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The Madras High Court has imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on Kannan Swaminathan, a litigant whose behavior during a public interest litigation (PIL) was deemed disruptive and lacking in respect for court procedures. The decision was handed down by Acting Chief Justice D Krishnakumar and Justice PB Balaji.
The case involved Swaminathan’s petition seeking an investigation into alleged corruption and misconduct by the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board. Swaminathan contended that the Board had failed to adhere to transparency guidelines during the tender process for drinking water supply projects, which he argued violated national guidelines and Article 47 of the Indian Constitution regarding the state’s obligation to improve nutrition and living standards.
However, the court found that Swaminathan’s petition did not genuinely reflect public interest and was primarily driven by personal grievances. The Water Supply Board had raised objections, highlighting that Swaminathan’s brother was a contractor involved with the Board, suggesting that the petition was a means to address personal business interests rather than a legitimate public concern.
The court noted that Swaminathan exhibited a disruptive attitude during the proceedings, including arguing parallelly with his counsel and failing to address preliminary objections raised by the Board. His actions led to a conclusion that his conduct disregarded the decorum of the court.
Consequently, the court dismissed Swaminathan’s petition and directed him to pay Rs 50,000 to the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority. The decision underscores the judiciary’s stance against misuse of the PIL mechanism and emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper conduct in legal proceedings.