The Supreme Court's strong observation deprecating the growing tendency in the judiciary to encroach upon territory exclusively reserved for the legislature and the executive has once again stirred a debate over judicial activism and the excessive use of Public Interest jurisdiction by the constitutional courts.

What Is Locus Standl?
In the 1970s, it was difficult to approach the Supreme Court or a High Court for enfbrcement of somebody else's rights, as the courts were very rigid about the question of 'locus standi' of the petitioner Courts would not allow anybody unconnected with the case to approach it. But the scenario began to change in the 1980s with the SC itself relaxing the rule to deliver justice to vulnerable sections of the society, which were not in a position to approach it on their own. The relaxation led to a spate in PILs.

What Is PIL Mechanism?
Ours is the world's largest written Constitution, which guarantees a set ' of fundamental rights. In fact the whole chapter III of the Constitution (Article 12 to Article 35) lists fundamental rights. It also provides mechanism for enforcement of these fundamental and other rights. Under Article 32, a person can directly move the SC for enforcement of his/her fundamental rights. Similarly, he/she can move a HC under Article 226 for enforcement of his/her fundamental rights or statutory rights. The scope of Article 226 is much wider.

How Does It Work?
If there is a heap of garbage in your lo- cality, can you file a PIL in the SC or the HC concerned? Yes. The only thing you have to do is to make out a case of violation of your fimdamental right/s to approach the SC and a case of violation of fundamental or statutory rights to move the HC. It is a violation of your right to life guaranteed under Article 21.