New Delhi, Feb 5 (UNI) Jan Suraaj, floated by political strategist Prashant Kishore, has approached the Supreme Court in a writ petition challenging the last year’s Bihar Assembly polls, alleging large-scale irregularities and seeking fresh elections.
The petition, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, assails the direct transfer of Rs 10,000 to women voters in Bihar during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
The party contends that fresh beneficiaries were added under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana and payments were made to them while the Code was in force.
The matter is listed for hearing tomorrow before a bench of Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
According to the plea, the addition of beneficiaries and disbursal of funds during the election period are illegal and violate Articles 14, 21, 112, 202, and 324 of the Constitution.
The petitioner has sought directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take action under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deal with corrupt practices, in relation to the alleged transfer of Rs 10,000 to approximately 25-35 lakh women voters.
The petition further challenges the deployment of around 1.8 lakh women beneficiaries associated with the self-help group JEEVIKA at polling booths during both phases of polling, terming the exercise illegal and unfair.
Seeking fresh Assembly elections in Bihar in view of the alleged corrupt practices, the petitioner has also urged the ECI to implement the directions issued by the Supreme Court in S. Subramaniam Balaji v. State of Tamil Nadu (2013) and to frame comprehensive guidelines on freebies, direct benefit transfer schemes and welfare measures.
The plea also contends that the Election Commission prescribe a minimum cooling-off period of at least six months for the implementation of schemes that may impact free and fair elections, such as freebies, DBT schemes, and welfare programmes by ruling political parties before the announcement of the election schedule.
Jan Suraaj moves SC challenging Bihar Assembly polls
