Supreme Court imposes ₹25,000 costs on Central government for providing incorrect information

The Supreme Court recently imposed ₹25,000 penalty on the Union of India for giving incorrect information regarding a list of officers travelling abroad in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation [Sathyan Naravoor v. Jacob Thomas IPS & Ors].

The case was heard by a Bench of Justices Rajesh Bindal and Vijay Bishnoi.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the Union of India, stated that the State had not provided a list of officers traveling to Netherlands for an investigation.

On the other hand, the petitioner’s counsel, senior advocate Jayanth Muth Raj, submitted that the information had already been provided to the Central authorities by the State vigilance via a letter.

The Court initially gave ASG Raju time to verify the submission and adjourned the matter.

When the case was called again, the ASG conceded that the information was indeed submitted and argument by the petitioner's counsel with respect to the same was correct.

The Court noted that the initial incorrect statement could have resulted in a wrong order.

As a result, the court imposed a cost of ₹25,000 on the Union of India. The payment is to be made to the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund.

The registry was directed to forward a copy of the order for record.

The matter relates to an ongoing appeal filed by Kerala government and activist Sathyan Naravoor against Kerala High Court decision quashing a vigilance case against former Director General of Police (DGP) Jacob Thomas.

The case was adjourned to April 21.

Senior Advocate Jayanth Muth Raj along with advocates Harshad V Hameed, Dileep Poolakkot, Ashly Harshad, Mahabir Singh, Kaleeswaram Raj, Mohammed Sadique, Thulasi K Raj, Aparna Menon and Chinnu Maria Antony appeared for the petitioner.

The Central government was represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Suryaprakash V Raju and advocates Annam Venkatesh, Abhinav Mishra, Samrat Goswami and Arvind Kumar Sharma.

Advocates A Karthik, Smrithi Suresh, Sugam Agrawal, Veera Mahuli and Nanditha S appeared for Jacob Thomas.

[Read Order]