In a strongly worded order, the Supreme Court came down heavily on a litigant appearing in person for attempting to challenge a Supreme Court decision before a High Court, observing that such conduct amounted to abuse of the judicial process.

The case arose from a plea in which the petitioner contended that a prior Supreme Court order was a “nullity” on the ground that it had been passed against a deceased person.

Rejecting the contention outright, the Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi remarked that such claims were untenable and reflected misuse of process. Dictating the order, CJI observed, “His claims are ex facie false, dishonest and untenable.”

The Court was particularly critical of the petitioner’s attempt to indirectly question the validity of a Supreme Court order before a High Court, noting that such a course is impermissible in law. It further remarked that the litigation appeared motivated and lacking bona fides.

The CJI also expressed concern over the growing tendency of litigants appearing in person to misuse judicial processes. It observed, “This is what happens. When people file in person, they misuse the process.”

Dismissing the petition, the Court issued a stern warning against future abuse of process, stating that if the petitioner continued to indulge in such conduct, courts would be justified in imposing exemplary costs.

The Bench further noted that the proceedings appeared to be an attempt to pursue “dishonest and contrived claims”, even going so far as to describe the conduct as bordering on “blackmail”.