Article: Appeals in Different matters before the Apex court (Supreme Court of India)

Appeals in Different matters before the Apex court(Supreme Court of India)

Instauration:

The Supreme Court stands out to be at the apex of the pyramid of the Courts in India. It is the Highest Court of Appeal in India. Apart from having the appellate jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, it also acts as a guardian of the Constitution of India.

The Following Are the Jurisdictions of the Supreme Court:

1. Original Jurisdiction: Acts as a guardian of the constitution
2. Appellate Jurisdiction: Has the power to hear the appeals in all cases lie with the High court
3. Writ Jurisdiction: For enforcing the Fundamental Rights
4. Advisory Jurisdiction: Under Article 143, it has the authority to advise the President for the Question of law or fact.

The high court certifies that the appeals to be made to the Supreme Court by way of granting the certificates under Article 132(1), 133(1) or 134 of the constitution with respect to any judgement, decree or final order of all cases of the High court involving the question law.

Under the following Heads Appellate Jurisdiction of Supreme Court is categorized:  

1. Constitutional Matters
2. Civil Matters
3. Criminal Matters
4. Special Leave Petition

• Appeals in Constitutional Matters to the Supreme Court:

If the High Court grants the certificate to decide the question of law as to the interpretation of the constitution under Article 132(1), then in that case appeal is made to the Supreme Court.

• Appeals in Civil Matters to the Supreme Court:

In accordance with the article 133 of the Constitution of India, If there is any substantial question of law or it is wrongly decided and it needs to be decided by the Court. Upon such cases, the high Court grants the certificate to make appeals to the Supreme Court. The appeal can only be made within 60 days from the grant of certificate of the High Court.

• Appeals in Criminal Matters to the Supreme Court:

In accordance with the Article 134 of the constitution. The Supreme Court has the power to hear the Criminal matters in the cases where the High Court grants Certificate or without Certificate:

1. With Certificate, under Article 134(c) of the Constitution:

If the particular case is fit for the appeal to the Supreme  Court of India.

1. Without Certificate, under Article 134(c) of the Constitution:

• When the High Court has reversed the order of acquittal of the accused person and punished with the death sentence or imprisonment for life or for the period of 10 years or more.
• When the High Court withdrawn from before itself any case from any subordinate court and has convicted the accused person and sentenced him to death in the trial.

Special Leave  Petition(SLP):

• The Supreme Court has the discreationary power to decide the case and the court enjoys the residual power which is decided outside the purview of ordinary law given under Article 136 of the Constitution from any judgement, decree, sentence or passed or made by any Court or Tribunal of India.
• The SLP is governed under the rules mentioned in Order XVI of the Supreme Court Rules 1996 under either which the SLP is filled upon refusing the Certificate of Fitness by the High Court or when there is a need to interfere by the Supreme Court to give justice.
• The Limitation period is of 90 days from the date of judgement or decree passed by the high Court. In case where the High Court has refused to grant the certificate against the order of the High Court, the limitation period is 60 days.\

Finality Of Supreme Court Judgements/Orders:

Though the Supreme court is considered  to be the highest court of appeal and no appeal lies against the order of the judgement passed by the Supreme Court but there is an option to review its own judgement within 30 days from the date of judgement on the grounds on which the review is sought.