On Monday, the Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of iconic freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The bench, led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, emphasized that the judiciary is not the solution for all issues, especially historical and speculative inquiries that are beyond its jurisdiction.
The PIL, filed by Pinak Pani Mohanty, the Cuttack district secretary of the World Human Rights Protection Organisation (India), was criticized by the court for making “reckless and irresponsible allegations” against historical figures, including Mahatma Gandhi, without substantive evidence. The court questioned the petitioner’s bona fides and his contributions to public interest and human rights, signaling concerns over the legitimacy of his claims and motives.
In a resolute statement, Justice Kant remarked, “It’s not the court’s job to run the government,” reflecting the court’s stance on maintaining its role within the constitutional boundaries and not overstepping into governmental or investigative functions.
This judicial decision aligns with previous government communications which have stated, based on records, that Netaji died in a plane crash in 1945 in Taiwan. The government’s position was reinforced by an RTI reply that corroborated these historical accounts, suggesting that the mystery surrounding Netaji’s death has been officially addressed, despite ongoing public speculation and conspiracy theories.
