Madras HC junks PIL based on LoP’s allegations

The Madras High Court has dismissed a PIL seeking directions to the Election Commission to clarify allegations of large-scale voter list manipulations in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Terming the PIL as completely misconceived, lacking substantive evidence and founded solely on political claims and counterclaims, the high court slapped costs of Rs one lakh on the petitioner.

The amount will go to the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority, the HC ordered on Tuesday.

On August 7, Rahul had alleged at a press conference that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were “choreographed” by the EC to benefit the BJP, which appeared “immune to anti-incumbency”.

Presenting Congress’ research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Rahul had alleged “chori” of 1,00,250 votes.

However, the HC said the petition was vague, devoid of material particulars and, therefore, could not be a ground to compel the Election Commission to issue clarifications.