The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up “public spirited lawyer” M.N. Umesh for filing a petition in which he had no locus. The petition had been filed seeking relaxation of cut-off marks for NEET-PG 2021-22 along with deferment in mop-up round until cut-offs are reduced.
The division bench of Justices L. Nageswara Rao and B.R. Gavai was concerned with the fact that such frivolous petitions were eating up the court’s precious time, which could have been utilized for more pressing matters.
“The precious time of the court is wasted by petitions like this Writ Petition. Such time can be spent in hearing more pressing matters awaiting listing. The petitioner is warned to be careful and not enter into this adventure of filing petitions in matters where he has absolutely no concern”
-said Justice Rao.
Justice Rao: “Who are you? You are a lawyer. What is your concern with PG admissions?”
Chakraborty: “I am appearing for a lawyer; the petitioner is a lawyer.”
Justice Rao:
“What he has to do with admission to PG Medical Course? As a public spirited lawyer, you keep on filing PILs against any government authority which you are not concerned with, is it? We can understand if someone’s son or daughter is interested and going to be affected, so you see the newspaper in the morning and come for filing writ petition and you come and mention before the Chief Justice, as if there is great urgency, you come back and mention before us during lunch saying that you have mentioned before the first court, you take it up otherwise the heavens are going to fall.”
“We thought we will make some observations, that not to entertain any petition filed by this person,” added Justice Rao.
Chakraborty apologized and pleaded with the court not to do so while seeking permission to withdraw the petition.
The Court dismissed the petition, observing,
“In the meanwhile, the National Board of Examinations has taken a decision to relax cut-off marks by 15%. The petitioner has absolutely no concern with the lis he has raised in the writ petition. Moreover, the petitioner has sought for stay of mop-up counselling for admission to PG courses…with which he had no connection at all.”