Delhi High Court agrees to reduce costs imposed on Juhi Chawla if she does public work with DSLSA

The Delhi High Court has said that it will consider reducing the cost imposed on Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla for her petition challenging the 5G technology roll-out from ₹20 lakh to ₹2 lakh [Juhi Chawla and Ors v Science and Engineering Research Board and Ors]..A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh however added that Chawla’s status can be used for the “good of society” and therefore, she will have to do some public work which could involve featuring in a programme for the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA)..The Court was hearing an appeal filed by Chawla and two others challenging an order of the single-judge which had imposed a cost of ₹20 lakh on them while dismissing their petition against roll out of 5G technology..Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid appearing for Chawla, argued that this is a very peculiar situation and the petitioner had raised a genuine concern on the impact of 5G technology on human body.Khurshid said that this technology has created a major concern in the United States where there is a debate going on about the problem that 5G is creating on aviation by interfering with aeroplane communication devices.He said that the petitioner had also placed a judgment of the US Court and that this was a genuine case which got mired in technicalities.“In all humility, on behalf of the petitioner, I am seeking your indulgence that ultimately the inadequacies of one us (counsel) being not able to represent should not cause a detriment to the cause. This is all I plead with Your Lordships… Some of the submissions may not have been plausible but they are not so implausible that it would lead to cost of ₹20 lakh being imposed. The plaint has been returned with a very clear education that education we have received. Therefore, if the cause were to be pursued, we would do it in a much better manner,” he said..After a discussion, the judges said that they will reduce the cost significantly from ₹20 lakh to ₹2 lakh but Chawla will have to do some public work and given her status as an actor who is very well known, it should be for “some good of society”“What we propose is we will reduce the cost but not completely waive it. We will make it ₹2 lakh but that comes with another condition. Considering that your client is a celebrity. She should do some public work. Her status should be implied for some good of society… She could do a programme for Delhi Legal Services Authority. They could work out one programme which she could feature in,” the Bench said..The Court then issued notice to secretary of DSLSA and listed the case for further hearing on January 27..The Delhi High Court had, in June last year, imposed costs of ₹20 lakh on Juhi Chawla observing that the suit was filed to garner publicity noting that she had circulated the web link of the hearing on social media.Though an application was later moved by the actress seeking waiver of cost, the Court expressed its displeasure and shock over the plaintiff’s conduct and reiterated its earlier order.“The Court is shocked with the conduct of the plaintiff. Firstly, this is a frivolous action and secondly, the Court has gracefully granted the plaintiffs permission to withdraw with application on costs which they haven't even deposited. Dispose of after the costs of ₹20 lakh have been paid by the plaintiff," the Court had said..Last week, the Delhi State State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) also approached the Delhi High Court seeking execution of the order directing Chawla to deposit the money. The judge however said he will consider the petition after the hearing before division bench. .DSLSA moves Delhi High Court for recovery of ₹20 lakh costs imposed on Juhi Chawla