Raj Narain, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court used the basic structure doctrine to strike down the 39th amendment and paved the way for restoration of Indian democracy. However, the passage of the 39th Amendment proved that in fact this apprehension was well-founded. When the Kesavananda case was decided, the underlying apprehension of the majority bench that elected representatives could not be trusted to act responsibly was perceived to be unprecedented. Primary among these was the imposition of the by in, and the subsequent attempt to suppress her prosecution through the 39th Amendment. Although the court upheld the basic structure doctrine by only the narrowest of margins, it has since gained widespread acceptance and legitimacy due to subsequent cases and judgments. In a sharply divided verdict, by a margin of 7-6, the court held that while the Parliament has 'wide' powers, it did not have the power to destroy or emasculate the basic elements or fundamental features of the constitution. The 13-judge of the Supreme Court deliberated on the limitations, if any, of the powers of the elected representatives of the people and the nature of fundamental rights of an individual. The basic structure doctrine forms the basis of power of the to review, and strike down, enacted by the which conflict with or seek to alter this of the Constitution. At the same time,the Court also upheld the constitutionality of first provision of Article 31(c), which implied that any constitutional amendment seeking to implement the Directive Principles, which does not affect the 'Basic Structure', shall not be subjected to judicial review. The Court partially cemented the prior precedent, which held that constitutional amendments pursuant to Article 368 were subject to fundamental rights review, by asserting that only those amendments which tend to affect the 'basic structure of the Constitution' are subject to judicial review. Asserted through this doctrine that the constitution possesses a basic structure of constitutional principles and values. (: (1973) 4 SCC 225) is a of the that outlined the of the.
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