PIL Seeks Disqualification of 99 Congress MPs Over Alleged Bribery in ‘Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme- Legally Speaking

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Allahabad High Court seeking the disqualification of all 99 Congress MPs, arguing that the party’s ‘Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme,’ launched during the Lok Sabha poll campaign, constituted bribery under the law.

The PIL contains that the ‘Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme’ involves distributing guarantee cards that promise various financial and material benefits in exchange for votes. It argues that these promises amount to bribery under Section 123(1)(A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and are punishable under Sections 171B and 171E of the Indian Penal Code. Therefore, the PIL asserts that all 99 Congress MPs elected in this year’s election must be disqualified under existing law.

The petitioner further alleges that these MPs have benefited from the ‘Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme’ and calls for criminal proceedings against them. The PIL also criticizes the Election Commission of India (ECI) for “neglecting its constitutional duty” to ensure free and fair elections, accusing it of inaction.

The petitioner seeks directions from the court to compel the ECI to suspend or withdraw the Congress’s recognition as a “political party” under Section 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The PIL emphasizes the growing concern over the ECI’s role in maintaining electoral integrity, urging the court to take decisive action to protect the democratic process in India.

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