'Son's moral duty to take care of father but court can't pass any order'

It is an idealistic and moralistic obligation of son to take care of his father but it cannot pass an order to that effect, while dismissing a plea seeking apolitical appointment to constitutional posts.

New Delhi: While dismissing a plea seeking appointment of apolitical persons to constitutional posts, Supreme Court said it cannot pass orders on moral grounds saying every son will have to take care of his father. The observation was made by the bench comprising the Chief Justice of India (CJI) UU Lalit and Justice S Ravindra Bhat.

The CJI said the plea was morally right but the Court cannot pass any orders on it. "It is an idealistic and moral obligation to take care of father but can we say every son has to take care of father?(sic)," the CJI asked. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) had contended that constitutional posts were being filled based on political considerations.

Advocate SN Shukla who was representing the petitioner wanted the Court to allow him to argue. However, the Court said it may hear him out and then dismiss his plea with costs if he did not withdraw the petition as he was told to. The advocate budged. The Court allowed him to withdraw the PIL.