Delhi HC dismisses plea to disqualify PM Modi from elections for 6 years
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by lawyer Anand S Jondhale, seeking the disqualification of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly soliciting votes for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by invoking Hindu and Sikh deities and places of worship.
Justice Sachin Datta, presiding over the case, concluded that the petition was based on a misconception. He stated that the petitioner had assumed a violation of the Code of Conduct, but the court does not have the authority to dictate the Election Commission of India's stance on any complaint.
Petitioner claimed that in a speech delivered by PM Modi at Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh he sought votes appealing to the voters to vote for his party in the name of Hindu deities and Hindu places of worship as well as Sikh deities and Sikh places of worship.
Anand stated that parties within the INDIA bloc have consistently opposed the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. "They declined the invitation for the Ram Temple's consecration ceremony and disrespected Ram Lalla. Members of their party who attended the event were suspended for six years," the Prime Minister declared during a rally in support of BJP's candidate from Pilbhit, Jitin Prasada.
Additionally, he remarked that the INDIA bloc had made the decision to undermine 'Shakti'. "Congress has shown disrespect to ‘Shakti’, which is revered across the nation today. Any devotee of ‘Shakti’ will never forgive Congress," he emphasised.
Appearing for ECI, Advocate Sidhant Kumar opposed the plea stating that it is dealing with such applications on a daily basis and will take action as per law. He has filed the representation and we will process it. The commission is a constitutional body.
- With inputs from agencies
