Judgments delivered by the SC are the ‘law of the land’ and there is no question of anyone violating the principles laid down: Supreme Court

On May 02, 2023, the Supreme Court (SC) of India stated that the judgments delivered by the bench hearing the matter are the “law of the land” and there is no question of anyone violating the principles laid down in the verdicts. The case was heard by a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court including Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul. These observations were made when the July last year verdict was addressed where various directions were passed. The SC bench further said that “A judgment of this court, including the one in Antil’s case is the law of the land. There is no question of anyone violating the principles laid down. Suffice for us today that wherever this judgment is applicable, the principles have to be followed.” 

It was further mentioned by the top Court that a large number of cases are arising where the grievances are that verdicts are not being followed. In this context, the bench opined “We consider that this order should be placed before the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court to ensure that there is sufficient dissemination of information…” During the proceedings, the Supreme Court bench said that “We also make it clear that henceforth, we will not entertain any such applications and the registry should not list any such applications before us as the purpose of keeping this matter alive is only to see that the implementation takes place in the larger perspective.” Moreover, the SC remarked while dealing with the aspect of compliance that it is the duty of the High Court to ensure that in case of non-compliance appropriate measures or steps are taken or not.