Tue Jan 13 08:38:04 UTC 2026: ### Savarkar Portrait Petition Rejected by Supreme Court, Petitioner Fined

The Story:
On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition filed by retired civil servant B. Balamurugan seeking the removal of V.D. Savarkar’s portraits from public buildings. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant criticized the petitioner for wasting the court’s time with a “frivolous petition.” Initially, the court offered Balamurugan the option to withdraw the plea or face a fine of ₹1 lakh. The petitioner chose to face the fine.

Key Points:

  • The Supreme Court dismissed a petition to remove portraits of Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar.
  • The petitioner, B. Balamurugan, is a retired IRS officer from Chennai.
  • Chief Justice of India Surya Kant criticized the petition as frivolous and a waste of court time.
  • The court initially offered the petitioner the choice to withdraw the plea or pay a fine of ₹1 lakh.
  • The CJI questioned the petitioner about his career and any potential corruption charges.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Supreme Court’s strong reaction suggests a reluctance to entertain petitions perceived as politically motivated or lacking substantial legal merit.
  • The imposition of costs on the petitioner sends a message discouraging the filing of similar petitions.
  • The court’s questioning of the petitioner’s background suggests an attempt to understand the motives behind the petition and assess its legitimacy.

    Read More