Question

With reference to the powers of the High Court, briefly describe the following: 

1. What is meant by the Original Jurisdiction of the High Court? Mention two types of cases in which the High Court exercises Original Jurisdiction.
2. Mention two types of cases in which the High Court exercises Appellate Jurisdiction.
3. How does the High Court control the power of the Legislature and the Executive?

Answer 1

1. Original Jurisdiction allows some cases to be taken to the High Court directly without previously being heard in lower courts.
   1. The High Court can hear cases related to wills, divorce, marriage, corporation law, and contempt of court.
   2. The High Courts of Bombay and Madras had original jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases involving Christians and the Parsees.
2. Two types of cases in which the High Court exercises Appellate Jurisdiction are:
   1. Against a Sessions or Additional Sessions Judge's sentence of more than seven years in jail.
   2. Appealing against jail sentences of more than four years issued by an Assistant Sessions Judge, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, or other judicial magistrates.
3. The High Courts' jurisdiction remains unchanged from the Constitution's creation. The High Court may cancel Legislative laws and Executive orders if they violate the Constitution.