PEOPLES POLITICAL FRONT Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HON'ble In this public interest litigation, prayer of the petitioner is as follows:- "(i) Issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of Mandamus commanding the Respondent to disclose and publish the correspondence between the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sri L.K. Advani Leader of, opposition regarding taking steps to get back the unaccounted money in foreign banks by Indians. (ii) Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction commanding Union of India to take steps to ascertain the extent of unaccounted money deposited in Swiss Bank and other "Tax Havens" and to ascertain the persons of Indian origins who have deposited those amounts and to get back that money for being discharging the liability of foreign debt and spent the same for human development i.e. Economic development with social justice. (iii) Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction after ascertaining the names of the persons at whose instance the unaccounted money is in deposit in foreign bank, to penalize or seize or confiscate property in accordance with law. (iv) Pass such other and further order which this HON'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case. (v) Award costs." Mr. Ravi Kiran Jain appearing on behalf of the petitioners contends that amount deposited in the Swiss Bank may be of the public functionary, Ministers, MP's MLA's and public servants and it is duty of the Government to seek information to recover the amount deposited in the Swiss Bank. He submits that right to information is granted to the citizens of the country under the Constitution of India and it is fit case in which this Court should exercise its jurisdiction. In support of the submission reliance has been placed on a decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Union of India Vs. Association for Democratic Reforms and Anr., (2002) 5 SCC 294. We are of the opinion that the relief sought for in the present public interest litigation is not fit to be granted. We are of opinion that the forum of the judicial review is not made for consideration of the grievance made by the petitioners in this writ application. This writ petition is absolutely misconceived and liable to be dismissed. It is, accordingly, dismissed with costs of Rs.5000/- to be paid by the petitioners to the High Court Legal Services Committee, Allahabad. In case, cost is not deposited within four weeks, the Registrar General of the Court shall take steps for its recovery as arrears of land revenue.