Which of the following are included in the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?

1. A dispute between the Government of India and one or more States
2. A dispute regarding elections to either House of the Parliament or that of Legislature of a State
3. A dispute between the Government of India and a Union Territory
4. A dispute between two or more States

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 4 only
4. 3 and 4 only

Explanation

Only options 1 and 4 are correct

• Article 131 of the Constitution of India confers original jurisdiction on the Supreme Court to adjudicate disputes: (a) between the Government of India on one side and one or more States on the other side, (b) between the Government of India and any State or States on one side and one or more States on the other side, (c) between two or more States.
• The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court can be invoked only when the question either of law or fact on which the existence or extent of a “legal right” depends. This provision has been borrowed, with few modifications from the Government of India Act, 1935 which provided original jurisdiction to the Federal court. No private party can invoke the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 131.
• Disputes regarding elections to Parliament or State Legislatures are not part of the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India. Such election petitions are filed in High Courts. Further, the original jurisdiction under Article 131 of the Constitution of India does not extend to disputes involving Union Territories.

Answer: (c) 1 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Easy