Civil and judicial authorities to act in aid of the Supreme Court
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
Article 144 (Civil and judicial authorities to act in aid of the Supreme Court): Defines the jurisdiction, judicial independence, and appellate powers of the Supreme Court of India.
In Simple Citizen Words
Article 144 ('Civil and judicial authorities to act in aid of the Supreme Court') belongs to Part V, Chapter IV (The Union Judiciary). It defines the institutional architecture and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India—covering judicial appointments, salaries, Court of Record status (contempt power), original federal disputes (Art 131), constitutional/civil/criminal appeals (Arts 132–136), review of judgments (Art 137), or binding precedents (Art 141). Specifically: All authorities, civil and judicial, in the territory of India shall act in aid of the Supreme Court.
Key Constitutional Provisions
Constitutional Mandate (Art. 144): Directly codifies the legal rule for 'Civil and judicial authorities to act in aid of the Supreme Court' under Part V
Sets a direct, self-contained constitutional command binding on public authorities across India
Backed by independent judicial oversight of the Supreme Court to protect constitutional legality
Exceptions & Reasonable Restrictions
Supreme Court powers are exercised by independent Benches according to constitutional rules and judicial discipline, insulated from political interference.
Why This Matters in Daily Life
Makes the Supreme Court the ultimate guardian of the Constitution and the final court of appeal for every citizen seeking justice.
Want deeper legal & historical context? Explore the official Bare Act or Supreme Court Precedents & CAD Debates: