"Place last 5 yrs ITR before us", SC to person who filed frivolous PIL on Bihar elections

The Supreme Court on Thursday warned against the filing of "frivolous petitions" which intend to garner publicity for the person filing it.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant rebuked the petitioner before him, saying, "If you master the art of filing frivolous petitions, then we should also know how much cost you can pay when imposed. This is just for publicity...".

Notably, the case before Court was filed by one Sabu Steephen, wherein a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed relating to the Bihar elections.

With a view to determine the appropriate financial penalty, the CJI led bench directed the petitioner to place his income tax returns (ITRs) for the last five years on record. The matter will now be heard on February 16, 2025.

Two days back, the Supreme Court had come down heavily on a retired civil services officer who had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking removal of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s portraits from the Indian Parliament and other public places, terming the plea “frivolous and a waste of judicial time.”

The Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant pulled up the petitioner, who appeared party-in-person via video conference from Chennai, for misusing the forum of the Court under the guise of public interest. When the petitioner said he could not appear in person due to financial constraints, the CJI retorted, “You were in civil services, you can afford to come to Delhi and show yourself and argue. We would like to impose exemplary costs on you. What do you think of yourself?”

Case Title: SABU STEEPHEN Versus ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

Bench: CJI Kant, Justice Bagchi and Justice Bishnoi

Hearing Date: January 15, 2025