A Public Interest Litigation seeking directions for payments to kin of advocates has been dismissed by the Supreme Court. The petition had sought Rs 50 lakhs ex gratia compensation to the kin of deceased lawyers. To the dismay of the top court, the petition had included advocates who had lost their lives within 60 years due to COVID 19 or any other reasons for the purpose of asking for ex gratia relief.

Calling the PIL as a publicity stunt, the 3 Judge Bench reminded the petitioner Pradeep Kumar that there is already a verdict passed by the Supreme Court laying out the guidelines for granting compensation to the kin of those who have lost their lives due to covid infection. The present petition apparently tried to create an exception for lawyers to seek monetary relief on irrelevant grounds at a time when when we have seen thousands of lives being lost due to coronavirus.

On being reprimanded for filling a bogus petition, Advocate Pradeep Yadav requested the court to withdraw the plea and asked the Judges, if he could file a plea on relevant grounds. 

Yadav requested the bench that he will withdraw the plea and fill it with better grounds.

The Supreme Court, however, dismissed the petition with a cost of Rs 10,000 payable to the Supreme Court Bar Association within a week's time.