Delhi HC junks Juhi Chawla's plea against setting up 5G networks, imposes Rs 20 lakh fine

Juhi Chawla had raised environmental concerns associated with setting up of 5G wireless networks in India

The Delhi High Court on June 4 dismissed the lawsuit filed by actor-environmentalist Juhi Chawla against the setting up of 5G wireless networks in the country.

The High Court said that the plaintiffs abused the process of law and imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakhs on them, news agency ANI reported.

The Delhi HC said: "It appears that the suit was for publicity. Plaintiff Juhi Chawla circulated the link of the hearing on social media which created disruption thrice. Delhi Police shall identify the persons and take action against those who created disruption."

Juhi Chawla had raised environmental concerns associated with the setting up of 5G wireless networks in India. The actor, along with social workers Veeresh Malik and Teena Vachani, had moved the Delhi HC court, alleging that the 5G technology may have severe radiation impact on humans and even damage the natural ecosystems.

Her plea stated that if the telecommunications industry’s plans for 5G come to fruition, no person, no animal, no bird, no insect, and no plant on Earth will be able to avoid exposure, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to levels of RF radiation that are 10 to 100 times greater than what exists today.

In an Instagram post captioned ‘hum, tum, aur 5G’ (you, me, and 5G), the Bollywood actress had urged her fans to join her during the virtual hearing of the 5G case in Delhi High Court. She had even shared the link to the virtual hearing with her followers. The post read: “If you do think this concerns you in any way, please feel free to join our first virtual hearing being conducted at the Delhi High Court, on the 2nd of June, 3:00 PM IST onwards! Link in bio.”

During the hearing, the High Court had asked actress-environmentalist Juhi Chawla why she had directly filed a suit against setting up 5G wireless networks in India instead of approaching the government with her concerns related to the technology first.

Moreover, while the court proceedings were on, the virtual session was interrupted thrice after a man joined in and started singing songs from Juhi Chawla’s films. He was later removed. This unidentified man might have been able to disrupt court proceedings using the link of the virtual hearing that Juhi Chawla had shared on her social media handle.