SC Rejects Plea Seeking Virtual Elections Campaigning for Jailed Politicians

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea seeking its direction to allow arrested political leaders to campaign virtually during elections.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan declined to interfere with the Delhi High Court’s decision, which had previously dismissed the petition.

The bench criticized the petition, stating, “This petition has been filed with mala fide intent. It is concentrated on one politician (Arvind Kejriwal) who is every day before this court with a battery of the best lawyers. We do not deem it necessary to entertain this petition purportedly filed in public interest. Dismissed.”

The apex court was considering a plea filed by a law student, seeking permission for arrested political leaders to campaign through virtual means. The high court, in dismissing the plea, had noted that allowing such a provision could lead to notorious criminals, including fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, registering with political parties and campaigning.

The bench described the petition as “highly adventurous” and contrary to fundamental legal principles, emphasizing that policy decisions are the domain of Parliament, not the courts.

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