The Delhi High Court on May 30 dismissed a petition seeking disqualification of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, saying the allegations levelled are vague, reckless and unsubstantiated.
“Perusal of the petition reveals that the same is replete with vague, unsubstantiated and reckless allegations. Not only are the pleadings inchoate but the tenor of the same is demonstrative of the fact that the petition is tainted with mala fide and oblique motives,” the court said.
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The petition by Captain Deepak Kumar alleged that Mr. Modi and his accomplices attempted to destabilise national security by planning a fatal crash of an Air India flight in 2018 which the petitioner commanded as a pilot.
The petition also sought cancellation of the candidature of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. It also alleged that the Prime Minister gave a “false” oath or affirmation before the returning officer to show he is eligible for contesting the elections.
The petitioner said Mr. Modi was accused of destruction of evidence by influencing and playing an active role in the sale of Air India Limited, which cancelled his pilot’s licence and ratings by fabricating his service records.
The High Court said the purpose of Captain Kumar’s petition was evidently to make scandalous allegation and was dismissed.
Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court dismissed a plea seeking a direction to the Election Commission (EC) to act against Mr. Modi for allegedly delivering communally divisive speeches during Lok Sabha poll campaigning in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
On April 29, the court had dismissed another petition seeking direction to the EC to act against Mr. Modi for allegedly violating the model code by allegedly seeking votes for the Lok Sabha election “in the name of God and place of worship”.
Published - May 30, 2024 03:02 pm IST
