The Delhi High Court asserted its position that it cannot micromanage the operations of the Election Commission of India (ECI), as it is a constitutional body. The court made this remark while responding to a petition seeking the registration of an FIR against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged communal speeches during the Lok Sabha elections campaign.
NEW DELHI: Today (10th May): The Delhi High Court addressed the petition seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, filed in response to alleged communal speeches made by him during the Lok Sabha elections campaign. The petitioner argued that hate speeches should be treated uniformly by the Election Commission of India (ECI), without considering the identity of the person making them.
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The case has been scheduled for further hearings on Monday, May 13.
Justice Sachin Datta, addressing the matter, questioned the authority to determine violations of the model code of conduct.
“The determination of whether there has been a violation of the model code of conduct is within the purview of the Election Commission of India (ECI), a constitutional body. We cannot engage in micromanaging its decisions,” commented the Bench.
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Advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, argued that the ECI’s response to hate speeches should be uniform, regardless of the person making them. Pasha emphasized the need for consistent actions by the commission.
Advocate Suruchi Suri, representing the ECI, informed the court that the commission has taken note of the complaints received and has issued notices accordingly. Suri assured the court that the ECI would act in accordance with the law.
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Earlier, The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) filed a petition before the Madras High Court, urging it to direct the Election Commission of India (ECI) to address Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged hate speeches during the ongoing election season. The TNCC claims that despite multiple complaints lodged against Modi, the ECI has only issued a show cause notice to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) instead of directly addressing the Prime Minister himself.
The petition specifically mentions Narendra Modi’s derogatory remarks labeling Muslims as “infiltrators” and those who “have more children.” Furthermore, it alleges that Modi has made misleading and derogatory remarks about the Congress party’s manifesto, calling for him to be restrained from making such comments.
The TNCC also registered its protest against Modi’s alleged statement that the opposition’s victory would result in Hindu wealth going into Muslim hands.
The TNCC president lodged a representation with the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Chennai on May 1, urging immediate and decisive action against Modi’s “derogatory statements and communal rhetoric.”
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