Rajasthan high court dismisses PIL challenging appointments of deputy CMs
The court deemed the PIL frivolous and without merits, imposing a fine of Rs 25,000 on the petitioner.
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Rajasthan high court. File photo.
JAIPUR: The Rajasthan High Court in Jaipur has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to cancel the appointments of Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa.
The court deemed the PIL frivolous and without merits, imposing a fine of Rs 25,000 on the petitioner. Acting Chief Justice MM Srivastava dismissed the petition after hearing arguments on Tuesday.
The bench said there is an increasing misuse of public interest litigations nowadays, including this particular case. The petitioner, who is also a practicing advocate, presented the PIL without proper study or analysis.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Raj Deepak Rastogi represented the Central Government and argued that both Deputy Chief Ministers took their oath based on constitutionally prescribed forms.
He stated that simply using the title “Deputy Chief Minister” does not invalidate their oaths.
Rastogi pointed out that similar cases have been declared valid by both the Supreme Court and five other High Courts across India. He stated that this petition lacks merit and appears to be motivated by ill will; therefore it should be dismissed.
On December 15, Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa were sworn into office alongside Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma at Albert Hall.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended this swearing-in ceremony. A lawyer challenged their oaths stating that there is no mention of a Deputy Chief Minister position in the Constitution; thus arguing for its unconstitutionality.
