NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 4 - Judiciary

1. You read that one of the main functions of the judiciary is ‘upholding the law and Enforcing Fundamental Rights’. Why do you think an independent judiciary is necessary to carry out this important function?

Ans: The independent judiciary is necessary to carry out this function because the judiciary's independence permits it to play a key role in "upholding the law and enforcing fundamental rights,". It ensures that the legislature and the administration do not abuse their power. If they believe their rights have been violated, anyone can go to court. Politicians and other socially influential persons cannot use their power to influence any decision.

2. Re-read the list of Fundamental Rights provided in Chapter 1. Why do you think the Right to Constitutional Remedies is connected to the idea of judicial review?

Ans: If an Indian citizen believes that the state has violated any of his or her Fundamental Rights, he or she has the right to file a lawsuit in court. The judiciary, as the last interpreter of the Constitution, has the right to review or even overturn any law approved by Parliament or the court if it considers it violates the constitution's basic structure. Every citizen has equal rights under the Constitution, and no one can be discriminated against. If there is a violation, the judiciary, including the Supreme Court, is free to reconsider previous judgments. In this way, we can see how the Fundamental Rights' Right to Constitutional Remedies is linked to and supported by the concept of judicial review.

3. In the following illustration, fill in each tier with the judgments given by the various courts in the Sudha Goel case. Check your responses with others in class.

Ans: Laxman, his mother Shakuntala, and his brother-in-law Subhash Chandra were all sentenced to death by the lower court (Trial Court).

Laxman, Shakuntala, and Subhash Chandra were acquitted by the High Court.

Laxman and Shakuntala were sentenced to life in jail, while Subhash Chandra was acquitted due to a lack of evidence by the Supreme court. 

4. Keeping the Sudha Goel case in mind, tick the sentences that are true and correct the ones that are false.

1. The accused took the case to the High Court because they were unhappy with the decision of the Trial Court.

Ans: True - The defendants appealed to the High Court because they were dissatisfied with the Trial Court's ruling.

2. They went to the High Court after the Supreme Court had given its decision.

Ans: False - They are not allowed to appeal to the High Court once the Supreme Court has issued its ruling. After the Trial Court made its verdict, they went to the High Court.

3. If they do not like the Supreme Court verdict, the accused can go back again to the Trial Court.

Ans: False - If the accused does not like the Supreme Court's decision, they cannot appeal to the Trial Court because the Supreme Court is at the top of the legal hierarchy.

5. Why do you think the introduction of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the 1980s is a significant step in ensuring access to justice for all?

Ans: Since filing lawsuit in the courts was exceedingly expensive before the 1980s, the establishment of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the 1980s was a key step in improving access to justice for all. The illiterate and underprivileged cannot afford to seek justice in India for exploitation or violations of their basic human and fundamental rights. People have been able to file cases with the Supreme Court or the High Courts by sending a letter or telegram since the 1980s. Without investing any money, the courts accept it as a PIL (Public Interest Litigation).

6. Re-read excerpts from the judgment on the Olga Tellis vs Bombay Municipal Corporationcase. Now write in your own words what the judges meant when they said that the Right to Livelihood was part of the Right to Life.

Ans: The justices in the case of OlgaTellis vs.Bombay Municipal Corporation stated that the Right to Livelihood was a part of the Right to Life. They claimed that life is more than just an animal existence; it can't survive without a means of subsistence, or "the means of livelihood." No one can exist without a source of income. A person's livelihood is earning money in order to purchase food, clothing, and shelter. As a result, no one may be deprived of their livelihood. The court agreed that eviction from a pavement or slum deprives the impoverished of their means of subsistence since they cannot afford to live elsewhere. They do small jobs in the neighbouring districts, and losing their pavement or slum would mean losing a job, and hence a source of income. As a result, "life deprivation" occurs. The judges linked the Right to Livelihood to the Right to Life in this way.

7. Write a story around the theme, ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’.

Ans: Ramu, a hardworking farmer from Gokul, lived with his family. His small path of land was their sole source of income. One day, a wealthy landowner named Shyam, known for his greed, falsely claimed Ramu's land and seized it by force. Ramu was upset and went to court to seek justice. Ramu filed his lawsuit, but the court became overrun with other cases and repeatedly postponed his hearing. Days developed into months, and then into years. Ramu and his family struggled without their land. His children were forced to leave school, and his wife's health suffered due to stress and terrible living conditions.

Years later, a young lawyer called Sita learned about Ramu's situation. She decided to help him without charge.

8. Make sentences with each of the glossary words given on the next page.

Ans: 

1. Acquit: The jury decided to acquit the defendant because of insufficient evidence to convict them of the crime.

2. To Appeal: The defendant chose to take their case to the High Court when their lawyer claimed the court's ruling was incorrect.

3. Compensation: The airlines granted the victim fifty thousand rupees as compensation for the inconvenience caused by the aircraft delays.

4. Eviction: The couple faced eviction after failing to pay the bank's monthly installments.

5. Violation: The office staff protested the company's violation of their rights.

9. The following is a poster made by the Right to Food campaign.

Read this poster and list the duties of the government to uphold the Right to Food.

How does the phrase “Hungry stomachs, overflowing godowns! We will not accept it!!” used in the poster relate to the photo essay on the Right to Food on page 55?

Ans: The duties of the government to uphold the Right to Food:

• The government must ensure that there is enough food to meet the needs of the population.

• Successful processes must be implemented to keep food from being stored or wasted, ensuring that it reaches those in need.

• The government must ensure that food supplies are distributed equally and successfully, particularly to the poorest parts of society.

• The government should establish and maintain programs such as the Public Distribution System (PDS) to distribute food at reduced cost to the poor.

• The government should launch and support programs to reduce hunger and improve the nutritional status of the population.

• The government must make food available and affordable to everyone, removing barriers that prevent people from getting enough food.

• The government should develop and execute policies and laws to preserve and promote the right to food while ensuring responsibility and transparency in their implementation.

Relation to the Photo Essay

The phrase "Hungry stomachs, overflowing godowns!" We will not accept it!!" exposes stark contradictions in which food stocks exist but many people go hungry. This statement highlights the inefficiency and inequality in food distribution and storage procedures. Similar topics are likely illustrated on page 55 of the photo essay on the Right to Food, which depicts real-life instances in which food is available but unavailable to those in need. This connection highlights the importance of government action to close the gap between food supply and accessibility, ensuring that no one goes hungry while food supplies go to waste.

Topics Covered In Class 8 Civics Chapter 4 Judiciary

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Our Judiciary Chapter 4

• Civics Class 8 Chapter 4 helps students understand how India's legal system works, including court structure and roles.

• Students learn about their fundamental rights and how the judiciary protects them, becoming more informed and responsible citizens.

• Civics Class 8 Chapter 4 helps students to think carefully about themes like justice, fairness, and the rule of law, which improves their analytical skills.

• Learning about the judiciary helps children understand their civic duties and responsibilities, promoting accountability and involvement with democratic processes.

• NCERT solutions offer step-by-step explanations and answers to textbook questions, allowing students to better prepare for exams by reinforcing their understanding of key ideas.

• Students who study this chapter will do better on social science exams because they will get a thorough understanding of judicial processes and their significance.

• Reading and understanding the text, as well as writing responses, helps students improve their language and comprehension skills.

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Conclusion

Civics Chapter 4 Class 8 Social Science, Our Court, discusses the value of a strong and independent court. It defines the structure and functions of India's several courts, including the Supreme Court, High Courts, and lower courts. The chapter discusses how the judicial system ensures justice and defends citizens' rights, which helps students understand the judiciary's critical role in maintaining law and order.

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