Misuse of PILs refers to the filing of frivolous, dishonest, or self-serving petitions under the guise of "public interest" to gain personal, political, or publicity-related benefits, rather than serving a genuine public cause. Although Public Interest Litigation was introduced by Indian courts as a progressive judicial tool to provide access to justice for the poor, marginalized, or voiceless sections of society, it is sometimes abused by individuals who misuse the court process to:

Misuse of PILs refers to the filing of frivolous, dishonest, or self-serving petitions under the guise of "public interest" to gain personal, political, or publicity-related benefits, rather than serving a genuine public cause. Although Public Interest Litigation was introduced by Indian courts as a progressive judicial tool to provide access to justice for the poor, marginalized, or voiceless sections of society, it is sometimes abused by individuals who misuse the court process for:

1. Personal or Political Agenda – Filing PILs to target political rivals or settle scores.

2. Publicity-Seeking – Filing sensational petitions to gain media attention.

3. Private Interest Disguised as Public Interest – Masking business or financial motives under the label of public good.

4. Obstructing Legitimate Projects – Filing PILs to delay infrastructure, industrial, or environmental projects for ulterior motives.

Misuse of PILs happens when people file Public Interest Litigations for personal, political, or publicity reasons instead of genuine public interest. Courts discourage such PILs to prevent wastage of judicial time and protect the integrity of the process.