Cuttack: The Orissa High Court imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on a group of eight villagers from Gopinathpur in Balasore district, for ‘misuse’ of the public interest litigation (PIL) mechanism.
The petitioners Jyostna Rani Mallick and seven others, had approached the court, challenging allotment of 2.05 acres of gochar land, which they claimed was traditionally used for cattle grazing, community gatherings and the annual Muni festival, to a high school.
While stating that they were now left with no alternative space for grazing or conducting social and cultural functions, the petitioners also mentioned that a representation to the authorities on August 22, 2024, had been pending.
A division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman, however, took a stern view of the PIL, observing a growing trend of petitioners using the PIL route on the ground that authorities had not responded to their representations. “The PIL should not be permitted to be used as a tool to settle personal scores. The averments made in the instant PIL do not reveal any grounds impinging upon the action of the authorities either contrary to law or in exercise of the jurisdictions not vested in it.”
It also noted the absence of any material indicating public harm or constitutional violations. “There is no pleading which would suggest any ingredients required to be pleaded for the PIL,” the order said.
While dismissing the petition, the bench termed it a sheer wastage of time and directed the petitioners to deposit Rs 20,000 with the Odisha State Legal Services Authority within three weeks.
The amount will be used for providing the facilities to the children of the juvenile homes.