'Thoroughly misconceived': Delhi HC dismisses plea seeking ban on PM Modi from contesting Lok Sabha elections

Delhi HC on Monday (Apr 29) dismissed a plea seeking direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to disqualify Prime Minister Narendra Modi for six years for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) while addressing a rally in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

The plea alleged that PM Modi is seeking votes for his party - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - in the name of religious deities and places of worship for theLok Sabha elections.

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The court said the petition is "thoroughly misconceived" and the court can't direct ECI to take a particular view on any complaint.

Justice Sachin Datta rejected the plea. As quoted by Bar and Bench, the high court said, "The present writ petition is thoroughly misconceived. The petitioner presupposes that there has been a violation. It is not permissible for this Court to direct the ECI to take a particular view."

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The pleafiled by advocate Anand S Jondhalementioned PM Modi's speech he gave on April 9 in the city of Pilibhit.

The lawyer alleged that PM Modi in his speech sought votes in the name of "god and place of worship" and "Hindu deities and Hindu place of worship as well as Sikh deities and Sikh place of worship".

Jondhale stated in his plea, "That RespondentNo.2 [Modi] said that he has constructed the Ram Temple. Respondent No.2 also stated that he developedKartarpurSahib Corridor and removed GST from material used in Langars served in Gurudwaras.The RespondentNo.2 also said that he had brought back the copies of Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan."

Jondhale added that PM Modi's speeches "have the potential to create hatred amongst voters on the line of caste and religion".

(With inputs from agencies)