Scope of Article 131:

Article 131 of the Indian Constitution delineates the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in disputes involving the states and the central government. This provision ensures that certain types of disputes can be directly brought before the Supreme Court without needing to go through lower courts first.

Scope of Article 131:

1. Types of Disputes:
   • Between the Government of India and one or more states.
   • Between the Government of India and any state or states on one side and one or more other states on the other.
   • Between two or more states.
2. Nature of Disputes:
   • The disputes must involve a question of law or fact on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.
   • Matters not covered by this article are disputes arising out of agreements, treaties, contracts, or similar obligations which can be heard by lower courts.

Related Case Law:

Here are some notable cases that have interpreted and applied Article 131:

1. State of Karnataka vs. Union of India (1977):
   • Issue: The validity of the President’s rule imposed in Karnataka.
   • Ruling: The Supreme Court held that it had the jurisdiction to adjudicate the dispute under Article 131. However, the Court also noted that certain political questions may not be justiciable.
2. State of West Bengal vs. Union of India (1963):
   • Issue: The dispute was over the acquisition of land and compensation to be paid by the central government.
   • Ruling: The Supreme Court decided that it had the jurisdiction to hear the case under Article 131, as it involved the extent of the legal rights of the state.
3. State of Rajasthan vs. Union of India (1977):
   • Issue: The validity of the imposition of President’s Rule in states.
   • Ruling: The Supreme Court recognized its jurisdiction under Article 131 but upheld the President’s rule, emphasizing that the decision was based on political considerations and not justiciable issues.
4. State of Bihar vs. Union of India (1970):
   • Issue: Dispute over the quantum of compensation to be paid by the central government for certain properties.
   • Ruling: The Supreme Court exercised its jurisdiction under Article 131, highlighting the original jurisdiction of the Court in disputes involving legal rights between states and the central government.
5. West Bengal vs. Union of India (2011):
   • Issue: Dispute over the proposed bifurcation of the Eastern Railway Zone.
   • Ruling: The Supreme Court held that it had the jurisdiction to decide on the matter under Article 131 as it pertained to the legal rights of the state of West Bengal.

Conclusion:

Article 131 plays a crucial role in maintaining the federal structure of India by providing a mechanism for resolving disputes between states and the central government. The Supreme Court’s interpretation and application of this article in various cases have underscored its importance in upholding the constitutional balance between different entities within the Union of India.