HC fines man ₹1L for filing ‘frivolous’ PIL

Cuttack: The Orissa high court has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on a petitioner for filing a ‘frivolous’ public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the constitutional validity of Section 69 (ii) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951, without being able to justify why it should be declared unconstitutional.Section 69 (ii) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951, deals with the vacation of seats by members of a House on election to the other House of Parliament. It says, “If a person who is already a member of the Council of States and has taken his seat in such Council is chosen as a member of the House of the People, his seat in the Council of States shall, on the date on which he is so chosen, become vacant.”Bibhutibhusan Mohapatra had filed a PIL seeking to declare Section 69 (ii) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951, as unconstitutional, terming it an obstacle to fair election.When the petition was taken up on Monday, the petitioner appeared in person but placed nothing on record to explain the grounds on which the provision in the Act is to be declared unconstitutional.Taking note of it, the two-judge bench of Chief Justice B R Sarangi and Justice M S Raman said, “This court doubts the credentials of the petitioner for filing of the present writ petition. As such, without justifying how Section 69 (ii) of Representation of People’s Act, 1951, is unconstitutional, this frivolous writ petition has been filed by the petitioner. Therefore, this court is not inclined to entertain this writ petition.”The bench subsequently dismissed the writ petition and fined Mohapatra Rs 1,00,000. The amount is to be deposited in the advocate welfare’s fund of the high court bar association within seven days. “Failing which, the amount shall be recovered by initiating proceedings under the Odisha Public Demands Recovery Act,1962, against the petitioner, so that the petitioner will refrain from filing such type of frivolous writ petition before this court,” the bench ordered.It said if the amount is not deposited within the time stipulated, the state authority may initiate criminal proceedings against the petitioner, in addition to recovering the amount.

Former min Malla Reddy files quash petition

Former Labour minister and Medchal MLA Ch Malla Reddy has approached the high court urging it to quash the FIR registered against him by the Shamirpet police. The FIR accuses him of cheating Dalit farmers and grabbing their land under force at a throwaway price. Malla Reddy claims that the 47 acres of land was purchased legally for 3 lakh cash. He argues that the petition is politically motivated. The case is set to be heard by Justice K Lakshman on Friday.

Gujarat high court rejects Tathya Patels bail petition

The Gujarat high court rejects Tathya Patel's regular bail application for the Iskcon flyover accident, where nine people were killed. Tathya, along with his father Pragnesh Patel, was arrested and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The court considers the severity of the offense and Tathya's alleged involvement in previous road accidents. Justice M R Mengdey denies the bail application.