Public Interest Litigation
PIL is litigation introduced in a court of law, not by the aggrieved party but by the court itself taking cognizance of the matter or by any public-spirited individual. PIL is a right given to the socially conscious member or a public spirited NGO to espouse a public cause by seeking judicial redressal of public injury. Such injury may arise from breach of public duty or due to a violation of some provision of the Constitution. Click the appropriate links below to access detailed information on PIL filed by IPH.
Institute of Public Health Vs Union of India and others
In order to challenge the sponsorship by Indian Tobacco Board (unit of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry – Government of India) of an international tobacco trade event (Global Tobacco Networking Forum – GTNF) scheduled to take place in Bangalore in October 2010, IPH filed a PIL in Karnataka High Court. Petitioner demanded withdrawal of sponsorship of as well as participation in GTNF by Indian Tobacco Board and formulation and implementation by Union of India, a code of conduct for public officials on how they shall deal with tobacco industry in order to avoid such events in future. Karnataka High Court passed an order asking Indian Tobacco Board to withdraw sponsorship and participation from GTNF. Court accepted the draft code of conduct framed by petitioner (IPH) and suggested Union of India to consider it while framing such code.
Copy of the PIL
Order of Karnataka High Court (Date:23/10/2011)