Question

What is Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?

• A. Litigation filed by a person for their personal gain.
• B. Litigation filed for the protection of public interest, such as pollution or road safety.
• C. Litigation exclusively handled by the Supreme Court.
• D. Litigation requiring a direct personal grievance from the petitioner.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Litigation filed for the protection of public interest, such as pollution or road safety.

Public Interest  litigation 

• Means litigation filed in a court of law, for the protection of “Public Interest”, such as Pollution, Terrorism, Road safety, Constructional hazards etc.

• Any matter where the interest of public at large is affected can be redressed by filing a Public Interest Litigation in a court of law.

• Public interest litigation is not defined in any statute or in any act. It has been interpreted by judges to consider the intent of public at large.
  

• Public interest litigation is the power given to the public by courts through judicial activism.

• However, the person filing the petition must prove to the satisfaction of the court that the petition is being filed for a public interest and not just as a frivolous litigation by a busy body.

• Some of the matters which are entertained under PIL are :
  

• Bonded Labour matters

• Neglected Children

• Non-payment of minimum wages to workers and exploitation of casual workers

• Atrocities on women

• Environmental pollution and disturbance of ecological balance

• Food adulteration

• Maintenance of heritage and culture