Supreme Court Rejects Plea Challenging Rs 5 Lakh Cost on PIL Petitioner

The Supreme Court dismissed a plea by Lucknow lawyer Ashok Pandey challenging a Rs 5 lakh cost imposed on him in October 2023 for filing a PIL deemed frivolous. The original PIL questioned the oath-taking procedure of Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya as Bombay High Court Chief Justice. The court upheld the fine, stating the order clearly mentions Rs 5 lakh, and rejected requests for modification or inquiry, labeling the petitions as publicity-driven.