The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an interlocutory application concerning allegations by a pregnant journalist that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi pushed her inside the Court’s registry premises during the Opposition’s march to the Supreme Court on October 12.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi agreed on Friday to list the application on October 26 after Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia sought an early hearing and clarification regarding the issuance of notice in the connected matters.
During the hearing, Bhatia also sought clarification on whether the Court had issued notice in the proceedings he had mentioned a day earlier. The Chief Justice confirmed that notices had been issued in all the matters.
The application relates to an incident alleged to have taken place when Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders marched to the Supreme Court to submit a petition challenging the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The march was held amid Opposition protests seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the voter-list revision exercise.
The journalist, identified as Richa Parashar, has alleged that Gandhi grabbed her and pulled her while she was attempting to cover the march. She further claimed that his security personnel pushed her, causing her to fall and sustain injuries. She was subsequently taken to hospital. The Congress has denied the allegation.
The issue was raised before the Supreme Court on Thursday as well, when Bhatia referred to media reports concerning the alleged incident and urged the Bench to take cognisance of it. The Court indicated that the matter would have to be brought before it through a formal application rather than an oral submission.
The proceedings arise against the backdrop of multiple petitions before the Supreme Court concerning demonstrations in and around court premises, the conduct of political leaders during the October 12 march, and the protection of journalists covering protests. The Court has issued notices in the connected matters.
The allegations against Gandhi remain contested and are yet to be adjudicated by the Court.
The post Journalist moves Supreme Court alleging Rahul Gandhi pushed her during October 12 March; hearing On October 26 appeared first on India Legal.