The Punjab and Haryana High Court reaffirms that Public Interest Litigations (PILs) should not bypass existing legal remedies, particularly in cases like online betting advertisements. Learn why the court cautions against PIL misuse.

High Court Dismisses PIL on Online Betting Ads

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought action against online betting advertisements. The court emphasized that the petitioner failed to use the legal remedy already provided under the Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025. It reiterated that PILs are not to be used as shortcuts when statutory paths are available.

Judicial Reminder on the Purpose of PILs

The court bench underscored that the PIL mechanism was established to give a voice to the voiceless and to address issues lacking formal legal solutions. When a specific law exists, such as gambling regulation under the Haryana Act, petitioners are required to utilize it first. According to the court, this approach maintains the sanctity of constitutional processes and avoids misuse of the PIL channel.

Impact of Frivolous PILs on the Judicial System

The judges expressed serious concerns over the increasing misuse of PILs. They stated that frivolous or misdirected PILs not only overburden the judiciary but also undermine the credibility of legitimate public interest causes. The court emphasized that misusing PILs for issues already covered by law takes away valuable court time from more pressing, genuine matters.

Upholding Constitutional Discipline and Legal Remedies

This ruling reinforces the core principle that constitutional and statutory remedies must be respected. Petitioners are expected to exhaust all existing legal pathways before invoking the extraordinary jurisdiction of the High Court. The court’s position aims to protect the true purpose of PILs — serving the public interest in matters where no legal remedy exists.