The Supreme Court Today (May 31st) refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct re-polling in Munger parliamentary constituency in Bihar in the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections. A Vacation Bench of Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and Prasanna B Varale took exception to the petitioner not approaching Patna High Court first.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct re-polling in the Munger parliamentary constituency in Bihar during the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections. The petitioner alleged incidents of booth capturing and claimed that people from marginalized castes were prevented from casting their votes.
A Vacation Bench of Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and Prasanna B Varale took exception to the petitioner not approaching the Patna High Court first. The Court remarked,
“Without going to High Court, you are blaming the High Court. Please go to the High Court. We shall dismiss it else you go to High Court. This is not the way.”
Following this, the petitioner chose to withdraw the plea. The Court then stated,
“Present petition dismissed as withdrawn. Very sorry. Please call the next case.”
The plea had called for re-polling in several booths of the Munger Parliamentary constituency due to alleged election manipulation and booth capturing at the behest of State officials and the ruling party. Additionally, the petitioner sought directions to remove the District Election Officer of Munger, Dr. Avaneesh Kumar Singh, from all administrative responsibilities, claiming that lower castes were allegedly stopped from voting.
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The Supreme Court’s decision to refuse the plea for re-polling in Munger parliamentary constituency highlights the importance of following procedural protocol in the judicial process. The Court’s insistence that the petitioner approach the Patna High Court first emphasizes the principle of hierarchical judicial review, ensuring that higher courts are not burdened with cases that have not been adequately addressed by lower courts.
The allegations of booth capturing and the prevention of marginalized castes from voting are serious and warrant thorough investigation. These claims, if proven true, reflect significant flaws in the electoral process that undermine the democratic principles of free and fair elections. It is crucial for the Election Commission of India to address these allegations transparently and take necessary corrective measures to restore public trust in the electoral system.
The Court’s directive to approach the High Court first serves as a reminder of the structured legal avenues available to address grievances. This procedural rigor helps maintain order and efficiency within the judicial system, ensuring that all cases are given due consideration at the appropriate level.
In summary, while the Supreme Court’s refusal to entertain the plea might seem dismissive at first glance, it reinforces the importance of adhering to procedural norms. At the same time, the gravity of the allegations calls for a serious and thorough investigation by the relevant authorities to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
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