Public Interest Litigation ne Indian legal system ko kaafi accessible bana diya. PIL ka idea ye hai ki jab large group of logon ke rights affect ho rahe ho, especially weaker sections ke, to koi bhi concerned citizen court ke saamne issue la sakta hai – chahe woh directly victim na ho.
Typical PIL subjects: environmental protection, bonded labour, custodial violence, illegal construction affecting public, misuse of public funds, non-implementation of welfare schemes, etc. Courts PIL me technicalities thodi relaxed rakhte hain, lekin abuse na ho iske liye strict screening bhi karte hain.
PIL generally High Court ya Supreme Court me writ petition ke form me file hota hai. Petitioner facts, news reports, photographs, expert material attach karke batata hai ki public interest harm ho raha hai aur State apna duty properly perform nahi kar raha.
Lekin personal publicity, political score-settling, ya purely private disputes ke naam pe PIL file karna frowned upon hai. Court aise “publicity interest litigations” ko dismiss karke cost bhi laga sakta hai.
Sahi intention ke saath, PIL ek powerful tool hai systemic issues highlight karne ka.