Filing of caveat by itself does not entitle caveators to be treated as a party to the proceedings

In the matter of Sanjay Prakash vs. Union of India (LL 2021 SC 283) decided on 28.06.2021

FACTS: Under consideration was inter-alia a plea of Central Indian Police Service Association to intervene in a Special Leave Petition on the strength of caveat applications lodged by them. However, the Association had not filed any application for impleadment or intervention before the High Court, but they were heard in the case.

HELD: The Hon’ble Apex Court while allowing impleadment applications filed by five sets of officers belonging to the Indian Police Service (IPS) as those applicants had been able to demonstrate sufficient interest on the ultimate outcome of the five petitions for special leave to appeal observed that caveators have the right of being notified of the lodging of the SLPs in terms of Clause 2 of Order XV of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 however, mere filing of caveat application cannot grant them an entry into a petition for Special Leave to appeal. Hence, the Court directed the caveators to file intervention applications instead.

It was thus, consequently held that Filing of Caveat by itself does not entitle caveators to be treated as a party to the proceedings, they only get the right of being notified of the lodging of the SLPs.