Delhi HC dismisses plea for PM’s disqualification
The Delhi High Court dismissed a petition on Monday, April 29 that had requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to disqualify Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly soliciting votes for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by exploiting religious sentiments during the current Lok Sabha elections.
The petition, which expressed concerns about the prime minister allegedly seeking votes by invoking religious figures and places of worship, was deemed “thoroughly misconceived” by the court.
In its judgment, the court emphasised that it lacks the authority to instruct the ECI to adopt a specific position on any complaint.
The petitioner had specifically referenced a speech by PM Modi in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, where he purportedly sought votes by invoking Hindu deities and places of worship as well as Sikh deities and places of worship.
Advocate Sidhant Kumar, representing the ECI, opposed the petition, asserting that the commission routinely handles such requests and will act in accordance with the law. He assured the court of the ECI’s commitment as a constitutional body to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
