Court: Supreme Court of India · Date: 31 July 1980 · Citation: (1980) 3 SCC 625
Case
Minerva Mills v. Union of India
Facts
Challenge to amendments tilting the balance toward Directive Principles over fundamental rights.
Legal issues
Can Directive Principles be elevated so as to destroy fundamental rights / basic structure?
Law / provisions
Articles 14, 19, 31C; Parts III & IV harmony; basic structure.
Holding
Reaffirmed basic structure; harmony between Parts III and IV cannot be destroyed; certain amending clauses struck.
Key takeaways
- Directive Principles matter — they cannot erase fundamental rights wholesale.
- Basic structure protects the constitutional balance.
- Read with Kesavananda as a pair.
Significance
Classic Part III / IV balance judgment.
Primary source
https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1930028/
Verify the operative paragraphs on the court / reportable text. Indian Kanoon and similar mirrors are research aids, not certified copies.
Education desk note — Advocate Adesh Kumar — advadeshkumar.com
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