'This Is Not The Way Of Filing A PIL' : Supreme Court Pulls Up ML Sharma In Pegasus Case

The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up serial litigant Advocate ML Sharma over the PIL filed by him seeking probe into the Pegasus snooping controversy.

Nine petitions on the Pegasus issue were listed before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justice Surya Kant.

As the bench took up the cases, Sharma sought to make submissions first, saying that his case was listed as the first item.

"Mr.Sharma, no doubt you have filed the writ petition first. Let Mr.Sibal lead the matter. He is a senior advocate after all", the CJI then said, asking Sharma to let Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argue first.

Sharma replied that his petition raised different issues.

"Mr.Sharma, except newspaper cuttings, what is there in your petition. What purpose you have filed the petition for? You want us to collect the material and argue your case? This is not the way of filing a PIL. We also read newspapers", CJI expressed displeasure at his PIL.

Seconding the sentiments of CJI, Justice Surya Kant pointed out that Sharma has rushed to the Court the very next day of sending a complaint to the CBI.

The bench also said that it cannot issue notice on Sharma's petition, as he has made certain individuals as respondents.  His petition lists Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his individual capacity as the first respondent.

"Mr.Sharma, the problem in your petition is that you have added individual persons etc. I can't issue notice straightaway", CJI told him.

Sharma then sought permission to remove the individual name from the petition.

"You do whatever you want", CJI replied.