Question

Public Interest Litigation was started by

• A. Parliamentary act
• B. Constitutional amendment
• C. Judicial initiation
• D. None of these

Hint:

Remember that PIL is a prime example of judicial activism in India. It shows how the judiciary can innovate to expand access to justice without any formal legislation or constitutional amendment.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks about the origin of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India.
Step 2: Key Concept:
PIL is a unique feature of the Indian judicial system where a person or a group can approach the court to seek justice on behalf of those who are unable to do so themselves. It is a departure from the traditional rule of 'locus standi' (where only the affected party can file a case).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Public Interest Litigation was not introduced in India through any Parliamentary act or a Constitutional amendment.
It is a product of judicial activism and interpretation. The Supreme Court of India, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, started to relax the traditional procedural rules to allow public-spirited citizens and organizations to file cases on behalf of the poor, oppressed, and marginalized sections of society.
This was a judicial initiation (or judicial innovation). Justices V. R. Krishna Iyer and P. N. Bhagwati are considered the pioneers of PIL in India.
Step 4: Final Answer
Public Interest Litigation was started by judicial initiation.