Steps taken to prevent misuse of PILs

♤ The SC has warned that the court shall have the power to impose exemplary compensation on the parties that misuse the PIL. Further, a party that brings a PIL in the court shall have to prima facie establish a case before the court, before the court takes up the case for further action.

♤ The court has also started establishing the Scrutiny Committees consisting of public-spirited lawyers, social workers etc. to scrutinize the PIL filed and submit the report to the court explaining the merit in the case if there is any to save the court’s precious time. In this regard, the court has also been taking help of Amicus Curiae (friend of the court). The Supreme Court also cautioned the high courts to be cautious while taking up a PIL that it should not interfere in the policy issues of executives.

♤ The Supreme Court has devised guidelines defining the process and the issues, which can be accepted as PIL.