polity medium true/false

Epistolary jurisdiction allows the Supreme Court to treat letters as writ petitions in PIL cases.

  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Epistolary jurisdiction is a unique feature of Indian PIL where the Supreme Court/High Courts can treat letters, postcards, or newspaper reports as writ petitions if they reveal violations of fundamental rights of disadvantaged groups. This relaxes procedural formalities to enhance access to justice, pioneered in cases like Bandhua Mukti Morcha (1984).

Topic PIL
Exam Relevance Procedural innovation question for UPSC and SSC; tests judicial activism mechanisms

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