The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to order a CBI investigation into allegations that certain political parties in Uttar Pradesh were selling election tickets, directing the petitioner to pursue the matter before the Election Commission instead.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana refused to entertain the petition filed by Swaraj Vahini Association, which sought an investigation based on sting operations circulated on social media concerning the functioning of some political parties.
The Court granted the association liberty to revive its representation and reminder already pending before the Election Commission. It also expressed confidence that the poll panel would take steps to address the grievances raised by the petitioner.
The bench noted that the Allahabad High Court had previously declined to entertain a public interest litigation filed by the same association over the allegations.
Allegations Against Political Parties
The petition relied on sting operations shared on social media, which allegedly exposed the sale of election tickets and raised questions about the functioning of certain political parties in Uttar Pradesh.
Apart from the Election Commission, the Chief Election Commissioner and the Central government, the petition named four Uttar Pradesh-based political parties as respondents: Nishad Party, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, Apna Dal Sone Lal and Jan Janvadi Party Socialist.
The association sought an investigation by the CBI into the allegations. However, the Supreme Court declined to intervene and left the petitioner free to pursue its pending complaint before the election authorities.
Allahabad High Court Had Earlier Rejected PIL
On September 7, the Allahabad High Court dismissed the association’s PIL seeking an investigation by the CBI or another investigating agency into the sting operation circulated on social media.
A division bench of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra refused to order an investigation, observing that courts could not be expected to direct investigative agencies to examine every sting operation or social media report brought before them through public interest litigation.
The Supreme Court, while considering the subsequent petition, took note of the High Court’s refusal and found no reason to entertain the matter.
It instead permitted Swaraj Vahini Association to pursue its representation before the Election Commission, expressing confidence that the constitutional body would make efforts to address the grievances.
