In Brief
Tamil Nadu Centre for Public Interest Litigation challenged the High Court's disposal of a writ petition on farmer suicides by directing recourse to the Right to Information Act, without addressing the substantive issue of state responsibility. The Supreme Court held that the State has a constitutional obligation, standing as guardian of its citizens, to actively address the distressing conditions of farmers compelled to commit suicide due to famine and financial hardship. Rather than treating such cases adversarially, the Court directed a participative approach requiring the State to present ameliorative, preventive, and curative measures. The matter was remanded with two weeks' notice and an amicus curiae appointed to assist the Court in formulating relief measures."
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