In a sharp critique of baseless legal filings, the Supreme Court warned advocates against submitting frivolous petitions, particularly in family law cases. A bench led by Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan stressed that these groundless claims only clog the judicial system, contributing to unnecessary delays.
The Court noted that some petitions are so outrageous that they raise questions about whether the signatories even understood the contents. “Pleadings with unbelievable averments are becoming increasingly common,” the justices remarked, adding that such actions erode the rule of law and delay justice for others.
The ruling came after a litigant, whose application for further investigation came seven years after the original charge sheet, was dismissed. With no new evidence presented, the Court refused to allow further investigation under Section 173(8) of the CrPC, calling the application devoid of merit.
Justice Viswanathan, who authored the judgment, emphasized that no further investigations should be entertained when there is no fresh material to justify them.
The case, K. Vadivel vs. K. Shanthi & Ors., highlighted the Court’s growing frustration with legal maneuvers that waste time and delay justice. The ruling sends a clear message: lawyers and litigants should steer clear of baseless petitions or risk facing severe penalties.