Supreme Court Calls PIL on Protocol Violation a Publicity-Seeking Petition

 

The Supreme Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that alleged violation of official protocol during Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud’s recent visit to Mumbai, stating that the petition was merely an attempt to seek publicity.

The Court rejected the petition filed by advocate C.R. Jaya Sukin, which had sought punitive action against officials for not following the appropriate state protocol during the Chief Justice’s attendance at a program in Mumbai. The PIL also demanded fines and departmental action against certain officers, including the Mumbai Police Commissioner and senior bureaucrats.

 

A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice K.V. Viswanathan observed that the petition had no substantial basis and was filed only to attract attention. The Court cautioned petitioners against using judicial platforms for personal or media mileage under the guise of public interest.

 

Key Points:

• The PIL was dismissed as frivolous and publicity-oriented.
• It concerned alleged protocol violations during CJI Chandrachud’s first visit to Mumbai after assuming office.
• The petitioner had claimed that Mumbai Police officials did not ensure proper protocol arrangements.
• The Supreme Court asserted that such matters should be addressed administratively, not through judicial intervention.
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The ruling reinforces that the judiciary is not a platform for settling symbolic or non-substantive grievances and discourages the misuse of PILs for personal attention or political motives.