‘Media Crazy’: Supreme Court Dismisses Law Student’s PIL on Scheduled Castes Order
The Supreme Court on Friday strongly criticised a third-year law student for filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950—a Presidential Order that lists the communities recognised as Scheduled Castes for constitutional benefits.
A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the plea. During the hearing, Justice Kant expressed strong disapproval, observing that the student should focus on completing his law degree instead of filing baseless petitions.
At the start, the judge asked the petitioner about his background. When the petitioner said he was a third-year law student, Justice Kant questioned his decision to challenge a decades-old order. He remarked,
“You seem too eager for media attention. Before even completing your law degree, you have started filing writ petitions. This order was issued in 1950, and now in 2025, you suddenly want to challenge it?”
When the student replied affirmatively, the Bench warned him of possible penalties, stating, “Go and complete your law. Otherwise, we will impose exemplary costs and record adverse remarks.”
The Court later dismissed the petition, calling it an attempt to gain publicity rather than a genuine legal concern. The order read:
“The petitioner, who claims to be a law student, appears to be seeking popularity rather than justice. He seems media-crazy and has filed this writ petition without proper research or understanding. The writ petition is dismissed.”
Case Title: Harry Joseph v. Union of India, Diary No. 30747-2025
