Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Indian legal system

Public Interest Litigation in allows each and every citizen of India to raise any issue that is very closely related to a public interest. It provides protection to the public interests and their rights. It’s a kind of power that has been to public by the court of law through a certain judicious process. However, it is mandatory for the person filing a petition in the court to give ample proofs to the court that the issue raised by him or her has a grave connection with the public interest.

Such cases may come into light when any victim does not have required resources or his/her powers and freedom have been suppressed. Any person with milk of human kindness in his heart can take this type matter into the court of law. The seeds of this concept were sown by Mr. Krishana Iyer in Mumabi in the year 1976. Public Interest litigation has got paramount importance in Indian legal system these days. With growing level of education and awareness, people are getting more accustomed to going into their legal rights.

This litigation system empowers even a common man to file a petition if he or she observes something that is not in favour of humanity or can do an irreparable harm. The traditional rule of locus standi states that if a person’s rights to get justice are encroached, can alone file a petition and the court will take the matter into serious concern as early as possible.

Most of the times, it is seen that some high-spirited intellectually empowered people file petitions even against some industrial biggies, airlines companies and telecom service providers in the public interest and come out as a winner. There are some certain provisions as set by the Apex Court that ensure the right us of this legal power that is of great use of the entire humanity. The guidelines say that it must be made sure that in filing a petition, there should be no personal interest hidden of the petitioner. It should completely be related to the interest of the public.