16. It should be stated here that the hearing has proceeded on the
assumption that it is not necessary to challenge the majority view in
Kesavananda Bharati’s case (AIR 1973 SC 1461). The contentions of the
respondent are these : First, under Article 368 only general principles
governing the organs of the State and the basic principles can be laid down.
An amendment of the Constitution does not contemplate any decision in
respect of individual cases. Clause (4) of Article 329-A is said to be in exercise
of a purely judicial power which is not included in the constituent power
conferred by Article 368.
17. Second, the control over the result of the elections and on the question
whether the election of any person is valid or invalid is vested in the judiciary
under the provisions of Article 329 and Article 136. The jurisdiction of
judicial determination is taken away, and, therefore, the democratic
character of the Constitution is destroyed.
18. Third, the Amendment destroys and abrogates the principles of
equality. It is said that there is no rational basis for differentiation between
persons holding high offices and other persons elected to Parliament.
19. Fourth, the rule of law is the basis for democracy and judicial review.
The fourth clause makes the provisions of Part VI of the Representation of
the People Act inapplicable to the election of the Prime Minister and the
Speaker.
20. Fifth, clause (4) destroys not only judicial review but also separation
of power. The order of the High Court declaring the election to be void is
declared valid. The cancellation of the judgment is denial of political justice
which is the basic structure of the Constitution.
21. The second ground is that the constitution of the House which passed
the Constitution (Thirty-ninth Amendment) Act is illegal. It is said that a
number of members of Parliament of the two Houses were detained by
executive order after 26 June, 1975. These persons were not supplied any
grounds of detention or given any opportunity of making a representation
against their detention. Unless the President convenes a session of the full
Parliament by giving to all members thereof an opportunity to attend the
Session and exercise their right of speech and vote, the convening of the
session will suffer from illegality and unconstitutionality and cannot be
regarded as a session of the two Houses of Parliament. The mere fact that a
person may be deprived of his right to move any court to secure his release
from such illegal detention by means of a presidential order under Article 359
does not render the detention itself either legal or constitutional. The
Important leaders of the House have been prevented from participation.
Holding of the session and transacting business are unconstitutional.
22. Under the first ground these are the contentions. The Constitution
Amendment affects the basic structure of institutional pattern adopted by the
Constitution. The basic features of separation of powers with the role of
independence of judiciary is changed by denying jurisdiction of this Count to
test the validity of the election. The essential feature of democracy will be
destroyed if power is conceded to Parliament to declare the elections void