LOK ADHIKAR SANGH Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present proceedings arise under Arts. 14 and 226 of the Constitution of India. They are at the instance of Lok Adhikar Sangh, an unregistered and unincorporated organisation said to be working since 1977. The proceedings have been characterised as the PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION. The proceedings appear to be the sequel to the resignation of Hon'ble The Home Minister and the letters prior to and after the said resignation addressed to the Hon'ble The Chief Minister of the State of Gujarat.

(2.) Paragraph-1 of the petition demonstrates the facts and circumstances under which the proceedings have been initiated. It also gives the glimpses of what the prayers ultimately would be. Paragraph-1 of the petition may be quoted thus :

(3.) According to the petitioner, they are a voluntary organisation, unregistered and unincorporated but working since year 1977. According to the petitioner-Sangh, after year 1980 there has been a radical change in the socio-economic and political situation in the State of Gujarat. The petitioner Sangh is concerned with the fact that, though the State has registered some progress in certain spheres, there has been a registration of serious downfall in many important areas. According to the petitioner Sangh, more than 60% of the population of the State belonging to the backward class live below proverty line, while on the other hand the rest of the people which would be within the brackets of 15% to 20% have been able to amass wealth at the cost of the Society. According to the petitioner-Sangh, as a result of this uneven development, there has been a tremendous increase in the illegal and anti-social activities in the people.