"India is a Democracy": Supreme Court refrains from passing any order in plea seeking NIA probe into INC's 'Toolkit'

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In a plea filed by Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha, seeking investigation of Toolkit by NIA and suspension of registration of Respondent 1, Indian National Congress if found implicated in doing anti-national acts, Supreme Court said "If you don't like the Toolkit, Ignore it. It is a part of the political party"

While indicating reservations to pass any orders upon the same, a Division Bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice MR Shah, allowed the petitioner to withdraw with liberty to seek remedy under the appropriate law.

Bench: Yes Mr Jha, please read your prayers... Mr Jha, if you don't like the tool kit then ignore it. Its a part of political party.

Adv Jha: Singapore had banned everything..

Justice Chandrachud: But India is a democracy right?

Justice Shah: We can't issue directions under Article 32.

Justice Chandrachud: Mr Jha, please withdraw this. You may pursue your remedies under appropriate law.

Prayer inter-alia sought by the petitioner:

  1. Writ, order or direction to the respondents to register preliminary enquiry pertaining to the alleged Toolkit, to disclose if any offence under Sections 124A, 153A, 120B IPC and Section 13 UAPA, 1967 is made out.
  2. Direction to the Respondents to issue guidelines to all political parties, groups and individuals to stop all kind of hoarding and portraying anti national stance including, the usage of photos of funeral/dead bodies, naming of mutants after India and Indian PM and calling out a single religion for COVID 19.
  3. Direction to respondent 3, to suspend registration of INC, if they are found to be doing any anti-national acts and playing with the lives of common people.

The alleged Toolkit dealt with handling of COVID 19 pandemic by the Modi Government and laid down instructions on how to "destroy image of the Prime Minister, erode his popularity"