The Delhi High Court rejected a petition seeking a six-year ban on Prime Minister Narendra Modi from contesting elections, alleging violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by seeking votes on religious grounds for Lok Sabha polls.
In the case of Anand S Jondhale v Election Commission of India (ECI) & Anr, Justice Sachin Datta dismissed the plea, stating that it was “misconceived” and the court cannot direct the Election Commission of India (ECI) to act in a specific manner.
The Court took note of the ECI’s assurance that it would consider the petitioner’s representation.
ECI counsel Siddhant Kumar stated, “His representation is there. We will process it in accordance with law.”
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Advocate Siddhant Kumar, representing the ECI, informed the Court that the poll body receives such applications regularly and would take appropriate action as per the law.
The petition, filed by advocate Anand S Jondhale, referred to a speech by PM Modi in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, on April 9.
Jondhale alleged that Modi sought votes in the name of Hindu and Sikh deities and their places of worship, while also making comments against opposition parties as favouring Muslims.
Jondhale claimed that despite approaching the ECI with a request to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the Prime Minister under Sections 153A of the IPC, no action was taken by the Commission.
The petitioner argued that PM Modi violated the MCC by appealing to voters on religious grounds, contrary to the provisions outlined in the Compendium of Instructions Volume-III under Rules General Conduct-I (1) and (3).
The provision prohibits parties or candidates from engaging in activities that may worsen existing differences between different castes, communities, or religious groups, and prohibits appeals to caste or community feelings for securing votes.
