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Judiciary
Write a short note on Public Interest Litigation and its usage on early years.
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is a mechanism devised by the Supreme Court of India in the early 1980s to increase access to justice.
Under this mechanism any individual or organisation is allowed to file a PIL in the High Court or the Supreme Court on behalf of those whose rights are being violated. The legal process that it involves is very simple. Even a letter or telegram addressed to the Supreme Court or the High Court can be treated as a PIL.
In the early years, PIL was used to secure justice on a large number of issues such as rescuing bonded labourers from inhuman work conditions; and securing the release of prisoners in Bihar who had been kept in jail even after their punishment term was complete.
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You read that one of the main Junctions of the judiciary is upholding the law and enforcing Fundamental Rights? Why do you think an independent judiciary is necessary to carry out this important function?
Re-read the list of Fundamental Rights provided in Chapter 1. How do you think the Right to Constitutional Remedies connects to the idea of judicial review?
In the following illustration, fill in each tier with the judgements given by the various courts in the Sudha Goel case. Check your responses with others in class.
The accused took the case to the High Court because they were unhappy with the decision of the Trial Court.
They went to the High Court after the Supreme Court had given its decision.
If they do not like the Supreme Court verdict, the accused can go back again to the Trial Court.
Why do you think the introduction of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the 1980s is a significant step in ensuring access to justice for all?
Re-read excerpts from the judgement on the ‘Olga Tellis vs Bombay Municipal Corporation’ case. Now write in your own words what the judges meant when they said that the Right to Livelihood was a part of the Right to Life.
Write a story around the theme, ‘Justice delayed is justice denied.’
Make sentences with each of the glossary words given in the textbook.
Acquit, To appeal, Compensation, Eviction, Violation
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