The Delhi High Court has upheld the Election Commission of India’s decision not to deregister the political party All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi. The ruling came from a bench comprising former acting Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela on January 16, dismissing an appeal filed by Tirupati Narasimha Murari.
The appellant had challenged AIMIM’s registration, alleging that the party’s constitution was intended to further the interests of only one religious community—Muslims, claiming this was contrary to the principles of secularism mandated for political parties under the Constitution and the Representation of the People (RP) Act. However, the court found that AIMIM had amended its constitution to comply with the legal requirements, thereby negating the appellant’s principal argument.
The bench concurred with the single judge’s earlier decision, stating, “The single judge had accordingly held that the Election Commission of India does not have the powers to deregister AIMIM on the grounds set out by the appellant. We concur with the said view. In view of the above, the appeal is unmerited.”
They further highlighted that Section 29A(5) of the RP Act, which pertains to adherence to principles of secularism and democracy for registration of political parties, was fully satisfied by AIMIM. “We find no infirmity with the conclusion of the single judge that the requirements of Section 29A(5) of the Act are fully satisfied. Therefore, there is no ground to de-register AIMIM as a political party,” the bench added.
