New Delhi, April 29 (HS): A bench headed by Justice Sachin Dutta of Delhi High Court has rejected the petition seeking to ban Prime Minister Narendra Modi from contesting elections for 6 years.

The court said that the petitioner believes that this is a case of violation of the Model Code of Conduct but the court cannot give instructions to the Election Commission on the basis of mere complaint. During the hearing, the Election Commission said that it is considering the complaint of the petitioner.

In the petition filed by lawyer Anand S Jondhale, he had sought to ban the Prime Minister from contesting elections for six years. The petition said that the Prime Minister, in his speech in Uttar Pradesh on April 9, sought votes for BJP in the name of Hindu and Sikh gurus. In his speech, the Prime Minister linked the opposition to Muslims whereas using religion in elections is a clear violation of the Representation of the People Act.

The petition sought to disqualify the Prime Minister from contesting elections for six years. The petition said that the Prime Minister's speech could create obstacles in free and fair elections in the Lok Sabha elections. Therefore, the court should direct the Election Commission to take cognizance of the Prime Minister's speech and take action against the Prime Minister.

It was also said in the petition that the Prime Minister is traveling across the country by air and giving such speeches, which can create an atmosphere of hatred against a community. Such speeches should be banned for free and fair elections across the country.

Hindusthan Samachar/ Indrani/Manoj