Public interest litigation in India
Litigation undertaken for the general good
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The chief instrument through which judicial activism has flourished in India is public interest litigation (PIL) or social action litigation (SAL). It refers to litigation undertaken to secure public interest and demonstrates the availability of justice to socially-disadvantaged parties and was introduced by Justice P. N. Bhagwati and Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer. It is a relaxation on the traditional rule of locus standi. Before 1980s the judiciary and the Supreme Court of India entertained litigation only from parties affected directly or indirectly by the defendant. It heard and decided cases only under its original and appellate jurisdictions. However, the Supreme Court began permitting cases on the grounds of public interest litigation, which means that even people who are not directly involved in the case may bring matters of public interest to the court. It is the court's privilege to entertain the application for the PIL.
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Ex-auditors' PIL in SC seeks collegium for appointment of CAGFormer deputy CAGs have petitioned the Supreme Court, advocating for a collegium system to appoint the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). They argue the current appointment process lacks a defined..IndiaTimes - Published | |
PIL flags job threat to private companies' ICC membersThe Supreme Court is examining a PIL alleging retaliatory actions against Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) members in private companies who rule against senior management in sexual harassment cases...IndiaTimes - Published | |
Can an EVM record 1,500 votes in a booth, apex court asks ECThe Supreme Court has sought the Election Commission's response to a PIL questioning the efficiency of EVMs, suggesting they cannot handle increased voter numbers per booth. The petitioner claims EVMs..IndiaTimes - Published | |
Delhi HC refuses to entertain PIL seeking formation of 'Sanatan Dharm Raksha Board'The Delhi High Court rejected a plea to create a board for Sanatan Dharma. The court said policy decisions are the government's responsibility. The petitioner was advised to approach the government...IndiaTimes - Published | |
SC junks PIL seeking ban on export of arms to IsraelThe Supreme Court of India dismissed a PIL demanding the cancellation of arms export licenses to Israel, asserting that foreign policy is exclusively under the Union government's jurisdiction...IndiaTimes - Published | |
SC rejects PIL seeking direction to halt export of arms, military equipment to IsraelThe Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking to halt military exports to Israel amid the Gaza conflict, citing potential impacts on India's foreign policy. It noted that Indian companies could face legal..IndiaTimes - Published | |
Supreme Court rejects SIT probe into electoral bonds schemeThe PIL demanded a court-monitored investigation into the electoral bonds scheme.DNA - Published | |
Hathras stampede: SC tells petitioner 'HC equipped to deal with case'The Supreme Court declines PIL on the Hathras stampede investigation, directing the petitioner to seek recourse from the Allahabad High Court. The tragic incident claimed 121 lives during a religious..IndiaTimes - Published | |
Delhi HC directs Police to audit cycle allowance aspect, dispose of PILIndiaTimes - Published | |
'Was being playful': Delhi HC quashes plea against Dalai Lama over kissing video rowThe Delhi High Court has dismissed a PIL concerning the alleged molestation of a boy by the Dalai Lama, based on a viral video from last year. The court declared that the religious leader was "being..IndiaTimes - Published | |
Swati Maliwal assault case: Delhi HC shows displeasure over 'PIL' against media reportingThe bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora after hearing the initial submissions, termed the plea as 'publicity interstate litigation' and refused to entertain the plea.IndiaTimes - Published | |
Overuse of pesticides on crops? Supreme Court seeks government responseSupreme Court seeks responses from ministries of health, agriculture, and FSSAI on PIL alleging govt failed to stop pesticide overuse, posing health hazard. Petition by Akash Vashistha, represented by..IndiaTimes - Published | |
NEET-UG paper leak: Supreme Court to hear PIL, won't stop release of resultsSupreme Court to examine Vanshika Yadav's PIL on NEET-UG question paper leak, rejects plea for fresh exam or result stay, citing impact on 23 lakh students. Alleged leakage undermines merit-based..IndiaTimes - Published | On 5-year-old's PIL, HC says no to liquor shop near schoolIndiaTimes - Published |
Don’t reduce soldiers’ family pension, PIL pleads in Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court has sought a response from the Union government on a PIL questioning the irrational reduction in family pension for a deceased ex-serviceman who retired from the armed forces between..IndiaTimes - Published | SC seeks, Centre, Punjab, Haryana's response on PIL for fixing MSP for alternative crops higher than paddyThe Supreme Court requested responses from the Centre, Punjab, and Haryana governments on a plea to establish the minimum support price (MSP), which includes periodic increases for alternative crops..IndiaTimes - Published |
SC issues notice to EC on PIL seeking re-election if NOTA gets maximum votesThe PIL also seeks to disallow candidates who get less than NOTA to contest the bye-elections to the same constituency. A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud, and Justices J B..IndiaTimes - Published | Plea in Delhi high court to bar PM Modi from pollsDelhi HC listed for hearing on Friday a PIL that seeks disqualification of PM Narendra Modi from contesting elections for allegedly violating MCC during his campaign speech in UP’s Pilibhit on April..IndiaTimes - Published |
Sheer abuse of PIL says HC; slaps Rs 50,000 cost on contractor challenging bid conditionsIndiaTimes - Published | Delhi High Court rejects PIL seeking 'extraordinary interim bail' for Arvind KejriwalDelhi HC rejects PIL seeking interim bail for Arvind Kejriwal, fined petitioner. Kejriwal remains in custody with legal remedies explored. Court emphasizes constraints of writ jurisdiction and locus..IndiaTimes - Published |
Plea in Delhi court seeks to allow Arvind Kejriwal to hold video-conferencing with cabinet ministers, MLAsA Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been moved in Delhi High Court, seeking direction from the Director General of Prisons to provide arrangements for efficient governance of Delhi by allowing Chief..IndiaTimes - Published | HC notice to Odisha on plea to ban private practice by government doctorsThe Orissa High Court issues notice to the state government following a PIL by activist Narayan Chandra Jena, addressing concerns about government doctors' private practice affecting healthcare quality..IndiaTimes - Published |
High court: Shameful if even one Sandeshkhali plaint trueCalcutta High Court expressed concern over Sandeshkhali sexual harassment allegations during a PIL hearing, warning Bengal's credibility as the 'safest state for women'. Advocate Priyanka Tibrewal..IndiaTimes - Published | Can opposition bloc use INDIA name? Delhi HC grants last chance to parties to file replyThe Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted a last chance to the Centre and Opposition political parties to file their responses on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for directions to prohibit the use of..IndiaTimes - Published |
SC notice to EC on plea to tally votes with VVPATsSupreme Court on Monday issued notice to EC on a PIL filed by activist Arun Kumar Agrawal seeking complete count of VVPAT paper slips in polls as opposed to the current practice of verification of only..IndiaTimes - Published | 'No scope for judicial interference': Delhi HC junks PIL for removal of Delhi CM Arvind KejriwalIndiaTimes - Published |
PIL filed in Delhi HC to stop CM Arvind Kejriwal from issuing directions while in ED's custodyA public interest litigation matter has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking directions to prevent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been arrested in a money-laundering case linked to the..DNA - Published Also reported by •IndiaTimes | SC to hear PIL against practice of political parties promising freebies during pollsThe PIL argues for a complete ban on populist measures aimed at garnering undue political favor from voters, citing violations of the Constitution.DNA - Published Also reported by •IndiaTimes |
PIL against Saini as CM, HC seeks response from govt, poll panelIndiaTimes - Published | Supreme Court refuses to interfere with HCs' orders in Indiabulls caseSupreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a PIL challenging validity of the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 which allows collection of various biometric measurements of accused, and..IndiaTimes - Published |
Supreme Court refuses to entertain PIL on prisoner biometrics lawSupreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a PIL challenging validity of the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 which allows collection of various biometric measurements of accused, and..IndiaTimes - Published | SC gives PIL-lawyer Bhushan a lesson in public interest; terms a PIL argued by him as personal interest pleaVeteran advocate Prashant Bhushan, who argued several important public interest litigations resulting in landmark decisions from constitutional courts, on Thursday was called out by the Supreme Court..IndiaTimes - Published |
BMC says challenge to race course proposal is a PIL; CJ to decide benchBMC argues that the petitions against the proposed theme park at Mahalaxmi race course should be treated as PIL and placed before a bench assigned to hear PILs. The bench sought an administrative order..IndiaTimes - Published | Morbi victims' kin in SC, seek probe into drowningMorbi tragedy victims file PIL in Supreme Court demanding constitution of SIT to probe Vadodara boat capsise incident. Tragedy Victims' Association highlights negligence of administration and demands..IndiaTimes - Published |
After 25 years of no response, HC disposes of PIL on med collegeThe Orissa high court has disposed of a PIL registered in 1998 after finding that though notices were issued on the petition, there was no response from the authorities concerned for the past 25 years...IndiaTimes - Published | Krishna Janmabhoomi case: Supreme Court dismisses plea for removal of Shahi Idgah mosqueThe Allahabad High Court dismissed a PIL seeking the removal of Mathura's Shahi Idgah Mosque, allegedly built on Krishna JanmabhoomiDNA - Published Also reported by •IndiaTimes |
Don't file PILs on basis of unverified data: Supreme Court to lawyersAfter dismissing allegations of stock manipulations by Adani group companies, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said filing such petitions based on "unverified and unrelated material" tended to diminish..IndiaTimes - Published | Supreme Court notice to Centre, 11 states on PIL alleging caste-based discrimination in jailsIndiaTimes - Published |
PIL in SC challenges new law on appointment of CEC, ECs; seeks 'independent, transparent' systemAmid a political row, an advocate named Gopal Singh has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court seeking to quash a new law that gives sweeping powers to the central government for..IndiaTimes - Published | PIL in Supreme Court seeking to include CJI in selection committee for CEC, EC appointmentA PIL was filed in the Supreme Court seeking direction to the Union of India to implement an independent and transparent system of selection constituting a neutral and independent selection committee..IndiaTimes - Published |
Illegal mining case: Jharkhand HC dismisses PIL filed against CM Hemant Soren, his relativesThe Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday dismissed the PIL filed against Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and his relatives in an illegal mining case. The PIL was filed by one Sunil Kumar Mahato. The..IndiaTimes - Published | Bombay HC issues notice to AG, gives Centre 6 weeks to reply to PIL against Para 4 of 10th scheduleBombay high court on Wednesday gave six weeks time to the central government to file its reply to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the validity of para four of the tenth schedule of the..IndiaTimes - Published |
Delhi HC asks Centre to clear its stand on plea against use of public servants to highlight achievements of ruling govtThe Delhi high court on Monday asked the central government to clear its stand on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by former public servants and sought direction to declare that no ruling party..IndiaTimes - Published | Azaan on loudspeakers no noise pollution: High courtThe Gujarat high court dismissed a PIL seeking a ban on the use of loudspeakers for azaan, observing that the call to prayer does not create noise pollution as it lasts less than 10 minutes. The bench..IndiaTimes - Published |
Social media information can't be part of PIL: High courtInformation gathered from social media cannot be part of the pleadings in a public interest litigation, the Bombay HC said on Tuesday. A division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Arif..IndiaTimes - Published | PIL challenges hike in Bihar quotas, JD(U) suspects 'BJP hand'JD(U) president accuses BJP of being behind a Public Interest Litigation filed in Patna High Court against the recent quotas hike. BJP previously challenged quotas for extremely backward classes and..IndiaTimes - Published |
Supreme court dismisses PIL challenging restoration of Rahul Gandhi Lok Sabha membershipThe Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a PIL challenging the restoration of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership and imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh on the petitioner. A bench headed by..IndiaTimes - Published | SC junks plea for audit of source code of all EVMsThe Supreme Court of India has rejected a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that alleged a danger to democracy due to the Election Commission's alleged failure to audit the source code of all Electronic..IndiaTimes - Published |
SC refuses to entertain PIL challenging law on control of services in DelhiThe Supreme Court of India has refused to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the law that gives the Lieutenant Governor control over services in Delhi. The court stated that the Delhi..IndiaTimes - Published | Disasters in Himalayan state are completely man-made, says HCThe Uttarakhand HC, while addressing a PIL over the lack of compliance with the Doon Valley notification for formulation of a tourism development plan within the valley, pulled up the state government..IndiaTimes - Published |
