HC imposes Rs1,000 cost on petitioner for frivolous plea

Madurai: Dismissing a plea that sought the Madurai corporation to auction a shop inside the vegetable market at Mattuthavani in Madurai, Madras high court imposed a cost of 1,000 on a petitioner.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by C Valamurugan. The petitioner moved court since his representation was not considered by the authorities regarding the complaint that the successful bidder sub-leased the shop contrary to the terms of the auction.

The standing counsel for Madurai corporation submitted that the representation of the petitioner was considered, and on inquiry, it was found that the shop is occupied by one Sermamani, who is the successful bidder and is carrying on business. The averment made by the petitioner in the affidavit is not correct.

Taking into account the submissions, a division bench of justice G Jayachandran and justice S Srimathy dismissed the petition, which was filed under the guise of public interest litigation. The judges imposed a cost of 1,000 on the petitioner, payable to the legal services authority of Madras high court.