The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a notice to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the three election commissioners regarding a petition filed by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and 12 other INDIA bloc leaders.
The plea demands an independent investigation into alleged electoral irregularities and the unilateral functioning of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued a provisional notice concerning co-petitioner Mahua Maji, directing the JMM leader to clarify specific statements and conduct.
The petition, filed through advocate S Prasanna following procedural clearances, requests an independent probe committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to scrutinise poll panel policies, voter roll deletions, and ECINET database systems.
The opposition leaders contend that single-member decision-making violates the constitutional mandate requiring collective action by the three-member body.
While clarifying they are not reopening earlier rulings upholding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, petitioners requested access to complete internal file notings. The court will hear the matter after receiving formal responses from the ECI and named officials.
