The Supreme Court on Friday reprimanded Jan Suraj Party of poll strategist-turned-politician, Prashant Kishore and dismissed their petition challenging the results of the Bihar Assembly elections held in November last year.
In its plea, Jan Suraj sought the election to be declared null and void, alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the ruling alliance, led by JDU.
The core argument behind the alleged violation was Rs 10,000 transferred into the account of women beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana after the election schedule was announced, before the election, which the Opposition has been calling an inducement.
While dismissing the petition, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said, "The people rejected you and (now) you use this judicial platform to gain publicity?"
"We cannot issue an omnibus direction for the entire state; that too at the instance of a political party," the CJI said.
Another judge on the bench, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, asked Jan Suraaj's lawyers, "How can you say this?"
The plea of JSP was redirected to the Bihar High Court.
The bench asked the party, represented by senior advocate C U Singh, to approach the Patna High Court on the ground that the issue pertained to one state only.