Poll code violations by Modi, Shah: SC adjourns hearing to May 8

The matter was adjourned after Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for the petitioner, told the Court he wanted to submit additional documents.

Congress MP Sushmita Dev has alleged 11 instances of Model Code of Conduct violations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. (File Photo)

The Supreme Court Monday adjourned until May 8 the hearing on allegations of violation of Model Code of Conduct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. The matter was adjourned after Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for the petitioner, told the court he wanted to submit additional documents.

The petitioner, Congress MP Sushmita Dev, has listed 11 alleged violations by Modi and Shah, and sought direction to the Election Commission to act on them. She claimed “inaction” by the EC was “a sign of invidious discrimination” as also “arbitrary, capricious and impermissible” of the electoral process, reported PTI.

Advocate M L Sharma mentions his plea alleging conspiracy by some lawyers behind the sexual harassment allegation against CJI Ranjan Gogoi before a bench headed by Justice S A Bobde. Court says it will look into when it can be listed for hearing @IndianExpress

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During the last hearing, the bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi directed the EC to decide by today the complaints filed against the two BJP leaders — the poll panel has so far given Modi four clean chits and cleared Shah’s name in two cases.

In court Monday, Singhvi, referring to reports of dissent within the EC regarding the poll code violations, said the SC should lay down guidelines to decide similar complaints in the future. The bench has asked him to bring on record the orders passed by EC.

Read | List of cases against PM Modi, Amit Shah

The Indian Express reported that the EC decisions were taken by a 2-1 majority. While Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora and Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra had opined that the cases were not in violation of the Code, Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa had dissented.

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