Overview

• The bench branded the petitioners as “unscrupulous litigants” who pursued the PIL out of personal vendetta without revealing their credentials
• Each of the seven was ordered to pay ₹20 lakh, bringing the total cost imposed to ₹1.4 crore
• The court held that naming parties alone is insufficient for a PIL and that petitioners must prove genuine public interest
• Penalty funds will be transferred to the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority to support welfare programs for orphaned children
• The respondent’s lawyer stated the petitioners face extortion charges tied to the same property and are established business rivals