---
title: "Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) Case | Model Diplomat"
description: "Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) transformed Article 21, linking it with Articles 14 and 19 and introducing due process. Essential for UPSC GS2 polity."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/maneka-gandhi-case"
---

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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 that any law depriving personal liberty be just, fair, and reasonable.
- How did Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India change the interpretation of Article 21?
- What is the 'golden triangle' doctrine established by this case?
- Which earlier judgment did Maneka Gandhi overrule?

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

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In 2017, the nine-judge Supreme Court bench in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India relied on Maneka Gandhi's expansive reading of Article 21 to recognise the fundamental right to privacy.

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