Kashmir Commission of Inquiry Act, 1962, setting up a commission to inquire into the wealth acquired by the first respondent and certain specified members of his family during his period of office. It may be noted that the Commission of Inquiry was set up by the State Government after 'Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad resigned and ceased to be the Chief Minister ot the State.

Two of the three Judges of the High Court took the view that the matter referred to was not of public importance because on the date of the notification Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad did not hold any office in tl\e Government and that there was no evidence of public agitation in respect of the conduct complained of and that showed that they were not matters of public importance. The Supreme Court rejected the view taken by the High Court observing : "It is difficult to imagine how a Commission can be set up by a Council of Ministers to inquire into the acts of its head. the Prime Minister, while he is in office. It certainly would be a most unusual thing to happen. If the rest of the Council of Ministers resolves to have any inquiry, tha Prime Minister can be expected to ask for their resignation. In any case. he would himself go out. If he takes the first course, then no Commission would be set up for the Ministers wanting the inquiry would have gone.

If he went out himself, then the Commission would be set up to inquire into the acts of a person who was no longer in office and for that reason, if the learned Judges of the High Court were right, into matters which were not of public importance. Tlic result would be that the acts <>f a Prime Minister could never be inquired into under the Act. We find it extremely difficult to accept that

(I) [19661 Supp. S.C.R. 401.

/ -

"; A•t!ATAKA v. UNION (Kai/asam, /.) 161

View." The deci•ion of the Court is that the inquiry into the past acts A which ilave affected the public well-being would be matters of public .importance and it was irrelevant whether the person who committed those acts is still in power to be able to repeat them. The pronouncement is an authority for the propo; ition that inquiry into the acts of a person who had ceased. to be a Chief Minister may continue to be a matter of public importance. . .

In Bakshi's case the inquiry was directed by-the State Government against the conduct of an erstwhile Chief Minister of the State. This Court rejected the contention that the inquiry against a person is outside the scope of section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act. It was

contended before this Court relying on section 10 of the Jammu and Kashmir Commission of Inquiry Act, 1962 that the inquiry directed into the conduct of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad was outside the scope of the Act. Section 10 of the Jammu and Kashmir Act is similar to the present sections 8-B and 8-C of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, l 952. The section states that if at any stage of the inquiry the Commission considers it necessary to inquire into the conduct of any person or is of opinion that the reputation of any person is likely to be prejudicially affected by the inquiry the Commission shall give to that person a reasonable. opportunity _pf being heard in the inquirY and to produce. evidence in his defence. Basing on the wording of the section it was submitted that the inquiry is normally only into a definite matter of public imJ; lortance and inquiries into the conduct of a person can arise only as mcidental or ancillary to such an inquiry.

As the section contemplates the necessity of inquirY into the conduct of a person arising at any stage of the Inquiry Conmtlssion's proceedings, it was submitted that the inquiry into the conduct of a person is only incidental. This Court rejected the contention on the ground that section 3 which permits a Commission of Inquiry to be appointee! is wide enough to cover an inquiry into the ccmduct of an individual and it could not be natural reading of the Act to cut down the scope of section 3 by an implication drawn from section 10. This ob5ervation was, as the subsequent sentence makes it clear, made in rejectiiig . the plea that section 10 does not apply to a person whose conduct comes up directly for inquiry before a Commission set up under section 3. In Rakshi's case as the inquiry was ordered by the State Government into the aIIairs of a Chief Minister who had ceased to be in office, the Court was not called upon to consider the question whether the Union Government can appoint a commission of inquiry into the conduct of a Oiief Minister of a State in office which implies

the determination of Centre-State relationship under the Constitution.

In this case the appointment was by the State Government against the erstwhile Chief M .. utlster.

Apart from this question it is seen that if section 3 of the Comntlssions of Inquiry Act, 19 52 is construed as enabling the appointment of a commission of inquiry into the conduct of a State Chief Minister in office it would result in empowering the Central Government which is a deleµte of the Parliament to exercife the powers which would never have been contemplated by the Parliament, for as already pointed out the result of such construction would be inviting the State Government to appoint a commission of inquiry

A into the conduct of Central Ministers regarding matters in List II and List III. It is significant to note that after Bakshi's case w"'

; I,...

decided by the Supreme Court in 1966, amendments were introduced to the Commissions of Inquiry Act by Act 79 of 1971. Section 8-B runs as follows :-

"SB. If, at any stage of the inquiry, the Commission,-

( a) considers it necessary to inquire into the conduct of any peirson; or

(b) is of opinion that the reputation of any person is likely to be prejudicially affected by the inquiry, the Commission shall give to that person a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the inquiry and to produce evidence in his defence :

Provided that nothing in this section shall apply where the credit of a witness is being impeached."

No doubt, there was corresponding section~ section 10, of the J.lllnmu & Kashmir Commission of Inquiry Act, 1962, which was considered in Bakshi's case by the Supreme Court, and the Court had held that section I 0 was also applicable to a case in which the conduct of a person was directly under inquiry. It observed that the scope of section 3 cannot be cut down by an implication drawn from section 10.

The subsequent amendment of the Act by introduction of section 8-B which provides that if at any stage of the inquiry, the Conunission considers it necessary to inquire into the conduct of any person, or is of opinion that the repJ!tation of any person is likely to be prejudicial- E ly affected by the inqui_ry, would indicate that the Parliament was aware of the consequences of such wording, and intended the Act to be applicable in the main to any definite matter of public importance while an inquiry into the affairs of persons would be permisSible if it arose as incidental or ancillary to such inquiry.

This construction appears to be justifiable, for otherwise section 3 would have the result of empowering the delegate i.e. the Union Government, lo order an inquiry into the affair of the Chief Minister of a State and inviting F

the same treatment from the State Government.

The decision in P. V. Jaga11nath Rao & Ors. v. State of Orissa & Ors.(') also relates to the appointment by the State Government of a Commission of Inquiry into the cooduct of the Chlef Minister and Ministers who ceased to hold office on the date of the notification in regard to the inrregularities committed during the tenure of their office and it does not relate to the Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Central Government to inquire into the abuse of governmental functions by the Chief Minister and other Ministers.

It will be seen on an examination of the cases cited above that in no case the Central Government had ordered an inquiry into the abuse of powers by the State Chief Minister in office.

It is stated that an inquiry was ordered by the Central Government against Pratap Singh --------

(1) [1968] 'l. S.C.R. 789.

.. '

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KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kllilasam, J.) 163

!Kairan, a State Chief Minister, while in oilice but the v<\lidity oI such an -order was _not questioned before a court.

The Sarkaria Conuuission was appoi.tited by the Central Govenuuent to inquire into the condu7t -of the Chief Minister when he ceased to hold that office and tlie President took over the administration of the Tamil Nadu State.

While in office the Chief Minister questioned the Union Government's power :to appoint such a Commission.

The impugned notification by the Central Government was challenged on the ground that it is in violation of the proviso to section 3 (1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act. Under the proviso when a State Government has appointed a commission of inquiry, the Central Government shall not appoint another commission to inquire into the same matter for so Jong as the commission appointed by the State Govermnent is functioning, unless the Central Government is of opinion that the scope of the inquiry should be extended to two or more

States.

In this case it is common ground that the State Government bad appointed a Commission of Inquiry earlier.

The scope of the inquiry ordered by the Central Government does not extend to two or more States. In the circumstances the notification is sought to be supported by the Central Government on the pica that the inquiry -Ooes not relate to the "same matter" and therefore the validity of the notification cannot be challenged.

Reading section 3(1) along with the proviso, it is apparent that the intention of the Act is to enable the appropriate Government i.e. the Central or the State Government to appoint a Commission of Inquiry for the purpose of making an inquiry into any definite matter of public importance.

The Central Government can appoint a commission to make an inquiry into any matter relatable to any of the Entries enumerated in List I, List 11 or List III of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution while the 'State Govermnent can appoint a commission to inquire into any matter

relatable to any of the entries enumerated in List II and List III of the Constitution.

As both the Central Government and the State -Government have power to appoint a commission of inquiry relating to entries in List II and List III there might arise occasions when there may be overlapping.

In order to av0id such a contingency provisos (a) and (b) to section 3(1) enact that when the Central Government has appointed a commission of inquiry the State Govermnent shall not app_oint another commission to inquire into the same matter without the approval of the Central Government-as long as the commission appointed by the Central Government is functioning and the Central Government shall not appoint another commission to inquire into the same matter as long as the commission appointed by the -State Government is functioning.

These provisions are for the purpose of avoiding any conflict by the two Govermnenfs appointing two separate commissions to inquire into the same matter.

In a speech made by the Minister for Law Shri C. C. Biswas while introducmg the Bill on August 6, 1952 in the Rajya Sabha, he explained the pro- -visions of section 3 and its underlying purposes as follows :

"Then there is also the question whether and bow far there may be overlapping inquiries by the Centre appointinj! a Commission on its own and a State also a commission of

its own to deal with the same matter.

That is dealt with here in the proviso.

The <!anger of overlapping is avoided by providing that if there is a Commission appointed by the Central Government already functioning then it will not be open to a State Government, except with the approval of the Centre, to appoint another Commission to inquire into the san1e matter.

Similarly, if there is already a Commission appointed by a State Government functioning with re5pect to a matter which is within the jurisdiction of the State it will not be open to the Central Government to override the State Commission except in certain circumstances which are indicated, that_is, unless the Central Government is of the opinion that the scope of inquiry should be extended to two or more States.

Then of course this will be done, obviously not without reference to the State.

So, as you will see, Sir, provision is made in this clau'se for avoiding conflict between the Centre and the State."

It will be seen that the provisos were enacted for the plirpose ot avoiding conflict between the Union and the State.

The very object of the proviso to section 3 is defeated by the construction sought to be put upon by the Union Government. The objection to the appointment of a commission by the Union Government when there is already a commission appointed by the State functioning is sought to be got over by the Union on the plea that by the impugned notification the inquiry is not directed against the same matters for which the State has appointed a commission of inquiry.

In the written statement filed on behalf of the Union of India, it is contended that the matters referred to the Grover Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Union Government are those which are not covered by the terms of reference of the Hussain Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Government of Karnataka and that Annexurc I to the notification dated May 23, 1977 lists such allegations contained in the Memorandum dated April 11, 1977 as are not at all included in the terms of reference of the Hussain Commission of Inquiry and that relating to allegations contained in Annexure II the said allegations stipulated that the Grover Commission of Inquiry will inquire into the said allegations excluding any matter covered by the notification of the Government of Karnataka dated May 18, 1977. It was submitted that while the n1atter referred to by the State Government is regarding v:-uious irregularities, the inqniry directed , by the Central Government is for making an inquiry on charges of corruption, nepotism, favouritism or misuse of governmental power against the Chief Minist.er and certain other Ministers of the State of Karnataka.

The notification of the Karnataka State Government appointing a Commission of Inquiry runs as follows :

"Whereas allegations have been made on the floor of the Houses of the State Legislature and elsewhere that irregularities have been committed/excess payments made in certain matters relating to contracts, grant of land, allotment of sites, purchase of furniture, di'sposal ot food grains, etc.;

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kailasam, !.)

Whereas the Stat.e Governme!1t. is of the opinion .that. It 1s necessary to appotnt a Comm1ss10n of Inquiry to mqwre

into the said allegations;

NOW THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1 ) of section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 (Central Act .60 of 1952) the Government of Karnataka hereby appoint Jl.istice Shri Mir Iqbal Hussain, Retired Judge of the Karnataka High Court to be the Commission of Inquiry ........... "

The plea on behalf of the State is that the inquiry is directed against d!l the allegations that have been made on the floor of the Houses o! the State Legislat\]re and elsewhere and the charges therefore comprehend all the matters that are found in the impugned notification.

Further it was submitted that as the commission is to go into and deter mine as to who are the persons responsible for the lapses the inquiry would include ch1rges against the Chief Minister also.

As the pmpose of the two proviso's to section 3 ( 1) is to avoid conflict, the words "the same m<U_ter" in the provisos should be given a wide interpretation and only matters that are not referable to the subject matter of the inquiry by the. Commission appointed by the State can be taken over hy the Central Government. We were not called upon to go into the two notifications and determine which item in the notification of the Central Government is not covered by the State Government notification.

In giving a wider meaning to the words 'the same matter' with a view to avoid conflict, .the contention of the Central Government that the inquiry into the conduct of the Chief Minister about the same incident will make it a different matter cannot be accepted.

The contention as to the maintainability of the suit under Article 1 31 of the Constitution may now be considered.

Article 131 is a~ follows :

"Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Su .. pteme Court shall to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction; in any dispute--

(a) between the Government of India and one or more States, or

(b) ............. . ( c) between two or more states,

If and in so far as the dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent ct a legal G right depends :

The point is whether the dispute involves any question whether of Jaw or fact on which. the existence or extent of a legal right of the State

depnds. In other word~, a 'suit would be maintainable if there is any mfnngement of a legal nght of the State. The submission on behalf of the Union Goernment is that what is affected is not the legal right H of the State but 1f at all that of the State Government or the Ministers concerned. Ministers may have a cause of action in which case the remedy will be.by way of a petition under Article 226.

Tf the State

Government fe_els aggrieved they can also take action under Article 22 6 but unless the legal right of the State is affected recourse to Art. 131 cannot be had.

Relying on the General Clauses Act and the distinction that is maintained in the Constlfulion between the State

and the State Government it was submitted that the State itself is an ideal person intangible, invisible, and immutable, and the Government is its agent. In order to appreciate the contentions of the parties it is necessary t:o refer to the relevant articles of the Constitution to determine the question as to whether any of the legal rights of the State is affected.

Part• VI of the Constitution relates to the States and Art. 154 provides that the executive power of the State shall be vested in the Governor and shall be exercised by him either directly or through the officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution.

Article 162 provides that subject to the provisions of the Constitution the executive power of the State shall extend to the matters with respect to which the Legisfature of the State has power to make laws. In other words the executive power of the State is co-extensive with the legislative power of the State. The executive power of the State will be exercised by the Governor with the aid and advice of the Chief M"miSter and other Ministers of the State.

According to the impugned notifi cation Commission of Inquiry is appointed for the purpose of making an inquiry into a definite matter of public importance, namely charges of corruption, nepotism, favouritism or misuse of governmental power against the Chief Minister and certain other Ministers of the State of Karnataka.

The inquiry therefore is amongst other things regarding the misuse of the governmental power against the Chief Minister and other Ministers of the State.

The executive function of the State which is vested in the Governor is exercised by him with the aid and advice of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers.

The power is also exercised by the Governor either directly or indirectly through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution.

The governmental functions of the State are performed by the Governor as required by the Constitution with the aid and advice of the Ministers The scope of the enquiry would inevitably involve the functioning of the executive of the State.

The plea of the State Government is that its powers are derived from the Constitution and its existence and its exercise of powers as executive of the State is guaranteed by the Constitution, and the Centre cannot interfere with such exercise of executive functions.

The question involves the extent of the executive power of the State and any interference with that power by the Central Government would affect the legal right of the tate. _The plea on behalf of the Union Government is that Art. 154 contemplates the exercise by the Governor of hi~ executive power through officers subordinate to him in acordance with the Constitution.

The submission is that when the powers are exercised through Ministers who. according to the learned counsel for' the respondent, are officers the rights of such Ministers or officers are only interfered with and not the legal rights of the State.

Further it was submitted that State is different from the Government of a State and if any action of the State or the Ministers of the State is questioned the State as 'such cannot have any grievance. When the exercise of the executive functions of the State through its officers is interfered with by the Central Government it cannot be said that the legal right of the State is not affected.

KARNATAKA v. UNION (Kai/asam, !.) 167

Strong reliance was placed by the Union Government on a recent decision of the. Supreme Court in State of Rajasthan and Others v.

Union of India.(') The States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Hirnachal Pradesh and Orissa filed suits under Art. 131 of the Constitution against the Union of India challeuging a directive contained in a letter dated April 18, 19'77 issued by the Union Home

Minister to the Chief Ministers of the States as unconstitutional, illegal, and ultra vire~ of the Constitution and for a declaration ihat the plaintiffs States are not constitutionally or legally obliged to comply with or give effect to the directive contained in the said letter.

The power of the Central Government to dissolve the State Assemblis was questioned.

A preliminary objection was raised to the maintainability of the suit on the ground that no legal rights of the State were infringed and that the State is different from the State Government and if at all any one was aggrieved it was the State Government and not the State.

Chief Justice Beg observed that even if there oe some grounds for making a distinction between a State's interests and rights and those of its Government or its members, the Court need not take a too restrictive or a hyper-technical view of the State's rights to sue for an)' rights, actual, or fancied, which the State Government chooses to take up on behalf of the State concerned in a 'suit under Art. 131.

Mr.

Justice Chandrachud was of the view that when the States question the constitutional right of the Union Government to dissolve the State Assemblies on the grounds mentioned in the Home Minister's letter to the Chief Ministers a legal, not a political, issue arising out of the existence and extent of a legal right squarely arises and tJ:te suits cannot be thrown out as falling outside the purview of Art. 131.

The learned Judge proceeded to express his view as follows :-

"The legal right of the States consists in their immunity, in the sense of freedom from the power of the Union Government.

They are entitled, urider Art. 131, to assert that right either by contendirig in the absolute that the Centre ha• no power to dissolve the Legislative Assemblies or with the qualification that such a power cannot be exercised on the F ground stated".

Bhagwati and Gupta JJ. were of the view that the exercise of the power in the case would affect the constitutional right of the State to

insist that the federal basis of the political structure set up by the Constitution shall not be violated by an unconstitutional, assault under G Art. 356(1).

As the suit sought to enforce a legal right of the State arising under the Constitution the suit could not be thrown out in limine as being ouiside the scope and ambit of Art. 131.

Goswami and Untwalia JJ. were of the view that the legal right must be that of the State.

When the Home Minister askS the Chief Minister of the Government of the States to advice the Governors to dissolve the Legislative Assemblies ancf the Chief Ministers decline to accept the H advice it is not a dispute between th• State on the one hand and the

(I) [1978] l S.C.R. 1.

Government of India on the other. It is a real dispute between the Government of the State and the Govetnnient of India. It is no doubt a question of life and death for the State Government but not so far the State as legal entity, as even after the dissolution of the Assembly the State will continue to have a government for the time being as provided for in the Constitution.

Fazal Ali, J. was of the vjew that the mere fact that letters were sent to the State Government containing gratuitous advice would not create any dispute if one did not el\ist before nor would such a course of conduct clothe the State Government with a legal right to call for a determination under Art. 131 as the State did not possess a legal right The State Government who have raised dispute are not covered by the word 'State' appearing in Art. 131 and thetefore the sui!S were not maintainable on that ground also.

It will be ~Pen that four of the seven Judges were oE the view that the suits are maintainable though Bhagwati and Gupta JJ. were of the view that there is a difference between the State and the State Government.

Whatever the question that mJght have risen regarding the d1ssolutlon of the Assemblies, in the present case the dispute relates to the functioning of the State in exercise of the powers conferred under the Constitution and the State's legal rights are affected.

The preliminary objection therefore fails. _

To sum up taking into account the history of the development ot the Indian Constitution and its scheme the impugned notification impinges on the right of the State to function in its limited sphere. Further, the impugned notification is beyond the powers conferred on the Union Government under Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. In this view the question whether section 3 of the Com E mis'sions of Inquiry Act, 1952 is ultra vires of the power of Parlia ment or not does not arise.

It is necessary that Commission of Inquiry should be app0inted in order to maintain and safeguard the purity of the Union and the State administration.

But such Commission of Inquiry should be strictly in accordance with the Constitution and should not affect the Centre- State relationship.

The praposal now pending before Parliament for appointment of Lok Pal to conduct such inquiries is a move in the right direction, if sufficient constitutiornil safeguards are provided for the institution of Lok Pal.

In view of the Judgment the first issue whether the suit is maintainable is answered in the affirmative.

Under Issue No. 2 the' impugned notification is ultra vires of the powers of the Central Government conferred on it by Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act.

In this view Issue No. 3 does not arise for consideration. The suit has to be decreed as prayed for.

ORDER

In accordance with the view of the majority, the Suit is dismissed H with costs.

P.B.R.