‘Corrupt practices’: Retired judge moves Delhi HC over election sops announced by AAP, BJP and Congress

NEW DELHI: Former judge of Delhi High Court, Justice S N Dhingra, has approached the court as a petitioner, challenging the poll-related cash-oriented schemes announced by all major political parties ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. He has contended that the political promises to distribute cash to voters in the upcoming polls by AAP, BJP and Congress amount to "corrupt practices" as these activities severely hamper the free and fair conduct of the polls.
The public interest litigation (PIL) also seeks a direction to these parties from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to immediately cease and desist from collecting personal and electoral data of voters under false pretences. It also seeks an assurance that the political parties won't share the collected data with any third entity.
Referring to some of the women-directed schemes, the PIL states that the "proposed distribution of Rs 2,100 per month to female voters as promised by respondent parties would result in a financial burden of more than Rs 18,000 crore per annum" and points out it constitutes "over 23% of Delhi's total annual budget, which is Rs 76,000 crore approximately for one fiscal year."
The plea claims it amounts to bribing voters while demanding the EC step in to frame rules governing promises related to cash distribution to voters or specific sections of voters. Additionally, it wants directions to the EC to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to prevent further violations of electoral laws and ensure a free and fair election in Delhi.
It alleges corrupt practices and illegal activities by these political parties and states such activities not only violate electoral laws but also infringe upon the fundamental rights of voters, including their right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Justice Dhingra, as a trial judge, had sentenced Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru to death and also headed a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to review cases relating to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that were closed by police. After serving as district judge of Tis Hazari courts, he was elevated as an HC judge in 2006 and retired in 2011.