New Delhi: Despite the passing away of self-proclaimed godman Swami Om in February 2021, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered that the other petitioner in the same case had to pay the cost of Rs 5 lakh in connection with his petition challenging the elevation of Justice (retired) Dipak Misra as the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in 2017.
A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Dr Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and also comprising Justice MR Shah passed the order and directed the co-petitioner, Mukesh Jain, to deposit the cost of Rs 5 lakh. The Supreme Court passed the direction after hearing a petition filed by co-petitioner, Mukesh Jain. Swami Om had died in February 2021. Both of them had challenged the elevation of Justice (retired), Dipak Misra, as the CJI in 2017.
Read: SC directs Swami Om to pay Rs 5 lakh fine over filing petition on CJI selection
The Supreme Court had earlier in 2017 directed to pay a cost of Rs 10 lakh on them (jointly) but subsequently reduced the cost to Rs 5 lakh. The Supreme Court bench in 2017, headed by the then CJI Jagdish Singh Khehar and also comprising Justice Dr Dhananjaya Y Chandrahud, had dismissed their petitions and termed the plea as "popularity stunt," and directed them jointly to deposit a cost of Rs 10 lakh.
Read: 'Bigg Boss 10' contestant Swami Om dies at 63
(ANI)