Madras HC Dismisses PIL Seeking Regulations On Filing And Withdrawal Of PILs

HC rejected petitioner’s plea to withdraw PIL that sought Regulations on withdrawal of PILs‘Registrar General of this High Court cannot frame regulations/rules, as to how a writ Court, in exercise of the powers, under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, should exercise powers, when orders are passed allowing the petitioner, to withdraw PILs.’The Madras High Court recently. HC rejected petitioner’s plea to withdraw PIL that sought Regulations on withdrawal of PILs ‘Registrar General of this High Court cannot frame regulations/rules, as to how a writ Court, in exercise of the powers, under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, should exercise powers, when orders are passed allowing the petitioner, to withdraw PILs.’ The Madras High Court recently dismissed public interest litigation filed by a ‘magazine editor’ who sought regulations on filing and registration of PILs and withdrawal of the same. Considering the reasons assigned, that time is wasted in Courts, in entertaining Public Interest writ petitions, though on merits, and on the facts and circumstances of this case, we find that in the instant writ petition is also one such writ petition and not permitted to be withdrawn, we are of the view that the petitioner, claimed to be an Editor of Magazine, Indian Reporter, has not made any effort to ascertain, as to whether, High Court, Madras, under Article 225 of the Constitution of India has framed any regulations, in the matter of filing/registration of a PIL and thus, wasted the time of this Court.” The court said that rules have already been framed for regulating registration/filings of PIL. But it said that Registrar General of the High Court cannot frame regulations/rules, as to how a writ court, in the exercise of the powers, under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, should exercise powers, when orders are passed allowing the petitioner, to withdraw PILs.