Delhi HC dismisses plea by Juhi Chawla against 5G rollout, imposes Rs 20 lakh fine

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed the plea filed by Bollywood actor Juhi Chawla against the rollout of 5G technology in India.

The Bench of Justice JR Midha said that it appeared that the suit was filed to garner publicity, noting how Chawla had circulated the weblink of the hearing on social media.

The Court imposed costs of Rs. 20 lakh on Chawla and other plaintiffs for abusing the process of law. “Plaintiffs abused process of law. Costs of Rs 20 lakh is imposed on plaintiffs: Court. It appears suit was for publicity. Juhi Chawla circulated link of the hearing on social media,” the Court said.

Taking note of the disruptions caused to the hearing on account of the link being made public by Chawla, the Court directed that contempt notice be issued against the miscreants.

A direction was also passed to the Delhi Police to take action and submit a report before the Court. Justice JR Midha also ruled that the plaint was defective and not maintainable.

Further, the Court noted that Chawla not only did not comply with the mandate under Section 80 of the Code of Civil Procedure but also flouted several other mandates under the Code.

Chawla along with Veeresh Malik and Teena Vachani (plaintiffs) filed the suit before the High Court, arguing that until and unless 5G technology is “certified safe”, its rollout should not be permitted.

Chawla and others had argued that it was an established fact that there “could be danger of imminent nature” due to 5G and as per RTI responses, no studies had been conducted on the same.