Abhinav Beri v. Union of India and Anr

Delhi High Court · 11 Jul 2016 · 2016:DHC:4844-DB
The Chief Justice; Sangita Dhingra Sehgal
W.P.(C) 5827/2016
2016:DHC:4844-DB
constitutional other Procedural

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court disposed of a PIL on 'paid news' as a corrupt practice under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, directing administrative authorities to consider the Law Commission's recommendations and take action within six months.

Full Text
Translation output
W.P.(C) 5827/2016
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
W.P.(C) 5827/2016
ABHINAV BERI ..... Petitioner
Through: Petitioner in person.
VERSUS
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR ..... Respondents
Through: Mr. Ravi Prakash, Ms.Aastha Jain and Mr. Aditya Dewan, Adv. For
CGSC.
CORAM:
HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE SANGITA DHINGRA SEHGAL O R D E R
11.07.2016
JUDGMENT

1. Whether the practice of ''paid news", either by electoral candidate or by print media, is a corrupt practice under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 is the issue sought to be raised in this petition filed by way of Public Interest Litigation.

2. When the matter is taken up for consideration, it is brought to our notice by the learned counsel who appeared on behalf of the respondent NO. 1/Union of India, Ministry of Law and Justice on advance notice that the respondent No.1 is seized of the issue sought to be raised by the petitioner and on the basis of the recommendations of Law Commission of India in its 255th Report, a Task Force comprising senior officers of the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice has been constituted to examine and frame a road map for implementation or otherwise of the 2016:DHC:4844-DB W.P.(C) 5827/2016 recommendations made by the Law Commission.

3. The learned counsel has also stated on instructions that the report of the Task Force set up by the Ministry of Law and Justice is awaited and that on receipt of the report, the matter will be examined on the administrative side and necessary action will be taken after due deliberations with the Election Commission and other stakeholders.

4. We hope and trust that such action would be taken expeditiously within six months from today.

5. Writ petition is accordingly disposed of.

CHIEF JUSTICE SANGITA DHINGRA SEHGAL, J JULY 11, 2016 mr