Mon Jan 19 06:36:19 UTC 2026: ### Supreme Court Upholds Fine on Lawyer for “Frivolous” PIL

The Story:

The Supreme Court on January 19, 2026, dismissed a plea from a Lucknow-based lawyer, Ashok Pandey, who challenged a ₹5 lakh fine imposed on him in October 2023 for filing what the court deemed a “frivolous” Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Pandey claimed that the open court pronouncement in 2023 indicated a fine of ₹25,000, but the written order reflected the higher amount. The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, upheld the 2023 order, stating that they would adhere to the written record.

The original PIL, filed by Pandey, questioned the oath-taking procedure of Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, alleging a technical violation of the Constitution. The court in 2023 deemed the PIL a publicity stunt and a waste of judicial resources.

Key Points:

  • The Supreme Court dismissed Ashok Pandey’s plea regarding the fine imposed on him for a “frivolous” PIL.
  • The fine was initially imposed in October 2023 by a bench headed by the then Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud (since retired).
  • Pandey alleged the fine was initially pronounced as ₹25,000 in open court but the written order stated ₹5 lakh.
  • The PIL challenged the oath-taking procedure of Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, now Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, when he was appointed Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
  • The Supreme Court labeled the PIL as a publicity stunt and a waste of court resources.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Supreme Court is taking a firm stance against frivolous PILs, emphasizing the need to conserve judicial resources.
  • There is a potential disconnect, or at least perceived disconnect, between open court pronouncements and written orders, which raises questions about accuracy and record-keeping.
  • The judiciary is increasingly vocal about the burden placed on the courts by frivolous litigation and appears willing to impose significant financial penalties to deter such actions.

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