The Supreme Court has scheduled for May 8 the hearing of a petition from the Congress alleging inaction by the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged violations of the model code of conduct. Last week, the Election Commission had given 'clean chits' to Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah in a number of complaints.
On April 29, Congress MP Sushmita Dev moved a petition in the Supreme Court alleging inaction by the Election Commission on complaints by the Congress against Modi and Shah. The petition was taken up by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and K.M. Joseph.
During a hearing of Dev's petition on Monday, the Supreme Court asked her to “bring on record” the Election Commission orders giving clean chits to Modi and Shah.
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Arguing for the petitioner, lawyer and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the Supreme Court that in five of the six clean chits given to Shah and Modi over complaints filed by the Congress, dissent was recorded by the panel members. However, these decisions were not communicated to the Congress or “reasons shared” with the opposition party.
Singhvi argued action was taken by the Election Commission against violations similar to complaints against Modi and Shah. He sought that the Supreme Court lay down guidelines to prevent such 'inaction' in future elections.
