THOMAS JAIKAB Vs. UNION OF INDIA UOI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The material averments in the memorandum of this petition are these. The petitioner is a poor citizen of this country. He is penniless, unemployed and without any shelter. Thoroughly disappointed, he sent a letter to the Prime Minister requesting that he may be given financial aid so that he may arrange for his fooding, clothing and lodging. He also informed the Prime Minister that in case help was not given there will be no alternative but to either commit some crime or commit suicide. By a letter dated February 17, 1988, the Secretariat of the Prime Minister informed the petitioner that the Prime Minister had not been allotted any fund from which financial aid, as claimed by the petitioner, could be given. The petitioner addressed a letter to the President of the country. The President's Secretariat forwarded the letter of the petitioner to the Chief Secretary of this State. The Chief Secretary informed the petitioner that his problem had been forwarded to the District Magistrate, Kanpur, for taking necessary action. The petitioner did not receive any reply from the District Magistrate despite his letter dated July 13, 1989, addressed to the said Officer. On December 15, 1989, the petitioner notified through publication in the press as well as by sending letters to the President, the Prime Minister, the Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh and the District Magistrate, Kanpur that he would commit suicide on January 30, 1990. The petitioner addressed a communication to the President praying that since a democratic Government had not been able to provide him (the petitioner) fooding, clothing and lodging, the vote cast by him may be treated as withdrawn.

(2.) The prayers in the petition are these. Steps may be taken to get rid the petitioner of poverty, unemployment and lack of shelter so that his lost confidence in the democratic system may be restored. If that is not possible, the vote cast by the petitioner may be treated as not having been cast. If the petitioner commits any crime or commits suicide on account of poverty, unemployment and lack of shelter, he may not be punished.

(3.) The sole respondent to this petition is the Union of India. In spite of time being granted to the counsel for the Union of India, no counter-affidavit has been filed.