New Delhi: The matter of
New Delhi. The matter of promising to give free things to the public in the election has reached the Supreme Court. Hearing a petition, the apex court has sent notices to the Central Government and the Election Commission of India (ECI). The petition had sought directions to confiscate the election symbols of parties promising to provide free things using public money and de-register the parties.
According to the Bar and Bench, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay has also demanded the central government to make a law regarding this. Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice AS Bopanna and Justice Hima Kohli heard the petition. The bench said that a serious issue has been raised in the petition. However, the bench also pointed out that only the names of selected parties have been mentioned by the petitioner.
The CJI said, “This is a serious issue and the budget for free distribution is different from the regular budget. Even though it is not a corrupt act, but it creates inequality in the field. Apart from this, the CJI said, ‘You have included only two names in the affidavit.’ The petition has referred to the announcements made in the Punjab Assembly elections. These include the names of Aam Aadmi Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress.
The petitioner said that freebies have reached an alarming level. Upadhyay has also prayed to declare that the promise or distribution of free things to woo voters through public money before elections is violative of Articles 14, 162, 266(3) and 282 of the Constitution.
Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the petitioner, said that there are some states which have a debt burden of Rs 3 lakh per person and even then free announcements are being made. Notice has been issued in the matter by the Bench. At the same time, the next hearing will be after 4 weeks.
to give free things to the public in the election has reached the Supreme Court. Hearing a petition, the apex court has sent notices to the Central Government and the Election Commission of India (ECI). The petition had sought directions to confiscate the election symbols of parties promising to provide free things using public money and de-register the parties.
According to the Bar and Bench, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay has also demanded the central government to make a law regarding this. Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice AS Bopanna, and Justice Hima Kohli heard the petition. The bench said that a serious issue has been raised in the petition. However, the bench also pointed out that only the names of selected parties have been mentioned by the petitioner.
The CJI said, “This is a serious issue and the budget for free distribution is different from the regular budget. Even though it is not a corrupt act, it creates inequality in the field. Apart from this, the CJI said, ‘You have included only two names in the affidavit.’ The petition has referred to the announcements made in the Punjab Assembly elections. These include the names of the Aam Aadmi Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress.
The petitioner said that freebies have reached an alarming level. Upadhyay has also prayed to declare that the promise of distribution of free things to woo voters through public money before elections are violative of Articles 14, 162, 266(3), and 282 of the Constitution.
Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the petitioner, said that there are some states which have a debt burden of Rs 3 lakh per person and even then free announcements are being made. Notice has been issued in the matter by the Bench. At the same time, the next hearing will be after 4 weeks.
