ADR denies filing false affidavit in SC, says document tendered in response to query
New Delhi (PTI): Poll rights body Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) denied allegations on Saturday that it filed a false affidavit in the Supreme Court, clarifying that the document in question was never formally submitted but merely "tendered across the bar" in response to a query from the bench.
The clarification came a day after media reports cited comments made by the Election Commission's (EC) lawyer during an apex court hearing, suggesting that the affidavit contained inaccuracies and that the voter mentioned did not exist in the electoral roll.
In a detailed statement, ADR said it "stands by its values of accurate dissemination of information" and rejected the EC counsel's assertion as "incorrect and misleading".
"All the above facts are correct, as can be checked on the ECI website. Thus, the assertion by ECI counsel that the said voter does not exist or that the EPIC belongs to some other individual is incorrect and misleading. In fact, ECI could have and would have easily checked these details through his EPIC number; instead, they asserted that he was a fake voter or that the address did not belong to him," the statement said.
The NGO said all voter details provided in the affidavit could be verified on the EC's website.
It also explained that the voter's name had appeared in the "Draft Roll-2025" published on the EC's website in January.
"It is to be noted that both the 'Draft Roll-2025' and the 'SIR Draft 2025' have been published by the ECI on the same web link and same drop-down menu," the organisation said, sharing screenshots of the relevant entries.
The non-profit further expressed concern over reports that the elector in question was "hounded, summoned and threatened" by officials following the Supreme Court hearing on October 7.
"This will further create more distrust, fear and reluctance on the part of electors to come forward in case of their deletion from the electoral rolls," it warned.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Most Rev. Dr. Leslie Clifford D’Souza consecrated as second Archbishop of Udupi Diocese
Udupi: Most Rev. Dr. Leslie Clifford D’Souza was consecrated as the second Archbishop of the Diocese of Udupi at a ceremony held at the Milagres College Grounds of Milagres Cathedral in Kalianpur on Monday.
The rite of consecration was performed by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, President of the FABC and CCBI, as the principal consecrator. Archbishop Dr. Peter Machado of the Archdiocese of Bangalore and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Udupi, Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, participated as co-consecrators.
The Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, along with more than 30 bishops, around 300 priests, an equal number of nuns, and thousands of devotees from different parts of the country, attended the ceremony.
The official letter of appointment from the Pope was read out during the ceremony. This was followed by the sacred rites of consecration, during which the Archbishop’s head was anointed with holy oil, the Holy Bible was placed on his head, and prayers were offered. He was then presented with the ring of authority, mitre, and pastoral staff, and formally installed, marking his ordination as Archbishop.
Fr. Steven D’Souza, Chancellor of the Diocese of Udupi, read the official letter of the Holy Father. The ceremony also included the exchange of the sign of peace among bishops and representatives.
In his homily, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, said that the blessings of the Father are invaluable. He noted that in today’s society, the presence of a father figure is often lacking in many families and emphasised that bishops serve as representatives of the Most High in the family of God. He said that God has chosen his representative for the Udupi Diocese through Fr. Leslie and stressed that bishops must spread the word of God among devotees with love, adding that preaching the essence of the Gospel is a key responsibility.
