The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition that sought to declare as unfair the manifesto of the Congress party, which was released ahead of the Parliamentary polls in 2019.
The Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice J.B. Pardiwala refused to entertain the petition on the grounds that it was ‘misconceived’ and ‘devoid of any merit’.
Filed by Adarsh Kumar Agrawal and Dr. Seema Jain, the petition sought directions to declare the manifesto of the Congress as ‘unfair and against the Model Code of Conduct’. It further sought appropriate action against the party in accordance with law.
Through its manifesto, which was released ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress pledged to establish a Court of Appeal to hear appeals related to the judgments and orders of the High Courts.
As per the manifesto, the Court of Appeal would sit in multiple benches of three judges each at six locations. It further pledged practical solutions to problems plaguing the legal system and to repeal Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), besides making defamation a civil offence.
It promised to omit the Section 124A of IPC that defined sedition on the grounds that it has become redundant because of subsequent laws.
The manifesto further mentioned the need to amend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, in order to strike a balance between the powers of security forces and the human rights of citizens and to remove immunity for enforced disappearance, sexual violence and torture.
It also highlighted the need for prison reforms along with the demand to recognise the rights of undertrials.
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