Cuttack: The Orissa High Court imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on a group of eight villagers from Gopinathpur in Balasore district, for ‘misuse’ of the public interest litigation (PIL) mechanism.

The petitioners Jyostna Rani Mallick and seven others, had approached the court, challenging allotment of 2.05 acres of gochar land, which they claimed was traditionally used for cattle grazing, community gatherings and the annual Muni festival, to a high school. ADVERTISEMENT

While stating that they were now left with no alternative space for grazing or conducting social and cultural functions, the petitioners also mentioned that a representation to the authorities on August 22, 2024, had been pending.

A division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman, however, took a stern vi

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