SC for research on gains from PILs

Amidst a raging debate and differences among judges over entertaining public interest litigations (PILs), the Supreme Court floated an idea of carrying out a study to find out spheres in which such petitions have yielded results. "A general study on PILs would be helpful to know where it has been unproductive and where it has been very productive. It can be inspirational for others," a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said during the hearing of a PIL on Tuesday. "We know some of the PILs are unproductive and we have also seen some are very productive...some research in the area would be a positive step," the Bench, also comprising Justice R V Raveendran, said. "We also learn from experience," it said. Citing the case of polluted Yamuna, the Bench said despite monitoring a PIL on the river for more than a decade the quality of water in the Capital has not improved even after spending over thousands of crores of rupees. During the hearing advocate Sanjay Parikh, who was waiting for the turn of his matter, drew the attention of the Bench that through PILs and court monitoring changes had been brought about in several areas. He said successful monitoring of a PIL helped implementation of a food scheme in Orissa's eight poverty-hit districts including Kalahandi, Bolangir and Korapur. Parikh volunteered to carry out the research. The remarks of the Bench assume significance as the apex court in December last had decided to lay down guidelines governing PILs after confusion had arisen over the observations of a two-member Bench on "judicial activism and overreach".

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