SC fines two for filing 'frivolous' plea challenging appointment of next CJI

The Supreme Court has slapped a fine of Rs 10 lakh each cost on petitioners, Om Swami and Mukesh Jain, for filing a frivolous plea, challenging the appointment of Jagdish Singh Khehar as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI).

A two-judge bench of the Apex Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar and also comprising Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, slapped the cost on Om Swami for filing frivolous plea.

The lawyers' body- National Lawyers' Campaign for Judicial Transparency and Reforms- had moved the apex court seeking a stay on the appointment of next CJI.

In a petition filed in the Supreme Court, the lawyers' organisation stated that Justice J Chelameshwar, who is senior to Justice Khehar, should be appointed as the 44th CJI.

The NCJTR's petition before the apex court lays down their disagreement with Justice Khehar's appointment and suggests Justice Chelameshwar as an alternative.

The petition also argued that Khehar is harsh on the smallest of mistakes by lawyers and openly favors high-profile lawyers.

However, the Supreme Court, in December last year, dismissed the plea filed.

A bench of the Apex Court, headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan and also comprising Justice L Nageswar Rao, while dismissing the plea, said that the plea was 'infructuous' after the notification was issued by former President Pranab Mukherjee on December 19, 2016.