Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Legal Studies

Chapter

Judiciary

Question:

Which of the following is the first ever listed PIL in India?

Options:

Hussainara Khatoon Vs. State of Bihar

Keshavanand Bharti Vs. State of Kerala

Maneka Gandhi Vs. Union of India

Cooper Vs. Copper

Correct Answer:

Hussainara Khatoon Vs. State of Bihar

Explanation:

The first ever PIL is listed as Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar and dates back to 1979. A public interest activist lawyer filed this case on behalf of thousands of prisoners of the Bihar jail against the inhuman conditions of the prison. A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice P.N. Bhagwati declared the right for free legal aid and expeditious trial of these prisoners, which ultimately led to their release. Since then, PILs have encompassed several issues including socio-economic rights (freedom from bonded labour), legal entitlements (right to food; right to work), environment issues (clean air and water) and political reforms (disclosure of assets by members of the executive; disbursement of natural resources done by the government).