Summary
Repeated misconceived public-interest proceedings, collateral attacks and unsupported accusations against judges and Registry officers constituted abuse of judicial time. After notice and hearing, the Court barred the Trust and its chairman from filing public-interest causes and imposed Rs.25 lakh exemplary costs. It rejected the claim that an earlier larger-bench direction required an eleven-judge bench.
Issues
- Whether the repeated litigation and allegations warranted restrictions and exemplary costs.
Held
- The earlier two-judge direction for a larger bench was complied with by listing before three judges. Repeated collateral and contempt challenges to that listing lacked legal justification. (¶ 20–25)
- The Trust and chairman were directed to refrain from filing public-interest causes in any court, including indirectly through others. In pending public-interest matters they were to place this order on record unless withdrawing them. (¶ 27)
- Rs.25 lakh costs were payable to the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Welfare Trust within three months; failing deposit, recovery could proceed against the chairman personally and the matter was to be listed for recovery. (¶ 28–29)
Result
Writ petition disposed of with filing restrictions, exemplary costs and recovery directions.