Delhi court notice to Sonia, police on plea claiming 'forgery' in electoral roll inclusion
New Delhi (PTI): A Delhi court on Tuesday sought response from senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and the police on a plea challenging a magistrate's order refusing a probe on the allegation that she was included in the electoral rolls three years before acquiring Indian citizenship in 1983.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne was hearing a revision plea against the magisterial court's order of September 11, which had dismissed the plea, saying the complaint was "fashioned with the object of clothing the court with jurisdiction through allegations which are legally untenable, deficient in substance, and beyond the scope of this forum's authority".
Issuing notice to Gandhi and Delhi Police, Judge Gogne posted the matter on January 6 for further proceedings.
The revision plea was filed by advocate Vikas Tripathi, vice president of the Central Delhi Court Bar Association of the Rouse Avenue courts.
Tripathi's counsel, senior advocate Pavan Narang, had alleged before the magisterial court that in January 1980, Gandhi's name was added as a voter of the New Delhi constituency when she was not an Indian citizen.
He had claimed "some forgery" and a public authority being "cheated".
The magistrate, however, had dismissed the plea seeking a probe by holding that the complainant sought to set the criminal law in motion by persuading the court to assume jurisdiction, which did not vest in it legally.
He had observed "mere bald assertions, unaccompanied by the essential particulars required to attract the statutory elements of cheating or forgery" cannot substitute a legally sustainable accusation.
The plea, the magistrate had said, was merely relying upon an extract of the electoral roll, which was "a photocopy of a photocopy of an alleged extract of an uncertified electoral roll" of 1980.
Deprecating the complaint, the magistrate had said, "Such a course, in substance, amounts to a misuse of the process of law by projecting a civil or ordinary dispute in the garb of criminality, solely to create a jurisdiction where none exists."
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Siddaramaiah unveils world's second largest khadi national flag at Belagavi
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday unveiled the world's second-largest khadi national flag at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha here, stating that the Indian tricolour is not merely a khadi cloth but a symbol of the nation's pride and self-respect.
The state government said this was the "second largest" khadi national flag. The largest such tricolour was reportedly displayed in Leh in 2021.
Addressing the gathering after unveiling the flag here, Siddaramaiah recalled that the tricolour was adopted during the freedom movement.
"It is not just khadi fabric, but a symbol of India's pride and dignity. The flag contains three colours and the Ashoka Chakra. The saffron, white and green colours convey messages of national pride, economy, sacrifice and peace, while inspiring patriotism among Indians," Siddaramaiah said.
He added that white represents peace and truth, green symbolises prosperity, and the Ashoka Chakra signifies the country's continuous economic progress and equal opportunities for all.
"We must respect the national flag and view it with pride. Everyone should nurture patriotism," he said.
He congratulated Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader and the family members of Vinod Kumar Revappa Bammanna of Kamalapur in Kalaburagi district, who donated the flag.
On this occasion, the chief minister said it was important to remember those who fought and sacrificed for the nation.
"Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the freedom struggle was waged. Gandhi had presided over the Congress session in Belagavi. As it completes 100 years, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi has been installed next to the Suvarna Soudha," he noted.
He said humans must love one another and not hate, adding that only then can an equitable society be built; otherwise, building a secular nation becomes difficult.
"We must all be patriots. India is home to many castes and religions, and it is essential that we all uphold secularism," he said.
Noting that it has been over 75 years since Independence, the chief minister stressed the need to introspect on how far the country has achieved fraternity, patriotism and a humane society.
"Without these values, it is impossible to live as human beings. This mindset must grow among students and youth," he said, adding that his government is ensuring that the Preamble of the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar is read in schools and colleges.
