Consider the following statements: Justice V R Krishna Iyer was the Chief Justice of India. Justice V R Krishna Iyer is considered as one of the progenitors of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Indian judicial system. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q 15 / 21

UPSC CSE Prelims 2008

Consider the following statements:

Justice V R Krishna Iyer was the Chief Justice of India.
Justice V R Krishna Iyer is considered as one of the progenitors of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Indian judicial system.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option

Statement 2 is correct. Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer, along with Justice P. N. Bhagwati, played a pioneering role in the evolution of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India. He advocated for a more liberal interpretation of the rule of locus standi, allowing public-spirited citizens to file petitions on behalf of marginalized communities, thereby enhancing access to justice for the underprivileged. His judgments significantly contributed to judicial activism and the institutionalization of PIL.

Incorrect Options

Statement 1 is incorrect. Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India from 1973 to 1980. He was never appointed as the Chief Justice of India.

Option (a) 1 only: This is incorrect because Statement 1 is factually wrong as Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer was not the Chief Justice of India.
Option (c) Both 1 & 2: This is incorrect because Statement 1 is false, while Statement 2 is correct.
Option (d) Neither 1 nor 2: This is incorrect because Statement 2 is correct, highlighting Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer's significant role in the development of PIL.

SOURCEIndian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, Chapter 30: Supreme Court