Election Commission of India 'Blatantly disparaging remarks': Election Commission complains to Supreme Court on Madras High Court's comment
Delhi/IBNS: The Election Commission of India has gone to the Supreme Court over Madras High Court's "should be booked for murder" comments, saying that the remarks were "blatantly disparaging".
Slamming the poll body over its way of conducting elections in various parts of India, the Madras High Court on Monday last had held Election Commission of India (ECI) officers solely responsible for the Covid-19 second wave which has crippled the country.
"Election Commission singularly responsible for Covid-19 second wave, officers should be booked for murder probably," the high court had said, coming down heavily on the poll body.
The Madras High Court had made the remarks on April 26 while hearing a plea by AIADMK's R Vijayabhaskar raising concerns if appropriate facilities were ensured to maintain COVID-19 protocol at the time of vote counting at the Karur constituency, which has about 77 candidates were in fray.
The ECI had gone to the High Court against the remark and also seeking directions to the media against sensationalising news and reporting on oral observations made by the Court, the Bar and Bench report stated.
However, the bench headed by Justice Banerjee refused to entertain the ECI's petition saying that the "post mortem" on the issue culd wait and the poll bodty should focus on measures for COVID-19 management.
In its plea to SC, the ECI stated that the Madras High Court being an independent constitutional authority made serious allegations of murder on another independent constitutional authority without any basis, which has ultimately dented both the institutions, said a Bar and Bench report.
The poll body averred that the appeal is against the uncalled for, blatantly disparaging and derogatory remarks made by Madras High Court, the report added.
The ECI said in it petition that the "murder" comment of the Division Bench of the High Court against the ECI has started a dangerous trend as consequent to it a criminal complaint has been made against a Deputy Election Commissioner, the report said.
A bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice MR Shah will hear the Election Commission's petition on Monday.
