SC issues notice to Election Commission in PIL seeking action against speeches on caste and communal lines

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna issued notice to the Election Commission in a petition filed by an NRI from Sharjah, Harpreet Mansukhani.

The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Election Commission of India in a petition seeking action against political party representatives and spokespersons who make speeches or remarks on religious or caste lines.

Among the prayers sought in the petition are:

• A direction to constitute a Committee headed by a former Supreme Court judge to have a close watch on the election process and to check the fairness/fastness of the EC
• Direction to the EC to take strict action against political parties if their spokespersons or representatives make speeches in the media that pertain to caste or religion
• Issue writ of mandamus to EC to take strict action against media houses who use caste ore religious lines for their debate shows
• Direction to the EC to submit a report on the measures adopted to conduct corruption-free elections.