The Supreme Court Friday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking changes to the names of Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda [Onkar Sharma v. Union of India & Anr.]..A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli said that the plea is frivolous and fall within the domain of policy. "Plea is frivolous and it is beyond judicial realm as it is a matter of policy, Dismissed," the Court ordered..The plea was an appeal against a Bombay High Court order of dated July 28. The petition filed by one Onkar Sharma, a senior auditor at one of Punjab National Bank's Mumbai branche. He stated that both Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda were national banks and, to some extent, had achieved international status.But due to the names, many especially from remote areas were still unsure if these banks were regional or national/international banks.The petitioner, therefore, prayed that the words 'Punjab' and 'Baroda' should not be used for the banks' names.The bench was unimpressed by the prayers."What? and name it what? You also want to change the cricket team of Baroda or Bank of Baroda. It is not upto us or our remit to change name of banks," CJI Chandrachud remarked.."This is in public interest," the petitioner's counsel replied."What interest? Are they stopping anyone else than Punjabis from opening account," Justice Kohli asked.The Court then proceeded to dismiss the plea. .[Read order]
The Supreme Court Friday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking changes to the names of Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda [Onkar Sharma v. Union of India & Anr.]..A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli said that the plea is frivolous and fall within the domain of policy. "Plea is frivolous and it is beyond judicial realm as it is a matter of policy, Dismissed," the Court ordered..The plea was an appeal against a Bombay High Court order of dated July 28. The petition filed by one Onkar Sharma, a senior auditor at one of Punjab National Bank's Mumbai branche. He stated that both Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda were national banks and, to some extent, had achieved international status.But due to the names, many especially from remote areas were still unsure if these banks were regional or national/international banks.The petitioner, therefore, prayed that the words 'Punjab' and 'Baroda' should not be used for the banks' names.The bench was unimpressed by the prayers."What? and name it what? You also want to change the cricket team of Baroda or Bank of Baroda. It is not upto us or our remit to change name of banks," CJI Chandrachud remarked.."This is in public interest," the petitioner's counsel replied."What interest? Are they stopping anyone else than Punjabis from opening account," Justice Kohli asked.The Court then proceeded to dismiss the plea. .[Read order]