'Unsubstantiated Allegations': Delhi High Court Rejects Another Plea To Disqualify PM Narendra Modi From Contesting 2024 General Polls

The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed a plea seeking disqualification of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from contesting the 2024 general elections.

Justice Sachin Datta rejected the plea filed by Captain Deepak Kumar alleging that Modi and his accomplices attempted to destabilize the national security by planning a fatal crash of an Air India flight in 2018 where he was pilot. Kumar also said Modi "made a false Oath or affirmation which otherwise must be made after the nomination paper has been submitted to RO."

The court observed that the petitioner made reckless and unsubstantiated allegations in the plea, the purpose of which was to make scandalous allegations without any basis.

The court said that the petition was tainted with mala fide and oblique motives.

The plea also sought cancellation of the candidature of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

“Candidate Modi has obstructed the investigation of serious allegations against him and his accomplices. The petitioner for being a schedule caste is made to face an economic and social boycott orchestrated by Modi's accomplices. Candidate Modi is abusing his post of Prime Minister of India by shielding himself and his accomplices from legal scrutiny,” the plea stated.

It added: “Narender Modi, Amit Shan, Jyotiraditya Scindia and their accomplices are a criminal element will be detrimental for Indian Society at large. Thus is to be declared a rogue element as well as unqualified for submitting false Oath or affirmation to bear true faith and allegiance ot the Constitution as being candidate for Varanasi Loksabha Seat for the general election of year 2024.”

Kumar has also alleged that Modi is accused of destruction of evidence by influencing and playing an active role in the selling process of Air India Limited, which cancelled his pilot license and ratings by fabricating his records of service.

Recently, Justice Datta dismissed two pleas against the Prime Minister- one, seeking his disqualification from contesting the polls and another, seeking FIR against him for allegedly delivering “communally divisive speeches” in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

In another news, a Delhi Court recently sought action taken report from the Delhi Police on a complaint against Modi over alleged hate speech given by him on April 21 in Rajasthan.

Title: CAPTAIN DEEPAK KUMAR v. ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 650