Can’t Have ‘Ram Rajya’ in India: SC on Plea About Encroachments

SC, while hearing the plea, said that it wants to do various things but the problem is its capacity is limited.

The bench, headed by CJI TS Thakur, was hearing a plea on the problem of encroachments on roads and footpaths. (Photo: IANS/Altered by The Quint)

The Supreme Court on Friday said that it cannot order the establishment of ‘Ram Rajya’ in the country and cannot do several things it wanted to due to its “limited capacity”.

Do you think with our directions, everything will be done? Do you (petitioner) think we will pass an order that there will be no corruption in the country and all corruption will go? Should we pass an order that there will be ‘Ram Rajya’ in the country?

A bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur

The bench was hearing a plea by an NGO, Voice of India, on the problem of illegal encroachments on roads and footpaths across the country.

Also Read: Justice Should Not be Denied, Delayed or Sold in India: CJI Thakur

We want to do various things but we cannot do them. Our capacity to do things is limited. This is a problem.

A bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur

The apex court made these observations when the petitioner urged the bench not to dismiss its plea asking, “if this court does not take any action or pass any direction, then who will.”

Also Read: CJI Thakur Wept Over a Problem of the Judiciary and Govt’s Making

When the bench asked the petitioner to approach the high court first, he said, “How many high courts will I go to... This court should hear this matter” and added “where is the rule of law in the country? I have come here with so much hope.”

When the petitioner told the bench that there was rampant encroachment on the roads and footpaths across the country and authorities were doing nothing, the bench said, “You can educate the people about this.”

The bench, which had earlier said it would dismiss the plea, later scheduled it for hearing in February next year after the current CJI’s retirement in January, reported Indian Express’ Utkarsh Anand.

(With inputs from PTI and Indian Express)