New Delhi: A lawyer has filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and several political leaders for not fully adhering to the apex court's order directing political parties to publish criminal antecedents of their candidates.
Brajesh Singh, a Delhi-based lawyer has filed the plea against CEC Arora, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, BJP leader BL Santhosh, Bihar Chief Electoral officer HR Srinivas, JD(U) general secretary KC Tyagi and other political leaders.
The petitioner alleged that dreaded criminals were allowed to contest the Bihar elections and their criminal history was not published in newspapers which the court had directed in its order.
Earlier on February 13, the Supreme Court had directed political parties to publish their candidates' criminal history along with reasons for which they were allowed to contest the elections.
The court had ordered that it should be widely published in local and national newspapers within 48 hours of selection or within two weeks before the first date of filing nomination. Political parties had to then report it to the Election Commission of India within 72 hours.