SC slaps Rs 5 lakh fine on Haryana govt for filing an appeal against high court order

The Supreme Court on Friday slapped a cost of Rs 5 lakh on the Haryana government for filing an appeal against a high court order after more than five years saying it is “destroying” the judicial system by “blatant misuse” of the process.

“You (Haryana government) are destroying the judicial system. The question you are raising is already being interpreted by this court. How many times shall we interpret for you? You are challenging the order of high court after five years and eight months in a case which is time barred,” a bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar said.

The bench also comprising justices D Y Chandrachud and S K Kaul said, “It is an appropriate case where state government wants to destroy the judicial system. It is high time that now we impose cost of Rs 5 lakh on each of your petitions for filing such petitions.”

The bench was annoyed that state government after approaching six different forums has now come to Supreme Court with a case which is time barred and after over five years.

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The court also pulled up the counsel appearing for the state government for not advising to appeal in Supreme Court.

“You have been approaching six different judicial forums which did not have jurisdiction to try these cases and now you are before Supreme Court. Why did you not advise your client that this cannot be done,” the court asked.

The apex court was hearing a case related to labour issues in an appeal filed by Haryana State Cooperative Labour and Construction Federation Ltd.

The bench while dismissing the appeal said, “This is blatant misuse of judicial process by government functionaries” and it would deal with it.