High Court slaps Rs 25,000 cost for seeking hearing on non-essential

The Bombay HC on Thursday imposed cost of Rs 25,000 on a person for seeking hearing on his petition despite there being no urgency. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the High Court had earlier this week issued a circular requesting litigants & lawyers to mention only matters that are extremely urgent in nature.

The High Court had warned of imposing exemplary cost on those persons who move matters that do not require urgent hearing. Justice K K Tated imposed the cost while hearing a petition filed by M/s. Keshavlal & Company through its partner Najib Sadulla Khamker, challenging a Sept 2019 order passed by the then FDA minister of Maharashtra.

Justice Tated noted that the order was passed in Sept 2019 & the petitioner is seeking urgent hearing now in Mar 2020. He said due to lockdown enforced following the outbreak of COVID-19, courts are hearing only extremely urgent matters.

"I don't find any urgency in the present matter. Inspite of that petitioner has mentionef this matter for urgent order. The petitioner to pay cost of Rs 25,000," the court directed.

The court said the amount shall be deposited to the High Court Registry within two months.