LIJDLR

Separation of Powers

IS IT CHECK AND BALANCE OR CHECKS WITHOUT BALANCE: ANALYSING THE EROSION OF SEPARATION OF POWERS IN PRACTICE

Volume III Issue IV /

IS IT CHECK AND BALANCE OR CHECKS WITHOUT BALANCE: ANALYSING THE EROSION OF SEPARATION OF POWERS IN PRACTICE Shivendu Harihar, student of LL.M (Criminology) in Department of Law and Governance, Central University of South Bihar and has completed his LL. B (Hons.) from Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University. Dr. Deo Narayan Singh, Assistant Professor in Department of Law and Governance, Central University of South Bihar (India). Download Manuscript doi.org/10.70183/lijdlr.2025.v03.208 This Article focuses on the key aspects of the theory of separation of power. Separation of power in its actual sense has been differed from what we see in practicality. This article gives an overview of how the separation of powers came as a theory of checks and balance and now it has overturned as the checks without balance. The Author has tried to discuss the role of different organs of the government or different pillars of the Constitution in the Indian context in maintaining an equilibrium, but in today’s context where different pillars are trying to overpower the other pillars, it becomes formidable to justify whether the theory in book succeeded in its proper implementation or failed to gain its rightful dues in the practical world. The Article has tried to portray in its actual sense, why there is need of checks and balances and how it is getting eroded by excessive overreach of power.

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JUDICIAL ACTIVISM AS AN INSTRUMENT OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN INDIA: AN ANALYSIS THROUGH RECENT LANDMARK JUDGMENTS

Volume III Issue III /

JUDICIAL ACTIVISM AS AN INSTRUMENT OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN INDIA: AN ANALYSIS THROUGH RECENT LANDMARK JUDGMENTS Vikash Kumar Das, LLM Student at Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar Download Manuscript doi.org/10.70183/lijdlr.2025.v03.90 The recent landmark judgment in The State of Tamil Nadu vs. Governor of Tamil Nadu & Anr., 2025, wherein the Hon’ble Supreme Court set a deadline for the President and Governors to act upon Bills within a prescribed timeline, has sparked intense debates on the separation of powers and judicial overreach. Judicial activism and the doctrine of separation of powers in India have been subjects of intense debate for decades. Through judicial activism, the Judiciary safeguards the constitutional framework and the rights of the people from the arbitrary exercise of power by the other branches of government. Hence, its role becomes imperative, although it often faces critical remarks and power struggles from the Legislature and the Executive. This Research Article examines the concept of Judicial Activism through the lens of recent landmark judgments. It discusses the constitutional perspective of judicial activism and the separation of powers. It delves into how judicial activism is an instrument for safeguarding constitutional values and helps establish good governance. This research paper highlights the role of judicial activism in laying the foundation for accountable government, safeguarding the rights of the people, and upholding constitutional values in this modern era through the lens of Constitutional Provisions and recent landmark judgments. It further highlights how it led to the formulation of welfare-oriented policies and legislation aimed at advocating the common good and fostering good governance, irrespective of the criticism it faces. The research article employed doctrinal and secondary legal databases to conduct this research.

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BASIC STRUCTURE DOCTRINE- CONSTITUTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Volume III Issue II /

BASIC STRUCTURE DOCTRINE- CONSTITUTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE Dr Deepakshi Joshi, Principal, Chanakya Law College, Rudrapur, Kumaun University. Download Manuscript doi.org/10.70183/lijdlr.2025.v03.55 The Supreme Court of India established the Basic Structure Doctrine in the landmark judgment of Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala in 1973,[1] Creating a fundamental safeguard that protects the essential features of the Indian Constitution from being altered by parliamentary amendments.¹ This doctrine holds significant constitutional, social, and political implications. From a constitutional perspective, it preserves the Constitution’s fundamental identity by ensuring that core values—such as democracy, secularism, and justice—remain inviolable notwithstanding legislative changes. Socially, it affirms the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms, thereby playing a vital role in upholding social justice and equality. Politically, the doctrine strengthens the system of checks and balances through judicial review, thus securing the democratic framework of governance. Overall, this principle has profoundly influenced the shaping of India’s democratic ideals, the protection of individual rights, and the maintenance of the balance of power between the judiciary and legislature.  

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CONSTITUTIONALISM TOWARD SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ‘ILLIBERAL DEMOCRACY’ IN UGANDA: A CONSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Volume 1 Issue IV /

CONSTITUTIONALISM TOWARD SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ‘ILLIBERAL DEMOCRACY’ IN UGANDA: A CONSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE Hanifa Tyakagire, PhD in Law Candidate, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia. Shamrahayu A. Aziz, Assoc. Professor Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia. Download Manuscript ABSTRACT This study aims to discuss constitutionalism as a tool for protecting Uganda from ‘illiberal democracy’. The study examines constitutionalism and its principles on the fate of democracy in Uganda. It offers a valuable constitutional perspective on illiberal democracy while giving insightful viewpoints on how constitutionalism can protect and strengthen democratic systems. Through an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of Uganda’s constitution, this paper seeks to contribute information regarding whether constitutionalism can be a viable approach to limiting government authority in instances where states engage in illiberal democratic practices. The study employs a qualitative research design to explore constitutionalism in Uganda and especially its prevention of ‘illiberal democracy.’ This approach involves the content analysis of judicial opinions as the legal doctrinal research is combined with the applied law methods. This will give a clear and thorough understanding of primary sources, for example, the 1995 Uganda constitution and secondary sources, including research literature and documentary reviews. The findings reveal that illiberal democracy is not committed to the idea of ‘‘checks and balance’’ and, in particular, it maintains four fundamental principles: 1) the limits of governmental power; 2) adherence to the law; 3) protection of individual rights; and 4) preservation of democratic principles and approaches to interpreting the Constitution and is often a threat to constitutionalism. Consequently, the study recommends that changes should be called for through the way in which the Constitution is restored back to its 1995 status or that of the original version, as that would potentially reduce the presidential powers and strengthen provisions such as those regarding age and term limits. In addition, these reforms are in place to create a system conscious of Enlightenment ideas within society. By creating independent institutions to oversee government actions, constitutionalism can ensure that democratic principles are safeguarded against illiberal democracy. Type Information Research Paper LawFoyer International Journal of Doctrinal Legal Research, Volume I, Issue IV, Page 467-486. Creative Commons Copyright This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Copyright © LIJDLR 2024

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