---
title: "Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) — Definition"
description: "Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) read due process into Article 21, overruling A.K. Gopalan and linking Articles 14, 19, and 21. Key UPSC GS2 case."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/maneka-gandhi-case-1978"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Maneka Gandhi v.
- Union of India (1978) is a landmark Indian Supreme Court judgment that expanded Article 21 to require any law restricting personal liberty to be fair, just, and reasonable.
- How did Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India change the interpretation of Article 21?
- What is the 'golden triangle' established by the case?
- Did the Supreme Court actually return Maneka Gandhi's passport?

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

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## Timeline

1. 25 January 1978

   Union of India\*\* (AIR 1978 SC 597), decided by a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India on , is among the most consequential constitutional rulings…

2. 2 July 1977

   The case arose when the Regional Passport Officer, New Delhi, impounded the passport of Maneka Gandhi on "in the public interest" under Section 10(3)(c) of…

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Example

In July 1977 the Regional Passport Officer in New Delhi impounded journalist Maneka Gandhi's passport under the Passports Act without giving reasons, prompting the Supreme Court's 1978 ruling on Article 21.

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