SC imposes Rs.7,500 penalty on Central govt for failure to file response in PIL to identify minorities based on State population
The Supreme Court imposed Rs.7,500 penalty on Central govt for failure to file response in PIL to identify minorities based on State population.
Court Order
The division bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M.M. Sundresh noted that the respondents entered appearance on 12.10.2020 and took time to file a counter affidavit. Thereafter counter affidavit has not been filed despite repeated opportunities. On 07.1.2022, the last opportunity was granted to the respondent to file a counter affidavit within four weeks.
The court granted one further opportunity of four weeks to counsel for the respondents to file the counter affidavit subject to deposit of costs of Rs.7,500/- with Supreme Court Bar Association Advocates Welfare Fund as requested by the senior counsel for the petitioner.
The court directed that the Rejoinder, if any, be filed within two weeks thereafter.
Case title: Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay v/s Union of India & Ors.
Citation: Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No.836/2020
