Supreme Court Refuses to Intervene in Alleged Election Rigging in Bihar's Munger Constituency - 2024-05-31

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has refused to entertain a petition filed by a Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate seeking a direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct re-polling in more than 40 booths in the Munger Lok Sabha seat of Bihar.

The petition, filed by Kumari Anita , the RJD candidate, alleged 'serious manipulation, booth capturing and rigging by JD(U) workers with the help of officials' during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The Supreme Court, in its ruling, expressed concern that the petitioner did not first approach the Patna High Court to address the issue. A Vacation Bench of Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and P. B. Varale told the counsel appearing for Kumari Anita to approach the Patna High Court, stating, 'The High Courts are not closed in this country.'

According to the petition, the RJD candidate claimed that she was physically assaulted for complaining to the officials about the alleged misdeeds. Detailed complaints were filed with authorities, including the Chief Election Officer, Bihar; District Election Officer, Munger; and observers appointed by the ECI.

The plea sought orders to remove the district election officer of Munger, Avaneesh Kumar Singh , from all administrative responsibilities, as it was alleged that people from lower castes were stopped from casting their votes.

However, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition and granted the petitioner the liberty to approach the Patna High Court. 'Where is the rejection order? Why don't you go to the High Court?...the High Courts are not closed in this country. Please go to the High Court and argue all this before the High Court. I am sorry we are not touching it on merits,' Justice Sharma told the petitioner's counsel.

The Supreme Court's decision to refuse to entertain the plea and direct the petitioner to approach the Patna High Court has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in the Munger Lok Sabha constituency. The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by political parties and candidates in ensuring free and fair elections, particularly in the face of alleged manipulation and interference by state authorities.