Supreme Court – Court pulls up petitioners over “frivolous” pleas, imposes costs of Rs 1 lakh to each petitioner

The Supreme Court on Monday slapped a fine of Rs. 1 lakh each on all petitioners while dismissing two PILs seeking protection and conservation of ancient remains and artefacts which are found  while digging the land around the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya during the  construction of the temple.

Miffed with the plea, the 3-judge Bench,  comprising of Justices Arun Mishra, BR Gavai and Krishna Murari, viewed it as  an attempt to stall the implementation of the Ayodhya land dispute verdict and  consequently deemed it frivolous.

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, on  behalf of the petitioners, attempted to submit that their prayer was only to  ensure that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) may supervise the  levelling and digging at the site and seize whatever artefacts and antiquities may be found. However, Justice Mishra intervened to ask why such a petition was filed before the Court under Article 32 of the Constitution.

Going on to dismiss the petition, Justice Mishra pulled up the petitioners and stated – “stop filing such frivolous petitions! What do you mean by this? Are you saying that there is no Rule of Law and the Judgement of the Court (Ayodhya Verdict) will not be followed by anyone and no one will take action?”

Upon being urged by the Solicitor General to impose costs for filing this plea, Justice Mishra went on to impose costs of Rs. 1 lakh on each petitioner, which must be deposited within a period of one month.

“How dare you approach the Court under Article 32? You were just trying to stop the verdict of this Court.” – Justice Arun Mishra

When Senior Advocate Dr. Menaka Guruswamy sought to make submissions on behalf of the petitioners in order to explain what the pleas seek, the Court refused to hear the matter, terming the pleas as “frivolous”.

“With great respect my lord…” – Menaka Guruswamy

“What respect? This is your respect? Why are such frivolous petitions being filed? Nonsense.” – Justice Arun Mishra

Inputs – Bar&Bench