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Pandurang Vithal Kevne vs. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited & Anr.

Not available · 2024 INSC 1051Decided 20 Dec 2024
Not available
Justice J.K. Maheshwari · Justice Rajesh Bindal

Background

The petitioner was removed from his job with BSNL in 2000 for prolonged unauthorised absence and for running a private business while employed. His removal was upheld by a labour tribunal, then by the High Court, and then by the Supreme Court itself in 2010. Over the next 14 years, he repeatedly relitigated the same settled dispute, filing multiple review petitions, motions, a further SLP, and complaints alleging judicial corruption to the President, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. He then filed the present petition challenging the High Court's 2024 refusal to condone an 11-year delay in filing a second review petition.

Decision Breakdown

The Supreme Court traced the petitioner's entire 24-year litigation history in a detailed table and found the petition to be a clear case of abuse of the judicial process through repetitive and meritless proceedings. Citing its own precedents on litigants who "pollute the stream of justice" through forum shopping and frivolous claims, the Court held there was no merit whatsoever in the petition or in condoning the delay, and dismissed it. Recognising that such conduct wastes judicial time that could go toward genuine litigants, the Court imposed an exemplary cost of Rs. 1,00,000 on the petitioner, payable to the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority.

Lesson Learnt

Courts can and will impose heavy costs on litigants who keep reopening matters that have already been conclusively decided: persistence through repeated appeals, reviews, and complaints is not a substitute for having a genuine legal grievance.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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