Supreme Court fines centre for not replying in road accidents case
Highlights
- Supreme Court fines centre for delaying road accidents case
- Public Interest Litigation about accidents due to stationary cars
- Centre fined Rs 25,000 and asked to reply within three weeks
The Centre was sharply admonished and fined Rs 25,000 by the Supreme Court today over its failure to file a response to a case on highway accident.
A bench led by Chief Justice TS Thakur told the government's lawyer: "You are the biggest litigant in the court and this is your conduct? You haven't filed your reply for the last three years, and you criticize courts for delaying cases?"
Only a year ago the government had sought two months' time to file its reply, and even after one year the situation was the same, the bench said even as the government promised to submit a reply within two weeks.
Justice Thakur added: "Thousands are dying every day because of your indifferent attitude."
The court was hearing a petition on accidents caused by vehicles parked on highways. The petitioner told the court that there are no guidelines for punishing drivers who left their cars unattended.