Bench: A 9-Judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court: Facts: Issues: Ratio Decidendi (Legal Principle): Observations: Decision: Important Terms:    

Facts: The case arose when Kesavananda Bharati, a religious leader and the head of a math (religious institution) in Kerala, challenged the constitutional validity of two major amendments: the 24th and 25th Constitutional Amendments. These amendments aimed to modify various aspects of the Constitution, especially regarding land reform laws and the power of judicial review. Kesavananda Bharati, whose religious institution’s land was subject to the Kerala land reforms, challenged these amendments on the grounds that they violated the basic structure of the Constitution. He argued that no amendment should have the power to alter the fundamental principles and values enshrined in the Constitution. The case was heard by a 13-judge bench, making it one of the largest benches in Indian legal history. The judgment was delivered after a prolonged deliberation and several opinions were written by different judges, with the majority and minority opinions differing on critical points. Issue: Ratio Decidendi: Observations: Decision: Important Terms: