‘Derogatory’: EC Moves SC Over Madras HC’s ‘Murder Charges’ Remark

“Election Commission officers should be booked on murder charges probably,” Justice Sanjib Banerjee had remarked.

File photo of Madras High Court

(Photo: PTI)

The Election Commission on Saturday, 1 May, moved the Supreme Court against what it called ‘blatantly disparaging remarks’ by the Madras High Court, over holding polls amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

This comes a day before the counting of votes in four states and one Union Territory where Assembly elections were held recently.

The poll body called the high court’s remarks “uncalled for, blatantly disparaging, and derogatory.”

Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee reprimanded the Election Commission (EC) for failing to ensure COVID-19 norms were being followed during rallies, remarking that the EC is “singularly responsible” for the second wave of COVID-19.

“Election Commission officers should be booked on murder charges probably,” Justice Sanjib Banerjee remarked, as per LiveLaw.

"Public health is of paramount importance and it is distressing that constitutional authorities have to be reminded in such regard. It is only when a citizen survives that he'll be able to enjoy the rights that a democratic republic guarantees,” Chief Justice Banerjee told the EC.