SC serves notice to EC regarding publication of criminal cases against candidates

New Delhi: Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Election Commission regarding alleged non-implementation of the top court's past order of publishing the criminal record of candidates in newspapers.

The Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, and also comprising Justice Vineet Saran, sought the Election Commission's response within a week.

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The contempt petition is filed by lawyer and BJP leader, Ashwini Upadhyay.

Upadhyay, in his petition, claimed that the EC had allegedly failed to enforce the Apex Court's earlier order of September 25, 2018.

The order said that it is mandatory for candidates to publish in newspapers about the pending criminal cases against them during their filing of nomination paper during the election.

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Upadhyay, in his petition, claimed that the ECI had allegedly failed to ensure the disclosure of criminal antecedents and the Central government has not made a law to debar criminals from contesting the elections.

Seven phase elections in the country will begin on April 11 and conclude on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. (ANI)

• #Supreme Court
• #Election Commission
• #non implementation
• #criminal cases
• #candidates