Supreme Court refuses to stay Punjab panchayat polls
Insight Online News
New Delhi, Oct 15 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the panchayat elections in Punjab, noting that polling has already begun in the state.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra said, “If polling has started today, how can we intervene at this stage? Probably the High Court realised the gravity of it and vacated the stay on the elections.
CJI said, “Polling has opened; suppose we stay; there will be chaos. The matter will be listed, but we are not staying the elections.”
The counsel had mentioned the matter for urgent listing of the challenge to irregularities in the Punjab Gramme Panchayat Elections.
Advocate said, “It’s an unusual situation.”
CJI said, “But it’s an unusual democracy also! Tomorrow someone will say stay the parliamentary elections once polling opens; can you imagine the consequences?
CJI then listed the matter.
The appeal was filed before the Supreme Court challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court decision, which had dismissed around 800 petitions on Monday alleging irregularities in the panchayat elections.
The High Court also lifted the stay imposed by it earlier on holding elections in over 200 panchyats and ordered videography of the elections.
The petitions filed in the High Court alleged irregularities in the nomination process of the elections.
The Punjab government had argued before the High Court that petitions were not maintainable as the petitioners were required to instead file election petitions.
