Page:Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India and Ors.pdf/125

 providing for these rights. In one sense, the restrictions provided under Article 19(2) of the Constitution follow a utilitarian approach wherein individualism gives way for commonality of benefit, if such restrictions are required and demanded by law. In this context, the test of 'direct impact' as laid down in A.K Gopalan v. State of Madras, AIR 1950 SC 27, has been subsequently widened in Rustom Cavasjee Cooper v. Union of India, 1970 (1) SCC 248, wherein the test of 'direct and inevitable consequence' was propounded. As this is not a case wherein a detailed analysis of chilling effect is required for the reasons given below, we leave the question of law open as to the appropriate standard for establishing causal link in a challenge based on chilling effect.

150. The widening of the 'chilling effect doctrine' has always been viewed with judicial scepticism. At this juncture, we may note the decision in Laird v. Tantum, 408 U.S. 1 (1972), wherein the respondent brought an action against the authorities to injunct them from conducting surveillance of lawful and peaceful civilian political activity, based on the chilling effect doctrine. The United States Supreme Court, in its majority decision, dismissed the 125