Supreme Court to hear plea for CEC’s suspension, voiding SIR next week

Petitioner Rakesh Kumar Singh alleged that about 14 decisions were taken in the EC’s name despite objections recorded by the two other election commissioners, S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear next week a petition filed against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, seeking his suspension and a declaration that the CEC cannot take unilateral decisions on the Election Commission’s behalf.The petition also sought that special intensive revision of electoral rolls and all actions, decisions, directions and consequential measures undertaken pursuant to the exercise be declared void ab initio (invalid) and without lawful authority.

The plea was mentioned by senior advocate Vikas Singh before CJI Surya Kant.Petitioner Rakesh Kumar Singh alleged that about 14 decisions were taken in the EC’s name despite objections recorded by the two other election commissioners, S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.He sought a direction to the CEC to “show under what authority he has acted, and continues to act” as though he is individually entitled to exercise the collective decision-making power vested by Article 324 of the Constitution in the EC.Significantly, CEC has asserted that all decisions regarding SIR were taken unanimously by all election commissioners.