---
title: "Keshavan Madhava Menon v. State of Bombay (1951) — Explained"
description: "Keshavan Madhava Menon v. State of Bombay (1951) established that Article 13(1) applies prospectively, impacting pre-Constitution laws from 26 January 1950."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/keshavan-madhava-menon-case-1951"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Keshavan Madhava Menon v.
- State of Bombay (1951) was the first Supreme Court of India ruling that Article 13(1) operates prospectively, not retrospectively, on pre-Constitution laws.
- What did the Supreme Court hold about Article 13(1) in this case?
- How does this case relate to the doctrine of eclipse?
- Why was Menon's prosecution allowed to continue?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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Example

In its 1951 ruling, the Supreme Court of India allowed Bombay's prosecution of publisher Keshavan Madhava Menon under the 1931 Press Act to continue, holding that his 1949 offence remained governed by the pre-Constitution law.

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