Q1. What is the primary objective of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India?
- To promote public interest and protect the rights of disadvantaged sections of society
- To resolve disputes between two private parties
- To enforce contractual obligations between parties
- To provide legal assistance to wealthy individuals
Correct Option: 1. To promote public interest and protect the rights of disadvantaged sections of society
Explanation: The main purpose of PIL in India is to address issues that affect the public at large, especially the disadvantaged sections of society. It allows individuals or organizations to approach the court on behalf of those unable to do so themselves due to socio-economic barriers. PILs are not meant to resolve private disputes but to protect public rights, such as the rights of the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable communities.
Q2. Which of the following is a key feature of PIL in India?
- It is used to resolve disputes between individuals only.
- It allows the public to initiate litigation on behalf of disadvantaged groups.
- It can only be filed by government authorities.
- It does not involve the judiciary.
Correct Option: 2. It allows the public to initiate litigation on behalf of disadvantaged groups.
Explanation: One of the defining features of PIL is that it enables public-spirited individuals or organizations to file a petition on behalf of groups who cannot approach the court themselves, such as the poor, uneducated, or marginalized communities. This is a major deviation from the traditional legal system where only the aggrieved party can file a case.
Q3. Who were the pioneers in introducing the concept of PIL in India?
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Justice S.R. Das
- Dr. Hamid Ansari and Shashi Tharoor
- Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru
- Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer and Justice P.N. Bhagwati
Correct Option: 4. Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer and Justice P.N. Bhagwati.
Explanation: Justices V.R. Krishna Iyer and P.N. Bhagwati were instrumental in introducing the concept of PIL in India during the early 1980s. They were pioneers in judicial activism and contributed significantly to the expansion of the scope of fundamental rights through PIL.
Q4. What is the traditional rule of ‘locus standi’ in legal proceedings?
- Only the aggrieved party with a personal stake in the case can approach the court.
- Anyone with a social interest can file a case on behalf of others.
- Courts can entertain any legal matter without any restriction.
- Only government bodies can file cases in the public interest.
Correct Option: 1. Only the aggrieved party with a personal stake in the case can approach the court.
Explanation: Under the traditional rule of locus standi, only a person whose legal rights are directly violated can approach the court. However, PIL relaxes this rule, allowing any public-spirited individual or organization to approach the court on behalf of disadvantaged groups who are unable to do so themselves.
Q5. Which of the following issues can be entertained as a PIL in India?
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Service matters related to pension
- Environmental pollution
- Admission to medical colleges
Correct Option: 3. Environmental pollution
Explanation: The Supreme Court of India has provided guidelines for issues that can be entertained under PIL, and environmental pollution is one of the main areas covered. PILs can be filed to address violations related to pollution, ecological imbalance, and other public health concerns. Private matters like landlord-tenant disputes or individual service matters are generally not entertained.