PIL. When one person moves the court for millions.
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PIL
When one person moves the court for millions
A court case brought on behalf of people who cannot bring it themselves.
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Public Interest Litigation lets any citizen petition the High Court or Supreme Court on behalf of people who cannot. It does not require being the affected party. One petition. One citizen. Landmark PILs have reformed child labour law, forced environmental protections, and changed conditions in prisons.
- The concept was introduced in India in the 1980s by Justice P.N. Bhagwati. It expanded access to justice beyond those who could afford it.
- A PIL can be filed as a letter to the Chief Justice. The court decides whether to hear it.
Bhagwati, J., on access to justice
Keep exploring
Because you read PIL.
The Constitution
India's operating system
The document setting out how India is governed and what it may not do.
Fundamental Rights
Six categories of freedom
Six protections the Constitution guarantees to every citizen.
Fundamental Duties
The other side of rights
Eleven responsibilities the Constitution asks of every citizen.
Read as a path · 6 cards · 3 min
How a Citizen ActsFrom the rights you already have to the levers you can actually pull.