The Supreme Court delivered a scathing rebuke against litigants who prolonged a 'manufactured controversy' for eleven years, observing that the bench itself is put on trial when parties knowingly suppress the truth.

Cracking down on the abuse of the legal process, the top court directed both parties to pay ₹5 lakh each in punitive costs for wasting precious judicial time while genuine litigants waited in line.

The bench emphasized that fabricated legal battles clog court dockets, affirming that frivolous litigation will face severe deterrents.