In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has rejected a plea demanding action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political figures for purportedly delivering hate speeches and breaching the model code of conduct during the Lok Sabha elections. Justice Sachin Dutta's bench deemed the plea misconceived, finding no merit in it.
The petitioners' counsel raised concerns over the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s actions, questioning why other leaders were being scrutinized while the Prime Minister seemingly escaped similar scrutiny. However, the High Court clarified that it couldn't assume the ECI wouldn't take appropriate action, given its status as a constitutional body capable of independently assessing complaints.
Emphasizing the ECI's ongoing investigation into the matter, the court asserted its inability to micromanage the Commission's actions. The plea, submitted by three petitioners, sought directives for the ECI to promptly address the issue, including filing FIRs against political figures accused of hate speech.
The petition cited speeches by PM Modi in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, a speech by Union Minister Anurag Thakur in Himachal Pradesh, and tweets by BJP President JP Nadda as evidence. Despite numerous complaints, the petitioners argued that the ECI had failed to take effective action, deeming such inaction arbitrary, malafide, and a violation of its constitutional duty.
Furthermore, they contended that the ECI's inaction rendered the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) meaningless, which is designed to uphold communal harmony and brotherhood during elections. With the Delhi High Court's dismissal of the plea, the fate of these allegations against PM Modi and other political leaders remains uncertain, pending further action by the Election Commission
