Supreme Court Slams 'Luxury Litigation' by Wealthy Litigants, Imposes Heavy ₹5 Lakh Fine
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In a strong message against the misuse of judicial time, the Supreme Court has expressed deep displeasure over what it termed "luxury litigation" pursued by affluent individuals. The top court noted that while ordinary and impoverished citizens wait in line for years seeking basic justice, influential litigants often consume valuable court hours with protracted legal battles.
Heavy Fine Imposed in 11-Year-Old Case
Hearing a long-standing legal dispute, a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed the plea involving actress Rehana Khan and lawyer Rizwan Siddiqui. The parties had been locked in litigation for the past 11 years across multiple judicial forums, including the Bar Council of India, the Bombay High Court, and finally the Supreme Court.
Holding both sides responsible for exploiting the legal mechanism, the bench imposed a ₹5 lakh fine on each party.
"Each of these parties has come to us with a complaint of wrongdoing, and each has been largely responsible for it. Together, they have consumed 11 years... That time belonged to other litigants who were waiting for the relief they truly needed," the bench remarked.
The Court Is Not an Auditorium
The apex court strongly criticized the dramatic nature of the proceedings, noting that both sides frequently relied on suppression, exaggeration, and postulation rather than substantive merits.
Declaring that the judicial machinery cannot be treated as a platform for personal vendettas or reputation management, the bench famously observed:
"The case files of these matters make for very interesting reading. Such trials have a certain charm, which we do not deny. But the court is not an auditorium and the drama of a case cannot be a measure of its merit."
Concluding that neither appellant nor respondent would depart with judicial endorsement of their conduct, the court's strict ruling serves as a stern warning against frivolous, high-profile litigation that clogs India's judicial system at the expense of ordinary citizens waiting for justice.
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