Article 144

A top court's judgments are only meaningful if they can be enforced. When the Constitution was drafted, its framers wanted the Supreme Court to be the final authority on law, but a court by itself has no police or army to carry out its orders. Article 144 solves this by making it a constitutional duty for all other authorities — from police stations to government ministries to lower courts — to actively help execute Supreme Court directions, rather than ignore or resist them. This ensures the rule of law and the Court's authority are backed by the entire machinery of the state.

Courts have read Article 144 as reinforcing the binding nature of Supreme Court judgments under Article 141 (which makes the Court's law binding on all courts). Judicial decisions have emphasized that authorities cannot simply disregard Supreme Court orders on the grounds of disagreement or administrative convenience; non-compliance can be treated as contempt of court. The provision has often been invoked alongside contempt proceedings when government bodies delayed or resisted implementing directions.

• Myth: Only courts have to follow Supreme Court orders.
  Fact: Article 144 makes clear that all civil and judicial authorities — including government departments and officials — must help enforce Supreme Court decisions, not just other courts.
• Myth: State governments can choose to ignore Supreme Court rulings they disagree with.
  Fact: Under Article 144, state and central authorities are constitutionally obligated to act in aid of Supreme Court orders; failure to do so can lead to contempt of court proceedings.