Part VI - The States • Article

Article 230 Simplified: Extension of jurisdiction of High Courts to Union territories

Article 230 empowers Parliament to extend a state High Court's jurisdiction to, or exclude it from, any Union Territory. Once extended, the state legislature has no power to change or abolish this jurisdiction, and administrative rules for subordinate courts in the Union Territory are approved by the President instead of the Governor.

Official Text

(1) Parliament may by law extend the jurisdiction of a High Court to, or exclude the jurisdiction of a High Court from, any Union territory. (2) Where the High Court of a State exercises jurisdiction in relation to a Union territory,— (a) nothing in this Constitution shall be construed as empowering the Legislature of the State to increase, restrict or abolish that jurisdiction; and (b) the reference in article 227 to the Governor shall, in relation to any rules, forms or tables for subordinate courts in that territory, be construed as a reference to the President.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

Only Parliament can decide to extend a state's High Court powers to cover a nearby Union Territory (like putting Lakshadweep under the Kerala High Court). Once this is done, the state politicians cannot interfere with the court's powers in that Union Territory.

Student Mode

Article 230 vests the power to extend or exclude High Court jurisdiction over Union Territories exclusively in Parliament. When a state High Court's jurisdiction is extended to a UT, the state legislature cannot alter that jurisdiction, and rules for subordinate courts in the UT are approved by the President rather than the Governor.

Example

Parliament extended the jurisdiction of the Kerala High Court to cover the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. Under Article 230, only Parliament can alter this jurisdiction. The Kerala State Legislature has no authority to pass laws affecting the High Court's powers over Lakshadweep.

Key Takeaway

Article 230 gives Parliament exclusive control over extending High Court jurisdictions to Union Territories, shielding them from state-level legislative interference.

FAQs

Can a state legislature restrict the jurisdiction of its High Court over a Union Territory?

No, Article 230(2)(a) explicitly bars state legislatures from increasing, restricting, or abolishing High Court jurisdiction once extended to a Union Territory.

Who approves rules for subordinate courts in a UT under Article 230?

The President of India, as references to the 'Governor' are construed as references to the President for UT territories.

Which High Court has jurisdiction over the UT of Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

The Calcutta High Court, extended by an Act of Parliament.

Quiz

Who has the power to extend High Court jurisdiction to a Union Territory?

Answer: The Parliament of India

When a state High Court's jurisdiction is extended to a UT, rules for its subordinate courts are approved by:

Answer: The President of India