The Supreme Court recently quashed a writ petition filed by two lawyers who wanted the vehicles to be allowed to run till the end of their registration lives in both diesel and gasoline versions.
In their ruling, Justices LN Rao, BR Gavai, and AS Bopanna slapped the petitioners with a cost of Rs 50,000 to be paid to the Supreme Court Legal Services Authority.
“We find that the present petition is nothing but an abuse of process of law. At least a lawyer practising before this court is expected to know that a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of Indian, cannot be filed to seek any reliefs which are contrary to the orders passed by this court. Inspire of forewarning, the petitioner in person continued to argue the matter. We therefore, pass an order dismissing the petition.”
While the attorney was presenting his case, the bench warned him that the reliefs sought were in violation of multiple directives issued by the Top Court and the NGT, but the counsel managed to persuade the bench to give him 8 minutes.
Although the bench granted the counsel’s motion, it warned him that if the plea was found to be without merit, a fee of one lakh per minute would be imposed.
“We could have very well imposed the cost of rupees 8 lakhs while dismissing the petition, which we indicated at the beginning of the hearing. However, we do not propose to be harsh to an ill-advised parties in person who fortunately or unfortunately are lawyers. We are therefore, inclined to take a lenient view of the matter.”
Before concluding, the bench warned the petitioners that if they continued to engage in such irresponsible behaviour, the Court would be forced to take serious action.