The PIL also alleged that various persons and organisations have been using political and religious labels while collecting funds.
A Division Bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Syam Kumar VM questioned the motive behind filing such a PIL, pointing out that there is nothing illegal about collecting relief funds.
The Bench also noted that the petitioner had not provided anything to back up his allegation of improper collection or use of funds.
“This is not a PIL, it is a publicity stunt. You want your name to attached with the Wayanad disaster. How is this in public interest? We will impose costs“, the Bench orally remarked.
The Court further pointed out that the petitioner had not approached the State government, police or district administration authorities with any of his allegations.
Ultimately, the Court dismissed the petition and imposed costs of ₹25,000 to be paid to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
Upon noticing that the petitioner is a practicing advocate, the Court added that it ought to have imposed much higher costs but refrained from doing so in this case.
“The petitioner is a lawyer. We should increase it to 50,000. This is atrocious, you are supposed to be an officer of the court,“, the Bench orally remarked.
Source: Barandbench
