In what way can public interest litigation help the poor?

Public interest litigation can help the poor in the following ways:

• It can seek to protect the fundamental rights and better the living conditions of the poor.

• It can allow public spirited citizens, social organisations and lawyers to file cases on behalf of those who cannot approach the courts.

• The judiciary can also consider the cases on the basis of newspaper reports and postal complaints received by the court.

• The courts can direct the executive to comply with its orders and provide remedial action to the aggrieved party whose rights have been violated.

• PILs have also expanded the idea of rights and thus, have led to formation of new norms for public good like clean air and water that have benefitted the entire society.