Supreme Court Slaps Fine Of Rs One Lakh On Petitioner

New Delhi, February 27 (TNA) The Supreme Court (SC) has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on a petition against the posting order of Allahabad High Court, saying such petitions waste the court's time.

The apex court slapped this fine on a petitioner for filing an appeal challenging the order of the Allahabad High Court which had adjourned his petition related to promotion after issuing a notice. The Supreme Court said that such petitions not only waste the court's time but also increase the pending cases.

A three-judge bench comprising Justice BR Gavai, Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Sandeep Mehta expressed displeasure over the practice of filing appeals against High Court orders issuing notices or granting stays. The top court said- “We have seen many such special leave petitions which have been filed against orders merely issuing notice, granting stay or refusing to grant interim protection. Such petitions are nothing but an abuse of the process of law, waste precious time of the court and increase the pendency of cases.”

SC also directed that a fine amount of one lakh be deposited in the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Advocates on Record Association of the High Court. In this case, the petitioner had approached the High Court with a petition to quash the order in which the promotion case was dismissed. The high court issued a notice on January 18, 2024, saying the matter required consideration and listed it for the week beginning April 8.