 "HC asks poll panel to apprise its proposed action against MNS")
The Delhi High Court today asked the Election Commission to apprise it as to what actions it proposes to take on the allegations that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has been violating the model code of conduct by posting "objectionable hate" contents on the party's website.
"The alleged contents is existing on the website. Prima facie, it (the petition) has got substance. You (ECI) tell us as to what action you propose to take," a bench of acting Chief Justice B D Ahmed and Justice Siddharth Mridual said and fixed the matter for hearing on Friday.
"The country belongs to all irrespective of caste, creed, region and religion. You (ECI) have all the powers to act," it said while hearing a PIL seeking "withdrawl or suspension" of recognition of MNS as a political party.
Mithilesh Kumar Pandey, a lawyer who has filed the PIL, referred to the website of MNS and said its aims and objective talk about "elimination of non-Maratha power-mongers".
One of the judges, who perused the contents on the computer, said "you (ECI) are not doing your job properly. The constitution has cast a serious duty on you. Have they (MNS) disowned the aims and objective? We have the website in front of us. We have opened up."
The court said "we are not ordering de-recognition. Take action as per the law. Hear them as well and pass an order."
During the hearing, the lawyer said the poll panel, in its communication, has "refused to de-recognize MNS on the ground that it has no power to withdraw recognition.
"The alleged contents is existing on the website. Prima facie, it (the petition) has got substance. You (ECI) tell us as to what action you propose to take," a bench of acting Chief Justice B D Ahmed and Justice Siddharth Mridual said and fixed the matter for hearing on Friday.
"The country belongs to all irrespective of caste, creed, region and religion. You (ECI) have all the powers to act," it said while hearing a PIL seeking "withdrawl or suspension" of recognition of MNS as a political party.
Mithilesh Kumar Pandey, a lawyer who has filed the PIL, referred to the website of MNS and said its aims and objective talk about "elimination of non-Maratha power-mongers".
One of the judges, who perused the contents on the computer, said "you (ECI) are not doing your job properly. The constitution has cast a serious duty on you. Have they (MNS) disowned the aims and objective? We have the website in front of us. We have opened up."
The court said "we are not ordering de-recognition. Take action as per the law. Hear them as well and pass an order."
During the hearing, the lawyer said the poll panel, in its communication, has "refused to de-recognize MNS on the ground that it has no power to withdraw recognition.
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