Madras High Court Fines Petitioner ₹50,000 for Seeking 'Indefinite' Protest till World War Ends

The Madras High Court dismissed a "frivolous" plea seeking permission for a daily 14-hour protest until the "World War" ends.

The Court termed the request for an indeterminate, recurring assembly at a busy Theni junction as an abuse of constitutional jurisdiction.

The Court held that while the right to protest is cherished, it is not an absolute right to occupy any space indefinitely. It further slammed the petitioner’s disparaging remarks against Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Muthuramalinga Thevar while refusing alternative venues.

Observing that judicial time is a valuable public resource, the Court imposed a ₹50,000 fine, with a default sentence of one-day imprisonment.

[S Prabhu v. District Administration]