The Madras High Court on Thursday imposed a cost of ₹10,000 on a journalist for filing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking a direction to the Centre to consider a representation made by him for establishment of a domestic as well as international airport at Hosur in Krishnagiri district.
Justices S. Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad passed the order after stating that it was the prerogative of the State to take such decisions and not for courts to issue directions on establishing airports, railway stations and bus stands. The judges could not fathom how such cases could be filed.
The judges ordered that the cost should be paid in favour of the Juvenile Justice Fund within two weeks so that hapless children could benefit out of it. In case of failure to pay the costs, the Krishnagiri Collector was ordered to initiate proceedings under the Tamil Nadu Revenue Recovery Act of 1984.
The PIL petition had been preferred by D. Silambarasan who claimed to be a reporter in Malai Thamilagam, “a widely circulated newspaper in Krishnagiri district,” and earning ₹1.2 lakh a month. There was an imminent need to establish an airport in Hosur for transporting the roses grown over there, he said.
Further claiming that many industries were functioning in Hosur as well as Thally, he said, there was an imminent need to establish an airport to assist in the growth of the region. Claiming to have sent a representation in this regard on July 6 last year, he sought for a direction to the Centre to consider his plea.
The judges imposed costs of ₹15,000 and ₹10,000 on two other litigants too for having wasted the time of the court by filing frivolous cases.