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Synopsis

A criminal writ petition has been filed in the Bombay High Court against Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi, UBT Shiv Sena Leaders Uddhav Thackeray, Aditya Thackeray, and Sanjay Raut, and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee for allegedly sharing fake news about EVM hacking during the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

The petition was listed today before a division bench of Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Shyam Chandak.

The petitioner also filed an interim application seeking the recusal of Justice Dere from hearing the petition.

However, the bench refused to hear the petition, stating that the petition did not belong to the assignment of the Justice Dere-led division bench.

In the petition, it is alleged that Ravindra Waikar from Shiv Sena won the Mumbai North West seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections by a margin of 48 votes

An FIR was registered against a relative of Ravindra Waikar for using his phone during the counting of votes. Subsequently, Mid Day newspaper published an article stating that the EVM machine was unlocked by an OTP.

The next day, the Election Commission and the police issued a press note stating that the news article published in Mid Day was false and misleading. Therefore, the Mid Day newspaper published an apology following the press note

The misleading news report was shared by Dhruv Rathee, Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav Thackeray, and Sanjay Raut.

The petition states that Dhruv Rathee and some other respondents are habitual in publishing false information and conspiracy theories.

“Respondent No. 1 Sh. Dhruv Rathi & some of the Respondents are habitual in publishing false narratives and conspiracy theories to prejudice the pending investigation or sub-judice cases. They try to mislead the people and influence witnesses by creating different perception to serve their ulterior purposes,” the plea reads.

The petition seeks the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) including CBI, IB, IT, ED, and all other prominent agencies to investigate the complete conspiracy and take proper penal action against the accused involved in the greater conspiracy to spread false narratives and conspiracy theories by dishonestly twisting material facts, with ulterior motives against the country with the ulterior motive of obstructing the progress and development of this country.

Further, the petition also seeks the cancellation of registration of ‘Dainik Samana’ and ‘Dainik Mid Day’ newspapers.