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INDIA Bloc to Challenge CEC Immunity in Supreme Court Amid Intensifying Protests
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Moneycontrol•02-10-2026, 15:53
INDIA Bloc to Challenge CEC Immunity in Supreme Court Amid Intensifying Protests
- •The INDIA bloc plans to petition the Supreme Court against legal immunity for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners under the 2023 law.
- •Opposition parties and civil society organizations staged protests in Delhi and Mumbai, alleging irregularities in the Election Commission's functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
- •The 2023 Act's Section 16 protects current and former CECs and Election Commissioners from legal action for acts performed in their official duties, a provision questioned by the opposition since its introduction.
- •Protests saw activists from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Mumbai and SFI/DYFI members in Delhi demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's removal and the suspension of the SIR exercise.
- •Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including Saurabh Bharadwaj, were detained during the Delhi protests, which occurred despite police restrictions and led to metro station closures.
Key Questions Answered
The INDIA bloc is preparing to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the legal protection and immunity granted to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners under the 2023 law.
Section 16 of the 2023 Act protects the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners against legal action for acts, things, or words done or spoken while discharging their official duties, covering both serving and former officials.
Opposition parties and civil society organisations staged demonstrations in Delhi and Mumbai to protest the Election Commission’s functioning, voice opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and demand the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
