Supreme Court slaps ₹25k costs on litigant for failure to disclose full facts

In a recent case [All India EPF Staff Federation v. Union of India and Others], the Supreme Court imposed ₹25,000 in costs on the All India EPF Staff Federation for failing to fully disclose facts. Justices Abhay Oka and Rajesh Bindal criticized the Federation for not revealing the dismissal of their application before the Delhi High Court seeking an early hearing. The Court termed this non-disclosure a serious matter, expressing disappointment in the Federation's conduct. The appeal challenged a Delhi High Court order that had adjourned proceedings to September 5, following the dismissal of the Federation's plea by the High Court on May 23. Despite attempts by the Federation's advocate to attribute the omission to mistake, the Court dismissed the appeal and levied costs, emphasizing the importance of transparency and full disclosure in legal proceedings.