The DOCTRINE OF PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) in Indian constitutional law:
Arequires personal locus standi in every case (cf. PIL doctrine; Mumbai Kamgar Sabha v. Abdulbhai (1976); S.P. Gupta v. UoI (1981); People's Union for Democratic Rights v. UoI (1982))
Bpermits any frivolous petitions (cf. PIL doctrine; Mumbai Kamgar Sabha v. Abdulbhai (1976); S.P. Gupta v. UoI (1981); People's Union for Democratic Rights v. UoI (1982))
Crelaxes traditional rules of LOCUS STANDI — any public-spirited person or group may petition courts on behalf of those who are unable to approach courts themselves (poor, illiterate, oppressed)
Dis only available for property disputes (cf. PIL doctrine; Mumbai Kamgar Sabha v. Abdulbhai (1976); S.P. Gupta v. UoI (1981); People's Union for Democratic Rights v. UoI (1982))
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. relaxes traditional rules of LOCUS STANDI — any public-spirited person or group may petition courts on behalf of those who are unable to approach courts themselves (poor, illiterate, oppressed)
1. PIL emerged in India in the late 1970s — Mumbai Kamgar Sabha v. Abdulbhai (1976) was an early case relaxing locus standi.
2. S.P. Gupta v. UoI (Judges Transfer Case, 1981) formally articulated relaxed locus.
3. PUDR v. UoI (Asiad Workers Case, 1982): Bhagwati J. articulated the philosophical basis — courts must reach out to the poor and oppressed.
4. PIL is also called Social Action Litigation (SAL) — distinct from US class action.
5. State of Uttaranchal v. Balwant Singh Chaufal (2010): SC laid down guidelines to curb 'PIL abuse' (publicity, political, personal interest litigation).
6. Hence option B is correct.
_Source: UDHR 1948 / ICCPR 1966 / ICESCR 1966 / CAT 1984 / CEDAW 1979 / CRC 1989 / PHRA 1993 / Constitution Part III — PIL doctrine; Mumbai Kamgar Sabha v. Abdulbhai (1976); S.P. Gupta v. UoI (1981); People's Union for Democratic Rights v. UoI (1982)_
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