Question

In Sukanya Shantha v. Union of India (2024), the Supreme Court held that _________.

• A. The sub-classification of the SC and ST categories is permissible and States have the power to create these sub-classifications.
• B. The provisions of prison manuals of several States allowing caste-based discrimination for division of manual labour violate the Constitutional principles.
• C. Bar Councils cannot charge more than the amount specified under section 24 of Advocates Act, 1961 as enrolment fee.
• D. A bail condition requiring an accused to share Google Maps pin with the investigating officer to access his location violates Right to Privacy.

Hint:

Recent landmark Supreme Court judgments that uphold fundamental rights against discriminatory practices are important for law entrance exams. The Sukanya Shantha case is a key example of the court striking down caste-based discrimination.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

This question refers to a specific, recent Supreme Court judgment.
The case of Sukanya Shantha v.
Union of India dealt with the issue of discriminatory practices within prisons.
The Supreme Court took strong exception to provisions in the prison manuals of several states that assigned work to inmates based on their caste.
The Court held that such practices, which allot menial jobs like cleaning toilets to prisoners based on their caste, are a form of forced labor and are a clear violation of fundamental constitutional principles, particularly the Right to Dignity under Article 21 and the prohibition of discrimination under Article 15.