Supreme Court rips into Centre for failure to file counter, imposes costs of Rs. 25,000 [Read Order]

A Supreme Court Bench presided by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur came down heavily on the Central government today for failing to file a counter affidavit for nearly a year..The Bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, imposed costs of Rs. 25,0000 and directed that the counter affidavit should be filed within four weeks..The case filed by NGO SaveLife Foundation pertains to road safety in the country..When the matter came up for hearing today, Senior Advocate Indu Malhotra, appearing for the petitioner NGO, submitted two issues, regarding stationary vehicles causing accidents and vehicles loaded beyond their dimensions..The court then turned to the Central government lawyer, while taking note of the fact the Centre has not filed its counter affidavit despite a direction to that effect nearly a year ago..“We had given you two months one year ago. Is this some Panchayat going on here? You are the biggest litigant in the country and you criticise courts and say courts are not doing anything”, CJI Thakur remarked..By then, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi had reached the court room. But he could not save the day for the Union government as Court proceeded to mandate payment of Rs. 25,000 as a condition for filing counter affidavit. The same has to be deposited with the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Welfare Trust..The order reads as follows:.“Despite final opportunity granted for the purpose in terms of our order dated 30.10.2015, learned counsel appearing for Union of India has not chosen to file any counter affidavit. .Learned Attorney General who appears today seeks one more opportunity to do the needful finally.Four weeks’ time is granted 2 to the respondent-Union of India for filing the counter affidavit subject to the condition of payment of Rs.25,000/- (rupees twenty five thousand) as cost to be deposited in the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Welfare Trust.”.Read the full order below.