Petition in HC against pre-election freebies

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday declined to grant urgent hearing on a petition seeking directions to restrain all political parties from making promises of freebies if they are voted to power.

A Bench headed by Justice B. D. Ahmed refused to grant urgent hearing as it also sought to know from the petitioner how the issue was relevant for Delhi at this point in time when elections are going to be held in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.

“Why don’t you go and file your petition in the Allahabad High Court,” the court asked the petitioner.

The petitioner has sought direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to restrain all political parties from offering or distributing freebies ahead of the Assembly elections in the five States, scheduled to be held in February and March.

Common feature

The petition alleged that the offering of freebies to people by political parties, if they are voted to power, has become a common feature during elections. The petition has said that the ECI has not taken any necessary steps to stop political parties in the upcoming Assembly elections from distributing such freebies at the expense of the government exchequer.