------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ SC voices concern over flood of PILs ------------------------------------------------ UNI New Delhi March 14: Expressing shock over courts being flooded with frivolous Public Interest Litigations (PILs), the Supreme Court has said "A time has come to weed out such petitions."A division bench comprising Mr Justice Doraiswamy Raju and Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat further expressed concern over the fact that courts were "strangely" entertaining such petitions by ignoring clear guidelines by the apex court in this regard.
"Though the parameters of PIL have been indicated by this court in a large number of cases, yet unmindful of the real intentions and objectives, courts at times are entertaining such petitions and wasting valuable judicial time," the bench said.
Noting that of the large number of pending PILs only a miniscule could
legitimately be called so, the bench observed that PIL should not be
allowed to become "publicity interest litigation or private interest litigation
or politics interest litigation or, the latest trend, praise income litigation."
Calling for ruthless action against such "self-styled saviours" who waste the valuable time of courts, it said such litigation should be axed with heavy hand and dire consequences.
The bench warned that liberal view adopted by courts had in a sense "slowly permitted setting in motion criminal law jurisdiction, often justifiably just for gaining publicity and giving adverse publicity to their opponents."
The laudable concept of PIL was for extending its long arm of sympathy to the poor, ignorant and oppressed, the court said, adding the 'brand name' should not be allowed to be used by imposters and meddlesome interlopers impersonating as public spirited holy men.
The bench passed the order while dismissing a PIL by one Dr B Singh who questioned the propriety of a person appointed as a judge. Dr Singh, who did not have any personal knowledge of the allegations made against the judge by one Mr Ram Swarup, had earlier unsuccessfully moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Observing that the petitioner had moved the court for self publicity and there was no trace of public interest, the Supreme Court said he deserved a fine of Rs 50,000. The court, however, imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the hope that he would mend his ways. ---------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 15/3/04 page 9 ----------------------------------------------
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