Are you unhappy or upset about several things happening in society around you?
Do you feel that a lack of, or misguided, government policies and decisions are hampering the greater common good and creating unacceptable situations related to abuse and violation of basic human rights, social injustice, corruption etc.?
Most importantly, are you waiting for someone else to come along and put things right? The good news is that you needn’t, in many such cases.
For socially conscious citizens who would like to fix the system through a court of law, the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is a powerful tool. Public Interest Litigation cases won or lost in the High Court or the Supreme Court of India often make news these days. Whether a PIL case wins or loses, it certainly makes an impact on the lives of people who are connected to the issue in one way or the other.
This FAQ will help you get on the path to reform through the use of PILs.
What is a Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?
Wikipedia defines PIL as use of litigation, or legal action, which seeks to advance the cause of a minority or disadvantaged groups or individuals, or which raises issues of broad public concern. It is a way of using the law strategically to effect social change.
In simple terms, a PIL is a petition that an individual or a non-government organisation or citizen groups, can file in the court seeking justice in an issue that has a larger public interest. It aims at giving common people an access to the judiciary to obtain legal redress for a greater cause.
PIL is not defined in any statute. It is the outcome of judicial activism to take cognisance of a cause at the instance of any person even if it does not affect him personally, but affects the public at large.
Who can file it?
Any Indian citizen can file a PIL, the only condition being that it should not be filed with a private interest, but in larger public interest. At times, even the Court can take cognizance of a matter if it is one of utmost public importance, and appoint an advocate to handle the case.
How does one decide on filing a PIL?
An advocate who has been filing PILs in Chennai High Court says it would be good to give a reasonable opportunity for the other party to respond to the issue that the individual or the group has raised, before filing the PIL.
For example, if you have taken up a matter that demands government action or policy change, then first raise that issue with the authorities, bring it to their knowledge and ask them how are they going to solve it. Send them a representation in the first place.
Give them some time – a month or two to reply. If they fail to respond or if you are unhappy with their response, then it’s the time to file a petition.
Where can PILs be filed?
PILs can be filed either in the High Court or in the Supreme Court.
What is the procedure for filing a PIL?
One has to do thorough research before filing a PIL. In case of filing a PIL concerning several individuals, it is important and the best course for the petitioner to consult all affected interest groups.
Once you decide to file a PIL, collect all relevant information and documents to back your case. You can argue in person or appoint an advocate to fight the case. In any case, it is advisable to consult an advocate before filing a PIL. If you intend to argue in person, be better prepared to explain the issue and convince the court in the little time that you are given.
Once you are ready with the PIL copy and intend to file it in the High Court, submit two copies of the petition to the court. Also, a copy of the petition has to be served to each respondent in advance. And this proof of serving the copy to the respondents has to be affixed in the petition.
If you are filing PIL in the Supreme Court, then five copies of the petition are to be filed before the court. Respondent is served with the copy only when the notice is issued from the court.
What is the cost incurred to file a PIL?
A PIL itself is cheap compared to other court cases. One has to pay a court fee of Rs 50 for each respondent and affix it with the petition. However, the expense for fighting the case depends on the advocate the petitioner chooses to argue the case.
What is the difference between a PIL and a Writ Petition?
Writs are filed by individuals or institutions for their own benefit and not for public interest, whereas PILs are filed for a larger good.
What are the issues that cannot be filed under PIL?
The Supreme Court has issued a set of PIL guidelines according to which the following matters will not be allowed as PILs:
- Landlord-tenant matters
- Service matters
- Matters pertaining to pension and gratuity
- Complaints against Central and State government departments and Local Bodies except those relating to items 1 to 10 mentioned in the list of guidelines
- Admission to medical and other educational institutions
- Petitions for early hearing of cases pending in High Court or subordinate courts
Do judges normally admit the PILs?
It differs from judge to judge. PILs are handled by the Chief Justice of the court, hence it purely depends on how the sitting judge perceives the matter. The average admission rate may range from 30 to 60 per cent. Normally PILs are taken into consideration if the judges are convinced of the fact that the subject is of significance and is in the interest of the public.
How long does it take for the closure of the case?
That depends on the case. If the matter is of utmost importance pertaining to lives of individuals, human rights violation etc, the court would take up the case immediately, conduct the hearing and dispose of the matter. But in general, due to piling up of PILs in courts, the hearing and closure of the case is time consuming, often it takes years. However, in between the hearings, the court may issue directions to the authorities to perform certain actions as and when needed.
It’s only after the final hearing of both parties that a judgement is given.
Are PILs often misused?
It is interesting to know that the misuse or abuse of PILs is growing to be a serious concern in India, where the number of cases pending before the courts is already huge.
In 2010, the Supreme Court came down heavily on frivolous public interest litigation petitions for personal or extraneous reasons, and eventually laid down certain guidelines to be followed by courts in entertaining PILs.
The filing of indiscriminate petitions “creates unnecessary strain on the judicial system and consequently leads to inordinate delay in disposal of genuine and bona fide cases,” said a Bench consisting of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Mukundakam Sharma.
Tracing the origin and development of PIL in various countries, Justice Bhandari, writing the judgment, said: “The courts’ contribution in helping the poorer sections by giving a new definition to life and liberty and in protecting ecology, environment and forests is extremely significant.” However, the Bench said, “unfortunately, of late, such an important jurisdiction, which has been carefully carved out, created and nurtured with great care and caution by the courts, is being blatantly abused by filing some petitions with oblique motives.”
Also read: Meet the Chennai crusader who has filed 20 PILs in two years!
Is it required to appoint a advocate or WE’LL be allowed to defend or PIL?
No. Not required. The person who files PIL has the right to fight the case without an advocate, though it comes with a set of challenges. The person should have knowledge and capacity to convince the court. I have mentioned it in the above guide.
Can u give me the whole imfirmation about wat u mention nd wat the example u explained above..
Bcoz the SC asked the person to hire a advocate to challenge d case …
Thank u
can any one advocate wins on 138 sec of neg instr act… from ccop credt society or bank when the cheques are taken as security for disbustment of loan n which do kept in the bank or credit society premises , as per supreme cour ordeer this is illegal n still convicting is in process …. as the loan dues or recovery has different policies to recover,,,like to bring the asset for which loan is taken or the guarantor or civil suit as per the bank registrar of societies orrules n regulation….its 138 is illegal which court should not entertained…because its economical…n make the instrument only for conviniense n not to take disadvantage is there anyone like u if advocate to file the pil….
sorry if i disturb
Regards
tukaram
hello mam i want some question
mam how can i file pil, plz tell me
Not Now. but mostly PIL filed by the lawyer.
if one party files a writ petition against another party, can the party against whom the writ if filed respond with a PIL?
No. Not possible. The other party can only be a respondent in the case.
how can pil against police and judge & which language do this ?
I am wondering how an advocate misunderstood the fact behind the false allegation and not issuing the copy to the concerned respondent while filing PIL in HC. What if the private interest is perceived as PIL?
Can we file a PIL against landowner who collect money from labour who work on their land…and that money give no interest to the labour..
Detail;a coal truck owner has reserve that land from land owner for depositing there coal to circulate their business in montly term say Rs:5000.again a labour who work on that particular area (coal deposit) has been colleted money by the land owner to work on that area for a seadon say Rs:20000.again a labour when they load a coal to a truck their wage has been deducted by land owner in term of commission..like when labour load one truck full in RS:1200 they were deducted RS:200 by land owner… this money where the land owner collect give no interest to the labour but in turn deprived there right to earn.
In this case can i file a PIL for the favour of labour.
Please help me
Leader of NGO form local particular area.
Hi – Once PIL is filled via Lawyer, can we add more names to the PIL, just remember this PIL is already being argued in the court. Secondly, in case if more names can be added to the PIL, can the Lawyer ask for additional charges for every name to be added
plz advise me how to file the case against private school which is not gave sufficient salary to the teacher.minimum salary rule is not applicable here .
plz advise me how to file the case against private school which is not gave sufficient salary to the teacher.minimum salary rule is not applicable here .
Hi, can we fill PIL against railway recruitment process as it was not making standby list due to the Increased Grade pay no waiting list will be maintained for ASM, because lower merit candidates can get higher Grade pay .
Dear Sir it is a matter of great regret that Jindal India Thermal power company has settled the plant at Derang village of Angul district running their plant by transporting coals through road by 2-3 thousnds trucks per day. That’s why it is too difficult to the local people for use the road for communication. Til today 10-12 persons all ready dead by truck accident. No one listen to the local people.plz help us.plzz.plz.plz
I have below case for discussion for PIL filing. Will this be considered for PIl. Please advise.
Being a income tax payer, should Government not take care of the person and the family if he/she loses the job due to any reason (obviously not due to misbehaviour/ under performance).
When the Government earns from a income tax payer when the person is working, then Government should take care too of the person when he/she is not earning.
I thought more on my PIL part and understand that whatever Government earns from us, invest on Infrastructure build up. But I still support my PIL that there should be a minimum monetary support from Government to non working groups.
Can my wife file a PIL against my employer(central govt). Which is continuously doing bogus inquires and defaming him. Allegations were on communal basis. No concrete evidence. All ex parties inquires violation of fundamental rights, law of natural justice etc.
Can file a pil against retired union leader who is retired as on date but seating on a major seats n spoil career of employees by way of misguiding them as well as create a unnecessary hurdel and obstical to routing working of psu institute
Very useful,informative. Thanks a lot.
I am a Engineering student and OASIS post matric scholarship holder.I did not received my scholarship for 2016-17 and reason being that it was transactioned but failed due to technical reasons. Now after contacting BCW and DWO office ,they are telling they cannot do anything and you will not receive this scholarship now. Technical failure was not my fault . Shouldl I file a PIL? What is the procedure? Kindly Help.
AS the SBI is sending indiscriminate messges regarding the depositing of aadhaar card copy and pan card copy though one has deposited earlier, this causes anxiety and tension especially for senior citizens and heart patients or any sort of tension to the person concern. Can this be treated as public interest litigation? if yes this may kindly be treated as a PIL.
Pls provide some information on “Locus Standi on PIL-Traditional & Modern Views”….