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Attorney General of India KK Venugopal today objected to the plea seeking enforcement of fundamental duties. He said to a bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and MM Sundaresh that the Department of Justice has put in tremendous effort to sensitise people about fundamental duties. He further submitted that leaders of the country have time and again spoken of fundamental duties.

Justice Kaul said that the court had issued notice in the matter only to ascertain whether the government has taken any steps pursuant to the judgment it had passed in Ranganath Mishra Vs Union of India. The AG replied to this saying that the website of Department of Justice sets out how the directions of the court in the matter have been implemented and how awareness programs have been conducted to educate people of their fundamental duties. He further submitted that about 48 crore citizens were covered in the awareness program and that the PIL petitioner must first have checked the facts before filing such a petition.

A counsel appearing on behalf of the Solicitor General of India (SG) at this point submitted that he will take instructions and file a counter affidavit. The AG informed the court that while he is appearing in the matter as the Attorney General of India, the SG is appearing for the union of India.

The court on hearing the parties noted AG’s submission that a direction in this regard cannot be granted by the court. The court further noted that the SG would be appearing for union of India in this matter and granted time to file a counter affidavit . The court has thus adjourned the matter to the first miscellaneous week of July 2022 for completion of pleadings and further consideration.

The Supreme Court had on 21st February 2022 issued notice in the plea and asked the central government to respond on whether the directions issued by the court in 2003 in the case of Ranganath Mishra have been implemented.

Case title: Durga Dutt Vs Union of India