CBSE 8 Polity Ch 4 Judiciary Questions and Answers

Ch 4 – Judiciary Questions and Answers

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Exercise Questions & Answers 

1. You read that one of the main functions of the judiciary is ‘upholding the law and Enforcing Fundamental Rights”. Why do you think an independent judiciary is necessary to carry out this important function?
Ans: An independent judiciary means courts and judges can make fair decisions without being influenced by the government or powerful people.

2. Re-read the list of Fundamental Rights provided in Chapter 1. How do you think the Right to Constitutional Remedies connects to the idea of judicial review?
Ans: The Right to Constitutional Remedies allows people to go to court if their fundamental rights are violated. Through judicial review, the courts have the power to examine laws and government actions to ensure they follow the Constitution. If a law goes against the Constitution, the court can cancel or change it.

3. In the following illustration, fill in each tier with the judgments given by the various courts in the Sudha Goel case. Check your responses with others in class.

Ans

Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court found Laxman and his mother guilty but decided not to blame the brother-in-law, Subash, because there wasn’t enough proof against him. The Supreme Court decided to send the guilty ones to prison for life.
High CourtThe High Court acquitted Laxman, Shakuntala, and Subash Chandra.
Lower CourtThe Lower Court convicted Laxman, his mother Shakuntala, and his brother-in-law Subash Chandra, and sentenced all three of them to death.

4. Keeping the Sudha Goel case in mind, tick the true sentences and correct the false ones.
(a) The accused took the case to the High Court because they were unhappy with the decision of the Trial Court.
(b) They went to the High Court after the Supreme Court had decided.
(c) If they do not like the Supreme Court verdict, the accused can go back again to the Trial Court.
Ans: 
(a) The accused took the case to the High Court because they were unhappy with the decision of the Trial Court – True. 
(b) They went to the High Court after the Supreme Court had decided – False. 
Statement: They went to the High Court after the Trial Court, not the Supreme Court.
(c) If they do not like the Supreme Court verdict, the accused can go back again to the Trial Court. – False. 
Statement: The accused cannot return to the Trial Court after the Supreme Court’s decision because the Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal.

5. Why do you think the introduction of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the 1980s is a significant step in ensuring access to justice for all?
Ans: Public Interest Litigation (PIL) began in the 1980s and played a crucial role in helping more people, especially the poor and needy, get justice. It allowed anyone to ask the court to address problems affecting the public, even if they were not directly affected. This made it easier to fight injustice and ensured better access to legal help for more people.

6. Re-read excerpts from the judgment on the Olga Tellis vs Bombay Municipal Corporation case.
Now write in your own words what the judges meant when they said that the Right to Livelihood was part of the Right to Life.
Ans: In the Olga Tellis vs Bombay Municipal Corporation case, the judges said that the Right to Livelihood is part of the Right to Life. This means people need jobs to earn money and live. Without a job, they can’t buy food or take care of themselves. Taking away someone’s job is like taking away their right to live properly.

7. Write a story around the theme, ‘Justice delayed is justice denied. 
Ans: Raj was a farmer who worked hard on his land to feed his family. One day, a rich man claimed the land was his and showed fake papers. Raj went to court to prove the land was his, but the court took a very long time to decide.
While waiting, Raj lost his land and could not grow food for his family. They struggled for many years. After a few years, the court finally said the land was Raj’s, but it was too late. By then, his family had already suffered.
This shows that justice delayed is justice denied.

8. Make sentences with each of the glossary words given on the next page.
Ans: 
Acquit – The judge decided to acquit the teenager because he did nothing wrong.
To appeal – Raju thinks something is unfair so you can appeal to ask for a new decision.
Compensation – The shop gave her money as compensation because Puja broke her toy.
Eviction – The tenant faced eviction for not paying the rent on time. 
Violation – My father was fined for violation of traffic rules.

9. The following is a poster made by the Right to Food campaign

Read this poster and list the duties of the government to uphold the Right to Food. How does the phrase “Hungry stomachs, overflowing godowns! We will not accept it!!” used in the poster relate to the photo essay on the Right to Food on page 55?

Ans: The Constitution gives us the Right to Food as a Fundamental Right. This means if this right is harmed or if someone dies from hunger, the government is responsible. Recently, some farmers have been so upset they ended their own lives. 
The government should take steps to stop these unfair actions. Sometimes, traders hide a lot of food secretly, which causes a shortage of food for everyone. The government should catch these traders and punish them

Additional questions & answers

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Multiple choice questions & answers ( MCQs ) 

1. The Supreme Court was established on
(a) 26 January 1930 
(b) 26 January 1950 
(c) 26 January 1947
(d) 26 January 1970

Ans: (b) 26 January 1950

2. What is it called when harms our Fundamental Rights?
(a) Acquit
(b) Compensation
(c) Violation 
(d) Eviction

Ans: (c) Violation

3. What do we call money given to fix a loss?
(a) Acquit
(b) Eviction
(c) Violation
(d) Compensation

Ans: (d) Compensation

4. Which system has courts that explain the Constitution and make decisions?
(a) Judiciary
(b) Parliament
(c) Court
(d) Police

Ans: (a) Judiciary

5. The High Court of Delhi came up in – 
(a) 1950
(b) 1959 
(c) 1966
(d) 1970

Ans: (c) 1966

6. Which one is not associated with civil law?
(a) Divorce 
(b) Theft 
(c) Rent matters 
(d) Disputes related to the sale of land

Ans: (b) Theft

7. When was the first High Court started during British rule?
(a) 1862
(b) 1962
(c) 1866
(d) 1966

Ans: (a) 1862

8. The number of High Courts is – 
(a) 30
(b) 28 
(c) 25 
(d) 24

Ans: (c) 25

9. What is the full form of PIL- 
(a) Public Interfare Litigation
(b) Public Interface Litigation
(c) Public Interest Litigation
(d) Public Inter Litigation

Ans: (c) Public Interest Litigation

10. Who appoints the judges of the High Court? 
(a) The President of India
(b) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
(c) The governor of Delhi 
(d) The Prime Minister of India

Ans: (a) The President of India

11. Which court is the at lower level?
(a) Supreme Court
(b) District Court
(c) High Court 
(d) none of these

Ans: (b) District Court

12. Which court is the at upper level?
(a) Supreme Court
(b) Subordinate Court
(c) High Court
(d) none of these

Ans: (a) Supreme Court

13. How many high courts have in India?
(a) 25 High Courts
(b) 29 High Courts
(c) 24 High Courts
(d) 28 High Courts

Ans: (a) 25 High Courts

14. What does Article 21 give to people?
(a) Right to speak freely
(b) Right to live and be free
(c) Right to own property
(d) Right to vote

Ans: (b) Right to live and be free

15. Which is an example of civil law?
(a) Theft of a car
(b) Fighting over land or house
(c) Robbing a bank
(d) Kidnapping

Ans: (b) Fighting over land or house

16. Which is an example of criminal law?
(a) Not paying a bill
(b) Arguing about land
(c) Not returning borrowed money
(d) Stealing money

Ans: (d) Stealing money

17. In which of the following cities was the first High Court in India established?
(a) Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata
(b) Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai
(c) Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad
(d) Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi

Ans: (b) Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai

18. Who is the head of the Supreme Court in India?
(a) Prime Minister
(b) Chief Justice of India
(c) President of India
(d) District Court

Ans: (b) Chief Justice of India

19. Who can go to court and be heard?
(a) Poor people
(b) Politicians
(c) Rich people
(d) All people

Ans: (d) All people

20. Which Union Territory has its own High Court?
(a) Lakshadweep
(b) Delhi
(c) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
(d) Ladakh

Ans: (b) Delhi

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Fill in the blanks

1. There are _______________ different levels of courts in our country. 
2. Dowry case falls in a crime against _________________. 
3. Supreme Court that is located in _______________. 
4. The ____________ plays a significant role in protecting our Fundamental Rights. 
5. India is a ____________________ country. 
6. Each state has a ____________ which is the highest court of that state. 
7. Live to livelihood is a part of _______________________. 
8. Right to food is included in act ___________________. 
9. The decisions made by the_____________ are binding on all other courts in India.
10. The PIL was introduced in the year ________________.

Ans.
1. Three 
2. Society
3. New Delhi
4. Courts 
5. Democratic
6. High Court 
7. Right of life
8. National Food Security Act
9. Supreme Court 
10. 1980

True or False

(i) The Supreme Court is presided over by the Chief Justice of India. 
Ans: True.

(ii) Poor people can approach only the lower courts.
Ans: False.

(iii) The judiciary is the final interpreter of our constitution.
Ans: True. 

(iv) The judiciary acts as per the wishes of the government. 
Ans: False.

(v) India has 25 High Court. 
Ans: True. 

(vi) The PIL plays an important role in facilitating justice to all.
Ans: True.

(vii) A poor family can’t justice in India. 
Ans: False.

(viii) The courts where most people interact are called subordinate or district courts.
Ans: True. 

(ix) When a person is forced to leave their house or property, it is called Eviction. 
Ans: True. 

(x) Civil cases usually begin with the lodging of an FIR with the police who investigate the crime after which a case is filed in the court.
Ans: False.

Match the following

Column AColumn B
(a) Violation1. That helps people seek justice easily.”
(b) Trial Court2. Subordinated court
(c) Supreme Court3. Rules follow in the court
(d) Legal procedures4. Breaking of law
(e) Justice delayed5. Judgement late
(f) Panjab and Haryana6. New Delhi
(g) Dispute resolution7. Set up on 26 January, 1950
(h) Judiciary8. An organ of the state
(i) High Court of Delhi9. Solving of Disputes
(j) PIL10. A common high court at Chandigarh

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Ans: 

Column AColumn B
(a) Violation4. Breaking of law
(b) Trial Court2. Subordinated court
(c) Supreme Court7. Set up on 26 January, 1950
(d) Legal procedures3. Rules follow in the Court 
(e) Justice delayed5. Judgement late
(f) Panjab and Haryana10. A common high court at Chandigarh
(g) Dispute resolution9. Solving of Disputes
(h) Judiciary8. An organ of the state
(i) High Court of Delhi6. New Delhi
(j) PIL1. That helps people seek justice easily.

Short type questions & answers

1. Define Judiciary. 
Ans: The judiciary is the system of courts and judges that interprets and applies the law, resolves disputes and ensures justice in society.

2. What is the role of the judiciary? Give one example. 
Ans: The judiciary ensures justice, protects rights, and interprets the Constitution for example the Supreme Court resolves water disputes between states, such as Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

3. What is the meaning of Independent judiciary?
Ans: An independent judiciary means courts and judges can make fair decisions without being influenced by the government or powerful people.

4. Which states come under the Jurisdiction of Guwahati High Court? 
Ans: The states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram are under the Jurisdiction of the Guwahati High Court.

5. What do you mean by the appellate system? 
Ans: The appellate system allows a person dissatisfied with a lower court’s judgment to appeal to a higher court for a review.

6. Name a few offences that are associated with criminal law. 
Ans: Criminal law deals with serious offences like murder, theft, kidnapping, harassment for dowry, and physical assault. 

7. Give the full form of FIR and PIL. 
Ans:
FIR – First Information Report 
PIL – Public Interest Litigation.

8. Who appoints the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? 
Ans: The President appoints the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

9. In which Article of the Constitution is the Fundamental Right to Life guaranteed? 
Ans: The Fundamental Right to Life is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

10. How many judges are there in the Supreme Court?
Ans: The Supreme Court of India has 33 judges, with a total sanctioned strength of 34, including the Chief Justice.

11. Why is the Supreme Court called the guardian of the Constitution?
Ans: The Supreme Court is called the guardian of the Constitution because it ensures that laws and government actions do not violate the Constitution and protects Fundamental Rights.

12. Difference between the High Court and the Supreme Court?
Ans: 

Supreme CourtHigh Court
1. The Supreme Court is the highest in the country.1. The High Court is the highest in a state.
2. The Supreme Court makes decisions for the whole country.2. High Courts can have jurisdiction over multiple states, like Punjab & Haryana High Court.

13. Difference between Civil law and Criminal law?
Ans: 

Civil lawCriminal law 
1. Civil law is about problems between people, like fights for property.1. Criminal law is about crimes, like stealing. 
2. Civil law cases don’t put people in jail but can make them pay money.2. Criminal law cases can send people to jail or give them punishment.

14. What are the subordinate Court?
Ans: Subordinate courts, also called lower courts, are below the High Court. They handle civil cases (like family disputes and land issues) and criminal cases (like theft and minor crimes). Examples include District Courts, Family Courts, and Magistrate Courts.

15. Are courts open to everyone? What happens in reality?
Ans: All citizens of India have the right to access the courts for justice. In reality, poor people often struggle to go to court because of high costs, legal complexities, paperwork, and long waiting times. However, Legal Aid Services and Public Interest Litigation (PIL) help make justice more accessible.

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Long-type questions and answers 

1. Write a short note about the Independent Judiciary.
Ans: An independent judiciary means courts and judges can make fair decisions without being influenced by the government or powerful people. Courts are not controlled by the government and do not work for it.  For example, if a politician controls a judge, the judge may be forced to favour the politician to stop this, the Indian Constitution makes sure the judiciary stays independent and fair.

An independent judiciary makes sure the legislature and executive do not misuse their power and helps protect our Fundamental Rights because people can go to court if they feel their rights have been taken away.

2. What is the Judiciary? What is the role of the Judiciary?
Ans: The judiciary is the system of courts and judges that make sure laws are followed. It helps solve problems between people and decides what is right or wrong based on the law. In India, the judiciary is independent, which means judges can make fair decisions without any pressure from the government or powerful people. This helps keep justice and protect everyone’s rights.
The Role of the Judiciary 
A. Solving Disputes: Courts help solve arguments between people, between people and the government, between two states, or between the central government and a state.
B. Judicial review: Courts can cancel a law made by Parliament if it goes against the rules of the Constitution. This is called judicial review.
C. Protecting Rights: If someone feels their Fundamental Rights have been taken away, they can ask the Supreme Court or High Court for help.

3. What is the structure of the court in India?
Ans: In India, courts are organized at three different levels, most people go to district courts ( In districts, tehsils, or towns) and handle many types of cases. Each district has a District Judge in charge. Each state has a High Court, which is the highest court in that state. At the top is the Supreme Court, located in New Delhi, led by the Chief Justice of India. Decisions made by the Supreme Court must be followed by all other courts in India.

In India, we have an integrated judicial system. This means a person can appeal to a higher court if they believe that the judgment passed by the lower court is not fair.

The example you provided, State (Delhi Administration) vs Laxman Kumar and Others (1985), is a good illustration of how the appellate system works in India.

4. Difference between Civil Law and Criminal Law.
Ans: 

Civil Law Criminal Law 
1. Civil law deals with problems between people, such as land issues, shopping, rent, or divorce.1. Criminal law is about crimes, like stealing, asking a woman for more dowry, or hurting someone.
2. A petition has to be filed before the relevant court by the affected party only. In a rent matter, either the landlord or tenant can file a case.2. It usually starts when a First Information Report (FIR) is filed with the police, who then investigate the crime, and the case is brought to court. 
3. The court gives the specific relief asked for. For instance, in a case between a landlord and a tenant, the court can order the flat to be vacated and pending rent to be paid.3. If found guilty, the accused can be sent to jail and also fined.
4. In civil law, a person files the case. 4. In criminal law, the government files the case.

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