May 10, 2012

Who Can Seek Justice From Supreme Court merely by writing an inland letter?

In Supreme Court, there is a PIL Cell where letters addressed to Supreme Court and Judges are examined. Many of them are simply filed without even acknowledging but actions are taken on some letters. Guidelines are framed. The Guidelines are also available on Internet.

Some Instances:

1) Bonded Labourers. (If you see that any person is kept as a bonded labourer/child labourer etc. You can drop a letter to Supreme Court, Registrar, PIL Cell giving details and relevant addresses. You should however first consider risk from anti-socials. If SC takes actions, backlash may hit you. It will not be difficult for antisocial to hit back at you. At that time, it will be difficult for SC to help you too)

2) A prisoner from Jail can write a letter to SC against any kind of torture in jail and if he is not being released though he may have completed 14 Years in Jail.

3) Neglected Children
4) Harassment by Police or death in Police Custody
5) Atrocities being meted out to any woman
6) Disputes between villagers of two villages and inaction of police
7) Environmental pollution caused by any industry., Maintenance of ancient Monuments etc/ 
8) Riot victims  
9) Family Pension

These are some examples. SC office may write to authorities. They may send your letter  to High Court. Or they may place matter before Court for treating it a SUO MOTTO petition.

Or, they may just FILE your letter without taking any action.

You can read guidelines on internet "Compilation of Guidelines To Be Followed For Entertaining Letters/Petitions Received in Supreme Court"

Now that new technologies have come, you can also enclose a video CD with your letter if you want. 

(Probably, all High Courts also have such PIL Cells. They may also have published their guidelines on net. You can write to High Courts also.)

Haresh Raichura
10th May, 2012