SC junks plea seeking SIT probe into Rahul Gandhi's 'vote chori' allegations

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of large-scale manipulation of the voters' list in the Bengaluru Central constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, allegations earlier raised by Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed the petitioner to pursue the matter before the Election Commission of India (ECI). When the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that a representation had already been filed with the ECI but no action had been taken, the bench declined to intervene.

The court disposed of the plea, observing that the petitioner "may pursue the matter before the ECI." The bench also rejected the counsel’s request to fix a time limit for the poll body to decide on the representation. "We have heard the petitioner’s counsel. We are not inclined to entertain the petition, which is purportedly filed in public interest. The petitioner may pursue before the ECI, if so advised," the bench observed in the order. 

The petition was filed by Rohit Pandey, who also sought a direction that no further revision or finalisation of electoral rolls be undertaken until compliance with the Court's directions and completion of an independent audit of the rolls. He also sought transparency from the ECI in publishing and preventing duplicate entries in the voters' list. 

The petitioner also submitted before the court that he had personally verified the allegations raised by Rahul Gandhi during a press conference on August 7 and found them to be true. 

(With inputs from LiveLaw)