Gujarat HC rejects poll code breach plea against Modi

The Gujarat high court on Thursday rejected a petition filed by an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged poll code breach relating to clicking a selfie and displaying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) symbol ‘lotus’ after voting in the Lok Sabha poll in the city in April 2014.

Upholding a lower court order, Justice JB Pardiwala said 

“I am not impressed with your submission that the magistrate did not follow proper procedure while dismissing your petition.” 

Justice Pardiwala added: “As per my interpretation, the magistrate has the power to reject and it was done in an appropriate manner. So, I hereby reject it (the petition).”

The petition was filed by Aam Aadmi Party  worker Nishant Verma against the local court verdict, which had in May last year dismissed his plea, seeking legal action against Modi for allegedly breaching the model code of conduct last year.