When did the historic case of Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala come to conclusion in the Supreme Court? 

The correct answer is 1973.

Key Points

• The Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala case was a landmark judgment delivered by the Supreme Court of India in 1973.
• The case centered on the question of whether the Parliament's power to amend the Constitution was unlimited or subject to certain inherent restrictions.
• The judgment established the Basic Structure Doctrine, which asserts that certain fundamental features of the Constitution cannot be altered by Parliament.
• The verdict was delivered by a 13-judge bench, making it the largest bench in the history of the Indian judiciary.
• The case was significant in defining the balance of power between the Parliament and the judiciary in India.

Additional Information

• Basic Structure Doctrine:
  • It was introduced by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case to protect the fundamental framework of the Constitution.
  • Key elements of the basic structure include the supremacy of the Constitution, separation of powers, and the secular character of the state.
• Background of the Case:
  • The case was filed by Kesavananda Bharati, the head of a religious mutt in Kerala, challenging the Kerala government’s land reform laws.
  • It evolved into a broader debate on the Parliament's constitutional amending power under Article 368.
• Significance of the Verdict:
  • The judgment curtailed Parliament's ability to amend the Constitution in a way that undermines its essential features.
  • It empowered the judiciary to review constitutional amendments and protect the "basic structure."
• Judicial Bench:
  • The 13-judge bench had a narrow 7:6 majority, showcasing the complexity and divisiveness of the case.
  • Chief Justice S.M. Sikri presided over the bench, which included other prominent judges like Justice H.R. Khanna and Justice A.N. Ray.
• Impact on Indian Democracy:
  • The judgment upheld the principle of constitutional supremacy and reinforced checks and balances in governance.
  • It laid the foundation for judicial review as a safeguard against potential misuse of parliamentary power.