The Delhi High Court on Monday declined an urgent hearing request for a plea that accuses political parties of violating election laws by offering ‘freebies’ in the run-up to the upcoming assembly elections in the national capital. The plea, which challenges the legality of these promises, was not expedited as requested by the petitioner’s counsel.
Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela presided over the bench and decided that the matter would proceed in the normal course and be heard whenever it is listed. The petitioner’s lawyer had pushed for an urgent listing of the case at 2 pm, arguing the immediacy due to the impending end of the electioneering period.
Responding to the urgency of the plea, the court remarked, “Why 2 pm? You are challenging the action of political parties in announcing freebies. Tomorrow is the last day for electioneering, or maybe today. Whatever impact the freebies were to have has already happened.” The court further stated, “It will be listed as per the standing order. We are not saying anything on merit.”
The counsel for the petitioner expressed concerns that the ongoing election process was being compromised by the announcements of these freebies, allegedly in violation of the precedents set by the Supreme Court regarding fair election practices.
