Overview on Supervisory Jurisdiction

In India, the Supreme Court is the highest court of jurisdiction. There is no other institution above the Supreme Court. The Constitution of India has provided for the separation of the judicial system from the legislative and the executive bodies. It is done so that a system of checks and balances can be maintained. Supervisory Jurisdiction is one of the many spoken provisions of the Supreme Court that is backed by the constitution. The Supreme Court being the apex court of appeal in India enjoys certain monopoly rights in judicial matters. The separation of the judiciary is a crucial feature. 

Supervisory Jurisdiction

Supervisory Jurisdiction is a provision that is provided by the Indian Constitution. It is a special feature of the judicial system In India that defines its powers and supremacy. Supervisory Jurisdiction implied implicit control over Subordinate Courts. The special feature of the Supervisory Jurisdiction is to formulate the boundaries of operation and maintain a vigil over the subordinate courts and their rulings. Along with the Judicial Review, the Supreme Court has the most power in laying down the rules and policies for future generations in the country. All of its powers are derived from the constitution. Article 277 is an article that provides for the provision of supervisory jurisdiction in the constitution.

Subordinate Courts

The subordinate courts are courts that fall under the authority of the Supreme Court and owe their existence to the Indian government and the constitution. The subordinate courts are the district courts. The frequency of subordinate courts in a district depends on the number of people residing in that district. Therefore, subordinate courts can be more than one in some districts as well. The governor with the High Court appoints the District Judge. The subordinate courts are under the authority of the High Court and indirectly under the control of the Supreme Court. The supervisory jurisdiction applies to the subordinate courts. Over minor subordinate courts is the district court. The minor subordinate courts are:

• Principal and Junior Civil Judge Court 
• First Class Judicial Magistrate Court
• Family court
• Chief Judicial Magistrate Court
• Mahila Court

Control Over Subordinate Courts

Supervisory Jurisdiction is an aspect of the High court that derives its power from the Supreme Court. The High Court is at the top of discotic courts and exercises supervisory jurisdiction over subordinate courts. Both the Supreme Court and High Courts exercise supervisory jurisdiction over their subordinate courts. The control over subordinate courts is the collective and individual responsibility of subordinate courts to superior courts in certain matters. 

Power of Judicial Review

The power of Judicial Review is a special provision provided to the Supreme Court and the High Court. It falls under the judicial supremacy banner and is a part of the Supervisory Jurisdiction. The judicial review allows the Supreme Court and the High Court to review cases from subordinate courts and legislative as well as executive bodies. The rulings made here under the exercise of Judicial Review are supreme. These courts can rule a decision taken by a subordinate court null if they so see fit. 

Conclusion

The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal in the country and is above the district as well as high courts of each state. The Supreme Court has the power to interpret constitutional mandates and presides over Parliamentary bills. The judiciary is separate from the legislative and executive bodies which enable the Supreme Court to review cases from both of these institutions’ impartiality.