Role of Public Interest Litigation in Reference to Human Rights Jurisprudence and Prisoner Rights

Public Interest Litigation is the result of judicial activism and has been seen as an instrument of bringing justice to the doorstep of the poor and less fortunate. It came into existence as a response to an endemic problem of exploitation and injustice caused to the vulnerable sections of the society in India and in many Third World countries. The Indian Supreme Court thus devised the Public Interest Litigation principle; thereunder the public-spirited citizens or groups can activate the Court to prevent the infringement of fundamental rights/human rights of weaker sections. Public Interest Litigations have sought the implementation of constitutional and statutory obligations towards poor and weaker sections of the society. In this research work the researcher will discuss that how this instrument of Public Interest Litigation been used by the judiciary for the purpose of inculcating the human rights jurisprudence and protection of rights of the prisoners.