The Delhi High Court, on Thursday, expunged adverse remarks made by the court against actor Juhi Chawla when dismissing her petition challenging the 5G rollout in India.
The division bench allowed Chawla’s appeal and set aside the single judge’s June 4, 2021 order which had dismissed the suit filed by the actor and two others, stating that it was “defective” and filed for “gaining publicity.”
On May 31, last year, Chawla moved the Delhi High Court against the proposal to set up a 5G network in the country. She had filed a 5,000-page lawsuit with 33 parties listed as defendants, including the Science and Engineering Research Board, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Electronics and Information, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Indian Council of Medical Research, some universities, and the World Health Organization.
When dismissing this petition, the court had also stated that the actor and the other plaintiffs abused the process of law and imposed costs of Rs 20 lakh, including unpaid court fees, on them.
Chawla and the plaintiffs had then sought a refund of court fees and a waiver of costs, which “shocked” the court. “This is the most frivolous application I’ve seen in my life,” Justice JR Midha told Chawla’s counsel on July 7, adding, “We were inclined to issue contempt notice, but didn’t.”
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During Thursday’s hearing, the bench consisting of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh expunged the adverse remarks made by Justice Midha. The court also reduced the costs imposed on Chawla from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. This was done after the actor agreed to work with the Delhi State Legal Services Authority, in whose favour cost had been awarded, and stated that she would participate in DSLSA’s programme to advance the cause of marignalised children and women who are in need of legal aid.
In addition to this, the court also noted that Chawla’s suit may have been filed for a genuine cause and the petitioners’ lack of legal background may be responsible for the manner in which the plea came to be drafted. It, therefore, allowed Chawla to carry on with her pursuit against 5G before the appropriate forum.