The Big Questions
Q1: What is the concept of justice?
​Ans: Justice means fair treatment for everyone in society, ensured through laws and their proper enforcement. It has two aspects – substantive justice, which looks at whether the final decision or outcome is fair and reasonable, and procedural justice, which ensures that every person gets a full and fair opportunity to be heard before a decision is made. A core principle of justice is that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Q2: Why is it important for a just and harmonious Society?
​Ans: Justice is essential because it allows people to live with equality, dignity, and peace. Without justice, disputes would go unresolved, the powerful could exploit the weak, and trust in the system of governance would break down. A just society ensures that laws protect everyone equally, that unfair or discriminatory practices (like colonial-era laws or the Jim Crow laws) are challenged and removed, and that individuals have a fair mechanism – the judicial system – to raise grievances and get them resolved. This maintains social order, protects fundamental rights, and allows people to trust that fairness will prevail even when they are wronged.
Q3: What is the structure and role of the judiciary in India?
​Ans: The Indian judiciary is a unified, hierarchical system consisting of the Supreme Court at the apex (national) level, High Courts at the State level, and Subordinate Courts at the District level. The Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India, is the final interpreter of the Constitution and has original, appellate, writ, and advisory jurisdiction. High Courts are the highest courts within their States, exercising writ and supervisory jurisdiction over subordinate courts. Subordinate Courts (District Courts, Sessions Courts, Revenue Courts, etc.) are closest to the people and handle the bulk of everyday cases. The judiciary’s role is to ensure that laws passed by the legislature conform to the Constitution, that the executive does not overstep its powers, and that disputes are resolved fairly and independently.
Q4: What are the alternative modes of dispute resolution?
​Ans: To reduce the burden on courts, disputes can also be resolved through Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms: Arbitration (an independent arbitrator gives a final, legally binding decision), Mediation (a neutral mediator helps parties reach a mutual settlement but cannot impose a decision), Lok Adalats (people’s courts that settle disputes amicably, even before they reach a regular court), and Gram Nyayalayas (mobile, village-level courts with simplified procedures to decentralise justice).
Let’s Explore
Page No. 127
Q1: Think of a time when you felt that someone had not been fair to you. How did you feel? What did you think needed to be done to make the situation right? Who could have made things right? What would you do in such a situation? Share in small groups.
​Ans:Do it Yourself. Suggestive Answer: I once felt that a friend blamed me for something I hadn’t done, without giving me a chance to explain my side. I felt upset and helpless because the decision was made without hearing me out – this made me realise how important procedural justice is, i.e., giving every person a fair opportunity to be heard. I believe a trusted adult, like a teacher or parent, could have stepped in as a neutral party (similar to a mediator) to hear both sides and help reach a fair resolution. In such a situation, I would calmly explain my perspective, ask to be heard fully, and suggest that a neutral third person help sort out the disagreement, rather than let one side’s version be treated as final.
Page No. 135
Q2: Several High Courts mentioned in the table have more than one bench. Explore which High Courts have more than one bench with the help of your teachers.
​Ans: Do it Yourself. Suggestive Answer: Many High Courts that cover large states or multiple States/UTs have additional “benches” set up in other cities so that people don’t have to travel to the main seat of the High Court. For example, the Bombay High Court (seated in Mumbai) has benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Goa; the Gauhati High Court (seated in Guwahati) has benches at Kohima, Aizawl, and Itanagar to serve Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh; and the Madras High Court has a bench at Madurai. Students should verify the current list of benches with their teacher, as these can be updated over time.
Page No. 136
Q3: Which Subordinate Court is closest to where you live?
​Ans: Do it Yourself. Suggestive Answer: Students should find out the name and location of the nearest District Court, Sessions Court, or other subordinate court in their city/town/district, with the help of family members, teachers, or an online search, and note details such as its name and the type of cases it usually handles.
Page No. 137
Q4: [Builder-flat construction case] What could the family do, and what happened?
​Ans: As described in the text, the family, after finding no progress on their flat even four years after paying an advance of nearly ₹65 lakhs, approached the National Consumer Commission (a tribunal that handles consumer disputes) instead of a regular civil court. After hearing both parties, the Commission ordered the builder to refund the amount with interest and to also pay the cost of litigation. This shows how tribunals like the Consumer Fora provide a faster, specialised route to justice for disputes such as breach of contract by a builder.
Don’t Miss Out
Page No. 130
Q: This is the logo of the Supreme Court of India. What are the elements familiar to you? Notice the Sanskrit motto, ‘yato dharmastato jayah’ – ‘Where there is dharma, there is victory.’ (You might recall this motto from your Grade 6 textbook.)​Ans:Do it Yourself. Suggestive Answer: The Supreme Court’s logo contains the national emblem (the Ashoka Lion Capital) at the centre, which is a familiar symbol seen on Indian currency, government documents, and official seals. Around it is written the Sanskrit motto “Yato Dharmastato Jayah,” meaning “Where there is dharma (righteousness/duty), there is victory.” This same motto is inscribed below the national emblem used by the Government of India, so students may recall seeing it earlier, including in their Grade 6 textbook. It reflects the core belief that true justice ultimately triumphs when it is rooted in righteousness.
Questions and Activities
Q1: Write a model letter to the High Court or Supreme Court about a current social issue you have observed to bring it to the notice of the judiciary.
​Ans: Do it Yourself.Suggestive Answer (Sample Letter):
To, The Registrar, [High Court of ___ / Supreme Court of India] [Address]
Subject: Bringing to notice the issue of untreated sewage being discharged into [local river/water body name]
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am a student residing in [city/town]. I wish to bring to your kind notice that untreated industrial and household waste is being discharged into [name of river/water body] near my locality. This has led to discolouration of water, foul smell, and reports of residents falling ill after using this water for daily needs.
I request that this matter be looked into, as it affects the Right to Life and a clean environment for the residents of the area, and appropriate directions be issued to the concerned authorities/factories to stop this practice and restore the water quality.
Thanking you, Yours sincerely, [Name] [Address, Contact details] [Date]
Q2: Imagine that you are part of the legislature or executive. Given the large number of cases in the judicial system, what are some innovative solutions that you can devise to address the issue?
​Ans: Do it Yourself. Suggestive Answer: Some innovative solutions could include: increasing the number of judges and courts, especially at the subordinate level, so that cases are heard faster; strongly promoting Alternate Dispute Resolution methods such as Lok Adalats, mediation, and arbitration for disputes that don’t need a full trial; expanding the use of Gram Nyayalayas so that village-level disputes are resolved locally without long delays; using digital technology such as e-Filing, hybrid hearings, and the National Judicial Data Grid to make processes faster and reduce paperwork; setting fixed timelines for different categories of cases; and creating more specialised tribunals (like the NGT or Consumer Fora) so that specific types of disputes are handled by experts quickly instead of adding to the regular court backlog.
Q3: Create a moot court and enact the following cases. What are the considerations that the judge might need to take into account to arrive at a just outcome?
i. Anita and Sameer worked in a factory that produced different types of screws. They had both completed an Industrial Training Institute diploma and joined the factory together. One day, Anita discovered that she was getting paid less than Sameer for the same job. After many appeals to her boss and no change in her salary, she decided to go to court. Enact this scene from the litigants’ perspective, showcasing their respective points of view. What might be the outcome of the case?
​Ans: Do it Yourself. Suggestive Answer: In the moot court enactment, Anita (the litigant/complainant) would argue that she has the same qualification (ITI diploma), joined on the same date, and performs the same job as Sameer, yet is paid less – this amounts to unequal treatment and violates the principle of “equal pay for equal work.” The factory/employer would need to justify the pay difference, if any exists, based on legitimate factors such as experience, performance, or role differences; if no valid justification is given, this would be seen as discriminatory. The judge would need to consider: whether the work performed by both employees is genuinely equal in nature, skill, and responsibility; whether there is any lawful reason for the pay gap; and principles of equality and fairness at the workplace. Based on the facts given (same qualification, same date of joining, same job), the likely outcome would be a ruling in Anita’s favour, directing the factory to pay her equally and possibly compensate the shortfall.
ii. The people of a village living next to a river used its water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Gradually, they began to notice that the clear water was turning a brownish colour and had begun to smell too. Many people were falling sick. They figured that this was due to the effluents that were being discharged by a factory upstream. What are the steps that the residents of the village could take to ensure that the water is clean again?
​Ans: Do it Yourself. Suggestive Answer: The residents could first complain to the local authorities/Gram Panchayat and the Pollution Control Board about the factory discharging effluents into the river. If this does not resolve the issue, they could approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which specifically handles environmental disputes, or file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court (Article 226) or Supreme Court (Article 32), since this affects the Right to Life (Article 21) of the entire village. The judge/tribunal would need to consider: scientific evidence linking the factory’s effluents to the water contamination, the health impact on residents, whether the factory followed pollution-control norms, and the balance between the factory’s economic activity and the community’s right to clean water. A likely outcome would be an order directing the factory to stop the discharge, install proper effluent-treatment systems, and possibly pay compensation for the harm caused, along with monitoring by the Pollution Control Board going forward.
Q4: Many eminent individuals from across India have served as Supreme Court or High Court judges. Write an essay about one such individual from your state or district, talking about their contributions as a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court.
​Ans: Do it Yourself. Suggestive Answer: Students should research a Supreme Court or High Court judge from their own state or district – for example, by asking teachers, family, or searching reliable sources – and write a short essay covering: the judge’s background and journey to becoming a judge (e.g., years as an advocate or High Court judge before elevation, as per the qualifications discussed in this chapter); important judgments or contributions they are known for; and the impact of their work on the legal system or society. (Since this answer depends on the student’s own state/district, it should be researched and written individually rather than copied.)
Q5: Have an interaction with anyone you know who is a part of the judicial system. Try to understand their work, the challenges they face, and what gives them satisfaction. Create a small presentation and share it with the class. You can do this in small groups.
​Ans: Do it Yourself. Suggestive Answer: Students could interview a lawyer, judge, court clerk, or someone working in a Lok Adalat or legal aid office known to them or their family. Sample points to cover in the presentation: their daily responsibilities (e.g., preparing cases, representing litigants, hearing disputes); challenges faced, such as heavy caseloads, long working hours, or the emotional weight of some cases; and what gives them satisfaction, such as helping someone get justice, resolving a long-pending dispute, or contributing to a fair and transparent system. This activity should be based on a genuine interaction and prepared as a short group presentation for the class.