Supreme Court directs petitioner to Election Commission over ticket sales probe

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition that sought Central Bureau of Investigation intervention into allegations of ticket sales by political parties based in Uttar Pradesh. A bench hearing the matter advised the petitioner to approach the Election Commission of India, which is the appropriate forum to address such concerns regarding electoral malpractices.

The decision came after the Allahabad High Court had previously declined to entertain an identical plea, directing the matter towards the election regulatory body. The hierarchy of judicial review thus deferred to the specialised authority tasked with overseeing electoral processes and enforcing the Model Code of Conduct.

The Election Commission of India holds constitutional mandate to investigate complaints related to the sale or distribution of election tickets and other electoral misconduct. By redirecting the petitioner towards the ECI, the Supreme Court underscored the importance of utilising established institutional mechanisms designed specifically for such grievances rather than invoking investigative agencies.

The dismissal reflects the court's inclination to maintain jurisdictional boundaries while ensuring that complaints reach the competent authority equipped to examine them. Political parties in Uttar Pradesh and across India are bound by electoral regulations governing ticket allocation and distribution processes.