Supreme Court Rejects Publicity-Driven PIL

The Supreme Court on Monday, January 19, 2026, strongly criticised a public interest litigation (PIL) that called for wide-ranging judicial reforms. The court dismissed the petition, saying it appeared to be a “publicity interest litigation” rather than a genuine legal concern.

The judges said the Supreme Court should not be used as a platform to gain media attention or speak to cameras waiting outside the courtroom. They made it clear that serious issues must be raised responsibly and not for personal publicity.

The petitioner had asked the court to issue directions making it compulsory for all courts across India to complete every case within one year. The Supreme Court rejected this demand, stating that such blanket directions are unrealistic given the large number of pending cases, shortage of judges, and varying nature of legal matters.

The court said judicial delays are a complex issue and cannot be solved through simple or uniform timelines. It added that reforms in the justice system require careful planning, resources, and cooperation between the judiciary and the government, not publicity-driven petitions.