CJI Chandrachud Warns Petitioner Demanding 'Digital Monitoring' of MPs & MLAs, Says 'Can't Put Microchip'

After hearing the submissions of Kundra, the court quashed his plea without imposing any penalty.

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Surinder Nath Kundra, who demanded to digitally monitor all MPs and MLAs in the country by installing CCTV at the premises of the lawmakers and at every place they go.

The petitioner was appearing in person and was seeking direction from the apex court judges J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra and Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, reported Deccan Herald.

Quashing the plea, CJI Chandrachud said “Should we put a microchip on the shoulders, legs, or hands of MPs and MLAs?”, adding that lawmakers have the right to privacy. “We do it only in the case of a convicted felon, who you apprehend is likely to flee justice, how can we digitally monitor, there is something called right to privacy”, quoted the English daily as saying CJI.

He also warned Kundra against coming to the Supreme Court with such a petition again. “It is not our ego, it is public time and there are so many other matters,” the bench said. The CJI said that he is restraining himself from imposing a penalty of Rs 5 lakh for loss of public time, however, the petitioner asked the court to give him 15 minutes to explain his point.

The bench granted time to Kundra to explain his views, where he contended that once MPs and MLAs win, they start behaving like rulers. He further claimed that the Constitution is in danger and said that people are the ultimate authority, who should make laws rather than MPs and MLAs, who are public servants.

Junking his views, the Chief Justice stopped Kundra before he exceeded his 15 minutes, however, the bench said that the petitioner cannot charge against every MP and MLA. The bench said that these lawmakers have their own life at their home and they are with their families.

After hearing the submissions of Kundra, the court quashed his plea without imposing any penalty.