AGENCY
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice T S Thakur-led bench of the Supreme Court on Friday slammed the Centre for not filing “even after three years” its counter affidavit on a PIL which sought framing of guidelines for vehicles carrying iron rods and protruding objects and those standing stationary on the middle of the road causing several fatalities every year.
The PIL had been filed by NGO Save Life Foundation. When a junior lawyer for Centre sought a three weeks time to file counter, CJI Thakur shot back saying three years ago we gave you four weeks time and even now you are asking time.
“Due to your indifference, thousands of peopld are losing their lives. How can you ask for more time. Is this a panchayat going on here ?” The bench was about to impose a cost of Rs 50,000 on the Centre when Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi came rushing in and sought a last chance to file a counter within two weeks.
When the junior lawyer had objected to the cost, CJI Thakur said: “you will not learn a lesson unless heavy cost is imposed. You are the biggest litigant. When we try to do something you do not cooperate and then you say courts have not done anything”, Chief Justice then told Rohatgi.
