Biggest Litigant”: Supreme Court Imposes ₹25,000 Cost on Centre for Unnecessary Appeal

In a sharp rebuke to unnecessary government litigation, the Supreme Court imposed costs of ₹25,000 on the Union of India while dismissing an appeal against a Punjab and Haryana High Court judgment that had granted relief to a CISF constable. The Court, comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, questioned the very basis of the appeal, observing that the Union had pursued the matter despite the High Court already setting aside the dismissal and finding the punishment disproportionate. Emphasizing the growing burden of case backlog, the Bench remarked that the government remains the “biggest litigant” and contributes significantly to judicial pendency by filing avoidable appeals. The Court noted that in such cases, legal officers should exercise restraint and advise against escalation when no substantial legal issue exists. Dismissing the Special Leave Petition with costs, the judgment reinforces the principle that frivolous or unnecessary litigation—especially by the State—will not be tolerated and may invite monetary penalties, thereby promoting judicial discipline and responsible litigation practices.