Policy. A similar power may be available when such exclusion is needed in
the larger interest of the security of the State. In either case of the exclusion
of judicial review does not mean that principles of equality are violated. It
only means that the appropriate body making the law satisfied itself and
determines conclusively that principles of equality have not been violated.
That body conclusively makes classification for the purpose of applying the
principles of equality.
(Para 52)
Decisions in election disputes may be made by the legislature itself or may
be made by courts or tribunals on behalf of the legislature or may be made by
courts and tribunals on their own exercising judicial functions. In cases of
disputes as to election, the concept of free and fair election means that
disputes are fairly and justly decided. Electoral offences are statutory ones. It
is not possible to hold that the concept of free and fair election is a basic
structure.
(Para 55)
Clause (4) suffers from these infirmities. First, the forum might be
changed but another forum has to be created. If the constituent power
became itself the forum to decide the disputes constituent power by repealing
the law in relation to election petitions and matters connected therewith did
not have any petition to seize upon to deal with the same. Secondly, any
decision is to be made in accordance with law. Parliament has power to create
law and apply the same. In the present case, the constituent power did not
have any law to apply to the case, because the previous law did not apply and
no other law was applied by clause (4). The validation of the election in the
present case is, therefore, not by applying any law and it, therefore, offends
Rule of Law.
(Para 59)
It is true that no express mention is made in our Constitution of vesting
the judiciary the Judicial power as is to be found in the American
Constitution. But a division of the three main functions of Government is
recognised in our Constitution. Judicial power in the sense of the judicial
power of the State is vested in the Judiciary. Similarly, the Executive and the
Legislature are vested with powers in their spheres. Judicial power has lain
in the hands of the Judiciary prior to the Constitution and also since the
Constitution. It is not the intention that the powers of the Judiciary should
be passed to or be shared by the Executive or the Legislature or that the
powers of the Legislature or the Executive should pass to or be shared by the
Judiciary.
(Para 60)
The constituent power is sovereign, Law making power is subject to the
Constitution. Parliament may create forum to hear election disputes.
Parliament may itself hear election disputes. Whichever body will hear
election disputes will have to apply norms. Norms are legal standards. There
is no discrimination if classification on rational basis is made for