SC junks PIL seeking SIT probe into 'vote chori' allegations

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a probe by a Special Investigation Team into accusations raised by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of anomalies in voters' lists in several elections.

A division bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said that the petitioner "may pursue" his remedy elsewhere but not the court through a PIL. Refusing to entertain the plea, the bench said that the plea "purportedly filed in public interest" shall not be entertained. The bench added that the petitioner "may pursue his representation before the ECI." When the counsel for the petitioner urged the bench to issue directions to the poll body to decide the petitioner's representation, the bench flatly turned down the request. "Nothing knowing," the bench orally observed. The plea, filed by a lawyer, argued that large-scale irregularities in the electoral rolls had compromised the constitutional guarantee of free and fair elections.