Question

Who among the following was actively associated with the concept of Public Interest Litigation and made it widely practicable in India?

• A. Justice P.N. Bhagwati
• B. Justice J.S. Verma
• C. Justice M. Hidayatullah
• D. Justice B.N. Kirpal

Hint:

When you see a question about the origins of PIL in India, the two names to look for are Justice P.N. Bhagwati and Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer. Justice Bhagwati is particularly credited with making it a popular and accessible tool.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is a legal tool that allows any person or organization to file a lawsuit in court for the protection of 'public interest,' such as pollution, terrorism, and road safety. This is a departure from the traditional rule of 'locus standi,' where only the person whose rights were violated could approach the court.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The introduction and popularization of PIL in India are credited to a few key judges of the Supreme Court in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Justice P.N. Bhagwati is widely regarded as the chief architect and champion of PIL in India. Along with Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, he relaxed the strict procedural requirement of 'locus standi,' allowing any member of the public to approach the court on behalf of the poor, oppressed, and marginalized sections of society. He famously allowed letters and postcards addressed to the court to be treated as writ petitions.
Justice J.S. Verma is renowned for the landmark Vishakha judgment on sexual harassment at the workplace.
Justice M. Hidayatullah and Justice B.N. Kirpal were eminent jurists and former Chief Justices of India but are not primarily associated with the development of PIL.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Justice P.N. Bhagwati played the most pivotal role in conceptualizing and making Public Interest Litigation a widely practicable tool for social justice in India.