Tribunals and the Indian Supreme Court: Jurisdictional Issues and Judicial Oversight

Introduction

The Supreme Court of India has a great significant position in the country's judicial system. Being the Highest Court of appeal, it ensures that the justice is always upheld and the Constitution is interpreted in accordance with rule law. One feature of the Highest Court's authority is control over Indian tribunals. Tribunals are specialized quasi-judicial entities that are established to address specific types of disputes and administrative matters. They also play a significant role in how India's legal system functions. To safeguard the rule of law, the Highest Court must review tribunals through authority over them.?

The Supreme Court's supervision over tribunals allows it to guarantee that they meet natural justice principles and constitutional obligations. The Supreme Court's jurisdiction over Indian courts maintains the uniformity of concepts of law while also protecting all people' rights and interests. Furthermore, the Supreme Court's control over tribunals aids in preventing abuses of power or undue discretion by these organizations. This oversight is critical to preserving the integrity and justice of India's tribunal system. The Supreme Court's influence over tribunals is based on its judicial review power. Judicial review (Article 13(2)) is the Supreme Court's ability to review and overturn any decisions or actions that violate the Constitution. In the United States of America, judicial review known as a legal power of the courts to decide if a statute, treaty, or administrative regulation undermines or violates the current law or the Constitution.

The Supreme Court's control over tribunals in India is essential for various reasons like:

• To maintain the independence and the integrity of the judiciary.
• To ensure the upholding of rule of law
• To ensure the uniformity of the application of the law
• To ensure that the accountability of tribunals for their actions and decisions that helps in maintaining public trust over tribunals of India.
• To safeguard the rights and interests of an individual.
• To check on the misuse of power by the tribunals of India by adhering the principles of natural justice and the rule of law.

The Supreme Court has the power to intervene in instances where fundamental rights have been violated or when justice has been denied by reviewing tribunal rulings and acts. In addition to retaining control via judicial review, the highest court of India has the authority to transfer matters from tribunals to self.

Meaning and Significance of Tribunals

A tribunal is a quasi-judicial organization established to resolve issues like administrative or tax disputes. They fulfill a variety of responsibilities, including resolving matters, establishing rights between opposing parties, making administrative decisions, evaluating current administrative decisions, and so on.

To address the situation created by the pending cases in different courts, tribunals have been constituted under various statutes. The Tribunals were established to lessen the work pressure of the courts, to expedite rulings, and to serve as a forum staffed by lawyers and specialists in the subjects covered by their jurisdiction. The tribunals play a significant and specific function in the justice system. They relieve the already overcrowded courts. They hear disputes on the environment, the armed forces, taxes, and administrative matters. Supreme Court of India upheld that tribunals are as independent as judiciary from executive. Originally, Tribunals were not part of the Indian Constitution, they were incorporated by 42nd Constitutional Amendment act, 1976. article 323 A talks about Administrative Tribunals while Article 323 B deals with tribunals for other issues.

Some of the significant Tribunals in India involve National Green Tribunals which was established in 2010 to handle matters involving environmental preservation and conservation, forests, and other natural resources in an efficient and timely manner; Water Dispute Tribunal which are established to resolve disputes among the Indian states on water-sharing across rivers that flow through various states; Income Tax Appeals Tribunal (ITAT) that was established in 1941 to handle direct tax appeals. This tribunal's orders are final, and only a major point of law may be appealed to the High Court.

Significant provisions of the Constitution of India providing S.C.? control over tribunals

The Supreme Court of India exercises control by the virtue of the following constitutional provisions:

• Judicial Review: Over the activities of tribunals, the power of Judicial Review, incorporated in Article 13(2), is given to the Supreme Court. Supreme Court can review the legality and the constitutionality of Tribunals' judgements ensuring they are in accordance with the law and do not infringe their jurisdiction.
• Special Leave Petition: The provision of Special Leave Petition enshrined in Article 126 of the Indian Constitution, permits the Supreme Court to hear the appeals of the partied dissatisfied with the decisions of tribunals. Supreme Court can overturn that decision against the tribunals.
• Writ Jurisdiction: Article 32 of the Indian Constitution enforces the fundamental right which is right to judicial remedies. The grieved person whose any fundamental right is violated and is not satisfied with the decisions of any lower court including tribunals can directly go to the Supreme Court. The Highest Court issues the writes under the same provision to correct the errors committed by them. Article 226 also talks about the same provisions but it is limited to High Courts.

Conclusion

The Power of Supreme Court to control over India's tribunals is critical ensuring the judiciary's integrity and independence. Its supervision guarantees that tribunals follow legal and constitutional guidelines, protecting justice & the rule of law. This control also enhances public faith in the judiciary by limiting potential misuse of power and assuring fair and unbiased adjudication. As the legal system keeps on changing, it is critical that the Supreme Court adapts its supervisory procedures to efficiently address emerging difficulties while maintaining the ideals of justice.

By-

Mr. Vijay Chauhan, Junior Attorney at Vis Legis Law Practice, Advocates