SC issues notices to Centre, EC on plea seeking ban of ‘irrational freebies’ ahead of polls

The PIL filed by BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay said there should be a ban on such populist measures to gain undue political favour from voters as they violate the Constitution.

File photo of the Supreme Court in New Delhi | ANI

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre and the Election Commission on a PIL seeking a direction to seize the election symbol or de-register a political party that promises or distributes “irrational freebies” from public funds before elections.

A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices A S Bopanna and Hima Kohli sought the response in four weeks on the PIL filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay.

The plea said there should be a total ban on such populist measures to gain undue political favour from voters as they violate the Constitution and the ECI should take suitable deterrent measures.

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