Public Interest

What is Public Interest?

According to Strouds Judicial Dictionary, Vol.IV (4th Edition)

public interest is defined thus:

      "Public interest -- 1. A matter of public or general interest does NOT mean that which is               interesting as gratifying curiosity or a love of information or amusement; BUT that in which a class of the community have a pecuniary interest, or some interest by which their legal rights or liabilities are affected."

       meanings
       1. pecuniary - related to or consisting of money

In Blacks Law Dictionary (6th edition)
      "Public interest -- Something in which the public, the community at large, has some pecuniary interest or some interest by which their legal rights or liabilities are affected. It does NOT mean anything so narrow as mere curiosity, or as the interest of the particular localities, which may be affected by the matters in question. Interest shared by citizens generally in affairs of local, state or national government"



References

1. Smt Sunita Jain Vs BSNL - link