Delh HC reduces costs on Juhi Chawla from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 2 lakh in 5G lawsuit

While hearing the 5G lawsuit, the Delhi High Court reduced the costs imposed on actor Juhi Chawla from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.

The Delhi High Court reduced the costs imposed on actor Juhi Chawla from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 2 lakh over her plea against setting up 5G networks. The court also expunged remarks against Juhi Chawla by a single-judge bench and said the actor didn't take up the 5G issue in a frivolous and casual manner.

"Plaintiffs who do not come from a legal background should not be made to share the blame or consequences for the manner in which the application was drafted," the Delhi High Court said on Thursday.

"Ms Chawla, who has appeared before us, has stated that she raised the issue in all seriousness and she has also said that she did not expect the proceedings to go on in the manner they did," the high court said.

"We are of the view that the order of the single judge needs to be modified in the interest of justice. We, therefore, expunge the observations made by the judge against Juhi Chawla especially those made in paras 41 and 43," the Delhi High Court said.

"We reduce the costs from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. We are inclined to retain part of the costs since we do find that the applications made along with the plaint were indeed completely meritless," the high court said.

"Ms. Chawla has volunteered that she will work with the Delhi State Legal Services Authority in whose favour the costs of Rs 20 lakh were originally awarded. She will work to advance the cause of women in need for legal aid. She says she will be honoured to render social service by featuring in their programmes," the high court said.

Lat year, Juhi Chawla and other appellants raised concerns surrounding the harmful impact of 5G technology.