Don't underestimate wisdom of voters, says Delhi HC while rejecting PIL to prosecute Rahul Gandhi
PIL also demanded prosecution of Arvind Kejriwal, Akhilesh Yadav for misleading statements
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on Wednesday, rejecting the plea seeking direction for the Union Government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) to register a complaint and prosecute politicians Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, and Akhilesh Yadav.
The PIL, filed by Surjit Singh Yadav, a self-proclaimed social worker, alleged that the three politicians made misleading and false statements with the intent to damage India's image and credibility.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora closed the PIL, noting that the alleged defamed industrialists and individuals have the means to approach the court and file appropriate proceedings. The court also stated that the principle of relaxation of locus standi was not warranted in this case and emphasized the wisdom of Indian voters.
During the hearing, Acting Chief Justice Manmohan advised Yadav's counsel against underestimating the voters' wisdom and stated that aggrieved parties could take legal action if necessary. The court expressed its reluctance to interfere in matters where individuals are misled or led, asserting that such issues should be left for the people to address.
The PIL also sought a direction to political parties Indian National Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and Samajwadi Party, as well as media platforms News 24, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, to remove the allegedly false and misleading statements from their respective platforms.
Yadav's plea argued that the misleading statements created confusion and negatively impacted the image of the Central Government, potentially affecting foreign investment, tourism, and promoting anarchy in the nation.
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Construction of foot overbridges at two points on NH 66 sanctioned: MP Capt Brijesh Chowta
Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta has said that the construction of foot overbridges on National Highway 66 has been sanctioned to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety and the work will begin soon near Srinivas College, Mukka, and near Fisheries College, Yekkur.
Capt Chowta, who had written to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and spoken during a recent meeting with the Ministry on the problems faced by users of the BC Road to Surathkal stretch of the National Highway 66. He had referred to urgency to address the need for maintenance, dangerous points and stormwater drains on the stretch, among other issues, laying further stress on its proximity to the port, its position as a key entry point to Mangaluru city and also the intensity of traffic in the region, reports Deccan Herald.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is learned to have invited tenders worth Rs 26.05 crore to cover 37.472 km from Surathkal to Nanthoor on NH 66, from BC Road to Padil on NH 73 as well as the bypass from Nanthoor Junction to Padil.
The work on the highways includes overlaying of 11.084 km (Surathkal to APMC, Kulur to AJ Hospital, and Nanthoor to Padil), carriageway cleaning, removal of vegetation, road property management and maintenance and road safety improvements (engineering works). Capt Chowta has said that, with improved service roads, infrastructure that supports pedestrians and better connectivity with the New Mangalore Port, the region can boost trade, transport and tourism.
Project Director of NHAI Abdulla Javed Azmi has said that four-laning of the Vamanjoor- Sanoor stretch of the Mangaluru-Solapur NH 169 will be completed by May.
He clarified that the work on the three-km stretch from Kulashekar to Vamanjoor, the Moodbidri bypass and some other stretches had been stalled for various reasons, including court hearing.
In addition, Captain Chowta had written to all concerned officials highlighting the need to address the poor condition of the roads near Mangalore port. New Mangalore Port Road Company Limited (NMPRCL) is learned to have invited tenders for the operation and routine maintenance of prominent stretches of the highway to ensure better connectivity to the New Mangalore Port.
