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Difference between Due Process of Law and Procedure Established by Law
IMPORTANT LINKS
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GS Paper |
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Topics for UPSC Prelims |
Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India, Procedural Safeguards in Indian Law |
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Topics for UPSC Mains |
Judicial Review and Activism, Role of Judiciary in Protecting Rights |
Difference between Procedure Established and Due Process of Law
The key difference between Procedure Established by Law and Due Process of Law is that Procedure Established by Law mandates strict adherence to the legal procedures prescribed by law, regardless of the law's fairness. Due Process of Law requires that both the procedures and the laws themselves must be fair, just, and reasonable.
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Difference between Due Process of Law and Procedure Established by Law |
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Aspect |
Procedure Established by Law |
Due Process of Law |
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Origin |
Derived from the British legal system. |
Originated in the American legal system, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. |
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Constitutional Reference (India) |
Article 21 of the Indian Constitution: "No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law." |
The concept of "due process" is not explicitly stated but has been read into Article 21 by the judiciary. |
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Concept |
Ensures actions are taken according to the formal legal procedures prescribed by law. |
Ensures laws and actions are just, fair, and reasonable, considering both procedures and the substance of the law. |
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Focus |
Emphasizes strict adherence to procedural formalities specified in the law. |
Emphasizes both procedural fairness and the substantive justice of laws. |
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Judicial Review Scope |
Courts limit their review to whether the procedure prescribed by law has been correctly followed. |
Courts have the authority to assess not only whether the proper procedure was followed but also whether the law itself is fair and just. |
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Scope of Protection |
Narrower scopes - Generally tend to ensure that only the laid down legal procedure is followed, irrespective of considering the fairness in procedure itself. |
On the other hand, there are broader scopes here. This would include individual protection against unjust laws and procedures towards overall fairness and justice. |
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Impact on Fundamental Rights |
Can uphold laws that may be arbitrary, as long as the correct procedure is followed. |
Protects individuals from arbitrary laws, demanding that both the law and the procedures are fair, reasonable, and just. |
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Interpretation in Indian Context |
Initially interpreted narrowly (A.K. Gopalan case, 1950) to mean only procedural adherence. Over time, the Indian judiciary has expanded its interpretation to include elements of substantive due process (Maneka Gandhi case, 1978). |
Recognized within the framework of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution post-Maneka Gandhi case, where the Supreme Court ruled that the procedure must be "right, just, and fair" and not arbitrary, fanciful, or oppressive. |
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Implications |
May lead to the upholding of laws that are procedurally correct but may be inherently unjust or oppressive. |
Ensures that laws must meet standards of fairness and reasonableness, providing greater protection to individual rights and liberties. |
What is the Procedure Established by Law?
The procedure of law refers to the proper enactment of a law by the legislature or relevant body, which renders it valid. In this context, the court examines whether a law exists, if the legislature has the authority to create the law, and if the proper procedure was followed during the legislation without assessing the intent of the law itself. A significant drawback of this doctrine is that it fails to ensure that laws enacted by the parliament are fair, just, and not arbitrary.
"Procedure established by law" also implies that a law, regardless of its divergence from principles of justice and equity, remains valid once properly enacted. As the focus is primarily on following the procedure during law establishment, there is a higher risk of compromising individuals' life and personal liberty due to unjust laws created by legislative authorities. Consequently, "Procedure established by law" safeguards individuals solely against the arbitrary actions of the executive.
Study the Schedules of the Indian Constitution here.
Due Process of Law Meaning
The doctrine of due process of law examines whether a law is in place to deprive someone of their life and personal liberty while ensuring that the law itself is fair, just, and not arbitrary. If the Supreme Court finds that any law fails this criterion, it usually declares it unconstitutional, which in turn guarantees that the individual rights will be honored.
Under the concept of "due process of law," it is required that all states respect the legal rights owed to individuals. The laws enacted by states must adhere to principles such as fairness, fundamental rights, and liberty. Due process of law grants individuals the freedom to access fundamental fairness, justice, and liberty provided by legislation. This doctrine protects individuals from the arbitrary actions of both the executive and the legislature.
Learn about Fundamental Rights here.
Important Supreme Court Judgments
The below mentioned are the examples of some important cases:
Maneka Gandhi Vs. Union of India case (1978)
Maneka Gandhi Vs. Union of India was a major Supreme Court of India case in which the Court considerably broadened the meaning of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The court ruled that “personal liberty” should not be defined narrowly and rigorously but broadly and liberally.
ADM Jabalpur Vs. Shivkant Shukla
The ADM Jabalpur case is a seminal Supreme Court of India judgment on habeas corpus. During the Emergency of 1975 to 1977, P.N. Bhagwati issued a controversial ruling declaring that a person’s right not to be wrongfully held might be suspended.
AK Gopalan Vs. State of Madras
The Supreme Court of India issued a significant judgment in Gopalan Vs. The state of Madras ruled that Article 21 of the Constitution did not compel Indian courts to use a due process of law standard. This case was decided by a 5:1 majority of the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench of six judges.
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Key Takeaways on the Difference between Procedure Established and Due Process of Law for UPSC Aspirants
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Difference between Procedure Established and Due Process of Law UPSC FAQs
What is the difference between procedure established by law and due process of law?
The main difference is that "procedure established by law" focuses on the legality of the law itself. The "due process of law" emphasizes fairness and reasonableness in the procedures followed to implement the law.
What is the procedure established by law?
Procedure established by law refers to a legal principle that states as long as a law has been enacted and followed, it satisfies the requirement of due process.
What is due process of law in Indian courts?
Due process of law in Indian courts refers to the requirement that the law must be fair, just, and reasonable. The procedures followed should ensure justice and protect individual rights.
What is the procedure established by law and due process of law under Article 21?
Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. Initially, it adopted the concept of "procedure established by law. However, through judicial interpretation, it has been expanded to incorporate the principles of "due process of law" to ensure fairness and protect fundamental rights.