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Validity of appointment as Auction Recorder challenged in a Writ Petition styled as PIL. Analysis: The judgment by the Supreme Court of India, delivered by Dr. Arijit Pasayat, J., addressed the issue of the validity of the appointment of the appellant as Auction Recorder of the Market Committee, Patran. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had held the appointment invalid and illegal based on a Writ Petition filed by respondent No. 4, styled as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The appellant's appointment in 1986 was challenged due to a past conviction under the Punjab Excise Act. The Market Committee had earlier found no ineligibility attached to the appellant's appointment as no moral turpitude was involved. Despite challenges and complaints, the appellant's services were regularized under specific rules in 1989. The High Court set aside the appointment, directing a fresh selection process, which was contested in the Supreme Court. The appellant's counsel argued that the Writ Petition was an abuse of court process, driven by personal and political rivalry, rather than genuine public interest. The Market Committee supported the appellant's appointment as per rules, while respondent No. 4's counsel contended that personal differences did not dilute the public interest element in the petition. The Court examined the scope of entertaining a PIL, emphasizing the need for genuine public interest, credibility of the applicant, and seriousness of the information provided. It cautioned against frivolous petitions and misuse of PIL for personal gain or publicity, stressing the importance of weeding out such cases to prevent wastage of judicial time. Highlighting the misuse of PILs and the burden it places on the judicial system, the Court expressed concern over genuine litigants waiting for justice while frivolous petitions consume valuable time. The judgment underscored the necessity of using PIL as a tool for social justice, not personal vendettas or publicity. The Court emphasized the importance of acting against meddlesome interlopers and imposters filing petitions with oblique motives, urging courts to dismiss such cases promptly and impose costs to deter misuse of the legal system. The judgment referenced previous cases and the need for careful scrutiny to ensure PILs serve the genuine public interest. In conclusion, the Supreme Court set aside the High Court's judgment, ruling in favor of the appellant. The appeals were allowed with no orders as to costs, emphasizing the need to uphold the integrity of PILs and prevent their misuse for personal agendas.
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