Uddhav Thackeray Moves Delhi High Court Against Rejection Of Plea Challenging ECI's Freezing Order On Shiv Sena Party Symbol

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has approached the Delhi High Court against a single judge order dismissing his plea against Election Commission of India (ECI)'s decision to freeze Shiv Sena's 'bow and arrow' party symbol.

The ECI on October 8 directed both Thackeray and Eknath Shinde's faction to not use the name "Shiv Sena" or symbol "bow and arrow" till their rival claims for the official recognition is finally decided. For the recent Andheri East bypoll, the party factions were allotted different symbols.

In the appeal, Thackeray has said that the order passed by Justice Sanjeev Narula on November 15 is erroneous and liable to be set aside.

The matter is likely to come up for hearing on December 15.

While dismissing the plea, Justice Narula had directed the ECI to adjudicate the pending dispute as expeditiously as possible, keeping in view the interest of both the parties and also the public.

The court was of the view that the ECI took note of the urgency qua allotment of symbol owing to announcement of schedule of bye-elections and made the directions for freezing. 

"Therefore, the Court does not find any procedural infraction on the part of ECI in taking such a view. Petitioner, who repeatedly took time before ECI for furnishing necessary documents, cannot now turn around and allege violation of principles of natural justice and criticize ECI," the court had observed.

On September 27, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had rejected a plea made by the Uddhav group seeking a stay of the proceedings before the ECI initiated by Shinde.

Title: UDDHAV THACKERAY v. THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA & ANR.