New Delhi, 27 February (H.S.):

A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued notices to the Centre and Election Commission, seeking responses within six weeks on a PIL demanding caps on political parties' election expenditures.

NGO Common Cause filed the petition, with advocate Prashant Bhushan arguing unchecked money power undermines democracy by distorting electoral balance—echoing the court's prior electoral bonds ruling on opaque funding's perils.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed U.S.-style limits still face circumvention via donors' proxies or third parties, questioning enforcement amid rampant spending. The plea challenges Section 77(1)'s Explanation 1(A) exempting parties from candidate ceilings, calling it unconstitutional for enabling limitless campaigns.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar