CHALLAPALLI RAVI Vs. B KRUPANADAM I A S

JUDGEMENT

(1.) It is universally agreed amongst the Democratic States that "Rule of Law" is a vital element in a free democracy. This principle is enshrined in our Constitution and jealously guarded by the Courts. The very concept of "Rule of Law" encompasses a just legal system and a just legal system has rules, and principles that are understood by those applying them. The Rules apply to all persons. No one should be above the law, and all people should be treated equally as Lord Denning recalled Thomas Fuller's words "Be you never so high, the law is above you". Professor Dicey, observed:

(2.) Yet another occasion had arisen requiring this Court to discharge its duty of reminding the civil servants in the State of Andhra Pradesh that they too are bound by the dictum "be you never so high, the law is above you".

(3.) Lord Diplock in Attorney-General v. Times Newspapers Limited observed: