Supreme Court Rejects Plea on Virtual Campaigns for Arrested Politicians

The Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking permission for arrested politicians to campaign virtually. The petition, focused on Arvind Kejriwal, was seen as mala fide. The bench emphasized that policy decisions are for Parliament, not the courts, rejecting the plea for public interest.

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea requesting permission for arrested political leaders to campaign virtually during elections.

Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan declined to interfere with the Delhi High Court's prior decision, which had also rejected the petition.

'This petition has been filed with mala fide intent, targeting one politician specifically,' the bench noted, mentioning Arvind Kejriwal.

'We do not find it necessary to entertain this petition purportedly filed in public interest. Dismissed,' the bench ruled.

The case was initiated by Amarjeet Gupta, a law student, seeking virtual campaign permissions for arrested politicians.

The high court had argued that this allowance could lead to dangerous criminals, like fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, joining political campaigns.

Deeming the petition 'highly adventurous' and contrary to legal principles, the high court reiterated that such policy decisions are the purview of Parliament, not the judiciary.

(With inputs from agencies.)