Institute of Legal and Management Studies

While dismissing his plea, the Supreme Court today slammed a third-year law student for filing a public interest litigation challenging the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which is a Presidential Order that specifies the castes recognized as Scheduled Castes for the purposes of constitutional benefits.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi heard the matter. During the hearing, Justice Kant came down on the petitioner (appearing in person), commenting that instead of focusing on his studies, he had filed a frivolous petition.

At the outset, the judge asked the petitioner about his occupation. When the petitioner informed that he is a third-year law student, the judge questioned how he was suddenly moved to challenge a 1950 order without even completing his law.

Justice Kant remarked that the petitioner seemed to be crazy about media attention. "You have become so crazy and fond of media to highlight yourself that before completing your law, you have starting filing writ petitions. When was this Constitutional order enacted? 1950. Today we are in 2025. You have suddenly thought, even before completion of your law you'll challenge this."

When the petitioner replied "yes", the judge warned in a raised tone, "Go and complete your law. Otherwise we will impose some exemplary cost and pass some remarks against you!"

The petitioner persisted "I am the aggrieved person...", however, Justice Kant shot down his submission saying that the petition was frivolous. The order was dictated thus:

"The petitioner, who claims to be a law student, instead of concentrating on completing his studies, has apparently filed this writ petition to gain popularity. He [appears] to be media-crazy and has chosen to file the writ petition without doing any homework, with all cryptic and incomplete/misdirected information. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed."

Case Title: HARRY JOSEPH Versus UNION OF INDIA, Diary No. 30747-2025