"Article 14 of the Indian Constitution allows classification but prohibits class legislation." It was laid down in

The correct answer is C. Anwar Ali Sarkar case.
Explanation: The Supreme Court in the case of State of West Bengal v. Anwar Ali Sarkar laid down the principle that while Article 14 of the Indian Constitution prohibits class legislation, it does not forbid reasonable classification. This means the state can make laws that differentiate between groups of people, but this differentiation must be based on a rational basis and not be arbitrary. The "reasonable classification" test established in this case has become a standard for evaluating the constitutionality of laws under Article 14.



Why other options are incorrect:

• A. A. K. Gopalan case: This case primarily dealt with preventive detention and the right to personal liberty under Article 21, not Article 14. [6, 6]
• B. Maneka Gandhi case: This case significantly expanded the scope of Article 21, but its primary focus was not on the specific issue of class legislation and reasonable classification under Article 14. [6, 6]
• D. Minerva Mill case: This case is important for the doctrine of basic structure of the Constitution, but it doesn't directly address the specific issue of classification and equality under Article 14.