'Frivolous Petition' : Supreme Court Rejects Plea To Remove Savarkar's Portrait From Parliament

The Supreme Court today expressed displeasure over a plea seeking the removal of portraits of VD Savarkar from the Parliament and other public institutions. The Court warned of imposing costs for filing such' frivolous petitions'.

The bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi was hearing the PIL.

The plea was filed by a retired IRS Officer, Balasundaram Balamurugan, who appeared as the petitioner in person.

Seemingly disinclined to entertain the petition, the CJI said : "When you are filing this kind of frivolous petition, we are seeing your mindset...we will impose costs on you, what do you think of yourself?

The petitioner stressed that the plea was filed in 'Public Interest'.

The CJI warned, "Sum of Rs. 1 Lakh... we will impose costs on you, then we will tell you what is the meaning of Public Interest...you keep on wasting time of the courts."

The bench then asked whether the petitioner would like to withdraw the plea or face costs. The petitioner agreed to withdraw.

The CJI, while allowing him to withdraw, also said, "Enjoy your retirement now, have some constructive role in the society."

Case Details : BALASUNDARAM BALAMURUGAN Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.| W.P.(C) No. 001095 / 2025