Supreme Court Dismisses Plea to Defer Bihar By-Elections for Chhath Puja

The Supreme Court rejected the Jan Suraaj Party's plea to postpone Bihar by-elections due to Chhath Puja. The elections will proceed on November 13, as the court found the petition without merit. The party argued the festival's timing hampers voter turnout and contravenes equal treatment principles.

In a significant judicial development, the Supreme Court on Monday turned down the Jan Suraaj Party's petition to delay the Bihar by-elections set for November 13 due to the Chhath Puja festival. Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, rejecting the plea, asserted that intervening at this stage would be too late and the case lacked merit.

The party challenged the Election Commission of India's decision not to defer Bihar's by-elections, despite rescheduling similar elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Kerala to accommodate social and religious events. The festival, celebrated from November 6 to 8, is one of Bihar's most significant cultural events.

The Jan Suraaj Party has argued that elections immediately following Chhath Puja would adversely impact voter participation and limit campaigning opportunities. They contended that failing to consider their deferment request violates Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equal treatment. Represented by Ruby Singh Ahuja from Karanjawala & Co, the party sought equal treatment in electoral decisions.

(With inputs from agencies.)