High court of India, which operates in all 28 states and 8 union territories, is the highest court in states. With authority over cases inside their respective regions, each state or union territory has its own high court. Operating under jurisdiction of Supreme Court, the highest court in India, these courts are essential components of the legal system.
India has twenty-five High Courts, six of which have jurisdiction over several States or Union Territories. Delhi is one of the Union Territories with its own High Court. The President of India appoints the Chief Justice and additional justices to each High Court.
Jurisdiction of High court:-
In India, a High Court’s jurisdiction is broad and diverse, covering a range of powers and authority. The following major categories can be used to classify High Court jurisdiction:
Original jurisdiction
Civil Jurisdiction :- within its territorial boundaries, High Courts having the power to hear civil cases involving Property, Contracts, Inheritance, and Other Issues,
Criminal jurisdiction: - Serious Criminal Crimes, Including Rape and Murder, can be heard by High Courts. In criminal cases they can also consider appeals from subordinate Courts.
Writ Jurisdiction: - in order to enforce fundamental rights or any other legal rights, High Court may grant writs under Article 226 of the constitution, including habeas corpus, mandamus, and prohibition, certiorari, and quo warranto.
Appellate jurisdiction: - In both civil and criminal cases, district courts and other lower courts file appeals with the high courts.
Tribunal Appeals: - High Court can also consider appeals from a number of specialized tribunals, including the Central Administrative Tribunal and the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal.
Supervisory Jurisdiction: - High Court have authority to monitor the function of lower courts and tribunals within their jurisdiction to ensure that justice is administered correctly and that no irregularities arise during the course of legal procedures.
Constitutional Jurisdiction:-High Courts can examine laws and executive actions to assess their constitutionality under article 226. They can strike down any law or action that violates the constitution.
Criminal Revision Jurisdiction: - High Courts have power to examine the decision of subordinate courts and amend any orders that are found to be illegal and unjust.
Court Of Record: - High Courts are Courts of record under Article 215 of the Constitution, Which means that their judgments and order are kept on file for future use and can be referenced in subsequent cases.
Jurisdiction of the Admiralty: - High Court have jurisdiction to hear cases related to Shipping, Marine Contracts, and disputes arising from them.
Power under the Contempt of Court Act: - In order to preserve the honor and decorum of the legal system, High Courts have Power to penalize both civil and criminal contempt of Court.
