The Supreme Court in the case Ramesh Kumar Khatri v. The Election Commission of India observed and has dismissed the Public Interest Litigation, PIL moved seeking direction on setting limits to the expenses on election-related affairs of the Political parties.
The bench comprising of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra was hearing the present matter.
In the present case, the PIL moved seek directions regarding the calculation and fixing of expense limits by Political parties, restriction on the expenses of candidates, restriction on articles printed and posted prior to nominations and Courts to restrict pamphlets and posters etc. The petitioner in the plea highlighted that as per section86(7) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the High Courts are to expeditiously dispose of election petitions within six months from the date on which the election petition is presented to the High Court for trial.
It has been contended by him before the court that the High Courts do not decide even after 3 to 4 years and seek further directions to all High Courts to dispose of such petitions within the stipulated time frame.
The court in the case observed that the direction so sought fell in the ambit of the Legislature.
The bench headed by CJI remarked that the either these are the legislative changes or policy matters, how can we entertain a petition like this?
The bench while considering the facts and circumstances of the case stated that this court cannot command the Parliament that you enact a law on this subject.
Accordingly, the court dismissed the plea.