Question

Which was the first reported case of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking relief for the under-trial prisoners in jails ?

• A. Anil Yadav Vs State of Bihar, 1981
• B. Hussainara Khatoon Vs State of Bihar, 1979
• C. Khatri Vs State of Bihar, 1981
• D. Veena Sethi Vs State of Bihar, 1982

Hint:

Justice P.N. Bhagwati and Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer are known as the pioneers of the PIL movement in India.
Remember: Hussainara Khatoon $=$ First PIL $=$ Under-trial prisoners.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
PIL (Public Interest Litigation) is a legal mechanism where any member of the public can file a case in court on behalf of a person or group who cannot approach the court themselves.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The era of PIL in India began with the case of Hussainara Khatoon Vs State of Bihar (1979).
Advocate Kapila Hingorani filed a petition based on a news report about thousands of prisoners in Bihar jails awaiting trial for years, sometimes longer than the maximum sentence they would have received if convicted.
The Supreme Court, led by Justice P.N. Bhagwati, accepted the petition even though it wasn't filed by the victims themselves.
This case led to the release of over 40,000 under-trials and established the "Right to a Speedy Trial" as an integral part of Article 21.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Hussainara Khatoon (1979) is recognized as the first reported PIL case in India.