Top court to examine if parties can file PILs

NEW DELHI: Can a political figure or a party file a petition before the Supreme Court, claiming to espouse public interest?

The apex court will examine the issue that cropped up before it in a case related to AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

A bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Amitava Roy agreed to first adjudicate whether NGO turned-political outfit Swaraj Abhiyan’s petition seeking a probe into the deal could have been filed as a public interest petition. A similar petition filed by a Chat tis ga rh leader would also be considered.

Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi’s opposition to the two petitions prompted the bench to first determine its maintainability. Rohatgi said the petitions were filed with a political motive and such a plea should not be entertained due to the political colour attached to the petitions.