Supreme Court Asks Sanjay Raut To Explain Remarks Against CJI & Judges While Entertaining INDIA Bloc Petition
The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 15) asked Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut to explain his remarks against the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the judiciary while entertaining the petition filed by INDIA bloc leaders against the Election Commission of India (ECI).
In its order, the bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that the petition was being provisionally entertained at Raut's instance, subject to him explaining his conduct.
Incidentally, Attorney General R Venkataramani granted consent yesterday to the Supreme Court Bar Association to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Raut over his comments concerning the judiciary and CJI Surya Kant.
Raut's Remarks Against CJI
Raut had criticised the CJI for declining a meeting with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who had sought to meet the Chief Justice to raise concerns over alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Raut alleged that the CJI and several judges including the CJI had played badminton in London with BJP leaders and attended dinner parties with BJP ministers, but the CJI could not meet the Opposition leader.
During Thursday's hearing, the CJI had remarked that one of the petitioners would have to explain his conduct. The CJI also observed that the judges were aware of statements being made outside the courtroom and were not living in "ivory towers".
While giving consent for criminal contempt proceedings, the Attorney General stated that Raut's statement on judges playing badminton with Ministers was false, and cited a Delhi High Court order which established this. The AG also said that Raut's comments lowered the dignity of the judiciary and were scandalous in nature.
INDIA Bloc Leaders' Petition
The petition was filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 11 other INDIA bloc leaders challenging the Election Commission's actions in connection with the SIR of electoral rolls.
Apart from Congress leaders Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Saugata Roy (Trinamool Congress-Mamata Banerjee), Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Tejashwi Prasad Yadav (RJD), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena UBT), MA Baby (CPI(M)), D Raja (CPI), Mahua Majhi (JMM), Supriya Sule (NCP Sharad Pawar) and ET Muhammed Basheer (IUML) are the other petitioners. Two more opposition leaders, VCK President Thol. Thirumavalavan and NC MP Sajjat Ahmad Kichloo later joined the LoP's petition.
The petition sought disclosure of the Election Commission's files, minutes, notings and objections recorded by Election Commissioners in relation to disputed SIR decisions. It also sought the constitution of an independent audit panel to examine alleged electoral irregularities and ensure transparency in the revision process.
The INDIA bloc leaders have raised concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission and the manner in which the SIR exercise was conducted, seeking judicial scrutiny of the poll body's decisions.