Suo Motu

adverb; also used attributively (adjective), as in "suo motu cognizance"

/ˌsuː.əʊ ˈməʊ.tuː/

A Latin term meaning "on its own motion," used when a court takes cognizance of a matter and initiates proceedings independently, without a formal petition or complaint from any party.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

When the executive grows complacent in enforcing environmental safeguards, the higher judiciary has often taken suo motu cognizance of press reports on toxic effluents, converting them into public interest litigation to compel administrative accountability.

Synonyms

sua sponteon its own motionof its own accordon its own initiativemotu proprioex officio

Antonyms

on petitionon applicationat a party's instanceon motion of a party

🌱 Word Family

No standard derived forms

🔡 Root

Latin suō = of its own (ablative of suus) + mōtū = by motion (ablative of mōtus, from movēre)

📜 Etymology

From Latin suō ("of its own," ablative of suus) + mōtū ("by motion," ablative of mōtus, from movēre, "to move"); widely used in Indian and South Asian legal practice.

🧠 Memory Hook

Read "suo motu" as "SO he MOved" on his own — the judge "moves" the case himself, with no one having to push him.

⚖️ Polity & Constitution 📖 Seen in: Indian Judiciary — Supreme Court, High...

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