The mechanism of 'Public Interest Litigation' (PIL) was devised by the Supreme Court in the:

The correct option is

Early 1980s

Explanation

Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is a strategic arm of the legal aid movement intended to bring justice within the reach of the poor and disadvantaged. It involves a relaxation of the traditional rule of locus standi, allowing any public-spirited person or organization to approach the court for the enforcement of the rights of others.

Historical Context and Timeline:

• The mechanism of PIL was introduced and devised by the Supreme Court of India in the early 1980s.
• Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer and Justice P.N. Bhagwati are recognized as the pioneers of this concept in the Indian judicial system.
• While the first reported case of PIL is often cited as Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar (1979), which focused on the plight of undertrial prisoners, the jurisprudence and procedural mechanisms were firmly established in the early 1980s.
• The case of S.P. Gupta v. Union of India (1981) is significant as the Supreme Court formally articulated the principles of PIL and the relaxation of locus standi.

Key Takeaway: The concept of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was devised by the Supreme Court in the early 1980s, primarily driven by Justice P.N. Bhagwati and Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, to facilitate the enforcement of Fundamental Rights for marginalized sections of society.