Bombay High Court Dismisses “Frivolous” PIL Seeking Anti-Crime Unit and Religious Commissions, Imposes ₹10,000 Fine
Last Updated on August 21, 2024 by Athi Venkatesh
The Bombay High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Crimeophobia, a criminology firm, labeling it as “frivolous” and imposing a cost of ₹10,000 on the petitioner. The PIL, filed by criminologist Snehil Dhall, sought the creation of an “Anti-Organized Crime Unit” in Aarey Milk Colony, a “Bombay Cave Temple Commission,” and a “Transnational Sanatan Commission,” among other unrelated demands.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar expressed difficulty in understanding the purpose of the PIL, describing it as full of “fancies” based on the petitioner’s alleged research. The Court criticized the PIL for its multiple and diverse prayers, including the revocation of leases in Aarey Milk Colony due to alleged human trafficking and crimes, the establishment of commissions for managing cave temples, and the protection of Hindu properties.
The PIL also called for the closure of a UNICEF-aided dairy institute in Aarey and demanded reports from UNICEF and New Zealand regarding the import of buffalo dried milk. The Court found it perplexing that respondents in the PIL included UNICEF, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the New Zealand Consulate, and even the President of India’s Office.
The Court observed that the petitioner seemed to seek the imposition of his own ideas through the PIL, despite the clear legal flaws, including a misjoinder of causes of action. The petitioner also sought reimbursement for the cost of filing the PIL and research expenses, which the Court found unwarranted.
Ultimately, the Bombay High Court rejected the PIL, stating that the petitioner’s claims were a “figment of imagination” with no legal basis. The Court imposed a ₹10,000 cost on the petitioner and cautioned him against filing similar petitions without a proper understanding of the legal framework.
