5G Tech In India: Delhi HC Grants One Week Time To Juhi Chawla To Deposit Rs 20 Lakh Fine Imposed Earlier

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (7 July) granted a week time to Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla and two others to deposit Rs 20 lakh in fine imposed on them earlier in their plea challenging 5G wireless network technology, reports News18.

“The court is shocked at the conduct of the plaintiffs,” Justice J R Midha said as he observed that Chawla and others were “not even willing to gracefully deposit the costs”, stated the report.

Notably, the judge was hearing three applications moved by the actor for refund of court fees, waiver of costs and replacing the word dismissed in the judgement with rejected.

The response from the court came after Chawla’s counsel, Senior Advocate Meet Malhotra’s, after withdrawing the application for waiver of costs, stated that costs would either be deposited in a week or ten days, or legal remedies against the same would be taken.

"On one hand you move frivolous application and on the other hand, you withdraw the application and plaintiffs are not even willing to gracefully deposit the costs," the court said.

"I was shocked... This court took a lenient view and did not issue contempt when case was made out... I was totally inclined. You say court had no power to impose costs (but) court has the power to issue contempt," the court said as it took strong exception to the application.

Last month the actor had filed a suit against the implementation of 5G in India, alleging harmful effects of radiofrequency radiation.

Chawla has claimed that after doing her research and studies regarding the RF radiation from wire-free gadgets and network cell towers, she has sufficient reason to believe that the radiation is extremely harmful and dangerous to the health and safety of people.

Delhi High Court had dismissed the said lawsuit filed by actor-environmentalist. The Court, in its order, said that the plaintiff had abused the process of law and imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakhs.

According to ANI, Delhi High Court, in its order, said, "it appears that the suit was for publicity. Plaintiff Juhi Chawla circulated the link of the hearing on social media which created disruption thrice. Delhi Police shall identify the persons and take action against those who created disruption."