Supreme Court dismisses plea seeking directions to politicians to submit declaration of assets after term in office post election

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Synopsis

The bench said “Let the legislature and executive also do something? Why do you have to approach the court for this?”

A Supreme Court bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and MM Sundaresh today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to politicians to mandatorily declare their assets after their term of election. The plea also sought directions to disqualify them from contesting in elections if they fail to declare.

When the matter came up for hearing, counsel for the petitioner submitted that there has to be a check and balance on how the nation functions. The bench, however, said, “Let the legislature and executive also do something? Why do you have to approach the court for this?”

The counsel argued that the country’s democracy is in very bad shape, and the court’s intervention is required. The bench, however, remarked that the court cannot be moved for this.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, speaking for the bench, asked the petitioner not to settle political scores in the court. He further said that the court cannot entertain pleas this way.

When the counsel tried to persuade the court further, Court opined that such issues must be raised before the election commission and not courts. Thus, the court dismissed the plea.

Case title: Prabhakar Deshpande Vs Union of India