बंधुआ मुक्ति मोर्चा बनाम भारत संघ
| Citation | (1984) 3 SCC 161 |
| Court | Supreme Court of India |
| Date | 16 December 1983 |
| Year | 1984 |
| Bench | P.N. Bhagwati, R.S. Pathak, Amarendra Nath Sen JJ. |
| Acts/Articles | Article 21, Article 23, Article 32, Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976 |
| Category | Constitutional Law, Public Interest Litigation (PIL) |
Key Principle Established
PIL can be initiated by any public-spirited person. Court need not follow adversarial procedure in PIL. Bonded labour system violates Articles 21 and 23.
Bandhua Mukti Morcha, an organization dedicated to the liberation of bonded labourers, filed a PIL alleging existence of bonded labour in stone quarries of Faridabad district. The Government raised preliminary objections about the PIL process.
Justice Bhagwati delivered a landmark judgment expanding PIL jurisprudence:
This judgment expanded the scope and methodology of PIL in India. It established that courts can go beyond the traditional adversarial model to actively investigate facts. It also directed the government to take concrete steps against bonded labour, leading to significant policy changes.
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Read AnalysisThis judgment summary is for educational and research purposes. While care has been taken to accurately represent the ratio and findings, for authoritative reference always consult the original judgment text from official sources (SCC Online, AIR, Manupatra, or court websites).
22+ years of practice before Punjab & Haryana High Court and Supreme Court of India.