Shruti Suman
The Delhi High Court has instructed the Election Commission of India to promptly make a decision, preferably within eight weeks, regarding a notice issued to Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the Congress party. This notice pertains to his alleged “pickpocket” remark directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a speech delivered last month. The court, addressing a public interest litigation seeking action against Gandhi and the establishment of guidelines to prevent such behavior by political leaders, stated that though the comments were “not in good taste,” the Election Commission was already examining the matter and had issued a notice to Gandhi. Since the deadline for a response has passed without a reply, the court directed the Election Commission to expeditiously make a decision within eight weeks. The court acknowledged that in the notice issued on November 23, the Election Commission itself had committed to taking appropriate action in the matter. The petitioner, Bharat Nagar, informed the high court that Gandhi had made a speech on November 22, leveling “heinous allegations” against individuals holding the “highest governmental positions,” including the prime minister, whom he referred to as a “pickpocket.”
