Previous Year Question
Who was the Chief Justice of India when Public Interest litigation was introduced in the Indian Judicial system?
M. Hidayatullah
A.M. Ahmedi
P.N. Bhagwati
A.S. Anand
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
Justice P. N. Bhagwati was one of the judges most prominently associated with the development of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India. According to the official record of the Supreme Court, he was appointed Chief Justice of India on 12 July 1985 and remained in office until 20 December 1986.
PIL widened the traditional rule of locus standi. Ordinarily, only an aggrieved person approached the court, but under PIL a public-spirited individual or group may approach the court in matters involving the interest of the public at large. The Supreme Court has even treated letters, telegrams and postcards as writ petitions in appropriate cases.
PIL became particularly important for protecting the rights of poor and disadvantaged persons who were unable to approach courts themselves. Justice Bhagwati played an important role in liberalising locus standi and developing social action litigation.
Important nuance: PIL in India did not begin on a single date or through a single case; it evolved progressively during the late 1970s and the 1980s.