"Court mei entry bandh kar denge," SC Rejects Plea To Declare Subhas Chandra Bose’s INA Secured Independence

The Supreme Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by one Pinakpani Mohanty seeking a declaration that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army (INA) secured India’s independence.

The plea also sought to declare Netaji as “National Son” and mark key INA dates as national observances.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that similar petitions had been filed earlier by Mohanty. "Supreme Court mei entry bandh kar denge," a miffed CJI Surya Kant told the petitioner before it.

Mohanty told the bench, "This is a fresh PIL, sir… not a similar PIL".

Court did not agree with the submissions and went on to order, "This is an attempt to gain popularity and similar PIL was rejected earlier. The Registry is directed to not entertain any writ petition filed by petitioner claiming to be in public interest."

In 2024 the Supreme Court had came down heavily on Mohanty who had sought an inquiry into the death of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and KV Vishwanathan had questioned the petitioner on his bona fides.

“Who is making you file these kind of petitions before elections?,” Justice Surya Kant had asked. Mohanty however said that he is filing them at his own behest, for the sake of human rights.

This had further miffed the bench, which asked him whether he had effectuated any actual human rights work. Mohanty pointed out to an order he had attained but after perusing it, the bench said that it was a regular operative order and not one passed in any PIL of his. “Such reckless allegations are made against deceased persons. You didn’t even leave Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru… how can you just write anything against anyone?” the bench had observed.

Recently, Supreme Court had also refused to entertain a petition seeking to repatriate the ashes of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose from Tokyo’s Renkō‑Ji Temple so that his daughter Anita Bose Pfaff can perform his last rites in India.

CJI Surya Kant led bench expressed its disinclination to hear the case at the outset. "How many times will this issue come to court ? He was the greatest leader of our nation and we all bow down to his supreme sacrifice. But how many family members will approach court..", CJI Kant told Senior Advocate AM Singhvi appearing for the petitioner.

"So many Indian Prime Ministers have paid respects at the temple. The daughter is here on the screen, Ms Anita", Singhvi told court it is recorded that every head of state from India has paid obeisance at the Renkoji temple in Japan.

"Let the heir come to court and seek this. We respect her sentiments and we will ensure her sentiments are made into legal action," Justice Bagchi told Singhvi who then withdrew the petition.

Case Title: PINAKPANI MOHANTY Vs UNION OF INDIA

Bench: CJI Kant and Justice Bagchi

Hearing Date: April 20, 2026