Some 20 hearings will be streamed from the Chief Justice’s court, or ceremonial bench, today.
New Delhi:
After political parties promised freebies ahead of elections, the Supreme Court today convened an expert committee and an all-party meeting to discuss the issue. The order was historically livestreamed for the first time to mark the last day of outgoing Chief Justice NV Ramana.
The case of freebies was one of 20 hearings streamed for the first time from the Chief Justice’s Court or Ceremonial Bench.
A petition has sought cancellation of registration of political parties that give free gifts during and after elections.
Chief Justice Ramana said, “It cannot be denied that the real power in an electoral democracy lies with the voters. Voters judge the parties and candidates.”
The outgoing Chief Justice said, “We are in the idea of setting up an expert committee to look into the issue. In the last hearing we had proposed the Center to convene an all-party meeting.”
Several political parties argued during the hearing that these are not free but welfare measures for the public.
The Supreme Court also ruled that a three-judge bench would decide on a petition seeking reconsideration of the 2013 verdict in a similar case. That order said that free TV or laptops declared during elections is not a corrupt practice and is in line with the Directive Principles of State Policy for the welfare of citizens.
The court had earlier questioned why the Center did not convene an all-party meeting to discuss the “serious issue” of handouts by political parties.
The judges had said that unless there is a consensus among political parties that freebies will destroy the economy and it has to be stopped, nothing can happen.
“There has to be a debate. The issue is serious, no doubt about it. The question is why all the political parties don’t meet and the Government of India can call a meeting,” the court said.