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The Supreme Court today, in a contempt petition arising out of elections that were held to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in October/November 2020, fined eight political parties for failing to comply with the top court's directions in relation to the disclosure of details of candidates with criminal backgrounds on their official websites as well as in newspapers and on social media.

While Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have been fined Rs. 5 Lakh each for total non-compliance, Six parties including BJP, Congress, Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), Janata Dal-United, CPI, and Lok Jan Shakti Party have been fined Rs 1 lakh for partial non-compliance.

A Division Bench of Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice B.R. Gavai held,

“We direct the Respondent Nos. 3,4,5,6,7 and 11 to deposit an amount of INR 1 Lakh each in the account created by the ECI as specified in this judgment in paragraph 73(iii) within a period of 8 weeks from the date of this judgment. Insofar as Respondent Nos. 8 and 9 are concerned, since they have not at all complied with the directions issued by this Court, we direct them to deposit an amount of INR 5 Lakh each in the aforesaid account within the aforesaid period," the Court ordered.

One Brajesh Singh, through a contempt petition, brought to the notice of this Court the flouting of its directions given vide Order dated 13.02.2020.  In the said order, the Apex Court held that Each contesting candidate shall fill-up the form as provided by the Election Commission and the form must contain all the particulars as required therein.

(Case Title- Brajesh Singh v. Sunil Arora)