Allahabad HC Rejects 'Publicity Interest Litigation' on Kanwar Yatra

Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was introduced into Indian jurisprudence during the late 1970s and early 1980s by Supreme Court Justices P.N. Bhagwati and V.R. Krishna Iyer. Designed to relax traditional rules of locus standi, PIL allows public-spirited citizens to approach higher courts on behalf of marginalized groups whose fundamental rights under Article 21 are violated. However, judicial docket explosion has led courts to strictly curb frivolous litigation.

The court highlighted guidelines laid down in landmark judgments such as State of Uttaranchal v. Balwant Singh Chaufal (2010), which mandated that High Courts verify the credentials of petitioners, assess public interest authenticity, and impose heavy costs on frivolous filings. The bench noted that executive orders managing public order during religious processions fall within administrative discretion under Article 19(6) of the Constitution.

This case serves as an important illustration for GS Paper II (Judiciary, PIL Evolution, and Fundamental Rights). Prelims questions can test principles of Locus Standi and Article 19 reasonable restrictions, while Mains questions frequently explore judicial activism versus judicial overreach and measures to prevent PIL abuse.