New Delhi   

Supreme Court not to entertain PILs on policy decisions

NEW DELHI: The Chief Justice of India, S.H. Kapadia, on Monday made it clear to lawyers and litigants that the Supreme Court would not entertain Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petitions dealing with policy decisions of the government.

Heading a three-judge Bench, Justice Kapadia, during the course of hearing of certain PILs, said: “The Supreme court has no power to interfere in policy matters. We will not interfere as there are certain implications. We can't interfere in the governance. The Supreme Court cannot solve all problems like the need for toilets etc. We will not entertain any PIL merely on newspaper reports without going to the authorities and getting their response.”

‘Don't have right'

While one petition sought voting rights for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), another wanted 33 per cent reservation for women. Justice Kapadia said: “We don't have a right to give a direction to Parliament to enact a law. How can we increase women's reservation in Parliament?”

The court also rejected a plea seeking a direction for the government to take steps to prevent accidents on roads.

In the PIL for NRI voting rights, counsel Amar Dave — appearing for Qatar-based NRI Ahammed Adyottil — submitted that there was a Bill proposed to provide voting rights, but the Bill was not introduced.

When counsel said certain other countries permitted voting rights to such persons, Justice Kapadia said: “Our law does not allow this. It is for government to decide by making law to grant right to vote.”

The Bench, however, said that since the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill 2006 was pending with the government, “we will not interfere at this stage.” It permitted the petitioner to withdraw the petition.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Home Ministry differs with Mamata, says it was a case of signal failure
Supreme Court not to entertain PILs on policy decisions
A brand new link to DU
Let the act speak
Battling the heat
A journey through America
Lara Dutta joins PETA bandwagon
Plane crushes technician's legs
RSS to BJP: Why not readmit Uma, Govindacharya?
Five held with ganja produced in Naxal-infested areas
High Court dismisses Sajjan Kumar's petition
Court pulls up Delhi Police for ‘callous' approach
Dismissal of Army havildar quashed
BJP asks L-G to probe tax evasion
NHRC notice to Rajasthan Health Secretary
Caution against indiscriminate use of swine flu vaccine
“Read the Riot Act, rein in khap panchayats”
Two die as vehicles collide

Copyright © 2010, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu