Judicial Activism — the Enforcement of Human Rights in India

Abstract

The most conspicuous feature of the Indian legal system is judicial activism and almost institutionalization of government by the judiciary. This activism is often assisted by activist lawyers, social activists, journalists and several others. The Supreme Court of India through innovative exercise of judicial power was fairly successful in protecting and promoting human rights and this process of creative exercise of judicial power is termed as judicial activism. The means and methods by which the judiciary expands its role is through public interest litigation (PIL). This paper is aimed at incisive analysis of judicial activism and PIL in promoting human rights of the weak and the vulnerable.