1. Introduction

“The accumulation of all power, legislative, executive and judiciary in the same hands, whether of one, or few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.

James Madison

The separation of powers is an organizational structure in which responsibilities, authorities, and powers are divided between groups rather than being centrally held. The doctrine is rooted in a political philosophy that too much power concentrated in the hands of few, without adequate checks and balances, increases the likelihood of misuse of that power. The intent of this doctrine is to prevent abuses of power and avoid autocracy which is a system of government by one person/group with absolute power.

Separation of powers, therefore, refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

As stated by Madison- “The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive and judicial, in the same hands whether of one, a few, or many and whether hereditary, self-appointed or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” And for the prevention of this tyranny, the doctrine of separation of power holds its greatest importance.