📜 Article 241 of the Indian Constitution
Title: High Courts for Union Territories
🔹 Text Summary:
Article 241 deals with the establishment and jurisdiction of High Courts in Union Territories (UTs). It empowers Parliament to establish High Courts in UTs and decide their powers, jurisdiction, and procedures.
🧠 Key Provisions:
| 🔑 Aspect | ✅ Details |
|---|---|
| Who can create High Courts for UTs? | Parliament of India |
| Which UTs have separate High Courts? | - Delhi has its own High Court |
-
Others are under jurisdiction of nearby State High Courts |
| Jurisdiction of UT High Courts | Decided by law made by Parliament |
| Judges' appointment & terms | Same as judges of regular State High Courts (per Article 217) |
| Power to extend State HC jurisdiction over UTs? | ✅ Yes — Parliament may declare any existing High Court to have jurisdiction over a UT |
🏛️ Example of Jurisdictional Arrangements:
| 📍 Union Territory | ⚖️ High Court Handling Cases |
|---|---|
| Delhi | Delhi High Court (established under Article 241) |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Calcutta High Court (Bench at Port Blair) |
| Chandigarh | Punjab & Haryana High Court |
| Lakshadweep | Kerala High Court |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | Bombay High Court |
| Puducherry | Madras High Court |
⚠️ Important Notes:
-
Article 241 does not apply to States — only to Union Territories.
-
It ensures that UTs are not left without High Court access, either through their own court or by attachment to a State High Court.
🔁 Related Articles:
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| 214 | High Courts for States |
| 217 | Appointment of HC Judges |
| 241 | High Courts for Union Territories |
🧠 In Simple Words:
Article 241 allows Parliament to provide justice to Union Territories by either setting up a separate High Court or linking them to an existing State High Court.
Here is a complete and updated list of which High Court serves which Union Territory (UT) under Article 241 of the Indian Constitution:
⚖️ High Court Jurisdiction Over Union Territories (2024 Edition)
| 🏝️ Union Territory (UT) | ⚖️ High Court Handling Cases | 📍 Location of Court / Bench |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Delhi (National Capital Territory) | Delhi High Court | New Delhi – Independent High Court |
| 2. Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Calcutta High Court | Bench at Port Blair |
| 3. Chandigarh | Punjab & Haryana High Court | Chandigarh – Shared with Punjab & Haryana |
| 4. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | Bombay High Court | Bench at Mumbai |
| 5. Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh (since 2019 bifurcation) | J&K and Ladakh High Court | Srinagar (Summer) & Jammu (Winter) |
| 6. Lakshadweep | Kerala High Court | Kochi (Ernakulam) – No separate bench |
| 7. Puducherry | Madras High Court | Bench at Puducherry (occasionally functional) |
🧠 Quick Summary:
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✅ Only Delhi has its own independent High Court.
-
✅ Other UTs are covered by State High Courts nearby.
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✅ Parliament can decide jurisdiction and powers under Article 241.
📌 Notes:
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Chandigarh is a shared capital and houses the Punjab & Haryana HC.
-
Puducherry has its own court complex, but under Madras HC.
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Andaman & Nicobar Islands cases are heard in a bench at Port Blair.
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