Jatya Pal Singh & Ors vs Union Of India & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the maintainability of writ petitions against Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL), determining that VSNL does not qualify as a 'State' under Article 12 of the Constitution of India, thus writ petitions against it are not maintainable. The Court upheld the dismissal of the writ petitions by the Delhi High Court, affirming that VSNL, being a public sector corporation, does not perform public functions in the context required for Article 226. Consequently, the appeals challenging the High Court's orders were dismissed, reinforcing the legal principle regarding the definition of 'State' under Article 12.