New Delhi, 27 October (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on a petition filed by pregnant journalist Richa Parashar. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant ordered the issuance of the notice.

Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, appearing for Parashar, alleged that Gandhi had pushed the petitioner inside the Supreme Court Registry during an Opposition march on October 12. The matter relates to a march by Opposition leaders to the Supreme Court, where they filed a petition challenging the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The march took place amid protests over alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision process, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Parashar alleged that while she was attempting to cover the march, Gandhi grabbed her and pulled her towards him. She further claimed that his security personnel subsequently pushed her, causing her to fall. She was later admitted to hospital for treatment.

The Congress party has denied the journalist’s allegations.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar