The judiciary interprets laws, settles disputes, and ensures justice for all citizens. It provides mechanisms for resolving disputes between citizens, state governments, and central/state governments through judicial review and allowing citizens to approach the supreme or high courts if they feel their rights have been violated. The independence of the judiciary is crucial as it allows courts to curb potential misuse of power by the other branches of government. There is a three-tiered court system with district, high, and supreme courts, and higher court rulings bind lower courts through the appellate system.