The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to intervene in a plea by Rashtriya Hindu Sena chief Pramod Muthalik alleging that the Congress in its election manifesto in Karnataka is seeking votes in the name of religion.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud said the election process had started and it cannot inervene.
In a short order dismissing the petition, Chief Justice Misra, speaking for the Bench, said after the election is over, if the parties feel aggrieved, they can come under the requisite provisions under the Representation of People Act.
Mr. Muthalik had sought directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to delete the Congress’s alleged appeal in its manifesto.
Advocate Vishnu Jain had argued that there is a seven-judge Bench judgment that prohibits seeking of votes in the name of religion.
The plea had sought disqualification of those Congress candidates who allegedly sought votes in the name of religion in the polls.
The Assembly elections in Karnataka on May 12 will be held in 223 of the 224 constituencies and the results are scheduled to be announced on May 15.
