CUTTACK: In an exemplary move to check filing of false and frivolous PILs, the Orissa High Court threw out a petition and imposed a fine of ` 25,000 on the petitioner. The division bench of Chief Justice V Gopalagowda and Justice BN Mohapatra directed the petitioner, Satya Narayan Swain of Pitapalli village under Jatni police limits of Khurda district, to pay the amount to the Orissa High Court Bar Association Welfare Fund in two weeks.The bench took umbrage to the petitioner’s obtaining status quo on opening of a country liquor shop by presenting false facts. Swain had challenged setting up of a country liquor shop at Pitapalli.As per the case records, to prevent sale of spurious liquor in the area, the State Government had initiated the process of issuing licence to a certified shop in the village. The licensing authority, after following due procedures, granted the licence in favour of one Sarada Routray of the same area.Swain challenged the decision by filing a PIL and by presenting false facts obtained an order for status quo. As a result, the shop could not be opened.In course of hearing, Routray filed an intervention petition exposing the falsities of Swain. He produced two FIRs where Swain was charged with illicit liquor trade in the area.Considering the fact that the petitioner himself was an accused in two cases, the court held that he had no locus standi to file the PIL and imposed the fine.
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