SC hauls up petitioner for incomplete plea

The Supreme Court on Monday hauled up one of the petitioners who sought a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into the violence that erupted in West Bengal's Murshidabad following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

A bench, comprising justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, observed the petition by advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha was filed in haste and contained allegations against certain government functionaries though those persons were not added as parties to the plea.

"You are making allegations against A and B individuals who are not before us. Allegations against anyone, you need to implead them. Can we accept those allegations behind those persons," the bench asked.


The bench added: "Supreme Court is a court of record. Posterity will see. You think it will be reported. But you have to be careful when filing pleadings or passing an order. Are these averments required to be there? We respect every member of the bar. But with a sense of responsibility."

Jha argued that the case involves violation of fundamental rights and many persons have fled from their homes due to the violence. He contended that many people of Bengal have contacted him and that there is a gross violation of fundamental rights. The court eventually permitted Jha to withdraw the petition with liberty to file a fresh one.