CALL FOR PAPERSVolume 2Issue 2Submit Research
Constitutional Law/Human RightsResearch ArticleOPEN ACCESSPEER REVIEWED

The Expanding Horizons Of The Right To Life, Liberty And Dignity: Article 21

Volume
2
Issue
2
Pages
1–11
Published
Aug 2026
0
0
3
PDF Preview1–11
Loading preview…

Abstract

Article 21 of the Constitution of India occupies a central position in the protection of individual liberty and human dignity. The provision, which prohibits deprivation of life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law, has undergone a profound transformation through constitutional adjudication. This article examines the expanding scope of Article 21 by tracing its judicial evolution from the restrictive approach adopted in A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras to the broader and substantive interpretation established in Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India. It analyses how the Supreme Court has progressively interpreted the right to life as extending beyond mere physical existence to encompass dignity, autonomy and the conditions necessary for a meaningful life. The article further explores the emergence of various unenumerated rights under Article 21, including the right to livelihood, health, a clean environment, speedy trial, privacy, reproductive autonomy and the right to live with dignity. Alongside these developments, the article considers the constitutional challenges associated with the expanding interpretation of Article 21, particularly judicial overreach, separation of powers, competing State interests and difficulties in implementation.

Authors
MD
Ms. Disha Sanil
Keywords
Article 21Right to LifePersonal LibertyHuman DignityJudicial InterpretationFundamental RightsPrivacySupreme court.
References
No references listed.

Related Research