Supreme Court of India PIL rulings

The Supreme Court of India has recently declined to entertain two separate Public Interest Litigations (PILs) involving government-mandated programs.

In the first instance, the Court refused to hear a petition challenging restrictions on outsiders, journalists, and social media users entering government schools in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The petitioner argued that requiring prior written permission for photography or interviews infringed upon freedom of speech and the ability to report on school infrastructure. The Court declined to consider the petition, leaving existing departmental guidelines regarding school security and student privacy in place.

In a subsequent matter, the Court declined to entertain a PIL filed by the Universal Health Organisation regarding a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for adolescent girls. The petition alleged that the school-based program violated rights to informed consent and bodily autonomy due to a lack of transparent risk disclosure. The bench questioned the motives of the petition, suggesting it lacked ‘bona fide intent’ and could derail a critical health program. The matter was ultimately dismissed after the petitioner withdrew the plea.