Supreme Court Imposes Rs 5 Lakhs Costs On Lawyer For Filing Frivolous Petition

The Supreme Court on April 22 came down heavily on a lawyer who continuously filed a frivolous petition and imposed costs of Rs. 5 Lakhs on him as a penalty. 

The bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta expressed displeasure at the constant misuse of the legal process by the petitioner in person, who also happened to be a lawyer and filed an Article 32 writ petition before the bench. 

"The petitioner, appearing in person, is an advocate and understands the law and nuances of law, has still got the guts to file this petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India."

"He has not only wasted the valuable time of the Court but also of the Registry and has spoiled the entire environment of the Court."

Referring to the various frivolous petitions that the petitioner has filed in various courts, the bench noted that despite being an enrolled advocate for past 3 years, the prayers made in the petition were devoid of basic legal knowledge. 

"We have also perused the reliefs claimed in the petition, which a prudent lawyer of basic knowledge of law would not claim in a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India, but still the petitioner, who has a registration with Bar Council from last three years, has been conducting his cases in different Courts, including this Court, has still made all those prayers. The allegations made in the petition and the relief claimed are totally frivolous and malicious."

The bench however did not detail upon the nature of prayers made in the petition. 

During the hearing, when the petitioner insisted to  simply withdraw the plea, the bench disallowed him and reasoned : 

"If we allow simpliciter withdrawal of such petitions, it would send a wrong message to the litigants to file any frivolous petition and then get away by simpliciter withdrawals."

The bench proceeded to dismiss the petition and imposed costs of Rupees Five Lakhs as a penalty for filing such frivolous pleas. The order reads : 

"Accordingly, we dismiss this petition with cost of Rs.5,00,000/- (Rupees five lakhs only) to be deposited with the National Legal Services Authority within four weeks and proof of such deposit may be filed before the Registry of this Court within six weeks from today. In case, proof of deposit is not filed by the petitioner within the time indicated above, Registry to list the matter before this Court."  

Case Details : SANDEEP TODI VERSUS UNION OF INDIA & ORS. | Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s). 240/2025