Why in News?:
- The concept of curative petition originated from the case of Rupa Ashok Hurra Vs. Ashok Hurra and another case (2002) where the following question arose before the court of law- 'whether an aggrieved person is entitled to any relief against the final judgment/order of the Supreme Court, after the dismissal of a review petition?'.
What is a Curative Petition?
- A curative petition, is the final and last option for the people to acquire justice as mentioned and promised by the Constitution of India.
- A curative petition may be filed after a review plea against the final conviction is dismissed.
- Objective: It is meant to ensure there is no miscarriage of justice, and to prevent abuse of process.
- Criteria for admission:
- The court ruled that a curative petition can be entertained if the petitioner establishes there was a violation of the principles of natural justice, and that he was not heard by the court before passing an order.
- It will also be admitted where a judge failed to disclose facts that raise the apprehension of bias.
- The SC has held that curative petitions must be rare rather than regular, and be entertained with circumspection.
- A curative petition must be accompanied by certification by a senior advocate, pointing out substantial grounds for entertaining it.
- Who hears Curative petitions?
- A curative petition must be first circulated to a bench of the three senior-most judges, and the judges who passed the concerned judgment, if available.
- Only when a majority of the judges conclude that the matter needs hearing should it be listed — as far as possible, before the same Bench.
- A curative petition is usually decided by judges in chamber, unless a specific request for an open-court hearing is allowed.
- It shall be open to the Bench at any stage of consideration of the curative petition to ask a senior counsel to assist it as amicus curiae.
- In the event of the Bench holding at any stage that the petition is without any merit and vexatious, it may impose exemplary costs on the petitioner
Q1) What is a Special Leave Petition?
A Special Leave Petition (SLP) is a type of petition filed with the Supreme Court of India seeking permission to appeal against a decision of a lower court or tribunal.
Source: Bhopal gas tragedy: ‘Dip into your own pocket’ says Supreme Court on Centre’s curative plea
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