'What Is Lawyer's Concern With Medical Admission?' : Supreme Court Slams Advocate For Filing PIL To Relax NEET-PG Cut-Off

On Monday, the Supreme Court reprimanded a 'public spirited lawyer' (petitioner) for entering into the "adventure" of filing a petition in which he had absolutely no concern. The Public Interest Litigation ("PIL") filed by the said lawyer, sought direction that the cut off marks for NEET- PG 2021-22 have to be relaxed. It further sought that the mop-up round should not be conducted till there is revision of cut off marks. A Bench comprising Justices L. Nageswara Rao and B.R. Gavai expressed concern that such petitions are eating into the precious time of the Court, which could have utilised to decide more pressing matters. The Bench noted - "Precious time of court is wasted by petitions like this Writ Petition. Such time can be spent in hearing more pressing matters awaiting listing. The petitioner is warned to be careful and not enter into this adventure of filing petitions in matters where he has absolutely no concern."At the outset Justice Rao enquired, "Who are you? You (petitioner) are a lawyer…What does the petitioner have to do with admission in the PG Medical Course?"The Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that his client is a public spirited lawyer. Justice Rao was perturbed that, being a public spirited person cannot be an excuse to file petitioners which does not concern him in any manner. He also expressed disappointment in the manner the matter was mentioned before the Chief Justice of India, Justice N.V. Ramana and thereafter, before the Bench led by Justice Rao pressing on the urgent need to hear the matter. "So as a public spirited lawyer you keep on filing cases against any authority against any cause of action that you are not concerned with…You see the newspaper in the morning and come filing a Writ Petition. You mentioned before the Chief Justice as if there is great urgency. You come back and mention before us before lunch as if the heavens are going to fall."The Counsel apologised. Justice Rao noted, "We thought we will make some observations, that not to entertain any petition filed by this person."He added - "What is this adventure?…In the meanwhile the authority has passed an order relaxing the condition. You don't even know that has happened."The Counsel humbly sought permission to withdraw the petition and beseeched the Court not to make any observations.The Bench dismissed of the PIL noting - "In the meanwhile, the National Board of Examinations has taken a decision to relax cut off marks by 15%. The petitioner has absolutely no concern with the lis he has raised in the Writ Petition. Moreover, the petitioner has sought for stay of mop-up counseling for admission to PG courses…with which he had no connection at all." [Case : W.P.(C) No. 168/2022]

'What Is Lawyer's Concern With Medical Admission?' : Supreme Court Slams Advocate For Filing PIL To Relax NEET-PG Cut-Off

Sohini Chowdhury

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