Question

In which case did a prison inmate send a letter to the Supreme Court, describing physical torture, which became a pioneer in public interest litigation?

• A. Hussainara Khatoon vs. Bihar case
• B. Sunil Batra vs. Delhi Administration
• C. Mukti Morcha vs. Union of India
• D. The Narasimha Rao case

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The Hussainara Khatoon vs. State of Bihar case is considered a landmark case in Indian legal history. In this case, a prisoner sent a letter to the Supreme Court detailing the horrific conditions of detention and the physical torture they faced. This letter brought to light the plight of undertrials and led to the development of public interest litigation in India. Although the Supreme Court later discontinued the practice of directly accepting letters from prisoners, the Hussainara Khatoon case remains significant for its role in expanding access to justice.