PILs and Judicial Activism: Recent Landmark PILs in 2024–2025
- ByAdmin --
- 19 May 2025 --
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Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been a powerful tool in India’s judicial system to uphold justice, protect rights, and enforce governmental accountability. The judiciary’s proactive role, often termed judicial activism, has brought about significant socio-legal reforms, especially through PILs. The years 2024 and 2025 have witnessed several landmark PILs that highlight the evolving nature of public interest litigation and the judiciary’s commitment to social justice.
What is a Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?
- PIL is a legal mechanism allowing any individual or group to file petitions for public causes, especially when the rights of marginalized or vulnerable sections are affected.
- It broadens access to justice, bypassing traditional locus standi (personal interest) requirements.
- PILs often act as a catalyst for judicial activism where courts interpret laws creatively to protect constitutional rights.
Judicial Activism: Overview
- Judicial activism refers to the proactive role of courts in enforcing rights and ensuring good governance, sometimes stepping beyond conventional adjudication.
- It involves the judiciary interpreting the Constitution and laws to promote justice, fill legislative gaps, and address societal issues.
- PILs are a key instrument for judicial activism in India.
Recent Landmark PILs in 2024–2025
1. Environmental Protection and Climate Action PIL
- The Supreme Court took suo-motu cognizance of increasing pollution levels in metropolitan cities.
- It directed stricter enforcement of environmental norms and asked states to adopt green energy alternatives.
- The Court emphasized the right to a healthy environment as part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21.
2. Digital Privacy and Data Protection PIL
- Following concerns over data breaches and misuse of personal information, a PIL was filed demanding a comprehensive data protection law.
- The Supreme Court referred to its earlier landmark judgment in K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017), reaffirming the right to privacy.
- The Court called on the government to expedite the enactment of a robust data protection framework.
3. Women’s Safety and Workplace Harassment PIL
- A PIL addressing gaps in enforcement of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 was filed.
- The Court mandated faster investigation and stricter penalties for non-compliance.
- It underscored the state’s duty to ensure safe workplaces under Article 21.
4. Right to Education and Digital Divide PIL
- Highlighting the education disparity post-pandemic, a PIL demanded government intervention to bridge the digital divide affecting rural students.
- The Court instructed states to improve digital infrastructure and provide affordable internet access.
- It reinforced the Right to Education under Article 21A and equal access as essential.
5. Public Health Infrastructure PIL
- A PIL was filed to address inadequate healthcare infrastructure amid recurring disease outbreaks.
- The Court directed the government to increase budget allocations for public health and improve emergency preparedness.
- It emphasized the state’s obligation under the Directive Principles of State Policy to provide health care.
Constitutional Provisions Invoked
- Article 21 – Right to life and personal liberty, interpreted expansively to include environment, privacy, and safety.
- Article 14 – Equality before law, ensuring non-discrimination.
- Article 19 – Freedom of speech and expression, relevant in digital rights cases.
- Article 21A – Right to education.
- Directive Principles of State Policy – Non-justiciable but serve as guidelines for welfare measures.
Impact of PILs and Judicial Activism
- PILs have pushed the government and administrative authorities towards greater transparency, accountability, and reform.
- Judicial activism via PILs has strengthened constitutional governance, protecting rights of marginalized communities.
- It has also sparked debates on judicial overreach, balancing judicial intervention with democratic policymaking.
Conclusion
The years 2024 and 2025 reaffirm the judiciary’s crucial role in upholding the constitutional ethos through Public Interest Litigations. Landmark PILs on environment, digital privacy, women’s safety, education, and health demonstrate the courts’ commitment to progressive social change. As India faces new challenges, PILs remain vital instruments of judicial activism to ensure justice and equality for all.
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