HC dismisses Juhi Chawla’s suit, imposes Rs 20 lakh fine

The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by actor Juhi Chawla against the setting up of 5G wireless networks, calling the petition a “publicity stunt”, and imposed a Rs 20 lakh fine for "abusing the process of law".

Chawla circulated the link of the hearing on social media which created disruption thrice, Justice JR Midha said in his order, referring to incidents where some unknown people crashed into the virtual hearing, causing the court to halt the proceedings. “Delhi Police shall identify the persons and take action against those who created disruption," the judge said.

In her plea, the actor-environmentalist had sought a direction to the authorities to certify to the public at large how 5G technology was safe to humans, animals and every type of living organism, flora and fauna. The Department of Telecommunications has dismissed such concerns.


During the first hearing, the court termed “defective” the lawsuit and said it was filed for “media publicity”. It also questioned Chawla for filing the suit without giving any representation to the government on her concerns related to the technology.

Chawla's counsel argued that if the telecom industry’s plans for 5G came to fruition, no person, animal, or other living thing would be able to avoid exposure to levels of RF radiation that would be 10-100 times greater than what existed today.

The counsel for the telecom department said the 5G policy did not fall in the category of public nuisance and 5G was obviously not prohibited in law. The counsel representing private telecom companies argued that launching 5G technology was a policy of the government and as it was a policy, it could not be a wrongful act.