Rahul Gandhi: A petition filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 10 other INDIA bloc leaders will not be heard by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The registry found 14 defects. These include a ₹220 court fee shortfall, a blurred copy of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s identity card and missing vakalatnamas (lawyer authorisations) for nine of the 11 petitioners.
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What The Petition Challenges
The plea targets alleged electoral irregularities and the way the Election Commission of India (ECI) is functioning. It specifically challenges the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and seeks its suspension across states until the court decides the issues. It also asks the court to test the decisions against Article 324 of the Constitution.
The Bigger Demands On The Street
The filing followed a march towards the court and an earlier memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu. The bloc has demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar‘s resignation, restoration of deleted voters, paper ballots and repeal of a provision it says gives the Chief Election Commissioner lifelong immunity.
Can The Defects Be Fixed Quickly?
Yes, most look curable. Fees can be topped up, documents reprinted and signatures collected. The registry has also asked why private parties were made respondents in a public interest petition, which the petitioners must answer. Once everything is cured, the case can be listed.
What The Court May Do
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant reportedly assured an expeditious hearing if the leaders approached the court. Even so, a hearing is not relief. The court may avoid halting a nationwide exercise, and demands like paper ballots or removal of an election commissioner are hard to win through a writ. Narrower orders on transparency or appeals may be more realistic.
