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The PIL alleges that the Congress party's 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' or 'Khatakhat Scheme,' to give guarantee cards that promised financial and material benefits in exchange for votes was nothing but bribery
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Allahabad High Court against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of failing to take action against the Indian National Congress (INC) for its 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' scheme in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The petition, filed by Bharti Devi from Fatehpur and represented by Advocates OP Singh and Shashwat Anand, raises concerns about the scheme's impact on electoral integrity.
The petition argues that the scheme, which involves distributing guarantee cards promising various benefits in exchange for votes, constitutes bribery under Section 123(1)(A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and is punishable under Sections 171B and 171E of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Despite the ECI issuing an advisory on May 2, 2024, warning political parties against such practices, the petition alleges that the INC continued distributing these cards, thereby compromising the fairness of the electoral process.
The petitioner accuses the ECI of neglecting its constitutional duty to ensure free and fair elections.
The PIL seeks court directions to compel the ECI to suspend or withdraw the INC's recognition as a political party under Section 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
It also calls for the disqualification of 99 INC Members of Parliament who allegedly benefited from these practices and the initiation of criminal proceedings against those responsible.
Case Title: Bharti Devi v. UOI and Others
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