The Supreme Court on Friday told Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan that once a nomination is rejected, the only remedy is to approach the Election Commission (EC), not the court. The observation came during a hearing on her petition challenging the rejection of her nomination for the Rajya Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh.
Background of the Case
Natarajan had moved the Supreme Court after the Returning Officer rejected her nomination paper, citing alleged non-disclosure of a criminal case under the Representation of People Act. She argued that the rejection was wrong and sought the court's intervention.
Court's Stand
A bench of Justices observed that the election process is a continuous one and the court cannot interfere at this stage. The remedy lies with the EC, which can address grievances related to nomination rejections. The court dismissed the petition, directing Natarajan to approach the EC for relief.
Legal Implications
The ruling underscores the limited scope of judicial review in election disputes, emphasizing that the EC is the primary authority for such matters. Legal experts say this reinforces the EC's role in ensuring free and fair elections.
Natarajan's counsel argued that the rejection was arbitrary, but the court remained firm on its stance. The EC will now examine her plea and decide on the nomination's validity.
