The Kerala High Court has imposed a fine of ₹25,000 on a petitioner who misused the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) process by concealing his personal interest in the matter. The Court ruled that such conduct amounts to an abuse of law and emphasized the necessity for petitioners to make full and transparent disclosures of their credentials at the time of filing PILs.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji observed that while the Rules of the High Court of Kerala, 1971 regulate PIL filings, petitioners often merely state in one line that they have “no personal interest” without furnishing adequate details. The Court highlighted that this practice has led to the misuse of judicial time and stressed that detailed affidavits disclosing full credentials should be mandatory at the threshold to curb frivolous or mala fide PILs.
The ruling came in a case where the petitioner alleged encroachment of wetland property by two respondents. However, Respondent No. 7 revealed that the petitioner was actually a real estate broker who had previously mediated the sale of the same property and received payment from both parties. When his demand for additional money was refused, he disguised his personal grievance as a PIL.
After examining records and evidence, the Court concluded that the petitioner had deliberately suppressed his personal involvement and abused the PIL mechanism. Dismissing the plea, the Court directed him to deposit ₹25,000 with the Legal Aid Fund under the Kerala State Legal Services Authority within eight weeks.
The Bench further underlined that PILs lacking substance, expertise, or bona fide intent not only waste judicial time but also harm genuine social causes. The Court suggested that the existing rules may require stricter provisions to ensure greater accountability in PIL filings.
Case Details:
- Case No: W.P.(C) No. 28667 of 2024
- Case Title: Renjith Krishnan R. v. State of Kerala & Ors.
- Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 523
